Featured Artist: RainbowNala

Get ready to see every brushstroke or feel every textured pencil smudge as you delve into a world created by DBH artist RainbowNala. She considers her designs as a “kind of window into other worlds” where she brings imaginary heroes, unknown landscapes, and beautifully envisioned animals to life on the page.

RainbowNala, or Natalia, is a 32-year-old freelance artist from Russia. She confesses that she has “always dreamed of becoming an artist” and that painting has been an important part of her life since she was a child. In fact, her passion for sketching and painting shines through her digital designs as well; her audience cannot help but admire every brushstroke or lovingly applied shaded detail. Although she is still looking for a style that is unique to her alone, her interest in portraying strong and powerful feminine figures is an important and reoccurring theme in her work. She says, “I am particularly impressed by women who show incredible willpower in the pursuit of their dreams.” In this same regard, one of her greatest hopes for the future is to create a graphic novel that is “about and for women.”

Regrettably, Natalia shares that one of her struggles with art was “rejection” by her own family. However, she has pushed through the rejection, as well as other insecurities and she now believes that the act of “going beyond” these obstacles has allowed her to be “more confident and free” in her life. The freedom to create and to experiment with art allows her to see the unlimited possibilities in her future. She jokes that sometimes it can feel like rewards and recognition for one’s artistic endeavors are a long way off; still, she reminds other artists, “don't be afraid to start something new and respect all your work” because every design is like a step in the right direction.