ArtCollab Nathalie Kalbach and Sarah Matthews

In this episode of ArtCollab Sarah and Nat talk about some of the people who have helped them become who they are today and most importantly they take the time to share their gratitude for these amazing people. Many along the way have been pivotal sources of inspiration, encouragement, advice, opportunity, and friendship, and all have played a big part in both Nat and Sarah’s artistic (and life) journeys. Educators, artists, spouses, advocates, and personal friends are all called out in this episode, and stories are shared to describe the positive impact that others can often have when it comes to shaping a life. In addition to the people, this discussion also touches upon technology as a lifeline for connections when physical interactions aren’t possible, and the resurgence of the handwritten note during recent times. In the end, Sarah and Nat show some artwork inspired by Showing Gratitude and they ask the audience for input on future ArtCollab topics. ArtCollab will resume in February 2022. https://nathaliesstudio.com/​ https://www.iamsarahmatthews.com/

In this episode of ArtCollab Sarah and Nat get their ink on! It is Inktober after all so they shared some of their favorite basic printmaking techniques. Sarah showed how she uses Stampbuddies to create gradient prints, and how she loves to partially print over older prints to create a layered abstract look. Nat showed how to use ArtFoamies with a Gelli Plate and how to reverse images and mix colors while printing. They answered audience questions about foam stamps and Stampbuddies and talked about how to make your own foam stamps. They also announced their next topic and asked the audience for feedback regarding future topic ideas as ArtCollab will be taking a break after the November episode to come back in February.

In this episode of ArtCollab, Sarah and Nat are going Back to School. As teachers, they usually find themselves at the front of the class but sometimes stepping back and taking on the role of student can be incredibly beneficial and inspiring. In fact, artists can always learn something new from other artists and engaging in these role reversals is a great way to try a different medium, sharpen skills, approach ideas from a new angle, and maybe even get the inside scoop on tips and tricks from other practicing artists. Taking classes and attending educational events such as artist retreats are also perfect opportunities to forge new friendships and partnerships in creativity. In addition to this discussion, Sarah and Nat will also teach each other a mini lesson in this episode and attendees can enjoy watching and engaging with them as they play both teacher and student.

ArtCollab Episode 6: Pass the Brush
In this episode, Sarah and Nat are meeting with Pass the Brush organizer Rachel Juanita Bellamy. In 2020 the Pass the Brush event paired up Sarah and Nat and it prompted them to get to know each other better. Pretty soon they had forged a lovely new friendship and jumped into several creative projects together (including these ArtCollab zoomcasts). They will chat with Rachel about the benefits of artistic collaboration, the importance of elevating others, what has changed since the Pass the Brush event last year, and what challenges remain.
Rachel's links:
bit.ly/joyofmotif
https://soulreign.com/
https://www.instagram.com/queenpreneur/ https://www.instagram.com/soulreignart/

Let’s not forget to take time to breathe, reset, and make sure that our artistic practice is aligning with our purpose. It is time to talk about the Art of Self Care! As artists, we have a go go go mentality and frequently wear many different hats as we juggle various projects, obligations, and revenue streams. When you are this busy, it is easy to forget to take breaks, but we are here to remind you that self-care is crucial to success. We’ll discuss how to make sure rest is a part of the schedule and share our personal favorite ways to take a break. Most importantly, we’ll talk about how rest can help refine your focus as an artist – allowing you a moment to reflect on what you are creating, why you are creating, and any adjustments that you might need to make.

In this episode, Sarah and Nat talk about that classic creative debate Art vs Craft, and how it affects and influences how we work and what we make. Sarah shares her frustrations with having to make the distinction between art and craft in her own work. Nat feels that art and craft work together in what she is doing and explains, “There is no art without craft.” We talk about craft and craftsmanship as a set of skills, learned from another artist/culture/source, and when we make it our own we feel we are creating art, and that sometimes comes with our desire to honor the source of inspiration.
We look at artwork that has touched us and made us aware of new stories and perspectives and then we also share some of our own artwork that has made people react and feel (both positively and negatively). We discuss how art can be a mirror of our experiences, an expression of ideas and emotions, a way to facilitate thought and discourse, and fuel for curiosity. Our conversation gets intense as we share our desire and conviction to use art as a platform and tool for facilitating the discussion of important and sometimes difficult topics.