Meet Natalie Dunham

We were lucky to catch up with Natalie Dunham recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I am truly grateful to have grown up in a family surrounded by hardworking individuals who served as inspiring role models. From a young age, I exhibited a strong sense of self-motivation and a relentless drive to achieve my goals. Whether I was continuously expanding and updating my seven-story shoebox mansion for my popsicle stick figures, practicing hours in the basement to prep for the hula hoop competition at school, or working on my flexibility for gynmastics by doing the splits in bed while my mother read me bedtime stories, I demonstrated persistence and determination. These qualities have become integral to my character, and I continue to uphold the same level of dedication and perseverance in all my pursuits.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a sculptor and installation artist. Although I have aspired to be an artist for as long as I can remember, I am not sure I ever envisioned the possibility of pursuing my studio practice full-time. After graduate school, I transitioned directly into various full-time roles. While these positions limited my time for creating and promoting my art, I was fortunate to maintain 2-3 sales annually without active marketing efforts.

Two years ago, I found myself in a position that demanded extra hours and caused unnecessary stress. I vividly remember asking myself, “What if I used this energy and time each week to promote my art instead of growing someone else’s business?” Shortly thereafter, I resigned from that role and have since dedicated myself entirely to my studio practice.

My work is process-based, focusing on the creation of three-dimensional material studies and sketches. These are primarily composed of basic geometric shapes and lines, developed through the method of accumulation. Each study is meticulously assigned a numerical title, serving as both a record of the materials and processes used and a narrative thread that reflects the evolution of my artistic journey. This systematic approach documents my creative exploration and invites viewers to engage more deeply, encouraging reflection on the significance of each element within the broader context of artistic development.

At the core of my practice is a desire to challenge viewers to pause and appreciate the transformative power of the creative process. I believe that art is not merely a finished product but a dynamic journey that unfolds over time, revealing layers of thought, experimentation, and discovery. By emphasizing the process, I aim to highlight the often-overlooked origins that can lead to extraordinary outcomes, celebrating the beauty and potential found in simplicity and repetition.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Resilience, curiosity, and patience have been the most influential qualities in my journey toward dedicating myself fully to my studio practice. These attributes have enabled me to navigate the inevitable challenges and setbacks that arise along the path of artistic development and entrepreneurship. The capacity to persist through difficulties, remain open to learning and growth, and endure periods of uncertainty has been essential to my progress. While I believe these qualities are largely inherent to my personality, I have observed that they become even more pronounced when I engage in the things I am most passionate about. Live and work in alignment with what you love, it allows these traits to flourish naturally.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

One of the primary challenges I am currently working to overcome is increasing my visibility on social media, as my natural shyness has been a barrier. I absolutely understand the importance social media plays in business growth, so I am committed to addressing this obstacle. I have been steadily increasing my comfortability through small actions, such as featuring myself in reels and being more intentional about sharing my story.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your