Strength Within
2025
Acrylic on Canvas
Unframed, sides are gallery-finished and come ready to hang
50 cm (W) x 50 cm (H) x 4cm (D)
Drawing inspiration from the poignant Japanese legend of The Thousand Paper Cranes, this body of work explores universal themes of hope, perseverance, and transformation. At the heart of the legend is Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who folded one thousand origami cranes while battling illness following the Hiroshima bombing, believing the act would grant her wish for healing. Her legacy endures as a symbol of peace, strength, and quiet resilience.
In response to the complexities of recent years, Natalie’s latest series offers a visual meditation on renewal. Each painting portrays serene, contemplative women with flowing white hair, embodying the winds of change and the passage of time. Intertwined among them are delicate paper cranes, signifying new beginnings, wishes fulfilled, and the quiet hope that carries us forward.
Soft gold or silver halos encircle many of the figures, subtly referencing the enso—the Zen Buddhist circle of enlightenment and unity—offering a gentle nod to life’s ever-turning cycles.
With a palette that leans into restraint, Natalie invites the viewer to focus on the intricate details and emotive expressions of her subjects. The richly layered backgrounds contrast with the delicacy of form, creating depth and inviting deeper contemplation. Her signature technique of layered glazes builds a luminous, ethereal quality, enhancing each work with texture, softness, and a sense of timelessness.
Through this collection, Natalie offers more than portraits, she presents moments of reflection, stillness, and grace. These paintings are deeply personal, yet universally resonant, encouraging viewers to connect with their own stories of growth, change, and inner peace.
In Natalie’s words:
“My aim for these pieces is to evoke an emotional response through the simplicity and delicacy of the female form, juxtaposed against a richly textured background.”
This series stands as a testament to the enduring beauty of vulnerability, the strength found in transformation, and the quiet power of feminine resilience.
PLEASE NOTE - any in situ images of this artwork are to offer decor, installation and framing examples only and are not to exact scale, so please do check the dimensions before purchasing.
Signed and dated on the back and comes with a Certificate of Authentication.
This piece is created on a 40mm frame-wrapped canvas, sealed with fixative and a triple gloss coat, gallery-finished edges, ready to hang.
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ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Natalie is a Western Australian Artist who lives and works South of Margaret River on her family's farm.
Her love of the colours of the bushland she is surrounded by, country living and the native fauna and flora inspire her works today.
You can find her work hanging in many collections across Australia, the United States, Europe and Asia. She is lucky enough to call Daniel Ricciardo one of her customers!
