Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Editor's note: KSL.com does a weekly feature on artists in the community. If you have a painter, sculptor, musician or creative genius in mind, feel free to email your submission to fjolley@ksl.com. Please include a contact email for the artist, if available.AMERICAN FORK — Natalie Michele Hoopes creates fantastical illustrations that express joy in their creation. She says that art, like books, has helped her find her voice and interpret her world. Her most recent work is the illustrations for an uplifting quote book, available Tuesday.
“Be Inspired” is a book of quotes illustrated by Hoopes and compiled by Trish Madsen. Hoopes’ fanciful illustrations beautifully complement approximately 200 quotes. This publication was preceded by a picture book simply titled, “Book,” which explores the worlds found in literature.
In addition to these books, Hoopes’ work can be found in the “New Era” and “The Friend” magazines, published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as the cover of “My Name is Cool” — a collection of short stories.
Art, like books, are a theme in Hoopes’ life. Creating art and reading have been ways of understanding the world and expressing herself since childhood.
“I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be an artist. I was really shy as a kid and art was a way for me to find my voice and get lost in my head,” she said. “I’ve also harbored an intense love of picture books since childhood, particularly the ones illustrated by Maurice Sendak, Beatrix Potter or Arnold Lobel. I tried to copy them by making my own little picture books and comics throughout elementary school. I guess not much has changed!”
[A post shared by Natalie Hoopes (@nanlikesbooks)](https://www.instagram.com/p/BSKcIS5BdEE/) on Mar 27, 2017 at 6:19pm PDT
Looking at Hoopes’ art with these illustrators in mind, they’ve clearly influenced her style—an amalgamation of fantasy, folk and modern figures brought to life with mixed media. A 2013 bachelor of fine arts graduate of Brigham Young University’s illustration program, Hoopes continues to untangle her thoughts through the pen and brush.
“I paint and draw a lot of drifty, lost-looking girls, probably because I feel drifty and lost half the time,” she said. “For most of my adolescence, I never really felt like I fit in anywhere. I was always sort of hoping that a magic portal would open up somewhere and I would finally be able to start my real life, wherever that was. I don’t think I’ve ever fully gotten over that feeling.”
Her process starts early in the morning, usually around 6:30 a.m., with exercising and clearing up her workspace. She’ll warm up with sketching, then “settle in” to work.
“It’s very important for me to block out the world for at least five to eight hours a day. I burn out easily and I’m still working on finding the balance between getting totally absorbed in a project and then knowing when to tackle the practical stuff,” she said. “There’s this quote by Gustave Flaubert that I try to live by: ‘Be steady and well-ordered in your life so that you can be fierce and original in your work.’ ”
Hoopes said she tries to create pieces that bring her joy—and it comes out in her work. While one may not describe her pieces as “cheery” or exactly “happy,” there is a joy that comes through her pieces.
Despite her natural introversion, Hoopes said she has tried to create a network of supportive creatives—something she advises budding artists to nurture alongside their work.
“The fear of not being taken seriously as an artist kept me from approaching other artists for far too long,” she said. “At times, I would find myself wondering if I had anything new or worthwhile to show the world. Thankfully, my husband doesn’t let me be so negative. He is extremely loving and supportive of what I do. He knows when to give me space, when to encourage, when to offer gentle critiques, etc. I think finding people like that in your life can give you the courage to keep creating.”
And Hoopes also encourages people to follow that creative tendency.
“I am convinced that everyone secretly yearns to be creative in some capacity,” she said. “And there’s nothing wrong with that! Learning to live creatively is enriching, and in my opinion, makes life truly worth living. It’s just too bad that fear keeps a lot of people, myself included, from even trying sometimes.”
Those interested in seeing more of Hoopes’ work can visit her site, nataliehoopes.com, or check out her work in person at the Vision of the Arts Auction. The show will be on display at the LightHaven gallery inside Deseret Book in Midvale, 1110 E. Fort Union Blvd., April 7-11 and in the LightHaven gallery in the Orem University Mall April 12-15. Find "Be Inspired" wherever books are sold.
[A post shared by Natalie Hoopes (@nanlikesbooks)](https://www.instagram.com/p/BQdXoELDbUy/) on Feb 13, 2017 at 8:42am PST
\---
Website: nataliehoopes.com
Etsy store: NatalieHoopesArt
Instagram: @nanlikesbooks
Facebook page: Natalie Hoopes Illustration
