As a response to our cultural need for instant gratification, Natalie explores the fragility of things half-formed and the role our patience plays in their survival. By suspending unhurried forms and paint skins in expansive landscapes, she refocuses our attention to the in-between. Organic shapes take on human qualities as they emerge from the surface, akin to breaking skin for the first time. Inspired by her pre-occupation with the sky, the work blurs the lines between the concrete and ethereal. Structurally dismantled, it invites viewers to consider the intersection of vulnerability, human flesh, and the power of process.

I suspect the compulsive nature of the movement is partly related to the need to stay alive, to be human.

A Chicago native, Natalie’s exhibition history includes the Ann Metzger National Biennial Exhibition juried by Jade Powers, Assistant Curator at Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Yale University, and ICOSA in Austin, Texas. She is the recipient of the Barbara Jane Carr Scholarship for excellence in the visual arts, two Austin Studio Tour scholarships, the competitive Austin Creative Worker Relief Grant, and several juror exhibition awards. Her work has been acquired by private collectors in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and Sweden. She holds a studio art degree and is a graduate of Yale University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Shasta College, and Bethel School of Ministry. Natalie practices in and is pleased to be part of the artistic community in Austin, Texas. You may follow her behind the scenes on Instagram at @natalieshawstudio.

2025 Friends & Family Exhibition, ICOSA, Austin TX

2024 Stay Wild, Big Medium, Austin TX

2024 People’s Gallery Show Annual Juried Exhibition, Austin TX

2024 Yale University Showcase, Yale University, New Haven CT

2024 A Change In Scenery National Juried Exhibition, St. Louis Artists’ Guild, St. Louis MO

2024 Recovery Exhibition, Big Medium, Austin TX

2023 Group Show, Carver Museum, Austin TX

2023 EAST Austin Studio Tour, Bolm Studios, Austin TX

2023 Open Call Show, McLennon Pen Co Gallery, Austin TX

2023 Freedom National Juried Exhibition, Highland Park Arts Center, Chicagoland IL

2022 EAST Austin Studio Tour, Bolm Studios, Austin TX

2021 Ann Metzger National Biennial Exhibition, St. Louis MO

2021 EAST Austin Studio Tour, Bolm Studios, Austin TX

2019 EAST Austin Studio Tour, Bolm Studios, Austin TX

2019 Open 30 International Juried Exhibition, Martha Fenstermaker Gallery, Laredo TX

2019 Skins and Beginnings, Window Dressing Solo Exhibition, ICOSA, Austin TX

2019 Contemporary Texas Statewide Juried Exhibition, Ao5 Gallery, Austin TX

2019 Dialogic, Cement Loop Gallery, Austin TX

2018 Open 30 International Juried Exhibition, Martha Fenstermaker Gallery, Laredo TX

2018 In The Beginning, Solo Exhibition, Joy Organics, Austin TX

2018 Without A Name, Solo Exhibition, Theory Collaborative, Redding CA

2018 Annual Show, Liberty Arts Contemporary Gallery, Yreka CA

2017 Art in the City, Solo Exhibition, Redding City Hall, Redding CA

2017 Forgeries, Carter House Gallery, Redding CA

2017 Chico Art Center National Juried Exhibition, Chico CA | Honorable Mention Award Recipient

2017 Go Home, Carter House Gallery, Redding CA

2017 Air & Other Spaces, Solo Exhibition, The Stirring, Redding CA

2017 Shasta Lake Showcase, Heritage Art Center, Shasta City CA

2017 Home, Siskiyou Arts Museum, Dunsmuir CA

2016 Impressions, Liberty Arts Contemporary Gallery, Yreka CA

2023 Juried Art Selection, Create Magazine Issue #34

2022 Austin Studio Tour Scholarship Recipient

2021 Austin Studio Tour Scholarship Recipient

2020 Austin Creative Worker Relief Grant

2016 Honorable Mention Award Recipient, Chico Art Center

2016 Dual Juror’s Award, Shasta College Annual Exhibition

2015 Barbara Jane Carr Scholarship for Excellence in Visual Art