Multi-Talented Young Artist Charts Her Own Course

By Emily Clingman
Sometimes artists don’t have to be famous or seasoned to be recognized. Fort Collins nurtures lots of up-and-comers, and one young particular young woman has claimed her space in the ranks of emerging artists.
At 17, Angela Georgette Natrasevschi loves to paint and sing, but it’s the meaning behind her work that brings out the artist in her.
“A lot of my work is a balance between emotion that others can relate to and a surreal imagery that I’m trying to create,” said Natrasevschi. “I try to intrigue my audience and confuse them at the same time.”
Natrasevschi specializes in oil painting, and lately—the study of the nude female. While participating in a pre-college art program in Brooklyn last summer, she was inspired by female images in fashion magazines.
“I would have to carry my paintings around in public and people would see boobs on my canvas and give me weird looks,” she said.
Recalling how she had to deal with immature comments from males on the streets or awkward glances from females, she became more interested in human’s reactions to human’s bodies.
“I wondered what was behind the stereotypes that are dhoved down our throats through the media and why people seemed to be so uncomfortable with their own bodies,” said Natrasevschi. “It made me sad. We’re all humans and we all have the same parts.”
Her paintings reflect some of her own confusion and dreamlike statements of her insight.
“I might paint a woman, but she might have too many toes on one foot or there might be a snake in the background,” Natrasevschi said.
Curiosity and compassion for the community shines through in other areas of Natrasevschi’s life. Recently, she achieved the highest award a U.S.A Girl Scout can obtain: The Gold Award, for her work in helping people with addictions to methamphetamines. She knows it’s a touchy subject. But she adamant about speaking out after watching the drug nearly destroy her cousin’s life.
Though Natrasevschi is passionate, and courageous, she hasn’t been a stranger to dissuasion or worry. For a long time, she thought her voice was horrible. But after playing several musical instruments since she was a child, she wanted to incorporate her singing into her music performances.
“There’s not much support for female solo artists,” she said. “People are also very judgmental of us.”
She doesn’t really care though.
“I like what I’m doing, and that’s all that matters sometimes,” she said.
Natrasevschi mostly plays for her own enjoyment anyway, as painting is her passion of choice.
She wants to be inspirational to other young women pursuing thoer own interests and dreams.
“Be yourself,” Natrasevschi admonished.” Do what you think is fun and what you want to do, no matter what others are saying or how they react.”
She said that one of her favorite sayings is It’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission,” a quote generally attributed to U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Grace Hopper. When asked what she thinks that means—“Just go for it!”
 
Angela Georgette Natrasevschi can be found on youtube at: www.youtube.com/angelageorgette