Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Iffy Inspiration, Fantascene & ARTSwalk 2024!

 Inspiration has been iffy in the first quarter of 2024…but the elusive muse returned for the start of spring! I got a new bird sketched out and had a very enjoyable day at the easel with this one… 

“Waxing Dawn”

Acrylic on Canvas

12x16

$175


"Waxing Dawn" ORIGINAL Dreamscape Painting by Natalie VonRaven

$175.00

Buy now

Purchase inquiries:

nvonraven@gmail.com


As the ground thaws the outdoor art events start booking up and I am very excited to return to ARTSWALK in Downtown Okotoks on June 1st!

 

 

*EXHIBITS & RETAILERS*

 

Highwood Gallery & Gifts

413 1st St. SW. High River, AB

403-652-3538

 

Colossi’s Coffee House

114 4th Ave. SE, High River, AB

403-652-2181

 

Selective Seconds

1203 16 St SE, High River, AB T1V 2B1

403-917-1096

 

Okotoks Health & Wellness Centre

11 Cimarron Common, Okotoks, AB
403-995-5400

 

The latest art & updates happen over on Facebook & Instagram


Friday, March 08, 2024

Auroras on Metal!

 The inspiring auroras finally made their way onto a piece of metal! These luminous bands really shine in this vibrant dancing sky, much like they do in real life! The shimmering stars, lofty trees and serene skyscape inspire a great sense of…

 

“Solace”

 


Mixed Media on Metal

13x20

$275

 

Purchase inquiries:

nvonraven@gmail.com

 

*EXHIBITS & RETAILERS*

 

Highwood Gallery & Gifts

413 1st St. SW. High River, AB

403-652-3538

 

Colossi’s Coffee House

114 4th Ave. SE, High River, AB

403-652-2181

 

Selective Seconds

1203 16 St SE, High River, AB T1V 2B1

403-917-1096

 

Okotoks Health & Wellness Centre

11 Cimarron Common, Okotoks, AB
403-995-5400

 

The latest art & updates happen over on Facebook & Instagram

Monday, February 05, 2024

Amphibians & Aspirations!

Alas, I finally did some painting! This is the first of what will hopefully be 64 paintings this year… if I reach that goal, it will mean a 1000 paintings milestone - I better get to work! After this first one of 2024, I only have 63 more to go.

 

A gentle and vibrant reminder to love yourself, Warts n’ All!

 

"Warts n All" ORIGINAL Frog Painting by Natalie VonRaven

$100.00

Buy now

Purchase enquiries:

nvonraven@gmail.com

 

*EXHIBITS & RETAILERS*

 

Highwood Gallery & Gifts

413 1st St. SW. High River, AB

403-652-3538

 

Colossi’s Coffee House

114 4th Ave. SE, High River, AB

403-652-2181

 

Selective Seconds

1203 16 St SE, High River, AB T1V 2B1

403-917-1096

 

Okotoks Health & Wellness Centre

11 Cimarron Common, Okotoks, AB
403-995-5400

 

The latest art & updates happen over on Facebook & Instagram


💜

Monday, January 15, 2024

Hail 2024, DMU’s, Finding the Muse & F the Net!

1/24th of the way through a new year! Holiday bustle and bitter cold stifled my creativity this past month. Also, trying to achieve that special state in which passion, inspiration, skills and abilities coalesce. I’ve worked as an artist for a long time and I know that you can’t just wait around for inspiration to strike (inspiration is for amateurs) but you also can’t force it. It is a delicate balance finding the current where inspiration becomes inevitable. For me, I need to be caught up on chores and responsibilities, I can’t work at my best if I’m feeling disorganized, stressed or overwhelmed. So, that’s great motivation for me to keep my shit together! 

 

Sometimes my imagination explodes with so many ideas I could never possibly paint them all. I get so many that I can’t even write them down fast enough to recall later. Other times, the muse juice just doesn’t flow… In these droughts I can even look back on the ideas I’ve written down but the spark of inspiration just isn’t there. Without it, I can still produce a painting but it never looks nor feels as captivating as it should, it FEELS like work. And that’s just not how great art is created (In my opinion). So, I wait… (The waiting game is my least favorite of all the games…and I’ve played booger tag).

 

But, the spark eventually finds its way back to me and new ideas abound. I love it when this happens because it just carries me away in new directions toward things I never imagined possible. Even this post; it’s like a starting point guiding me to new horizons. I’m not normally so long winded but today, I’m going with it. 

 

Rather than staying stuck, I like to try new things. I’d rather try and fail than do nothing at all. You either win or you learn. So, I tinkered with some digital mash ups (DMU’s); that’s where I take my past works/photographs and use the computer to edit/change the colors and combine them in different ways. Digital art of sorts, but all the components are things I’ve painted/photographed with my own hands and imagination, my own stock images. Here are a few that have emerged sofar…

 

 “Infinite Aurora”


“Infinite Threshold”


“Infinite Quiescent”


“Skyward”



"Nightbeams & Gleams"
 

Because these are digitally created no “originals” are available… BUT prints can be made!

