NATALIE PERKINS

Natalie Perkins is a freelance graphic artist and illustrator from Brisbane.
She has lived in Brisbane since forever and only escapes it via the internet or by drawing. She will draw for 10 hours and give it to someone rather than tell them she cares about them.Her illustrations are feminine and whimsical, and celebrate the feminine figure.
You may have seen her illustrations in the first edition of peppermint magazine.

FT: Tell us a bit about your background and how you got into design and illustration

NP: I’ve always loved drawing, I can’t remember an age at which I didn’t draw. When I was in high school my favourite subject was Art but I didn’t do that well… My Senior Certificate reads “sound achievement” for Art and English and “high achievement” for music and accounting. I went on to study Art and English at university as part of my Bachelor of Arts (visual arts)/ Bachelor of Education but dropped out because I didn’t want to teach and I’d been having a massive shift in my family life. I got into graphic design by way of an ex – he taught me what he knew (he is a web designer) and I taught myself the rest. For the next 7 years I’d work as a graphic designer both freelance and in-house but I decided to quit my job when I realised I wasn’t happy. I started offering my graphic design services as a freelancer, but rediscovered my love of drawing and art while doodling absent mindedly… and then I started doodling while I was concentrating! People really responded to what I was drawing and I found a new market – people who want stuff doodled on!

FT: You have a good web presence. What role has the internet played in gaining recognition for your work?

NP: I’ve been using computers since I was a kid, and have been online since about 1995. I’ve always loved building silly little web sites for myself and participating in online culture, but when I started working in marketing as an in-house designer I realised that the natural network of friendships I’d built up was an awesome support group to build a web presence on – because a web presence is more than just pixels and code. The explosion of social media in the last few years has intrigued me – I’m an early adopter of a lot of services because I love this mode of communication (not being much of a natural talker, or a phone user!)

FT: What is the art/design scene like in Brisbane?

NP: There’s always stuff happening! I don’t even take advantage of maybe 10% of events and opportunities that are available. The Brisbane Creative Industries event list (which is curated by Hannah Suarez , an amazing powerhouse and champion of the Brisbane creative scene!) proves just how much is going on! I think there’s always been a lot going on here, but there hasn’t always been an effective conduit of information from the people who know what’s going on to the people who think “geee whiz isn’t Brisbane boring?”. Peppermint Magazine , an awesome new eco-lifestyle mag who let me draw stuff for them sometimes, are also based in Brisbane.

FT: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

NP: When I was little I was always drawn to shapes and lines that ornamented everyday things like: doilies, tableclothes, fabric prints, ornate frames and wallpapers. I draw a lot of paisley because it’s just become a talisman – something I must have seen a lot in my life and unconsciously attached weight to. It’s not significant beyond being a useful shape that lets me dress and undress it in all matter of ways. The actual history of the paisley symbol is kind of similar.

FT: You recently started working freelance, what benefits have you found in doing freelance work?

NP: My biggest priority was doing something I loved doing, and it’s been important for me to stop every once in a while and evaluate just how much I’m loving things at any given moment. I suffer depression and anxiety and I tend to over-work myself just for the sake of it, even if I’m not enjoying things. So freelancing has provided me with flexibility and scope to look after myself, and choose projects that make me do a little dance in my chair when I think about them.

FT: Finally, do you have any words of wisdom or advice for fellow creatives?

NP:I don’t feel like I know enough to be wise! I’m always trying to learn more. I guess that’s my advice. Learn more, all the time.

Natalie is participating in a group show as of Friday 31st July at KILN in Brisbane. It’s called “The Illustrators” and the artists include: Nigel Buchanan, Jim Tsinganos, Brett Lethbridge, Ron Monnier, Courtney Brims, Shaun Campbell, Lucia Masciullo and her of course! So if you live in Brisbane it would be worth checking out.