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Welcome to the happy place
Here you will find joy and comfort that can be taken to your home
"I think and think and think,
and I've thought myself out of happiness one million times,
but never once into it."
Jonathan Safran Foer
and I've thought myself out of happiness one million times,
but never once into it."
Jonathan Safran Foer
Let me tell you how it all started
One of the questions I find particularly difficult to answer is "Where are you from?" Because there isn't a short answer, or even an answer sometimes. I was born in 1988 in Siberia, grew up in a town on a small island in the Far East of Russia (do you know where the Pacific Ocean begins?), then lived, studied and worked in Vladivostok, Moscow, the United States and Ireland. The last time I moved from Ireland to Italy, where I got married.
After some time I felt very strange things were happening to me, and as a result I was diagnosed with depression. Moving to a new country where I didn't know the language and couldn't find a way to navigate myself through daily life in a small village, had no friends and no clear life plan - it got to me the hard way.
Before I realised the need to ask for help, I felt completely broken, like I was the worst person in the world. Like I deserved nothing of all the good life that I had. That I should be ashamed for feeling bad when I have everything that many people dream of. Those of you who tasted depression know what it feels like, when you just want to give it all up.
Then I got help. Therapy, medicine, all that. Then one day I got colors and brushes and remembered how I painted in an art school as a kid. I started painting simple things that I saw around me - apples, flowers, cups. It all seemed so peaceful to me. I took classes, I started learning and practicing more, I became more and more passionate about painting, and I got better at it, and one day me and my husband noticed that the house became full of paintings and it was beautiful. That was when I realised I created beauty, and I wanted to do more. I wanted to live and art was my rope to hold on to.
Do you know what is so great about a painting with "just an apple" on it? There is no drama. There is a beautiful bright apple, that is good for your health and nice to look at, because it's made by nature and things like that are often perfect. Simple, little things like that are just so uplifting.
So I continued capturing things that brought me joy and peace. And I started hearing people say "But these lemons of yours are so amazing! They're so nice to look at, so simple and so pretty!" One by one my paintings started to move to their new homes...
I believe, little things in life are as valuable as the big ones. Life is made of little moments, like a puzzle, where every piece is important to complete the picture. They help us appreciate the present moment and not overload our mind with whatever big life problems there are.
I decided to create comforting, cozy, no-drama paintings that are nice to look at. I want my art to make people feel joy, just like I do while making it. Each and every one of the paintings is made with care - to make your home a happy place.
After some time I felt very strange things were happening to me, and as a result I was diagnosed with depression. Moving to a new country where I didn't know the language and couldn't find a way to navigate myself through daily life in a small village, had no friends and no clear life plan - it got to me the hard way.
Before I realised the need to ask for help, I felt completely broken, like I was the worst person in the world. Like I deserved nothing of all the good life that I had. That I should be ashamed for feeling bad when I have everything that many people dream of. Those of you who tasted depression know what it feels like, when you just want to give it all up.
Then I got help. Therapy, medicine, all that. Then one day I got colors and brushes and remembered how I painted in an art school as a kid. I started painting simple things that I saw around me - apples, flowers, cups. It all seemed so peaceful to me. I took classes, I started learning and practicing more, I became more and more passionate about painting, and I got better at it, and one day me and my husband noticed that the house became full of paintings and it was beautiful. That was when I realised I created beauty, and I wanted to do more. I wanted to live and art was my rope to hold on to.
Do you know what is so great about a painting with "just an apple" on it? There is no drama. There is a beautiful bright apple, that is good for your health and nice to look at, because it's made by nature and things like that are often perfect. Simple, little things like that are just so uplifting.
So I continued capturing things that brought me joy and peace. And I started hearing people say "But these lemons of yours are so amazing! They're so nice to look at, so simple and so pretty!" One by one my paintings started to move to their new homes...
I believe, little things in life are as valuable as the big ones. Life is made of little moments, like a puzzle, where every piece is important to complete the picture. They help us appreciate the present moment and not overload our mind with whatever big life problems there are.
I decided to create comforting, cozy, no-drama paintings that are nice to look at. I want my art to make people feel joy, just like I do while making it. Each and every one of the paintings is made with care - to make your home a happy place.
What brings you joy?
"When I look at you, I can feel it.
I look at you, and I'm home."
Dory (Finding Nemo, 2003)
I look at you, and I'm home."
Dory (Finding Nemo, 2003)
About Natalia
I was born in Omsk, Russia in 1988, and shortly after that my family moved to Kuril islands where I grew up. I've always loved nature, and I loved my home where the sea was steps away and I watched fantastic sunsets right outside my room window. Obviously, I was heartbroken when I had to leave for university. Life happened, my family moved again and I never came back.
During my university years and after I fell in love with traveling, and took every opportunity to pack my bags and go explore.
I found my way back to life in a village by the sea - a different one, but it feels like home again. After the emotional breakdown, I finally found something that brings me pure joy - painting.
But there are still many people who are going through a difficult time. I send my love and support to all of those who are struggling with depression and other mental health issues.
A portion of all profits from selling my art goes to Itaca Onlus - an italian foundation for prevention, support and rehabilitation programs for people affected by mental health issues, and their families.
During my university years and after I fell in love with traveling, and took every opportunity to pack my bags and go explore.
I found my way back to life in a village by the sea - a different one, but it feels like home again. After the emotional breakdown, I finally found something that brings me pure joy - painting.
But there are still many people who are going through a difficult time. I send my love and support to all of those who are struggling with depression and other mental health issues.
A portion of all profits from selling my art goes to Itaca Onlus - an italian foundation for prevention, support and rehabilitation programs for people affected by mental health issues, and their families.
© 2019 Natalia Karpman.
All Right Reserved. Natalia Karpman legally owns the rights to her intellectual property, including images and writing. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, transmit, transfer or sell art works published on this website without written permission from the artist.
All Right Reserved. Natalia Karpman legally owns the rights to her intellectual property, including images and writing. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, transmit, transfer or sell art works published on this website without written permission from the artist.
