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A life in the arts is the life for me. - NKMFS

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Be it a 17th century  "momento mori"  inspired oil painting that reflects a feature films storyline and themes, mold making and construction of a 3-story stone castle, to the smallest of props towards a stop animation film - if there's an opportunity to be creatively challenged - say no more - Natalie's in.

Though a student for life, she acquired a formal education in fine arts, the history of art and museum studies at the University of Michigan. She has experience in arts business, primarily during her times working at art galleries and fairs in Manhattan, as well as the great art institutions of Detroit. 

There's this great Alice Neel quote I've been carrying around: “Whether I'm painting or not, I have this overweening interest in humanity. Even if I'm not working, I'm still analyzing people.” - NKMFS

Natalie was raised in the arts in a family of the arts who shared their passion of music, the classical arts, dance and theater of stage and screen with her. Her mother (a formally trained dancer) ran a large ballet company for over 25 years. It's no wonder she found herself attracted to this similar environment of creative chaos, world building and characters, settling into a life of filmmaking and commercial work with her husband and collaborator, Director Peter Skorupskas. Several years into the journey, they're venturing into their first feature film set to be in production late 2018.

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Breaking down compositions and meaning towards creating worlds or understanding others is such an intoxicating process. Musing on art and film theory, philosophy, the rich symbolism, the authenticity and fantastic nature of characters - it's all so engrossing. I enjoy being behind the curtain creating these universe for others to play in. The research, paying close intimate attention to detail, with an overall thoughtfulness when approaching any project - it's all so key to building with intention. I look forward to creating more dynamic and layered worlds as the opportunities arise. This environment just clicks with me - deadline driven and fast-paced zones me right in - I thrive in it, with radar focus. Organized chaos is a great time. - NKMFS

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As a staff artist throughout the past 10 years at the Parade Company prop shop in Detroit, she brings this experience of tool & material, process and production to forthcoming projects. Natalie continues to develop her own practice as a fine artist, most recently developing a new series of large-scale graphite drawings. Her work reflects an adoration and study of early-mid 20th century art movements. 

I love working with graphite - classic and under rated - the limitation of the medium keep me engaged as I seek new ways to experiment and press the boundaries in my drawing and painting practice.

Through the various creative forces, there's this great innate understanding and language that is shared for us all to critique, experience, hate, love and overall connect with - life, the time in which we inhabit and meaning, in what we create, reflected. The proof lies in our collective history of art, of today and all our tomorrows. This notion refreshes my passion for the arts and reaffirms its importance. - NKMFS

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