ABOUT NATHALIE OKRA

I’m a French artist from West Indian background (Martinique) and I’m actually living in Mayotte, a small Island of Indian Ocean between Tanzania and Madagascar. I’m working here as an artist and an art teacher. I’m a painter musician, and video artist. I explore the subject of women and children. I like to show the beauty and energy of women. I explore my inner African vibes too, in order to stay connected with deep my roots, which are West African and from Nigeria, more specifically. I use a lot of colors to express feelings and emotions, colors have such powerful symbolism and energy.

13Moons asked…

What’s the purpose or goal of your work?

Nathalie: My goal is first of all, express myself, and often show the beauty of women, especially Black women who were so often belittled, when they’re Queens and Goddess in reality. I hope that my art can heal some hearts.

What was your inspiration behind the pieces being featured?

Nathalie: This canvas is inspired by a picture of a little boy from Mayotte, a small island in Indian Ocean, between Madagascar and Mozambique. It shows some sadness but resilience and hope, because some children here, have a tough life. There’s some poverty and juvenile delinquency. I ‘d like you to feel the struggle and the hope and ancestor’s legacy, represented by the African mask in the background. It’s a symbol of hope and perseverance. I made by myself a spray paint with watercolors, purple colors are soft and deep, I choose to represent the child with charcoal which is very deep black; strong but fragile at the same time if you don’t put fixative on it. I like to represent figuratives subjects, I like to tell a story that can touch the soul.

What was one of the most surprising things you’ve learned about yourself through your creative projects?

Nathalie: I learned that I can heal through my art, that I feel better when I paint, and my art can nourish my soul.

How has your art/writing shifted over your time as a Creative?

Nathalie: I started by using pastel then paintings, and now I m actually working on some videos and music project with always a link with my paintings.

Who is your favorite Artist/Writer and why?

Nathalie: My favorite artists are definitely artists from Ancient Egypt, and ancient Nigeria, Ife and African art in general. This art is a legacy of our ancestors, they’re aesthetically powerful, they’ve got often a spiritual meanings.

FOLLOW NATHALIE

https://www.instagram.com/okra_artsy/

nathalieokra.com

Published by Astara Solae

I created 13MOONS Magazine to resurrect the sacred feminine in Stories and Art. As a Seeress who'd worked directly with Oshun, Yemaya, Oya, and other earlier Goddesses, I noticed a stark difference in these energies and those of later iterations, such as Venus and Aphrodite. It is like parts of these beings were stripped away. Whether to fit the fashion of culture or men, I'll leave for you to decide, but this just didn't sit right with my spirit. And so I dreamed of a platform which would amplify the real voice of the feminine - Stories and Art created by actual women from our perspective, without apology. And here we are.I am called Astara, a name I received during meditation, meaning Little Sirius. I am here to draw down the energy of Ast, also known as Auset, Isis, and the latest: Mother Mary, truly just a hint of the Original anymore. I am here to Remember and to help Remind us of who we are as women, who we are beneath patriarchal whitewashing and power politics as religion. I am here to Remind us of the wisdom we hold within each of our cells which we have mistakenly (and blasphemously) called our meat suit. I am a Sensual Fluency Educator and Tranceworker, offering tools I've channeled from my own body to help you connect with yours. Reach out anytime if you'd like to hear more.

Leave a comment