Daily Inspiration: Meet Natalie Moreno

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Moreno.

Hi Natalie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
During my time in undergrad at the University of West Georgia, I took the pathway of completing an art program. I originally planned to study graphic design; however, I leaned into 3D art and decided to fully immerse myself in studying sculpture. From there, I was exposed to the many things I could do with sculpture and learned a variety of trade skills. This exposure piqued my interest vastly to where I could take my skillset and practice as not only an artist, but a well-rounded craftswoman. Throughout my time in undergrad, I had a variety of jobs, from working on outdoor installations to working as an art gallery assistant. As I continued to learn, I eventually shifted my focus to expanding into film/ TV production. Currently, I am continuing to explore further in the film industry and work in different aspects of their art departments, from prop work to special effects.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As exciting as working in creative jobs and following your passion is, it doesn’t always give you consistent work. While I am doing what I always wanted, working a variety of creative jobs and fields, I do recognize that there does come a downside of sometimes having to deal with the instability of creative industries. I’ve experienced the ups and downs of doing creative freelance work. In those times, I like to remind myself that even if the work is unstable, I still get the fulfilling aspect of getting to work creatively and showing up for myself and my passion.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work and inspiration come from the studies and experiences of being Mexican-American. My sculptural work has evolved from working in iron castings to mixed media fabrications, all while still exploring what the Mexican-American experience means to me. My upbringing in a dual cultural perspective has given me a lot to pull from. I study the differences and similarities between my Mexican heritage and my life being brought up in the U.S. I exhibit in local art shows around the Douglasville area and have expanded more into the metro Atlanta area. What makes me most proud is being able to be a representation of my culture and present a unique perspective from my duality of upbringing. At the beginning, it was a very isolating experience. As I’ve learned and explored more as an artist, I’ve come across many others with similar backgrounds to mine. Recently, my background in sculpture has brought me on a journey in exploring the film industry. With that, I’ve gotten many exciting opportunities, such as working on local Atlanta TV productions and independent films.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Reach out to your communities, and if you’re not already a part of one, then find a community. A struggle in finding freelance work is sometimes not having a big enough networking circle. It has been a big help to know people, ask questions, and build relationships. In my undergrad, I built relationships that still help me out to this day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moreno_made_/?hl=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-moreno-a74002319/