Natasha Polozenko
Q What do you do?
“First and foremost, I’m an Illustrator! I create bold illustrations featuring strong feminine forms.”
I am also an educator, I am on a mission to empower and educate creatives to skill up, and create successful illustration practices. I do this by creating bite-sized tutorials that I share across my socials, by leading an online course on Illustration style, and by hosting a podcast “The Self-taught Illustrator” in which I help creatives navigate the illustration industry.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I’m a self-taught illustrator, I come from a design background, studying Landscape Architecture at UNSW in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Boston, Massachusetts, where I completed my Masters in Landscape Architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. In true “slashie” style, I pivoted into digital design, where I did a lot of UI/UX work, all the while honing in on my illustration chops.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
My focus on education and helping other creatives who are just starting out in their illustration journey. I create weekly bite-sized tutorials that I share on instagram and TikTok, as well as a podcast episodes, and a whole lot of educational content for my students.
Q What are you working on right now?
Currently, I’m dipping my toes into one-on-one coaching. I am working with 4 students, who I meet with one a weekly basis to help them uncover and develop their personal illustration styles.
Q What’s your style?
My illustration work features comically exaggerated and strong feminine forms in natural settings. My artistic style is characterized by minimal, soft, dreamy palettes, gradients and transparencies.
In terms of my perspective in general, I am super passionate about the topic of "style" in Illustration, and this makes up a large part of what I teach my students.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Illustration!
Q What is frustrating you right now?
There's not enough hours in the day! After working with my one-on-one students, I’ve discovered so many opportunities for improvement in my teaching materials, I wish I could have a solid month of uninterrupted heads down time to work on it.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
I would love someone to design and build my sales pages, web design isn't my sweet spot, and it always takes me much longer than it should.
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Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I wish I could tell my high school self that being a creative/ artist didn’t mean I was going to starve. I spent so much of my time and effort focusing on “serious” subjects, and pushing art and creativity to the side.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I would love a strategic look at my business, to help me understand areas of improvement, what I'm doing wrong, and how I can best set myself up for success.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
Illustration projects with brands that I feel fully aligned with.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
Editorial illustration opportunities for print / online publications.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
natasha@nataszko.com
Include:
- Budget
- Scope
- Timeline
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Molly Jacques, has helped me level up so much in my own career, she’s super honest and transparent about her own practice, pricing, and how to set healthy boundaries.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Keeping a collection of images that inspire me!
This member profile was originally published in April 2021, Updated August 2021.