Hi Natasha,
I wanted to introduce myself to you because I watched and absorbed each and everyone of your artworks
created on commondreams last year.
I am a public school art teacher and did indeed share your work with my students
and your work blew them away. I can think of no other artist I have ever shown them
who made such an impact.
As an artist myself, I must tell you I so respect your visceral candor, your
unapologetic witness, your commitment.
I wish I had the money to pay for a book of your work and help you
write lesson plans for art students based on your work.
That is my dream.
Thank you for your energy and dedication to
sharing your powerful views with the internet world.
I know my students and I are forever changed by looking and interpreting
your work. Shana
Natasha, Natasha — who are you? Are you famous? Does the New Yorker know your work? Or Mother Jones? Harper’s? I’m sitting in front of my little computer tears running down my face. You are a force of nature. Powerful, powerful stuff! Robert W.
I am so pleased your work will be a continuing presence on Common Dreams. You have left me both breathless and full of hope. Not since my first sight of Guernica have I been so moved. I am a 74-year old grandmother whose belief still survives that we can leave a better world for all children. Your stunning work strengthens that belief. The world is not often a pretty place. Your special insights into what most would rather not see are what can truly engender change. It is perhaps more important to recognize what we abhor than to blindly avoid having to feel the reality of our surroundings. Not only is your work wonderful artistically, it shows your courage in these politically poisonous times. Norma G
Your understanding of how a partial truth hides the real truth is so intuitive….Peter S
I humbly sit in the piney-smelling pews of your cathedral of talent. Your paintings jar me but are so beautiful they add a reassuring comfort too – so I’m aware that jarring and comforting are contradicting one another – don’t know – complicated… but simple… Amen! From Reverend Billy:
Natasha, it looks great ! What a great gig. You do fine saying things in your own words. Don’t take lessons from pompous artists’ statements in catalogues etc. Just say what you’re up to and why! Lucy Lippard
I love what you have added to Common Dreams because as a former investigator I learned that most often 85-90% of what is communicated even in an interview is done so by kinesthetic and not the verbal content. Your visual representations add an entire new dimension to the progressive comment on the blog that really is like the spices and seasonings that make food delicious rather than just healthy bellyfill. Keep listening to your gut and share your visions with us, O wise woman. Tim McC.
Thanks for all you do to keep us all better informed.
I love your art. Wow! The one today with the yellow star in the blue field in the center of the images of blocked faces is haunting and historical. Wonderful. What a great conscience you have. I’m glad you are working with CommonDreams.
Thank you for your awesome inspiration and intention! Roxanne A
I cannot imagine a more arresting image.
Your art work that has been displayed on the Common Dreams site is very moving. I was a Navy Corpsman who served in Vietnam (‘68/’69). I have been against the war and the “Bush”…..since the beginning! I believe your work makes a very strong statement about humanity, and what is going on in our world. It is only through artists (poets, painters, photographers) that the true word is spoken. Thank You!
Thank you for posting your artwork on Common Dreams, I find it very thought provoking. I work in immigrant rights in Los Angeles and this piece called the border fence spoke to me and the work we do.
l keep checking your images though not every day in any case………… it’s wonderful……. in the tradition of daumier etc. congratulations
Editor, Kudos for all this great art I have been getting every day along with your news stories. The “March of the Penguins” picture is priceless. I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time! It gets a bit tedious wading thru all those stories day after day and it is always a surprise to happen on one of those incredible paintings by Natasha. Thanks to everyone who made this happen. It is a fantastic concept.
-I am thoroughly enjoying your art works that concentrate the eyes/mind/heart/soul on critical issues, especially life and death in war zones wrapped up in sagas of greed and indifference
Hi Natasha — I work for the Steelworkers Union………I was struck by your luminous paitning and knew what it was before I clicked and read your words. I was particularly interested in it because I work with victims and families after catastrophic accidents and fatalities. ….I live in Pittsburgh, so even though your painting is probably a refinery, it could easily be the stacks of any steel mill around ehre or anywhere else. Congratulations on your vision. your art is wonderful!
Even my brief glimpses at your artwork have impressed me and have enhanced my experience of Common Dreams. In fact, I’ll bet it’s something that sets them apart – I love your current design and imagine it would be a popular sticker or t-shirt. Thanks for adding so much to progressive news!
Your depiction of US clad in camouflage is telling, and true, and
brilliantly conceived. Lord have mercy upon on all!
I head up our network of progressive women state legislators nationwide -
So our crowd all saw your cartoon image today on Common Dreams and are circulating it. We’ll have our national conference in Washington Sept 30.
