Copyright © 2018 Natasha Dichpan
We first met Natasha via Instagram. We saw her extraordinary live painting of Black Panther‘s General Oyoke and we loved it! We had the pleasure of chatting with Natasha about it. Check out the interview below.
Hi, Natasha! Thank you for granting the interview. You have an amazing portfolio. What inspired you to become an artist?
To be honest, I think I started drawing as soon as I could hold a pencil. My parents let me go crazy on the blank walls in our apartment and soon I decorated it with wild crayon drawings and figurines made of Play-Doh! Since then it has been pretty much accepted in my family that I would go into the arts and I haven’t looked back since. So I guess my parents’ free-spirited acceptance of my art was my original inspiration.
Who and what have been your biggest influences and why?
I’m a big fan of French impressionism. Toulouse-Lautrec is a genius in my opinion. I also find a lot of inspiration and influence in street-art and whenever I travel I like to make friends with local artists who are making a living from their art and illustration. Recently I visited New Orleans and was blown away by the local talent in that city.
How have you developed your own personal illustration style?
I think everyone has their own personal painting or drawing style. You can’t get away from it, you just have to notice what makes it unique and hone in on it, play to your strengths. I’ve always loved bold colors and impressionist-like rendering of subjects, I think it reflects my personality and approach to things outside of art as well.
You recently did a live illustration/painting of Oyoke aka Danai Gurira (Dora Milaje in Black Panther) at the Power Up Bar. It was stunning! Why did you choose to illustrate Oyoke?
I was asked to paint a character from the film and decided to seek some advice from a friend on which character to pick. Live painting is such a social experience and so contrary to a painter’s usual solitary way of working, hence I sometimes like to add the extra challenge by having someone suggest the subject as well. The advice I got was to consider Oyoke and the more I thought about her, the more I felt enamored with the idea of painting such a strong, bold character. I admire the characteristics she embodies and I tried to convey her strong nature through the confidence in her eyes.
Is there a particular piece you would like to illustrate?
I haven’t a particular subject but I would love to go bigger, I’ve worked as an assistant on murals before but I would love to design and paint my own mural. I would also love to write and art directs another animated short-film (I had to do a film as part of my final year of Animation program in college).
If you could paint/illustrate live in any location, where would it be and why?
Actually, I got to paint for some amazing crowds and events in the past few years. Street art festivals, corporate events, private celebrations, nightlife venues… I think the biggest crowd I painted for was last year’s Festival of India in Toronto. Maybe that’s why I covet painting someplace remote and foreign, somewhere I haven’t discovered yet and where they speak a language I don’t understand.
You continuously hone your craft. What keeps you inspired?
I have a very competitive, restless nature. I get a positive push from meeting other artists, seeing others excel at what they do. That is the biggest motivator for me, surrounding myself with people who are passionate about their work, I get a little drunk on their aspirations.
Thus far, what has been the best experience working in the art industry?
I’m extremely grateful I get the chance to work with a group called ArtBattle, it is an international live painting competition but it was originally created right here in Toronto. Besides the work I get to do with them, which I find so fulfilling as an artist, they also create a community where artists can meet other artists, art fans, and collectors. The founders and organizers of these events are also some of the most hardworking people I’ve met, which motivates me in my own work ventures.
Do you have any upcoming projects that we haven’t mentioned?
I am gearing up towards an art show in April, it will be a group showing at Evergreen Brickworks in Toronto and I will also be painting live on opening night. During the day I work on an animated project that’s being developed for Nickelodeon, which I am excited to be part of a small art department crew.
Q10. Complete this sentence, if I had an opportunity to do anything I want, I would do ___________.
I would go into business with my best friend. We’re always told not to mix business with friendship, but I definitely dream of opening a kooky art-shop with a dear friend or running our own art gallery one day.
Connect with Natasha:
About Author
