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Natalie Miller | Episode 1083
From her earliest memory Natalie Miller has loved making art. As a young adult Natalie took a break from art, focussing more on working with horses. In her mid 30’s Natalie was hit with an overwhelming drive to create again. Natalie started with pen drawings and painting, before taking her first pottery class at Station Gallery in Whitby. From the very first class she was hooked. It was everything I’d ever hoped it would be. Natalie is very much inspired by Mid Century Modern, Scandinavian design, clean lines, and bold colour palettes. Natalie lives with her partner and their two cats in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada.
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How important is timing that you just happened to get into it at the right time?
I think hugely important. I think it’s equal parts, I did work really, really hard at this. So it’s not entirely luck, I worked really hard, the timing lined up, and then luck. I think it’s equal parts of those three things.
How important is developing the skill so that you are lucky enough for life to happen the way you would want it to?
Hugely important. Because if you don’t have the skills when the luck strikes and the timing works out it’s not going to happen if you haven’t put in the time and the work to hone your skills and get good at it.
Is it important as you are developing your skills that you are putting yourself out there so that you can be found, so that you can be known?
I think if that’s your goal to be found and to be known well yeah, how else is anyone going to find you? I think. But if you are just trying to find yourself and hone your skills maybe you don’t need to do that.
What did you do when people started responding to you work? What did you do to respond to them? Was it quick and intentional, making sure that you are doing good “customer service”?
I worked my entire life in customer service. Every job that I have had until this one has been in customer service so I think it is just who I am at this point. So I am not trying or intentionally being any one way but part of my personality is just good customer service. (laughter)
There’s a saying. Rinse and repeat. Does that ever get tiresome, I am going to do this over again?
Thankfully not yet. I am hoping not for a while. Historically, yes, that does happen to me but so far, no, this is just a joy and I love it and I think there is enough variety within it that it keeps me interested.
How important is the love of your work from others to keep you motivated?
I don’t know. I have never stopped to think about that. I hope not that important but also I do depend on it to make a living. So I guess kind of important. (laughter) I would still do it without the love and recognition from others but I wouldn’t be able to do it as much because I would have to get a job again.
Is there a piece that you would like to make but you just haven’t had the gumption to actually do it yet?
A teapot. A stupid, stinking teapot. One day I am going to make a teapot. I just haven’t gotten around to trying it yet. Part of it is I haven’t made the time and part of it is it’s kind of intimidating, but that’s the first thing that comes to mind.
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