WAND Communications Director Mary Babic circulated your cartoon and I’ll share your message with her as well! You have a new set of fans in us!
peace,
Senator Nan Orrock
Just wanted to thank you for the inspiring art work. You should know that in these dangerous times, there are a lot of people, like myself, who support your work. I believe that what you’re doing is a form of communication. Your work accomplishes something, but no doubt, there’s always so much more to do. It can be hard to feel complete or satisfied. Perhaps there’s a grim satisfaction that you’ve brought some attention to others, such that they focus on these problems. Perhaps it brings some relief… but it’s like shifting sand that keeps moving. In a way, if an artist communicates (in the way that you have) to the rest of the world what is happening, they’re trying to negotiate for something positive. Maybe that’s the reason why those in charge of perpetuating wars do not like to have artists around.
In the end, we must look at reality. We’re required to look at it. We’re required to do what we can about it. If we don’t… who will?
Your art work on Common Dreams is breathtaking…and very emotionally moving. I was struck by the Iran one at first and now the us map and the corn grenades after I looked at all of them. THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU AND DOING THIS. It goes into our psyches in such a different way than words , printed or oral…as the one woman said,,like Guernica. many Guernicas you are making…I had forgotten how much this form of thought and protest means to me,,and in general sometimes I think it calms my rage, and at the same time arouses me in a quiet way..too..hard to explain.
Just want to thank you again for your complex and thoughtful work
-I do like your work…both my husband and I love art…are politically progressive..angry (very angry) at what has happened to our country and the destruction of the rule of law and individual rights by the current administration. I am a criminal defense attorney and so the suspension of habeas is particularly disturbing.
The juxtaposition of cultures, colors and patterns on your most recent piece is quite thought provoking…If americans were a little more illuminated about the art and cultures of the countries on this planet that end up being labeled ‘Evil’ and eventually invaded and destroyed, it would be quite a bit more difficult for the right wing pundits to convince them to go along with the Oligarchy’s agenda!
How the hell do you do it?
I’m a regular. Thanks for the little hit of another reality every day.
We are absolutely thrilled to see your work on Common Dreams
Your contribution to the movement for peace with justice in the world, as an artist and an activist, is immeasurable. Your work speaks volumes for all of us in the struggle. Thankyou!
Thank you for your work. You make a statement with your pieces that it would take thousands of words to express
Thank you for your art, your intelligence, your color, your passion and energy.
I love getting your art on a daily basis. Kind of like a candle flame in the darkness.
You’re work is an inspiration! Lately, I feel my art should try to be more than just pretty pictures – you’ve definitely opened the door for other artists to speak out against injustices through the creative process.
I like what you paint, put together. I appreciate your ideas about touching on our values to make us aware. I look forward to your versions of what can influence us all for a wise change, as visual is my mode of learning.
Just wanted to let you know I *love* your pictures on CommonDreams.org. Beautiful! Stunning! Disturbing! Thought-provoking! I just wanted to drop you a comment and tell you how inspiring and thought provoking I find your art work that I see every day on Common Dreams. I don’t understand how you churn them out so fast, but keep up the good work. As bleak and dark as they are, I find them to be truthful, brilliant, poignant, and current. Hats off to you.
Natasha, I just had the great pleasure of looking at your art work. You are doing just what an artist is supposed to be doing. Each picture hits you right in your heart and soul. They tell a story, and I keep wanting to go back to that story even though most of them are so sorrowful. I love the way you use color, and I love the way your art work reaches out to show that you have deep feelings for the suffering of others. You could throw away the New York times because you make the news interesting and meaningful.
I’ m 49 aged woman in South Korea.
I found your name Common Dreams News Letter first.
Your work is holding me, I don’t know why.
But I remember your says compassion must be translated into action.
I never act until now. I have worked and feed kids after marriage.
Now I think I have only 10 years until 60.
I don’t know why I take your work on my blog, but I’m sure I do it again.
I hear CNN or BBC everyday. Sometimes I fall in deep sorrow.
I want to start painting, but I have no idea where I start.
Could I start this on my age?
Super to see a relevant complement to a news site (Common Dreams). Have appreciated all your pieces. Art is the message. And good art does not match the furniture.
Well, sure…I’m a serious fan. Some real heartbreaking images you’ve created, m’dear, but then, we live in heartbreaking times….
-Your work is the first thing I seek out on my daily rounds of the progressive sites. Thanks so much for your efforts
-I hope that Common Dreams passed along to you my message to them that having your artwork on their homepage is wonderful, exciting, provocative in the very best sense of that word. In a word—I love it!
-I really like your art. Look forward every day to Common Dreams — that did not used to be my favorite “alternative” source (the only sources I read).
-wow, you are really pushing some powerful images. I look foreward to Common Dreams everyday and yours is the first thing I click on. Your work lately has been quite edgy
nice work, dude