A View From the Easel: Natali Bravo-Barbee

Welcome to the 362nd installment of A View From the Easel, a series that gives artists a platform to discuss their workspace. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Natali Bravo-Barbee, an artist who has been working in her current space for three years. The location of her studio often changes, but she embraces this shift with flexibility.

An average day in Natali's studio typically begins after her children have gone to school, around 8:30 or 9am. She starts by creating a to-do list, tackling administrative tasks before immersing herself in her creative work. Natali often has her cat and a hot water thermos handy as she settles into her routine. Activities range from exposing cyanotypes to curating and deciding on the next steps for her selected photographs.

The space Natali works in significantly impacts her creative process. When she's at home, her studio practice is more fragmented as she must balance her children's schedule while navigating the household's demands such as laundry, groceries, and dinner. The visual noise of everyday life often requires her to switch gears frequently.

On the other hand, her studio on Governors Island offers a different set of conditions. The change of scenery allows her to step outside the pressures of home life, providing a new perspective and environment for her work.