Written by My name is Natalie Mecham. I grew up in Orem, Utah but now my home is Southeast Idaho. During my childhood when I wasn’t drawing I was outside exploring the beautiful places Utah has to offer. One of my favorite places to be was with my grandma. One of my favorite activities to do with my grandparents was to look through the wood piles on their property, searching for the stray kittens.
Many summers were spent with one goal in mind, find a kitten and tame it so I could have a pet. It was when I was with my grandma that I was encouraged the most to create art. I also spent a lot of time with my brother who is also an artist. I would occasionally steal his charcoal pencils so that I could draw by myself. In my teenage years, I worked with graphite, charcoal, and pastels. With National Geographic and fashion magazines I taught myself how to draw portraits.
I don’t follow the typical rules with watercolors, I use white ink, masking fluid and many other mediums with my watercolor art. I love Arches hot press paper and use it for all my large work. The smooth paper works well for the small details. I do a lot of 5×7” paintings. For these, I use Strathmore ready cut paper.
I have several brands of watercolor, my favorites being Daniel Smith and Sennelier. For my backgrounds, I use Da Vinci Russian Blue Squirrel brushes. For the rest of my painting, I use Princeton Umbria size 6 round. Since I use graphite to help define small details or even to add extra shading, I would say my must-have art supply is my Pentel .5 mechanical pencil.
I got married and moved to Idaho the year after high school. After a few years, my husband and I decided to grow our family. We soon discovered we had fertility issues. During that time, I became very depressed and lost my desire to do any art. After years of trying, we found out I was expecting. I started to do art again and this is when I discovered watercolors. Unfortunately, I went into preterm labor and our twin boys were born at only 23 weeks gestation. They died two days after birth.
I slipped back into depression, but this time I used art to help myself cope with the loss of our boys. About a year later, I became pregnant with our twin girls. It was a difficult pregnancy with many trips to the hospital to stop labor. I was put on full bedrest, but figured out how to continue doing art. I would hold my paper above me while laying on my back and use water-filled brushes to paint.
I gave birth to my twin girls at 29 weeks gestation. Finally, after two months in the hospital they were able to come home. I slowly got back into painting, first painting things to hang in the nursery. Then I started painting for other people, this began a whole new journey in my life. I noticed a big change in my art, I went from painting mostly landscapes or images that had little meaning to me, to painting more emotional pieces.
I am by nature a very quiet person. My art gives me a way to communicate with people and share life experiences that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to. We have all gone through hard times, but if we can be more open about our experiences we will find the support we need to persevere.
It is from my own life experiences that I find inspiration to create emotional portraits. My art has helped me become more aware of myself and who I am. Just by listening, we can discover so much about ourselves or others and be inspired by the strength we witness.
I also enjoy painting scenes of children playing or going about their day. For me, there is nothing more beautiful than a happy child. Sometimes we tend to forget the happy and peaceful memories from our past, so I choose to paint them. I find so much inspiration from my own children but also from my time I spent with my grandparents.
My passion is to create art that evokes emotion. I try to capture a moment in time when Truth, Beauty, and Hope are at the forefront.
Natalie Mecham
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Thank you for sharing your journey. Your work is quite lovely! May the Lord continue to bless and inspire you and your family!
Thank you
similar thoughts and journey…..painting has literally saved my life also. I enjoyed your short story/life journey. you should write more. I sense much is left unsaid. I like the use of white ink also. I bought some years ago but have not figured out how to use it with my regular watercolors. I founded the watercolor society here in St. George in 1999…you keep painting and loving your family and art! thank you for sharing . mel
Hi Mel, thank you so much for your kinds words. I mostly use a white paint pen or gel pen to add little white highlights to eyes. I also use a white charcoal pencil occasionally.
Hi, Natalie. I can’t help but feel so much emotions from the very first painting you shared. It feels so real and so peaceful. I am a quiet person too and so these emotional pieces resonates with me. I love what you said: Just by listening, we can discover so much about ourselves or others and be inspired by the strength we witness. It is so true. Thank you so much for inspiring us with your art. God bless your lovely family. Take care! <3
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Natalie, I love the stories that emerge from your paintings – I can imagine fantasy tales in them. Really beautiful. Your twins are growing up in an enchanted home.
Thank you so much Sharon
I absolutely love your work, I can tell it comes from your soul, beautiful. 🌹
Your work is beautiful and definitely conveys emotion. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Thank you
Your painting have a dream-like quality – peaceful and beautiful.
Thank you
Natalie you’re such an inspiration to me. You’ve faced so much in your life. I love reading this article about who you are and some of life’s experiences. I was sad when hearing about your baby boys dying a short time after birth. Your art illustrate so beautifully your feelings. You’ve been so blessed with your wonderful husband and two gorgeous sweet little angels. Thank you for all you do. I love you. I know Grandpa Don and Grandma Belva Kitchen Chamberlain loved you. You’re a sweetheart.