Artist's Bio

Natalee Wright

Natalee Wright is a mixed media artist, educator, veteran, and lifelong student of human behavior. Her work explores the complex ways experiences, relationships, beliefs, and circumstances shape identity, connection, resilience, and transformation.

Drawing upon a background in forensic psychology and more than two decades of experience in behavioral health, Wright brings a unique perspective to her creative practice. Her professional experience has included work in child welfare, foster care, behavioral consulting, and community support services, providing a deep understanding of the challenges, adaptations, and strengths that influence the human experience.

Working across painting, mixed media, sculpture, assemblage, found objects, and research-driven creative practice, Wright creates work that encourages reflection, curiosity, and meaningful conversation. She is particularly interested in themes of trauma, attachment, grief, healing, belonging, perception, and personal narrative.

Her recent bodies of work include Breaking the Silence, an exploration of trauma, estrangement, and healing; In the After, a series examining life beyond adversity; and Becoming Monsters, an interdisciplinary project investigating the psychological and societal factors that contribute to the making of monsters.

Wright is the owner of Artful Transformations Studio in Columbia City, Indiana, where she teaches classes, workshops, and creative development programs designed to help individuals explore creativity, self-expression, and personal growth. Through both her artwork and educational practice, she seeks to create opportunities for deeper understanding of ourselves and one another.

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Artist's Statement

I dissect human perspectives through psychologically informed mixed media.

My work exists at the intersection of art and psychology, exploring the experiences, relationships, beliefs, and circumstances that shape identity, behavior, and human connection. Drawing upon a background in forensic psychology and more than two decades of experience in behavioral health, I investigate the often unseen forces that influence how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world around us.

Working across painting, mixed media, sculpture, assemblage, found objects, archival imagery, and research-driven creative practice, I examine themes of trauma, resilience, attachment, grief, transformation, belonging, and the narratives we construct to make meaning of our lives. I am particularly interested in the tension between what is visible and what remains hidden—the adaptations, wounds, perceptions, and survival strategies that exist beneath the surface of human experience.

Research, observation, and inquiry are central to my process. Through layered imagery, symbolism, texture, and material, I create visual metaphors that invite viewers to engage with the complexity of individual and collective experience. Whether exploring estrangement, healing, identity formation, or the societal construction of monstrosity, my work seeks to move beyond judgment and simplistic explanations in favor of deeper reflection and understanding.

Rather than providing answers, I create spaces for questions. My work invites viewers to examine assumptions, consider multiple perspectives, and engage with the nuanced realities that shape who we become.

Exhibitions, Publications & Memberships

Solo Exhibitions

2026 Breaking the Silence, Huntington Art Center, Huntington, IN (Jun - Aug)
2026 In the Quiet of Becoming, Aldersgate Methodist Church, Fort Wayne, IN (Jan-Feb)

2025 Spotlight Gallery Solo Exhibition, Garrett Museum of Art, Garrett, IN

2024 Restorative Reflections Solo Exhibition , Exhibizone

2006 Fractions of the Mind Solo Exhibition, WineStyles, Naples, FL

Group Exhibitions

2026 Small Wonders Group Exhibition (Juried), Heartland Art Center, Plymouth, IN
2026 Fort Wayne Artist's Guild Annual Exhibition, Huntington Arts & Entrepreneurial Center, IN

2026 Community Group Exhibition (Juried), Sync Gallery, Denver, CO

2025 Warrior Wall Group Exhibition (Juried), JR Gallery, Mishawaka, IN

2025 Small Wonders Group Exhibition (Juried), Heartland Art Center, Plymouth, IN

2025 The Healing Power of Art Group Exhibition (Juried), Noblesville Creates, Noblesville, IN

2025 Explore This! 21 Group Exhibition (Juried), Colored Pencil Society of America

2025 Boundaries Group Exhibition (Juried), Blue Space Gallery

2024 36th Annual Regional Exhibition (Juried), Heartland Art Center, Plymouth, IN

