Participate in the creation of art that celebrates Australia's extraordinary wildlife in the tradition of the Old Masters.

(t)here is still life

From March to August 2025, join me in creating a collection of paintings that place Australia's vibrant wildlife within the dramatic aesthetic of Dutch Golden Age still life, drawing our attention to the extraordinary often overlooked, and re-defining beauty.

This intimate patronage program - from one equinox to the next - invites you to participate
in the journey from blank canvas to gallery walls, experiencing every brushstroke that brings
these remarkable beings into the spotlight they deserve
...and all the very real and messy middle in between.

A modern patronage

Throughout history, the creation of significant art has often been supported through patronage—a tradition where appreciators of the arts provided financial support to artists, enabling them to create works of enduring beauty and cultural value.

From the Medicis of Renaissance Florence to the royal courts that supported Dutch Golden Age painters, patrons have played a vital role in bringing remarkable art into the world.

In this modern reimagining of artistic patronage, your support helps fund the tangible elements of creation

  • the canvases,

  • specialised paints,

  • the significantly costly framing required for exhibition-quality work.

While there is no guarantee that all—or even any—of these paintings will sell, I believe deeply that the creative process itself is not only valid, but worth celebrating and sharing.

Your patronage becomes an act of belief in the value of beauty, in the importance of seeing our native wildlife with fresh eyes, and in the power of art to inspire connection to the wild world.

Together, we're creating not just paintings, but a shared experience that honours what is often overlooked, celebrating the extraordinary beings with whom we share this land.

The Exhibition Vision

(t)here is still life consists of more than 20 new, original pieces that re-imagine traditional still life paintings through distinctly modern Australian eyes.

Native wildlife emerges from moody, dramatic lighting, sharing space with non-native flowers and objects - a juxtaposition that quietly challenges our cultural gaze, definition of beauty, and the influence of colonialism on our connection to land.

(t)here is still life reminds us through word play that there is life native to this land that is worthy of celebrating every day, not just (there) - outside of us, but also (here) - here inside you, inside your connection to place, inside your connection to life. A subtle invitation to engage with who you are here, now, and how you can form a compassionate, conscious relationship with the wild beings we share our homes (and hearts) with.

Through masterful use of chiaroscuro and careful composition, these works invite viewers to question why we might more readily cherish exotic flowers and fauna rather than celebrate the remarkable wildlife with whom we share this land.

With a luscious and rich palette, and immersive realism deeply imbued with reverence, respect and reciprocity, the wild beings we share this world with are honoured with such joy, wonder, and wild-hearted devotion.

The exhibition opens August 21, 2025 Field Trip Gallery

1 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington QLD 4064
Australia

I discovered Natalie's art through social media back in 2019 and became quickly obsessed with her work. She captures the natural world with such accuracy, beauty and heart that I have been lucky enough to purchase over 15 original pieces of her work over the past six years - all hanging in my home, vacation rental properties and boutique store. I can not say more emphatically how each piece I have been fortunate enough to become a steward of brightens my life every day. Her work is a gift and investment that has paid off one-hundred fold in my daily life.

~ Jill B

A Different Kind of Experience

This is not a tutorial or teaching space. 

Unlike my educational offerings, this patronage program invites you into my personal artistic practice as I create works for a gallery exhibition.

I won't be demonstrating techniques (though you will see me using them) or providing structured lessons. Instead, you'll experience the authentic, sometimes messy reality of creating a body of work—the challenges, breakthroughs, doubts, and triumphs that are part of bringing meaningful art into the world.

When you join, you become part of a community bearing witness to, and participating in, the creation process. You'll see my unfiltered artistic journey, ask questions, offer encouragement, and share in the collective energy that helps bring these paintings to life.

This is about connection rather than instruction.
Connection to the creative process, to these extraordinary
Australian beings, and to each other.

I bought a painting off Natalie’s website as a gift for my wife, and when she received it she was absolutely over the moon. The website does not do justice to just how awesome this is in person. Beautifully composed. The detailed brushwork brings to life this magnificent creature. It’s just really, really awesome!

~ Ben G

This patronage is not for everyone

My work is not for everyone 

But if my work, my vision, the world of wildlife art I share, is something that you enjoy
looking at already, perhaps you will also enjoy being a part of the process of it all being made, and part of an intimate community with shared values, appreciation of the arts,
and love of the wild world.