 

Unrelatedly (ish)… WTF is up with the internet?!? I don’t know if it’s just me but I have been increasingly inundated with SPAM, scams, trolls, bots, AI theft, etc. I used to enjoy scrolling social media but now it just seems like a steady stream of ads, clickbait, phishing, theft, ad nauseum. I want to stay connected with my peeps all across the world but moderating everything has become more work than it’s worth. Subsequently, I’ve been posting less, scrolling less and missing you guys! Hoping to find a way through this onslaught of BS so the internet can be something enjoyed rather than endured. 

In other news, I am now engaged to a widowed Nigerian prince who wants to buy all my art! *Yuk, Yuk*

 

As the weather warms up, so do my spirits and I’m looking forward to what will be created this year! Art shows start booking up as we head in to Spring and it is always a treat to paint live in the sunshine and see your smiling faces.


Until Then...


The latest art & updates happen over on Facebook & Instagram

(You just have to sift through all the scammer crap)


Sunday, December 31, 2023

Friday, December 22, 2023

Grinchling, Tangles, Skyscape & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

 Finished up this little cutie just in time for the holidays! This was the demo painting at my last show of 2023… 

“Grinchling”

Acrylic on Canvas

8x10

Original Painting: $100

8x10 Prints: $20

5x7 Prints: $10

 

Tinkering with some concepts and relatable holiday problems, came up with this…

 

“Merry Grinchmas”

Acrylic Mixed Media

8x10 Prints: $20

5x7 Prints: $10


And of course, some northern lights...

 

“Evermore”

Acrylic Mixed Media

8x10 Prints: $20

5x7 Prints: $10

 

Payments are accepted online via PayPal or e-transfer

Or

In person via credit, debit or cash.

 

Worldwide shipping available.

 

Interested in ownership? Send me a message!

nvonraven@gmail.com

 

Check out the gallery links below to see what’s available!

 

METAL PAINTINGS GALLERY

 

ACRYLIC PAINTINGS GALLERY

 

PRINTS GALLERY

 

If you’re not on Facebook, all art can be viewed here. 


But most of all...

 


Wishing you and yours all the best this season!

*EXHIBITS & RETAILERS*

 

Highwood Gallery & Gifts

413 1st St. SW. High River, AB

403-652-3538

 

Colossi’s Coffee House

114 4th Ave. SE, High River, AB

403-652-2181

 

Selective Seconds

1203 16 St SE, High River, AB T1V 2B1

403-917-1096

 

Okotoks Health & Wellness Centre

11 Cimarron Common, Okotoks, AB
403-995-5400

 

Okotoks Art Gallery

53 North Railway St. Okotoks, AB

403-938-3204

 

The latest art & updates happen over on Facebook & Instagram

Thursday, December 07, 2023

Twirling Trees, Sketches & Christmas at the Fieldhouse!

 The holiday bustle is upon us! Working on a few final paintings for 2023 and getting ready for my last show of the year! If you were at the Santa Clause Parade this past Saturday, you may have seen me working on this: 

Dancing evergreens, crowned in snow- Basking in the Yuletide glow...

“Firlarks”

Acrylic on Canvas

8x10

Original Painting: $100

8x10 Prints: $20

5x7 Prints: $10

 

It’s all done and ready for its “Fir”ever home =) 

 

Sketched out a couple new ones to work on at the Fieldhouse Christmas Market:

 


*EVENTS*

 

LAST SHOW OF THE YEAR!

2023 was a busy one for live events, more than 20! This final one of the year is a first for me, “Christmas at the Fieldhouse”. Many vendors in a beautiful venue with LOTS to see and do! My art and I will be upstairs on the mezzanine painting and feeling festive. Lots of original paintings, prints, cards…and DEALS!

 

 

Last but not least…

The Highwood Gallery will be doing a KIDS SHOPPING DAY on Dec 16th!

Many item(s) will be specially available for under $20 (tax included) so your little elves can do some holiday shopping! Artists will be there to assist them and even giftwrap their secret Santa purchases free of charge!

 

 

*EXHIBITS & RETAILERS*

 

Highwood Gallery & Gifts

413 1st St. SW. High River, AB

403-652-3538

 

Colossi’s Coffee House

114 4th Ave. SE, High River, AB

403-652-2181

 

Selective Seconds

1203 16 St SE, High River, AB T1V 2B1

403-917-1096

 

Okotoks Health & Wellness Centre

11 Cimarron Common, Okotoks, AB
403-995-5400

  

The latest art & updates happen over on Facebook & Instagram

Friday, December 01, 2023

2023 Chapter 11 – Yule Cardinal, Winterscape, Digital Downloads & Santa Claus Parade!

“Silent Night”

Acrylic on Canvas

12x16

Original Painting: $175

8x10 Prints: $20

5x7 Prints: $10

 


“Hollyjay”

Acrylic on Canvas

8x10

Original Painting: $100

8x10 Prints: $20

5x7 Prints: $10

 

Payments are accepted online via PayPal or e-transfer

Or

In person via credit, debit or cash.

