Today we’d like to introduce you to Nataliya Gurshman.
Hi Nataliya, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a fine artist and art educator who has been teaching at several local universities, including Georgetown University, George Mason University, and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). Through my experience teaching at the university level, I observed that many students entered art programs without a strong understanding of fundamental concepts or the preparation necessary to succeed in higher education.
Recognizing this need, I began offering private art lessons years ago, initially focusing on preparing high school students to develop competitive portfolios for college applications. With my experience in higher education, I understood what students needed to be successful in college-level art programs, as well as the types of work and portfolios that would help them gain admission to competitive programs nationally and internationally.
Over time, the practice grew organically through referrals and increasing demand. Students and families began seeking portfolio guidance for a broader range of disciplines, including fine arts, architecture, fashion, and other creative fields. What began as private instruction for aspiring fine arts students has since evolved into a more comprehensive portfolio-development practice, helping students identify their strengths, develop their artistic voice, and create compelling portfolios tailored to their academic and professional goals.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Over the years, I have learned tremendously from my students and have used their experiences, concerns, and challenges to continually refine and strengthen my approach to art education and portfolio development. My goal has always been to provide students with the individualized guidance, skills, and preparation they need to succeed in highly competitive art programs.
I am proud that my students have consistently achieved successful outcomes, gaining admission to their desired art schools and universities with strong, competitive portfolios and, in many cases, substantial merit-based scholarships. These results reflect not only the quality of their artistic work, but also the effectiveness of personalized mentorship and strategic portfolio preparation.
As the practice has grown, my primary challenge has shifted from developing a successful program to increasing its visibility and reaching more prospective art students and families who could benefit from this specialized guidance. Expanding awareness of my services among students who are preparing for college and pursuing careers in the arts is now an important area of focus.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an oil painter with a European background, and my work is deeply rooted in my cultural upbringing, personal experiences, and artistic vision. Painting is an expression of my inner world—a way of translating memories, emotions, and observations into a visual language that is distinctly my own.
I am drawn to oil paint for its remarkable versatility, depth, and ability to capture both subtle nuances and powerful gestures. Over the years, I have developed a distinctive technique of the palette knife, while continuously exploring the combination with brushes and experimenting with new and unexpected color palettes. This process allows me to build richly textured surfaces and create paintings that are both dynamic and tactile.
I am particularly inspired by landscapes and cityscapes, finding beauty in both the natural environment and the energy of urban spaces. My inspiration often comes from cinema, black-and-white photography, music, travel through European cities, literature, and poetry. These influences shape the atmosphere, rhythm, and emotional character of my work.
My approach to painting is intuitive and expressive, yet firmly grounded in traditional painting and experience. I often describe my process as painting “in one breath”—responding instinctively to the canvas while allowing years of observation, training, and practice to guide my decisions. I embrace spontaneity, movement, and emotion rather than striving for literal representation.
My paintings are characterized by bold expressive mark-making, and richly built-up impasto surfaces. Through color, texture, and gesture, I seek to create work that engages the viewer not only visually, but emotionally—inviting them to experience the painting as a reflection of feeling, memory, and place.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success on a deeply personal level. As an artist, success is rooted first and foremost in creative fulfillment—the ability to remain true to my artistic vision and find genuine satisfaction in the work I create, even when that vision may not always align with the opinions or expectations of others.
Teaching is another important dimension of my professional success. I feel privileged to mentor my students, challenge them to grow beyond their comfort zones, and witness their artistic development. Helping students recognize their potential, build confidence, and ultimately pursue successful paths in art and higher education is incredibly rewarding.
For me, however, success is not defined solely by external recognition or measurable achievements. It is the combination of how I teach and mentor others and what I create as an artist. Both are fundamental to my identity and sense of purpose. The ability to inspire and guide others while continuing to evolve creatively myself is what makes my work meaningful and, ultimately, defines success for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.natikart.com
- Instagram: @natikartcities
- Youtube: Natikart Artist
- Other: https://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/natik-natik-5157/artwork/All
