Meet Natalie Arriola

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Arriola.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My journey to becoming a photographer has been anything but a straight shot. I spent a lot of my youth feeling very lost and confused. I am not one of those people who knew from the time I was five years old that I wanted to be an artist. What I have always known is that I have a desire to share something beautiful and meaningful with the world.

For many years I tried finding ways of expressing myself but wound up frustrated. About ten years ago I picked up a camera and realized that it just might be the tool I needed.

Unfortunately, at that time I was also in the full swing of alcoholism. This meant that my photography practice grew in fits and spurts. It’s difficult to earnestly pursue anything when your entire life revolves around when you’ll be able to have your next drink.

I am currently a little over 2 1/2 years sober, and I finally feel like I have found my artistic voice. Things have moved incredibly quickly for me in the last couple of years, and I have seen my work grow exponentially.

Please tell us about your art.
I’m a photographer, and I create dark, enigmatic, surreal images which are often described as haunting.

The intention behind my work comes from a desire to explore the human condition by uncovering the significance, depth, and beauty of the darker emotions while posing questions and evoking a sense of mystery.

Much of my more heavily surrealist work is rich with symbolism which I see as a tool for both communicating ideas and arousing emotional response in the viewer.

Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
Just keep moving forward without worrying about results. Don’t get hung up on a piece that didn’t work out or a shoot that didn’t go well. Learn from your successes AND from your failures! It’s the failures that will serve you most, but only if you let them.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I won the Juror’s Award for best in show on the upcoming Altered Realities exhibition at PhotoPlace Gallery in Vermont.

https://photoplacegallery.com/online-juried-shows/altered-realities/

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nataliearriola.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliearriolaphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nataliearriolaphoto/

Image Credit:
Natalie Arriola

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