Story & Lesson Highlights with Natalya Khorover

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Natalya Khorover. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Natalya, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Making. Yes this could be a one word answer. Don’t worry, I’ll expand!
When I’m making my artwork, or even just preparing my materials for the making, I enter a strange all consuming state, it’s sort of mystical actually. My focus is on my hands and materials and the process, and everything else falls away. I couldn’t even tell you what I’m thinking about during this time, maybe because I’m not really thinking but sort of just working intuitively.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I create objects, installations, and public art from discarded materials—single-use plastics, found thread, and vintage textiles collected from my home, community, and daily walks. Through cutting, collaging, and stitching, I transform waste into artifacts of beauty and environmental awareness. My practice often involves community collaboration, turning collective trash into shared artworks that inspire creativity, connection, and care for the planet.

I founded REPURPOSER COLLECTIVE, a community for artists exploring sustainable materials, and I host SALVAGE, a podcast featuring artists working with repurposed materials. You can find out about all my educational offerings at Ecoloop.Art and all about the art that I make at ArtByNatalya.com. RepurposerCollective.com is where you can learn more about our community and add your name to the wait list if you’re interested in joining when the doors open again.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child I was raised to believe that I needed permission before I could do anything that didn’t fit in with the norm and made me different from everyone else. Now I know that the only one I need permission from to express myself is myself. I no longer seek permission from anyone else.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Fear of being seen. Somehow I had managed to convince myself that I belong in the background, behind the scenes, the screen and the crowd. Believe it or not, I am still working on overcoming this, it’s so easy to slide back to the safety of not being seen. But now I know that the only way to achieve everything that I want to achieve in life, I need to be seen and stand in that limelight.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely, what you see is what you get. Just slightly more put together and wearing mascara.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
Outdoors! Nature does it for me, that’s why a daily walk in the woods is the perfect way to start the day. Noticing the sky, the chipmunks and the pebbles settles me, let’s my mind focus on the beauty surrounding me and brings me peace.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artbynatalya.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbynatalya/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@artbynatalya

Image Credits
Ana Szilagyi