Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia McGuffee.
Hi Natalia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve loved creating for as long as I can remember. Painting and making things with my hands have always been a part of who I am. I’ve also always been someone who looks for beauty in the world around me. I find inspiration in small things like the way light falls, everyday life moments, an interesting color combination, a meal shared with someone, or a new place discovered while traveling… Creativity is one of the ways I process and express that sense of beauty.
I’ve painted since I was a little girl, but it wasn’t until the pandemic in 2020 that I began turning my art into a business. A friend commissioned a painting of one of her and her husband’s favorite places, and then someone else wanted to purchase one of my paintings. As I started sharing my work more on social media, I was surprised and grateful to see people connecting with it. Little by little, I started selling my originals, built my website, and turned what had always been a personal passion into a growing business.
As the business evolved, I wanted to make art more accessible, so I began offering fine art prints in addition to my original paintings. I know that owning an original painting isn’t within everyone’s budget, but I truly believe everyone should be able to bring art into their home and use it to create a space that feels personal and meaningful.
In 2024, I started The Art Gathering, which grew out of something I’ve always experienced while painting: a deep sense of presence. When I paint, I can be so in the moment that I completely lose track of time. It’s one of the times when I feel most present, and I wanted to create an experience where other people could experience that feeling too. The Art Gathering is an intimate, intentional take on a sip-and-paint experience. It’s less about learning to paint perfectly and more about slowing down, enjoying the moment, and creating something with your own hands.
More recently, I’ve started expanding into collaborations and working more closely with interior designers and other creatives. I’m especially excited about this direction because I think art and design can complement each other beautifully. A thoughtfully designed space can be transformed by the right piece of art, and I love the idea of collaborating with designers, architects, and other creatives to bring their vision to life and create artwork that feels truly connected to a space and the people who will experience it. I’m also developing my Designer Trade Program as part of that vision.
I’m still growing and discovering what this business can become, which is one of the things I love most about it. It started with simply painting because I loved it, and it has grown into a way for me to connect with people, create meaningful pieces, and share something that has been such an important part of my life for as long as I can remember.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to be both an artist and a business owner. The creative part comes naturally to me, but running an art business involves so much more than painting. There’s shipping, marketing, customer service, photography, printing, and all of the other details that happen behind the scenes. Learning how to balance the creative side with the business side has been an ongoing process.
I also became a first-time mom last year, and I’ve been learning how to make room for both motherhood and my artistic life. The past year, my painting naturally slowed down while I adjusted to being a new mom. Fortunately, other parts of my business, including my prints, website, and partnerships, have continued to grow, but I’ve definitely missed having as much time for the actual process of creating.
Now that my daughter is a year old and becoming more independent, I’m finding my way back to that creative rhythm. I’m also really excited about sharing that part of my life with her rather than keeping the two worlds separate. Taking her outside, spending time in nature, and painting while she explores. I love the idea of letting her grow up seeing creativity as something joyful and natural.
This has been such a beautiful and transformative season of my life. I love being a mom, and I love being an artist. I’m excited to continue to figure out how to make space for both and finding a rhythm that works in this new season of life. I think there’s something really special about being able to share something I love so deeply with my daughter as she grows.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Colombian artist based in Colorado. I create acrylic semi-abstract landscapes and abstract artwork inspired by nature, travel, light, and interiors. All of the pieces I paint are connected to places I’ve personally experienced, and I’m often inspired by the feeling a place gives me rather than simply trying to reproduce exactly what it looks like. I’m very visually driven, so I’m constantly noticing light, color, texture, and the way different elements come together in a space. I also love interior design, and I think that naturally influences the way I think about art.
I want my paintings to bring a sense of calm and joy, and make a house feel like home. I want someone to look at a piece and feel something, even if they can’t quite put it into words.
That becomes especially meaningful when I create commissioned work. I’ve had people ask me to paint places that hold very special memories for them—a honeymoon destination, a favorite trip, or somewhere connected to an important chapter of their lives. I love being able to turn those memories into something tangible that they can keep in their home forever and bring them joy whenever they see it.
I think what sets my work apart is that combination of place, emotion, and design. I’m interested in creating artwork that feels personal while also feeling at home in a thoughtfully designed space. Whether I’m creating an original painting, a commission, or collaborating with a designer, I want the finished piece to feel intentional and meaningful.
What I’m most proud of is building a creative life around something I’ve loved since I was a little girl. I feel incredibly fortunate that something that started so organically has grown into a business that allows me to create, connect with people, collaborate with other creatives, and hopefully bring a little more beauty into people’s everyday lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nataliamcguffeeart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliamcguffeeart/
- Facebook: https://www.pinterest.com/nataliamcguffeeart/_created/