As a patron, you will:

  • Witness the complete creative journey from the very beginning, blank canvas to gallery walls

  • Join a community of like-minded souls who value wildlife, art, and connection

  • Influence the development of meaningful artwork through your presence and engagement

  • Have early access to purchase completed works before the general public

  • Support the creation of art that celebrates and honours Australia's extraordinary wildlife

There are three tiers to choose from

each with the the following benefits

  • Access to our private, calm, and warm community platform, where you can

    • Access recordings of the live sessions

    • See weekly blogs and vlogs of progress

    • Watch the collection grow in real time

    • Interact with me, and with each other

    • Behind-the-scenes, all the ups and downs, we’re keeping it very real here!

  • Weekly 2-hour live sessions where you can watch my painting process (or creatively co-work alongside me)

  • Early viewing of completed works, and priority access to purchase

  • 50% of your patronage payments can be used toward purchasing exhibition pieces

  • Ability to purchase sketches and studies made in preparation of the show

  • Name listed on exhibition materials

  • Exhibition flyer mailed to you as a keepsake

  • Live exhibition opening night streaming

    …And so much more

Members of the Wedge-tailed Eagle tier will also receive an exclusive print of one of the sketchbook pages of your choosing, not offered anywhere else, ever.

What to Expect

Everything is hosted on a community centred app called Circle. You can access it on your desktop/laptop and via an app on your phone.

It is incredibly user friendly, and you can adjust notifications to suit you. 

This little Circle we gather in will be a complete record of the entire project - the live zoom calls, any other videos I make, all the posts I create. You can interact with each post, with each other, and with me!

Whether you want to check in weekly, or be prompted to check in whenever a new post goes live, I am here for it all!

From little things, big things grow

In these times, when so much feels uncertain, there's something powerful about coming together around beauty, craft, and our connection to the more-than-human world.

This isn't just about funding art, it's about creating a space of resistance against despair through attention and creativity and connection. I will be completely transparent with the costs of supplies (which are, ahem, substantial), the sales I make, and everything in between.

I would have loved - I would love - to be a part of behind the scenes for some of my favourite artists' shows. For their studio work as a whole. Art can be a lonely, solitary pursuit - but it doesn’t have to be. Not now. Not with technology that can bring us together in unimagined ways even a decade ago. 

Yes, we can get glimpses of the process on social media, but I want more than that. And I think some of you might want more than that too. 

Community built around a common interest is such a profound gift.

I want to share real time progress, let you hear all the thoughts - good and ‘bad’ - see the highs and the lows of a human animal using their entire body, heart and mind to bring beauty into the world.

I also want to hear your thoughts as I create, I want to share generously so I can open-heartedly receive your celebration, your curiosity, your compassion, draw from that, and make this show into something extraordinarily meaningful.

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  • Inside our community I will be completely transparent about what supplies your patronage is affording me to purchase for the show - in short though, the canvases, paints, and frames. This is not a money-making venture by any means, and the more patrons join, the more physical gifts I can give you all after the show concludes. You are also helping to ensure my basic needs are met so I can continue to do this work, and bring more beauty and connection into the world

  • It is not necessary to attend live, but a lovely bonus if you want to see my process in real time! Everything is recorded - you can catch up at your pleasure and leisure.

  • This is a patronage, not a course. There is no formal teaching at all - you are welcome to take any of my courses, or join Hedgerow if you would like to learn form me! In this patronage you can watch me work and see how creating for a solo show happens, but there are no lessons, syllabus, or coursework

  • If you decide you would like to purchase a piece, you may apply 50% of anything you have paid towards the patronage towards it. If for example, you have paid $35, you can use $17.50, if you have paid $750, you can apply $375 towards the painting of choice. There is absolutely no obligation to purchase anything, but I would love to give you reciprocal benefits if you do want to!

  • Because the live sessions will go for 2 hours, if you are feeling creative you might like to create alongside me! There is nothing specifically needed, nor do you need to be an artist - you might be quilting, you might be cooking, you might be whittling wood. I see the live sessions as an opportunity to not only support my creative process, but to give time to your own. There is something very special about gathering in real time to be creative, without expectation.

  • If you have chosen the $35 or $75 tier, you can do that easily through your profile in Circle! However long you join me for, know that I am incredibly grateful!

  • I would never want you to be unhappy! If for any reason you’re not satisfied with joining the patronage, contact me within the first 5 days and I will give you a full refund.

Got a question?

If you have a question not answered in the FAQ, don’t hesitate to get in touch!