Natalia Rak (whose name translates into English as “Natalia Cancer”… thank you, Google Translate) brought a feminine presence to the 2013 Richmond Mural Project, but she doesn’t want to be recognized solely for her gender. The sight of her brilliant art should keep anyone from making that mistake, though.
Natalia Rak (whose name translates into English as “Natalia Cancer”… thank you, Google Translate) brought a feminine presence to the 2013 Richmond Mural Project, but she doesn’t want to be recognized solely for her gender. The sight of her brilliant art should keep anyone from making that mistake, though. Starting out as a graphic designer, Natalia’s relationship with Bezt of ETAM Cru led her to begin experimenting with large-scale murals. The gorgeous, colorful murals she creates now are all the more stunning once you realize she began painting walls only three years ago. Her artistic talent has led her to participate in exhibitions all around the world–just in 2013, she’s done murals in France, Portugal, and Germany, as well as multiple cities in her native Poland. And that’s not to mention her piece created here in good ol’ RVA, one of the most memorable works of the entire Richmond Mural Project. As with ETAM Cru, this was Natalia’s first visit to the United States, and she discovered some interesting facets of American culture while she was in town. With the generous aid of Bezt and Sanier from ETAM Cru, who helped with translation, we spoke to Natalia about her ambition, her creative process, her advice to beginning artists, and the novelty of brunch.
How did you get involved with the mural project?
Really, I don’t remember exactly how. I think Shane [Art Whino] wrote to ETAM Cru first, and Bezt showed him my work. Shane said he loved it and wanted me to come too. Also, I really wanted to do something outside of Europe, in another continent.
When did you start doing walls?
Only about three years ago. I never tried to do any Graffiti or painting using spray cans, but when I met Bezt [of ETAM Cru], I started watching him; seeing how he did it, how it worked. It was three years ago that we took some cans and went to an abandoned place and I tried to do something. I remember I tried to make a pink elephant. It looked really stupid; but it was my first time. It was really hard for me, but I got used to it.
Street art and graffiti is largely a male dominated art culture. How do you feel about representing a female perspective?
I’m always looking at art, the way the men have done it, because I think really, that they are better than women. I know only one famous female Polish Impressionist artist, Olga Boznanska (1865-1945), but I don’t like her work too much. I think my style of graffiti is not like how men do it, but I want to impress everyone, the guys too. I want to be as good as them. I think it was always inside me, to be as good as male artists.
How does it feel to be the first female artist involved in the Richmond Mural Project?
It’s another festival that I’ve done that I’m the only female artist. It’s really nice, but I don’t think they treat me special because I’m a woman; they treat me like one of the guys. It’s normal, we are equals.
How would you describe your work?
My style? Well, I focus always on the colors. I enjoy contrasting colors like Orange with Flirt [a darker hue of Fuchsia]. I like to put some metaphors, some stories inside. I like to put in many details; I know I can get crazy about it, but I the details are important. I like to do portraits because I think people always look to find another face somewhere, and it’s easier for them to build a context and observe the picture more.
I know you studied marketing and package design in school. How do you use that in your work?
I don’t use that training in my work much anymore, because it seems like a different world for me. I use it more when I do something on computers. Actually, I don’t do typical sketches for my work; I make photo montages using images I find online. I know a really good Photoshop program, so it’s only from that that I study and work like a Graphic Designer. For me, it’s so easy to prepare something in Photoshop. You can see some Photoshop effects in my work because when I set out to make something, I try to exactly replicate the images I made on the computer. For my last wall in Warsaw Poland, called “Waiting for Tomorrow,” I manipulated light and shadow, so I have lighter shadows and darker facial features.
How does your work differentiate between your painting and drawings?
I don’t like drawing, but I think the subject and the theme that I work on is the same between painting on canvas and painting on walls. I always [depict] people, usually a woman. There is always a story, and I try to use many colors. On canvas, I can spend more time on it, more time to think about it. But with a wall, I usually only have a few days, maybe a week to finish it, so I need to focus on the most important elements. I think that the work differs because of the type of paints I use. I use oils on a canvas, but use acrylics, house paints, and cans on walls. You can really see the difference between the paints.
I noticed you used mostly cans for your mural here; is that your preferred medium for murals?
Yes, I used mostly cans here. I want to use acrylics more, but I need to learn it because it’s easier to paint with acrylics on bigger and bigger walls like the guys [ETAM Cru] do. I did my whole picture here with spray cans and only house paint to cover the brick background. I think I used at least 10 cans a day, maybe more, so at least 70 to complete the Richmond mural.
What are your goals as an artist?
You know I want to be like… so famous that I can live on selling my canvases. Most artists become famous after they die, but I want to live a normal life, and have my art be my job. I know it will take some time, maybe 10 years, but I will keep trying. Artists all have the same life; it’s hard to start out, you have a shitty job, but you stay focused on your work. It’s always the same road, the same way, it’s normal. I just want to lead a normal life, doing what I love.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists?
Never give up. Don’t think about what everybody around says, because this is your life. Don’t focus on what someone says–it’s not so important. I had one bad article about my work that made me cry, but after that, I don’t let negative words bother me. I’m much stronger. Many people write to me and tell me they love my work, and it was only just the one that said it was shitty. It just fuels me to keep improving and make better work. My boyfriend [Bezt of ETAM Cru] always says “Don’t think about it, just do it… and take another step.” I started using spray cans only three years ago, and I learned that… so now I have a guitar and I want to learn to play it. It’s always a good time to start something new. You’ve got a long life, ya know? Two days ago, we watched an American comedy movie… Groundhog Day? About the man that has the same day all the time. The first day was tough for him, he wanted to give up, to die… but after that, he wants to learn the piano, make a sculpture, etc. That’s how life should be, always trying something new. Maybe I’ll get a tattoo next.
What project do you have lined up after this?
Probably it will be in Poland, a bigger wall, but we will see because we need to find sponsors for our painting. They are very expensive to create. I have another opportunity in the works in the Ukraine too.
You’ve been involved in a number of exhibitions and festivals in the last 3 years. Which was your most favorite to be a part of? Why?
I liked the last one in Lagos, Portugal just three weeks ago [ARTURb In My Wall – June 2013]. The people there were really nice. I painted in an abandoned prison, so it was an interesting location. I also liked the No name Fest, in Fleury-les-aubrais, France, also earlier this year, because [it was] my first festival that I went to alone, without ETAM Cru. I was also the only woman and also the youngest artist. I loved what I did there. I felt so happy that I wanted to cry. When I was painting, everyone stopped to give me compliments–even a bus driver honked and stopped for me. It made me very proud of my work.
How did you like your visit to the US? To Richmond?
It was really nice, but the first day, I didn’t feel much difference. It still felt like Europe. It wasn’t until days later, after I’d made some progress on my wall, that I was able to relax, to go out with the group and experience the city. The jazz band that played on the street [outside Can Can in Carytown]… was amazing. We don’t have stuff like that at home. It made me realize I was really in the US. I want to return to Richmond. There is a different lifestyle, food, and buildings. I had never heard of such a thing as “brunch” before. To sit in a pub with people, eat and drink for a long time… we don’t have that part of the day in Poland. I want to have brunch when I come back. Maybe get my big tattoo then too.
—-
Check out Natalia Rak’s contribution to the Richmond Mural Project at:
2103 W. Main St
