https://nataliedarkart.com/blog daily 0.75 2019-02-25 https://nataliedarkart.com/blog/2019/2/25/firmas-signatures monthly 0.5 2019-03-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1551283500431-4FSULMEQYDQ1U3R2TS50/B8736D46-B9BE-4CA6-8648-953930AE5149.jpeg Blog - Firmas (Signatures) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1551283619861-EVHQ5013NKMLJ6KJAEED/CA4D2893-34AE-4A4F-A1CF-A968FC0CEDC9.jpeg Blog - Firmas (Signatures) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1551284213070-GIT8S9W7I984ZFPNHMLG/IMG_7273.jpeg Blog - Firmas (Signatures) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1551284263589-SSG3Z7JXFIAY4GW56A45/IMG_7271.jpeg Blog - Firmas (Signatures) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1551284317831-FORQSCUS7ASU40Z1KN86/IMG_7309.jpeg Blog - Firmas (Signatures) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1551284402070-JFVY08YANAJUVNM2M3AO/IMG_7180.jpeg Blog - Firmas (Signatures) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1551284585450-SFE09K0KAIL6TV6AGLSC/IMG_7198.jpeg Blog - Firmas (Signatures) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1551284631199-DKVR52G1LXQ7LXREIC9D/IMG_7551.jpeg Blog - Firmas (Signatures) https://nataliedarkart.com/blog/2018/10/22/still-life-portraits monthly 0.5 2018-11-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1541618735404-FRCLWG2QC3K7E4Y2Y01Q/3+Watercolor+Paintings+%284%29.png Blog - Still Life Portraits https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1541614750486-3RQ0WZ3ACQ2N5X9NZIQF/Still+Life+Portrait+Natalie+Dark+Art.jpeg Blog - Still Life Portraits Still Life Styling by Natalie Dark, Photographed by Jen Brown (@StoneandLaurel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1541618292374-H3ZZX2AL9D07C9JWMVXU/24785042_10155828043175561_6988008038592804872_o.jpg Blog - Still Life Portraits https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1541618302345-LZH0YDSHQM84O93YQDM7/24785065_10155828047965561_2856764054454140729_o.jpg Blog - Still Life Portraits https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1541618315024-YIUCMTWCRQUFR5ERSRN2/24879895_10155828051530561_2097892862229167814_o.jpg Blog - Still Life Portraits https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1541618266317-9K6910XORIGBEH5S8JOD/image1+%282%29.jpeg Blog - Still Life Portraits https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1541618237615-7E3CAGKOIKK92D4WZNY2/image1+%282%29.jpeg Blog - Still Life Portraits https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1541618179195-YPQ0I09PXECKBNKFPO5R/shoreditch+wildlife.jpg Blog - Still Life Portraits https://nataliedarkart.com/blog/2018/9/13/camino-oscuro monthly 0.5 2018-11-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1536873095687-SMUBMXTHQUOKZ5I58TM8/Las+Primeras+Naranjas Blog - CAMINO OSCURO - Las Primeras Naranjas Detailed and vibrant, this still life is full of richness and depth. As the first piece created in the Camino Oscuro collection, it is the only one with a white background. I had not originally intended to include this piece as part of the collection, as it lacks the characteristic dark background; however, upon reflection, I realized that the white background is precisely why it must be included. This piece represents the starting point of the journey I experienced while creating this collection, a collection that would not exist without “Las Primeras Naranjas.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1536882351128-MF4N7LSY6UMZR5P50B2V/4AA03770-C2B5-4C55-B6C9-E8712F8D9D4E.JPG Blog - CAMINO OSCURO - Los Agucates The first leg of the Camino Oscuro journey is about discovery and experimentation. Los Aguacates is part of this “first leg” (El Principio) not only because of when it was created chronologically, but also because it is the only painting in the collection. I chose to paint this piece rather than use colored pencils because painting was the medium I had previously used to express myself with. I was curious to see how paint would impact my style and connection with the process. By turning to oils I allowed myself the comfort of a known medium, and was free to explore with colors and composition in a way I did not yet feel comfortable doing with colored pencils. Los Aguacates is textured and rich in colors, layers, and movement. For me, this piece represents (among so many other things) the exploration that is possible when we begin a new journey, and was pivotal in determining both the aesthetic and emotional direction of the journey/collection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1536873250760-OXW3EGFBXM20G5J74TMA/El+Arreglo+Floral Blog - CAMINO OSCURO - El Arreglo Floral Unlike the rest of the Camino Oscuro collection pieces, El Arreglo Floral is overflowing with an abundance of detail in subdued, cool hues. As the third piece of the Camino Oscuro Collection, it spearheads what I think of as “La Transición” (“The Transition”). El Arreglo Floral was created during the time when the meaning of this journey became clear to me. I think it is the most unique piece in the series, and expresses my hesitation, confusion, and nervousness throughout this period. While these are traditionally considered negative emotions, I think their vulnerability makes them beautiful. By this point in the journey I knew that I wanted to create art for others, but felt overwhelmed by thoughts of wanting others to like my art and nervousness about potentially feeling rejected if my art was not well received. You can see how I have protected myself in the subject matter by choosing to depict something that is relatable, easily likeable, and inoffensive. Like this piece, I cherry picked the parts of myself I was comfortable with the world seeing. There is still some richness in the calming color scheme, and a moderately dark background, but it is not as bold as the rest of the collection. Instead, this piece asks the viewer to focus on the technique and detail, which is where I am most comfortable. I think this is so important to share, because it is a reminder that transitions are slow, and each step leads us closer to where we are meant to be. I love this piece because behind its tranquil facade you can sense the power of things to come. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1536873286175-5O3DGVMYKRHYLAKQSTZP/Las+Cerezas Blog - CAMINO OSCURO - Las Cerezas As the fourth piece of the Camino Oscuro Collection, and the second piece of “La Trasición,” Las Cerezas is full of passion and momentum coming off the heels of El Arreglo Floral. Where El Arreglo Floral is subdued and tranquil, Las Cerezas is bold and unapologetic. There is a sense of defiance and stubborness to this piece that I can’t get enough of. I was tired of trying to hide who I was, and this was the piece where I consciously made an effort to communicate who I am to the world. However, I do not consider this piece as the last of La Transicion, because it began with a much lighter background, something that is not easily covered up with my medium of choice. I believe the amount of effort it took to get the background to be as dark as possible is clearly evident in the piece, and leaves the viewer with a sense of courage and determination. There are areas where the lighter under layer is peaking through the dark overcoat. When I look at this piece I see so many things, but the two that are most salient to me are (1) that transitions are when "we grow “thick skin” to help us protect our insecurities and emotions, and (2) there is no such thing as “too late” to be who you want to be. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1536873356942-M64OBCUM4ZKUEFP8PM0U/El+Naranjo Blog - CAMINO OSCURO - El Naranjo El Naranjo is the final piece from “La Trasición” and communicates a sense of fulfilment, while simultaneously leaving us to imagine about things to come. While it is the only piece in the collection that is not a still life, it is also the first colored pencil piece with a rich black background. When I started this piece, I still felt hesitant about creating the still life drawings with black backgrounds I envisioned in my head. I was not ready to commit. Instead, I experimented with a subject that fills the frame. I did not hold back with the black background, but hedged my bets by filling the frame with so much of the subject. By the end of this piece I knew I was ready. I knew I needed to create what I wanted & that it would be fine. I had tried every alternative, but had not quenched that thirst. There is an urgency about this piece, almost like my hands knew that I needed to do this one in order to get to the next leg of this journey. I see so much movement and excitement when I look at this piece. It reminds me of that last leg of my drive to a friend’s Central Florida home, passing miles and miles of orange groves, pushing the speed limit as far as you dare, excited to take on the unknown (which for me, as a city girl, were the weekends I spent in rural Central Florida). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1536873430609-TKKP4ACU9OKM7DBDZEPM/La+Palmita Blog - CAMINO OSCURO - La Palmita The final leg of this journey is kicked off by La Palmita, which is the first colored pencil still life piece I created with a fully black background. I adore the vibrant greens that breath life into any space this drawing is in. It is the drawing I took the most artistic liberties with, inventing most of the ridges and movement you see. This piece truly came from my heart. Instead of drawing from the perfect little palm I had clipped from my windowsill garden, that is so protected and cared for, I drew from memories of what real palm leaves look like. The wear and tear our environment has on them, the beauty I find in their resilience. I feel a sense of calmness when I draw palm leaves, and I feel that serenity when I look at this drawing. It flowed from me like none of the others did, and I hope it brings others a sense of comfort when they look at it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1536873462210-ULMM1ZQRCNZYOD63U2EJ/Los+Melocotones+Y+Las+Cerezas Blog - CAMINO OSCURO - Los Melocotones Y Las Cerezas Where La Palmita exudes comfort, Los Melocotones Y Las Cerezas communicate power. I knew I couldn’t end this collection on such an easy, calm note. That is not who I am. I am a woman who enjoys a challenge. I need to know I pushed all of my limits and conquered all of my fears. This drawing scared me. The cherries are all piled up on top of one another, there is a gold tray, and the peaches have a color pallet and softness I am not accustomed to drawing. And I drew them, and I conquered it. In the past I would have approached this piece with hesitation and timidness. However, there is none of that here. Los Melocotones Y Las Cerezas is overflowing with confidence and determination. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b47b766f2e6b160eafb8b3c/1536873497864-R24PX66M9VO7GGYQ9I3L/Las+Clementinas+Peladas Blog - CAMINO OSCURO - Las Clementinas Peladas The final piece in the collection, Las Clementinas Peladas are my pièce de résistance. (And don’t confuse that for “favorite”, that isn’t possible!) It combines everything I have been working towards: a fully committed black background, a bold composition, and a technically challenging subject. But the best part of this piece for me is that it started off completely differently. I had originally played it safe, but as I began to draw it out, I realized it wouldn’t be good enough to just be “good enough.” I knew this was the last piece of this journey when I felt the confidence I had going into something I felt so challenged by. I pulled out all the stops for this piece. Nothing about this piece was easy; everything was a challenge. But I kept my head down, believed that I had it in me, and when I looked back up I realized that hard work really does pay off. I often get comments on the technical skill, patience, talent it takes to do something like this. However, I don’t see any of that, because all I see is REALLY HARD WORK. That is what this piece says to me; good things come to those who work REALLY F***ING HARD. So tell me, when you look at this piece, can you smell and taste the clementines? I can. They smell like my childhood, and like Christmas in the UK. They taste like a burst of sunshine and happiness. I hope you can, because that was what I was going for. I wanted to draw something that you could connect with on a basic human level. 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