 

Worldwide shipping available.

 

Interested in ownership? Send me a message!

nvonraven@gmail.com

 

I’ve listed a few of my newer images on Etsy, available as digital downloads. You print them yourself at home or at your local print shop, any size, big or small! No shipping fees, no wait time. You can use the image to make cards, gift tags, bookmarks, scrapbook pages, etc. You can also change the aspect ratio to create avatars, cover images or wallpapers for your desktop/phone.

Visit my ETSY SHOP to see what’s available!

 

*EVENTS*


 

The Santa Claus Parade and Winter Market kicks off in High River tonight! The weather will be perfect for outdoor festivities, floats, light displays, hot chocolate, fire pits, caroling and more! I’ll be painting live both days with a full display of art inside the Highwood Centre right along the parade route. 

 

And next weekend...


 

*EXHIBITS & RETAILERS*

 

Highwood Gallery & Gifts

413 1st St. SW. High River, AB

403-652-3538

 

Colossi’s Coffee House

114 4th Ave. SE, High River, AB

403-652-2181

 

Selective Seconds

1203 16 St SE, High River, AB T1V 2B1

403-917-1096

 

Okotoks Health & Wellness Centre

11 Cimarron Common, Okotoks, AB
403-995-5400


The latest art & updates happen over on Facebook & Instagram

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Nightbeams & First Holiday Show of the Year!

 Still busy in the studio with the borealis! Also getting started on sketches for the demo paintings I’ll be working on at the next 3 shows. 

 

“Nightbeams”

Acrylic on Cradled Canvas

12x16

Original Painting: $175

8x10 Prints: $20

5x7 Prints: $10

 

“Et Cetera”

Acrylic on Cradled Canvas

16x20

Original Painting: $200

8x10 Prints: $20

5x7 Prints: $10

 

Payments are accepted online via PayPal or e-transfer

Or

In person via credit, debit or cash.

 

Worldwide shipping available.

 

Interested in ownership? Send me a message!

nvonraven@gmail.com

 

I’m really excited about my first holiday show of the year, the second annual FAIM Entrepreneurs Christmas Market! FAIM is an incredible organization “committed to supporting adults with developmental disabilities on their journey to an enriching and fulfilling life.” I am honored to be included in this event and encourage everyone to come out and support their local community!


 

 

*EXHIBITS & RETAILERS*

 

Highwood Gallery & Gifts

413 1st St. SW. High River, AB

403-652-3538

 

Colossi’s Coffee House

114 4th Ave. SE, High River, AB

403-652-2181

 

Selective Seconds

1203 16 St SE, High River, AB T1V 2B1

403-917-1096

 

Okotoks Health & Wellness Centre

11 Cimarron Common, Okotoks, AB
403-995-5400

 

Check out the EXHIBITIONS page for a full list of upcoming live events!

 

The latest art & updates happen over on Facebook & Instagram

Monday, November 06, 2023

2023 Chapter 10 – Fires In The Sky & Holiday Shows!

 Autumn is waning and we're transitioning into winter. The northern lights are one of the best parts of the season so I’ve been very inspired by them. Holiday shows are all booked up, I’ve got 3 on the roster, looking forward to seeing everyone in person! Here’s the latest: 

“Trice”

Acrylic on Canvas

8x10

Original Painting: $100

8x10 Prints: $20

5x7 Prints: $10

 

“Amorphous”

Acrylic on Canvas

8x10

Original Painting: $100

8x10 Prints: $20

5x7 Prints: $10

 

Payments are accepted online via PayPal or e-transfer

Or

In person via credit, debit or cash.

 

Worldwide shipping available.

 

Interested in ownership? Send me a message!

nvonraven@gmail.com

 

Check out the gallery links below to see what’s available!

 

METAL PAINTINGS GALLERY

 

ACRYLIC PAINTINGS GALLERY

 

PRINTS GALLERY

 

DIGITAL MASH UPS GALLERY


If you’re not on Facebook, all art can be viewed here.

 

*EVENTS*




 

*EXHIBITS & RETAILERS*

 

Highwood Gallery & Gifts

413 1st St. SW. High River, AB

403-652-3538

 

Colossi’s Coffee House

114 4th Ave. SE, High River, AB

403-652-2181

 

Selective Seconds

1203 16 St SE, High River, AB T1V 2B1

403-917-1096

 

Okotoks Health & Wellness Centre

11 Cimarron Common, Okotoks, AB
403-995-5400

 

The latest art & updates happen over on Facebook & Instagram