Natalie Hefner Art

Natalie Hefner Art Natalie Hefner is an award winning and published mixed media artist living in Culpeper, Virginia.

Day 17: On today’s episode of “Random Things That Make Sense in the Studio!” You can purchase root comb applicator/ hair...
06/18/2026

Day 17: On today’s episode of “Random Things That Make Sense in the Studio!” You can purchase root comb applicator/ hair dye bottles at the dollar store. They hold a lot of paint and make fun lines!

Day 16: Blank PossibilitiesA good sheet of paper can completely change the experience of creating. The texture, weight, ...
06/17/2026

Day 16: Blank Possibilities
A good sheet of paper can completely change the experience of creating. The texture, weight, and feel of a paper all matter to me. My favorite papers can handle a variety of paint, drawing materials, collage, adhesives, and plenty of layers. As a mixed media artist, that's important because most of my work combines several mediums in a single piece.
For heavy paintwork when I don't want to use a stretched canvas, I reach for a lightweight canvas pad. These sheets of canvas are lightly primed with gesso and work wonderfully for creating larger pieces that can later be cut down into smaller works.
I don't use them nearly as often as I should, but Strathmore Toned Papers (80 lb) in gray and tan are longtime favorites of mine. When it comes to sketchbooks, Strathmore and Canson Mixed Media are in a constant tie for first place—I always seem to have both in the studio and in a variety of sizes.
The paper I keep the largest quantity of on hand is black mixed media paper (160 lb). It stands up beautifully to my Uniball Signo white gel pen and my custom white paint blend in a fine-line applicator pen. I love to use Strathmore’s 5x5 pads, especially on the go!
For watercolor, I enjoy the texture of Strathmore Cold Press (140 lb), but my favorite is Arches Hot Press (140 lb). I love how much paint it can hold, allowing me to build rich layers and smooth blends while still accommodating mixed media elements.
And my number one preferred paper? Drumroll... Strathmore Bristol Smooth (100 lb). It handles adhesives without buckling and provides a clean, sturdy surface for my collage work, making it my go-to foundation for many of my finished collage pieces. It’s smooth to draw on with pencil, pastel, colored pencil, but also handles inks and paint pens. I just love it!

Day 15: Permission To Play. I’ve shared my studio has plenty of practical supplies—paper, scissors, paint, glue, and sta...
06/16/2026

Day 15: Permission To Play.
I’ve shared my studio has plenty of practical supplies—paper, scissors, paint, glue, and stacks of magazines waiting to be transformed into art.
It also has a jar of candy.
It might seem like an unusual studio staple, but it is a childlike reminder that creativity comes when we allow ourselves a little freedom to explore, experiment, and follow our curiosity. Creativity doesn't thrive under pressure, at least not for me! Children have a remarkable ability to explore without worrying whether they're doing it "right." They follow their curiosity, experiment freely, and aren't afraid to make mistakes along the way. Somewhere in adulthood, many of us trade that freedom for certainty. As adults, we're often so focused on outcomes—checking boxes, meeting goals, getting things right, and learning from mistakes. While those things have their place, art asks something different of us. It invites us to stay open, to try new approaches, and to trust the process even when the destination isn't clear. So, yes, my candy jar is a sweet reminder to “Just play, Natalie!” Pairs well with a box of crayons. 🖍️
What’s in the Candy Jar: Charms Blow Pops, Tootsie Pops, Butterscotch Dum-Dum suckers, and a variety of Jolly Ranchers.

Day 14: The Artist’s EyeI’ve always admired how fine photographers can make everyday scenes feel extraordinary. They not...
06/14/2026

Day 14: The Artist’s Eye

I’ve always admired how fine photographers can make everyday scenes feel extraordinary. They notice details the rest of us might miss—light, texture, movement, and composition. Art Collage feels very similar to that for me. Like photographers scan the world for an interesting composition, I notice color, shape, and texture in everyday things. It’s just how my brain works! The light in a photograph can change the whole image. In collage, a tiny scrap of paper can change the whole composition. That’s why I save pieces from old artwork, photographs, magazines, packaging, and even junk mail. I find myself drawn to tiny details like a torn edge, a color combination, or the texture on a piece of junk mail that suddenly feels interesting in a new way. Famous black and white photographer, Ansel Adams said, “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” I love that quote because creativity is less about waiting for when you to have the best quality materials or the perfect studio space to work on your craft, but it’s more about training your eye to see possibility, with any material, anywhere. It’s the artist’s eye that transforms the ordinary into something meaningful. For me, art collage is the same idea in paper form: taking ordinary fragments and composing them into something new through the artist’s eye.
Select photographs taken by JoeWhite.Photography. If you’re not following his photography or Substack posts, you’re missing out!

