Natasha Whalley

19-year-old Natasha Whalley from Kent is currently in her first year at the University of Bristol, studying Engineering Mathematics. Her artwork, titled The Spirit of Music, appears on the label of our award-winning London Dry Gin. The label produced as a limited edition Festival Special was first launched at Pub in the Park, Marlow and on sale at M.A.D’s other festivals and shows. 

Natasha has had a passion for art since she was 13. She says: “I found drawing to be one of the only times I could sit and process my thoughts. I continued with art during school and found such enjoyment in oil painting.”

She studied the work of the Dutch Masters for A level Art and would often try to use their techniques in her own portraits. “My A level covered two main topics – the first, an analysis of oppression within extremist religion, and the other looking at the ephemeral nature of people due to illnesses like dementia.”  It resulted in her gaining full marks for her A level Art (see images of some works below) and going on to win an award for the Most Promising Young Artist in Dover, Deal and Sandwich. Though she is now studying a science subject, Natasha believes her artwork is improved by her analytical perspective and allows her to understand more deeply not only the techniques she uses in her work but also to find the most focused way to display the meaning of her pieces. “I find art brings me comfort as it gives me moments away from my otherwise STEM-based work,” she says. “I would love to continue with my art and maybe one day have a career doing oil portraits.” Natasha works in oils, acrylics and watercolour – her mixed media artwork for Modern Art Distillery captures the festival atmosphere at events like Pub in the Park and the Foodies Festivals which bring together well known singers and bands with celebrity chefs and food experts for a culinary and musical experience.