Daily Inspiration: Meet Natalia Torres del Valle

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Torres del Valle.

Natalia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have had a breadth of career experiences up until this present moment of being a practicing artist. My career began in elementary education at an arts-integrated school which led me to another career as a museum teaching artist.

In both of these settings, I was able to witness the innate healing that art brings which inspired me to follow a path toward becoming an expressive arts therapist. I still hold all of these identities and they influence my practice in how I approach a panel with play and flexibility.

I offered art experiences to others for many years before having a consistent art practice that was just for me.

What really propelled this was the birth of my daughter. After she was born, I had an intrinsic desire to create and take up space in my home in order to do that.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There has been flexibility in my art practice over the years. During a period of time when I was a single parent, my art practice became more present alongside my daughter or after she went to bed.

We even completed a collaborative daily art project together which really influenced my practice. I realized showing up, to even make a mark consistently had a greater impact over time instead of waiting for long periods of uninterrupted studio time. I realized what I could do with a time limit and that was empowering.

Don’t get me wrong though, long studio days are always very lovely!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a mixed media artist who makes sculptural paintings. My inspiration stems from fungi and forms in nature. This connection between fungi and my work comes through in my use of paint skins.

Paint skins are typically the discarded material leftover on a palette and last year I began to play with their sculptural possibilities. Just as fungi take what is discarded and break it down to make room for new growth, I take paint skins, albeit now created with intention, and transform them into new growth across the panel.

These forms are then cast in epoxy resin. Most of my work is small and I hope that encourages the viewer to come closer to the work, walk around it, and in turn, feel encouraged to have those same intimate experiences with nature.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I often listen to music while I’m in the studio but some of my favorite podcasts are the Artist/Mother Podcast and Art for Your Ear. The Artist/Mother podcast has resources that really empowered me as an artist/mother such as critique groups and workshops.

Danielle Krysa of Art for Your Ear has a newsletter where you receive daily images and descriptions of contemporary artists and it is an inspiring way to start my day.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nataliatorresdelvalle.com
• Instagram: @nataliatorresdelvalle
• Other: My work is also available at the North Carolina Museum of Art Store and during Hillsborough Arts Council’s Last Fridays.