Natalia Mirabito
Art gives me the power to be in the moment.
Instagram: @nataliamirabitoart
Facebook: Natalia Mirabito Studio
Scituate, MA
Painting, ceramics, fiber, photography
There is nothing better than capturing the visceral feeling of a place and channeling the mood of the day through a painting. When I pick up a brush on location or in the studio, I feel the energy and pace of each brushstroke, textured mark, and line observed in nature. In many cases, I venture out to remote or forgotten areas, whether it be the marshes in winter, a stormy sea, or the Cape in the offseason, and reminisce about what once existed in raw natural form before a viewpoint's splendor was altered by human touch, technology, or development. I often use mark-making and textural techniques to create the illusion of detail in my work, applying inventive brush and palette-knife effects. I return to repeat locations throughout all four seasons and different times of day, observing changing lighting effects and composing thoughtful compositions that amplify my subject. My work invokes immersion, nostalgia, and intrigue for the viewer through interesting compositions and atmospheric effects observed throughout all four seasons of the region and travels.
I paint oil landscapes and seascapes
What’s the story behind your work?
As a painter, I capture the raw pastoral beauty of New England's land and sea through sweeping coastlines and dramatic vistas along shorelines, waterways, and overlooks. I love to paint en plein air throughout New England, Cape Cod, the Southwest U.S., and abroad, to capture the feeling of the moment in a place. Venturing out to these places in the offseason or repeatedly across different seasons brings me closer to nature, evoking nostalgia and meaning that I then convey to the viewer of my work.
What do you hope people will feel when they see it?
When someone looks at my painting, I want them to think, "I want to go there." I want my landscapes and seascapes to bring people back to their favorite place, trigger nostalgia or emotion, or help them find peace and forget everything else when they take a moment to immerse themselves in the painting before them.
How does your work create community or bring people together?
Painting outdoors en plein air on location has given me a sense of perspective and community that I would never have expected with art. Whether I am painting on a beach, in a marsh, or on a street, I love being a way for people to see art in their everyday lives or to see beauty in a scene they might have overlooked. I've met such wonderful people this way, including a girl who took a Polaroid of me painting on Mt Washington, and it's so important to me to have this element of socialness in my work as someone who loves being happily hidden away in the studio with my wonderful studio cat, Lena.
Who helped you along the way?
Artist friends, especially in different styles or mediums, are powerful because they help me see art differently and open up other areas of my creative brain. Mentorship and workshops are key to my development and growth each year as well. And of course, my husband and family provide so much support - to be honest, my husband is my best and favorite critic and I'm lucky to have him give excellent insights when I'm stuck on a painting, or I'm not sure if something is working!
How do you give back/support others?
I'm so inspired by organizations that are making an impact, in particular across conservation, disability, and areas of need. From auction donations to live painting events, I have partnered with dozens of local non-profits, charities, and mission-focused organizations to paint for a cause and missions that matter. It’s an amazing way to give back through art, meet new people, and know that my art can help impact the lives of people in my community.
