Little Paintings in Big China
Donation protected
Hello! For those who do not know me, my name is Natalie Erickson. And I am so excited to tell you that I have an amazing opportunity. I have been invited to Beijing, China for two months during a work hiatus, to paint and do some traveling. This is very last minute (I’m leaving in May) and that is why I am asking for your donations. But I have some great rewards for you in return—please scroll down to see!
This will be my second trip to China. I really did not have the opportunity to paint when I was there last, and ever since I’ve returned from that trip, I’ve wanted to go back and experience painting there. It’s such an amazing place—the old, the new… the influence of Western culture beside the beautiful traditions that are still alive today. It’s a country in a state of change and growth. Being there can be very surreal at times. I will be painting this large city on a tiny scale with my oil paints. I love to work in this small format; taking objects and people and shrinking them down into a tiny painting. It can be held in your hand and become more of an intimate connection between you and the object.
This is an amazing opportunity as an artist to push myself and create a new body of work in an unfamiliar place. It’s going to be incredible to have this extended time to devote to my painting. I feel this experience is not only going to be an extraordinary time, but it is going to help my artistic career. My goal is to come back home with 20 small oil paintings that will be shown at a gallery here in Portland, OR.
This opportunity was given to me on very short notice and that’s why I’m asking for your assistance. I work a full time job as a nanny. The family I work with needs to go to China for two months and while they couldn’t pay me during that hiatus, they have offered me boarding and some help with travel to Beijing. There is family help there and I will not be working while in China. Because I will not be working for two months, this is where your donations will come into play. The money that is donated will go toward travel expenses, a modest food budget, and some art supplies I will need to purchase in China. If I had more time to plan, I could save up; but there is a limited window of time allotted to me. I’d like to go for it, but I need your help!
More about me: I live in the Pacific Northwest where I work and create. I’ve been a nanny for 16 years and have had the privilege to work with amazing kids and families (they call me the Baby Whisperer!). In 2008, I went back to school to get my degree in Art History and studio art at Evergreen State College. There I succeeded far above what I thought was possible for myself. I was very dedicated in school and was even awarded Senior Thesis my last year (only five students are chosen per graduating class).
I moved to Portland in 2012 and was lucky to fill a spot in the Action Studios where I could paint and work around talented artists and friends. I have a full time job and still dedicate at least 20 hours a week to painting. I am an oil painter. That is what I do. I have been continuing my education by studying under Alexander Rokoff, an accomplished painter that studied with Odd Nerdrum. I can’t even express how much my work has grown getting to learn from Alexander! It’s been important to me to put in a constant effort to grow as a painter and I am eager to continue that growth. I hope I can with your help.
Here are a few of my paintings.
This will be my second trip to China. I really did not have the opportunity to paint when I was there last, and ever since I’ve returned from that trip, I’ve wanted to go back and experience painting there. It’s such an amazing place—the old, the new… the influence of Western culture beside the beautiful traditions that are still alive today. It’s a country in a state of change and growth. Being there can be very surreal at times. I will be painting this large city on a tiny scale with my oil paints. I love to work in this small format; taking objects and people and shrinking them down into a tiny painting. It can be held in your hand and become more of an intimate connection between you and the object.
This is an amazing opportunity as an artist to push myself and create a new body of work in an unfamiliar place. It’s going to be incredible to have this extended time to devote to my painting. I feel this experience is not only going to be an extraordinary time, but it is going to help my artistic career. My goal is to come back home with 20 small oil paintings that will be shown at a gallery here in Portland, OR.
This opportunity was given to me on very short notice and that’s why I’m asking for your assistance. I work a full time job as a nanny. The family I work with needs to go to China for two months and while they couldn’t pay me during that hiatus, they have offered me boarding and some help with travel to Beijing. There is family help there and I will not be working while in China. Because I will not be working for two months, this is where your donations will come into play. The money that is donated will go toward travel expenses, a modest food budget, and some art supplies I will need to purchase in China. If I had more time to plan, I could save up; but there is a limited window of time allotted to me. I’d like to go for it, but I need your help!
More about me: I live in the Pacific Northwest where I work and create. I’ve been a nanny for 16 years and have had the privilege to work with amazing kids and families (they call me the Baby Whisperer!). In 2008, I went back to school to get my degree in Art History and studio art at Evergreen State College. There I succeeded far above what I thought was possible for myself. I was very dedicated in school and was even awarded Senior Thesis my last year (only five students are chosen per graduating class).
I moved to Portland in 2012 and was lucky to fill a spot in the Action Studios where I could paint and work around talented artists and friends. I have a full time job and still dedicate at least 20 hours a week to painting. I am an oil painter. That is what I do. I have been continuing my education by studying under Alexander Rokoff, an accomplished painter that studied with Odd Nerdrum. I can’t even express how much my work has grown getting to learn from Alexander! It’s been important to me to put in a constant effort to grow as a painter and I am eager to continue that growth. I hope I can with your help.
Here are a few of my paintings.
Organizer
Natalie Erickson
Organizer
Portland, OR