Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Butler.
Hi Natalie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always loved creating artwork, even from a young age. I grew up making conceptual pieces inspired by my life and personal experiences, which eventually led me to study art at Lipscomb University, where I earned my BFA.
After graduation, I began working as an art consultant, helping clients select, commission, and place artwork in commercial spaces. This experience shifted the way I thought about art. I began to see that artwork doesn’t always have to be deeply conceptual or overtly representational – it can simply be interesting, eye-catching, and a unique exploration of materials.
Around this time, I began stitching as a hobby, and my art practice quickly evolved. I started by stitching quotes onto found photographs, which eventually developed into cutting holes and stitching into canvases, newspapers, recycled objects, and even clothing. What began as a small creative experiment has grown into a distinctive art style that continues to take on new forms with each piece.
My work has already brought me exciting opportunities, and I am incredibly grateful to see where this unique practice will take me next.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The most difficult struggle for me has been settling into my identity as an artist and finding a style that feels truly like my own. It took me a long time to figure out what I wanted my work to look and feel like, and I’ve only really begun to develop my artistic voice within the last year or so. For a long time, I wasn’t completely satisfied or proud of the work I was creating. In some ways, I wish I could go back and have spent those four formative years of my BFA with the style, materials, and perspective I have today.
However, I’ve come to realize that this is simply part of the artistic process. Rather than being frustrated by the time it took me to get here, I’ve learned to be incredibly grateful for all of the trial and error along the way. Every experiment and piece has played a part in shaping the artist I am right now. Looking back, it feels like everything has come together at this perfect intersection, where my experiences, interests, and creative instincts have finally aligned and taken shape in my current art form.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a mixed-media artist specializing in embroidery. I see my work as a form of sculpture, using embroidery thread, negative space, and a variety of materials to explore shape, texture, and form. I scavenge for nearly everything I work with, using recycled newspapers, old canvases, prints, and found photography. I enjoy working with the natural qualities and imperfections of these materials rather than fighting against them, allowing each one to guide the direction of the piece.
I am especially proud of my “News Gaps” series, where I use the layers, folds, and natural creases of recycled newspapers to create sculptural forms. What makes my practice especially exciting to me is its flexibility – I can stitch into an incredibly wide range of materials and objects, allowing the process to continually open up new possibilities and collaborations. I have yet to encounter another artist working with embroidery and negative space in quite the way I do.
As I look to expand my practice, I am eager to collaborate with apparel and interior brands, local publications, ceramicists, and other creatives to explore stitching in new materials and mediums.
What makes you happy?
I think that when you get into the practice of being creative daily, every little thing becomes exciting. I am genuinely so happy working, brainstorming new projects, and simply looking around and thinking about of the different ways I can stitch into various materials. I love being in the sun and find that the best things come to me when I’m walking and listening to music. I also love my little apartment studio. I have a huge window with the most stunning natural light. My creative ritual involves turning on my record player, making some coffee, and letting the light in.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.natbutart.com
- Instagram: @natbutart
- Other: @natbutart (TikTok)