Day 13: Just a pretty studio photo today!
06/14/2026

Day 13: Just a pretty studio photo today!

Day 12 On the Art DeskJust a glimpse of what is always on my art desk. If I travel and have time to create, I’m packing ...
06/12/2026

Day 12 On the Art Desk

Just a glimpse of what is always on my art desk. If I travel and have time to create, I’m packing these! At the center of it all is my well-loved Fiskars cutting mat. It serves as both a work surface and a measuring guide, helping me trim collage papers, cut mats, and line things up without having to think too hard about it. If you've followed my work for a while, you've probably seen it make an appearance in more than a few photos. Surrounding it are many of my everyday favorites: Uni-ball Signo white gel pens, paint pens, brushes that I use for paint or adhesive mixtures, tweezers for placing tiny collage pieces, a variety of glues, scissors in different sizes, and a few punches for adding shapes and details. Off to the side is a rotating organizer that keeps frequently used supplies close at hand. None of these tools are particularly precious, but they are dependable. And, of course, there's a water bottle nearby—not only for my own hydration but for cleaning brushes, painting with watercolors, or thinning down glue for collage. Links to my supplies are in my LinkTree in bio!

Day 11: Family TiesMy artist bio proudly boasts I had fantastic artistic experiences as a youth that made me part of the...
06/12/2026

Day 11: Family Ties

My artist bio proudly boasts I had fantastic artistic experiences as a youth that made me part of the artist I am today. And part of that experience I learned from my late Aunt, fine artist Ann E. Hale. Hanging in my studio is her paint palette. The paint has long since dried, forever preserving some of her last marks. To me, it is a symbol of a beautiful artistic life lived. I love having a bit of her creative legacy preserved in time. I keep it nearby not only because it’s aesthetically appealing (hello, those colors are gorgeous!), but because it reminds me where I come from. It’s a connection to family I love and respect, many of whom are also artists in their own right. Sending extra love and gratitude to my Hale family with this post! Enjoy a few glimpses of my aunt’s work.

06/10/2026

Culpeper Renaissance Inc. has unveiled a new mural titled "We Will Remember Them" on West Davis Street, according to a June 8 news release from the organization.

Day 10: My most purchased art supply itemIf you've followed my work for any length of time, you've probably noticed that...
06/10/2026

Day 10: My most purchased art supply item

If you've followed my work for any length of time, you've probably noticed that I love to make white pen drawings on black paper. My go-to is the Uni-ball Signo white gel pen, and I use it so often that I buy them in bulk and keep them tucked away in my wooden artist drawers. Having a dedicated spot for them makes it easy to grab a fresh pen when I need one, and I can quickly see when it's time to restock. A single pen will usually carry me through two or three of my 5" drawings, though larger pieces tend to use a bit more ink. Over the course of a year, I probably go through about 50 pens or more! What keeps me coming back to this pen is its reliability. The white is wonderfully opaque, the ink flows smoothly, and the barrel is comfortable to hold during long drawing sessions.

Day 9: Leafy Companions A little studio glimpse today. 🌿 I’ve always loved houseplants, so it’s no surprise that my crea...
06/09/2026

Day 9: Leafy Companions A little studio glimpse today. 🌿 I’ve always loved houseplants, so it’s no surprise that my creative space is shared with a few leafy companions. One of my favorites is a Philodendron Brasil. Its trailing vines and beautiful mix of green, golden, and reddish tones never fail to catch my eye. Naturally, it found its way into my artwork too. This collage piece began with an unexpected spark of inspiration from a coffee advertisement in a home decor magazine! The shades of red and tan immediately reminded me of the new growth on my Philodendron Brasil, and before I knew it, I was sourcing the leaves and assembling the plant out of paper!

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Culpeper, VA
22701, 22735

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