2024 Fall Art & Photography Show, South Whitley Public Library, South Whitley, IN

2024 New Age Group Exhibition (Juried), Naturalist Gallery, New York, NY

2024 Art by the Wetlands, Open Group Exhibition, Peabody Public Library, Columbia City, IN
2024 Small Wonders Group Exhibition (Juried), Heartland Art Center, Plymouth, IN

2024 The Healing Power of Art Group Exhibition (Juried), Noblesville Creates, Noblesville, IN
2024 Micro Art, Open Group Exhibition, 2nd Floor Gallery, Churubusco, IN

2024 Woman 2024 Exhibition (Juried), Exhibizone, Ontario, Canada

2024 Girl Power Exhibition (Juried), HMVC Gallery, New York, NY

2024 Piece of Me Exhibition (Juried), HVMC Gallery, New York, NY
2023 Biafarin Awards Exhibition(Juried), Ontario, Canada

2023 Spirituality Exhibition (Juried), Gallerium, Ontario, Canada

2023 35th Annual Regional Exhibition (Juried), Heartland Artists Gallery, Plymouth, IN

2023 Paint Your Heart Out (Juried), KBM Studio, California

2007 Aquarium Group Exhibition (Juried), Cape Coral Art Studio, Cape Coral, FL

2006 Aquarium Group Exhibition (Juried), Cape Coral Art Studio, Cape Coral, FL

2001 LAEA Juried Exhibition (Juried), Alliance of the Arts, Fort Myers, FL

2000 Festival of the Arts Exhibition (Juried), Fort Myers, FL

2000 LAEA Juried Exhibition (Juried), Alliance of the Arts, Fort Myers, FL

Representation

2025–Present
Represented Artist (Print Editions)
Auburn Art Gallery, Auburn, IN

Publications & Press

June 2026, Breaking the Silence Exhibition, The Post & Mail

Winter 2026, Penn Journal of Arts & Sciences Magazine (Manipulation)

May 2025, To the Point Magazine (New Beginnings: Fluttering Hope)

May 2025, glo Magazine Cover & Artist Interview (Jen’s Tiger Swallowtail)

February 2025, Art Ascent Magazine (New Beginnings: Fluttering Hope)

August 2024, glo Magazine, Cover & Artist Interview (Butterfly Girls)

June 2024, South Whitley Tribune, Cover (Ageless Expressions @ South Whitley Library)

September 2023, Artistonish Magazine, 38th Issue (Mariposa Reve: A Quiet Reflection)

July/August 2020, Chickens Magazine, Shutterclucks Photography Winner (Fluffy)

Awards

2001 Judd Foundation Scholarship Award Winner

2001 Best All Around Artist, Lehigh Senior High School

2000 Most Outstanding Student, Lehigh Senior High School

2000 Most Improved Artist, Lehigh Senior High School

2000 Second Place, Colored Pencil Drawing, LAEA Alliance of the Arts

2000 Juror’s Choice Award, Festival of the Arts

Commissions

2024 Sunflower Butterflies, Ink Drawing, Private Client in Florida

2023 Flowers Polyptych, Private Client in Indiana

2023 Beach Landscape, Private Client in Indiana

2010 Embrace, Mixed Media Drawing Enlargement & Reproduction, Private Client in Australia

Memberships & Affiliations

2025 - Current Lakeland Art Association, Member

2024 - Current    Art Link, Member
2024 - Current    Colored Pencil Society of America, Member
2024 - 2024         2nd Floor Gallery & Studio, Board Member

2023 - Current Fort Wayne Artist's Guild, Member

2023 - 2024 Three Rivers Fly Fishing Club, Vice President

Grants & Community Collaborations

2026 Indiana Arts Commission On-Ramp Accelerator Program, Participant (Selected Artist)
2024 IAC Grant - Senior Art Education - Ageless Expressions at South Whitley Public Library

2024 Columbia City Studio Art Tour Participant, Columbia City Arts Commission

2023 Columbia City Studio Art Tour Participant, Columbia City Arts Commission