About Natalie Toplass

From sketch pad drawings as a child, Natalie progressed to painting oversize oils of sumptuous magnified flowers. She believes the scale of her work was influenced by her time working as a scenic artist – a role she relished and which took her around the world. Nature first and foremost has the greatest impact for Natalie. In addition to plants, her direction has recently moved towards birds and her fascination with their freedom and flight.

Current pieces incorporate story-like elements, ideas gained from dilapidated country houses seen while out on walks with her dog and the curiosities she finds in friend’s houses. These help to create a secret narrative.

Natalie aims to convey the feelings and sense of pleasure she feels while being surrounded by nature, even the simplest of things stir emotions.  She wants the viewer to have an experience that encompasses several sensations beyond that of the image itself. This is why the scale of her work is important. By enlarging the scale, the nature of the subject is intensified, and enables the viewer to become surrounded by the beauty of the subject.

Natalie’s technique had developed through intense observation and trial and error. There is always room for development and she enjoys this process of challenging herself.