Natalie Hope McDonald is a freelance journalist and artist who has been receiving accolades for her fun Keith Haring-esque murals that can be seen throughout Philly. Most recently, she drew a portrait of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, which now hangs in the Justice’s office. Natalie’s work is currently on display in a showing at the James Oliver Gallery on 7th and Chestnut.
What was your initial reaction when you found out that you would be drawing a portrait of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson?
“Incredibly honored. I never imagined that a portrait I created would be hanging in a Supreme Court Justice’s chambers, let alone the first Black woman to be sitting on the court. I’m not a traditional portrait painter by any means, so learning that Justice Brown Jackson liked my style was quite a thrill.”
How did you first become involved with mural painting and how do you go about storytelling with this medium?
“I love to try new things when it comes to my art, so when the first person asked if I’d be willing to create a mural, it seemed like a great idea. I was able to tap into my love of drawing on a much larger scale.
Up close, a viewer can enjoy the words and images, details I like to paint freehand across these spaces. But from afar, the details tend to blend and present as more of a traditional wallpaper-like pattern. While I do some initial sketches to get the idea down for commercial projects that require specific touch points in the art, I always let folks know that each mural is a process that starts with a single line and just moves from there. The best work comes from instinct.”
What is your favorite aspect of Philadelphia’s art scene?
“Philly has a small town feel in a lot of ways, but with big city opportunities. I find that artists and the arts community overall tends to be really supportive of each other, and there are always new people and places doing good things.
I’m endlessly inspired by the street artists who are creating new and really fresh work each day. Folks like Doomed Future, for example, have even been able to cultivate a line of fashion based on graffiti. The crossover between fine art and street art and wearable art is driving me these days as a creator. I actually plan to debut a line of wearable art in 2023.”
