NATALIE DYER An Artist of Substance and Diversity
Born in England and living in Germany, Saudi Arabia, Kenya and New Zealand during her early childhood, Natalie finally settled in Sydney, Australia. She has good memories of growing up in these very different environments – including her memories of the family’s pet monkey “Chippy” while in Kenya, Africa. Natalie had a love for animals and while growing up spent many hours sketching the things she loved.
At 17 she was recognised as having considerable talent and was offered an opportunity in the art studio of a Sydney-based advertising agency. Natalie became a graphic design student at the School of Graphic Design in Sydney prior to technology, when training was rigorous and the students’ illustration, fine art and technical studio skills were highly developed. She worked within the industry and married Chris, setting up a successful advertising art studio together.
In 1996, Natalie, Chris and their four children made the move to Brisbane, Queensland where she began to teach art classes and paint full time. Eventually, the family discovered the beautiful Sunshine Coast where they established a home and studio, living and painting within the inspirational environment of Noosa.
Soon the demand for Natalie’s art increased to the point where it was impossible to continue teaching.Today, Natalie exhibits nationally in Australia in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Sydney and Melbourne. Internationally she exhibits in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Offshore auctions are also experiencing a growing demand for her work. Natalie says the journey has been an exciting one and it seems that her hard work and commitment is producing some of her best work yet.“It seems to me that an artist must be a spectator of life.” George Bellows (1917) Natalie Dyer paints with a genuine gift and has a unique ability to involve her audience as she depicts our everyday lives in a fresh and vibrant way.
Her professionalism, diversity and storytelling found her much approval with art buyers and collectors from around the world, with her work hanging in a number of private collections. Through her work, Natalie seeks to give her viewers a little bit of “time out” to appreciate the little, but important things in life that can sometimes be overlooked.Her eclectic range and ability continue to produce an unusual diversity in her work that constantly moves from the contemporary to the traditional and a mix of genres in between, with a grace and ease that flows ever so naturally. Natalie is not an artist that will ever know the meaning of the word stagnation, always thinking and experimenting in her studio with fresh new ideas that will continue to broaden her scope. Natalie remarks: “I really enjoy creating a bridge between the abstract and the realistic that says something about every-day life, so everybody can travel to any point along that bridge in their love of art and feel comfortable, finding something that draws them in.
”The ever-so-popular “Women with Attitude” series continues to give viewers a smile, a giggle or a laugh as they frequently identify with images that depict what women love to do in today’s fast-paced life.Natalie, on the other hand also paints her delicate and ethereal “Soft Ladies” in shades of lavender that make you stop and reflect on a moment in time. Her contemporary “French Connection” series, inspired by her last trip to Paris and the connection she made with it, are full of texture and movement.On the other hand her “Country Bumpkins” series is another connection, but this time with her childhood captured on canvas – growing up in rural environments with animals, especially the family’s pet cows – which she and her siblings used to ride and play games with. And again in contrast are the tasteful figure studies and nudes that are executed in a more traditional style.
“A good picture is equivalent to a good deed.”Vincent Van Gough Natalie says: “My greatest reward comes when, not infrequently someone will say to me, ‘I have never really noticed art before, but when I saw your paintings I was immediately drawn to them and could identify with them so much. Now I am discovering a whole new world!’”“If my work causes people to stop, even for a moment and smile – thinking fondly of what and who is around them – family, friends, living and enjoying the journey of life, I think I have done my job.”Another thing that is important to Natalie is for future generations. “We learn so much about history from looking at art and in 100 years from now, even though at times comical, my paintings will tell a story of our present times, from lifestyle and fashion to attitudes.”“How do I write history without using words?”Zhang Zeduan (12th Century Artist) Natalie comments: “Art of course can do that. I just reflect on canvas what I see around me and interpret it in my own unique way.
”SOME CAREER HIGHLIGHTS FOOT IN THE DOOR: Natalie Dyer impressed footwear fashion icon Jimmy Choo with her artwork during the Malaysian International Shoe Festival this month. Dyer pictured with Jimmy Choo and Malaysian Minister for Tourism.
Art-and-sole approach makes painter a shoo-in
Kristin Shorten
Excerpt: Courier Mail, Brisbane
A PASSION for shoes has laced an Australian artist to one of the world’s most revered footwear designers.Queensland painter Natalie Dyer was the guest of honour at the launch of the new Jimmy Choo Couture line at the Malaysian International Shoe Festival in Kuala Lumpur this month. It was the first time the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism had invited an Australian artist to the festival. While there, Dyer showcased her tongue-in-cheek ‘‘Women with Attitude’’ series and impressed the luxury shoe designer with her delightful canvas.The month-long festival featured the 10 most successful creations of Jimmy Choo. Dyer participates in exhibitions around Australia and internationally.
Exclusive Hotel Commission Natalie was honoured by being selected as the commissioned artist to complete 225 paintings for one of Australia’s brand new award-winning 5-star boutique hotels in Perth, Western Australia – The Richardson.
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