Наталья Потапова

Natalia — Art Born from Life

My name is Natalia. My story, like my paintings, is painted with different colors: the carefree strokes of childhood, the deep shades of loss, and the bright tones of a new chapter.

I was born in 1977 in Ukraine. My warmest memories are of five years spent in Germany in the 1980s — my most carefree childhood. Even then, I would draw: graceful horses, elegant ladies, unusual houses. I never attended art school — I am self-taught, trusting my eye and heart.

Then came university (Engineering in Medical and Biological Practice), and in 1999, I met Misha, my future husband. We had two daughters: Darina (2002) and Diana (2007). Family, home, work at the laboratory — creativity faded for nearly 10 years.

Art was reborn during turmoil. It became my anchor. Starting with a school drawing for my daughter, I moved to gouache, then finally found my true love — oil on canvas. In spring 2017, at a local fair, my hyper-realistic paintings caused a stir — people argued they were photographs. My husband was so proud, eagerly awaiting my first solo exhibition.

But on September 11, 2019, Misha tragically died saving a man. My exhibition took place in November that year. He didn't live to see it. Painting became my wa...

Самообразование /независимое изучение живописи
Базовое образование - физико-технический факультет Новгородского Государственного Университета

Персональная выставка в г. Котельнич, Кировская область, 2019 год, фотоотчёт выставки доступен в моём Instagram