Artist Statement
Rural and northern landscapes, tree portraits, nature in urban spaces and impressions from her travels, locally and abroad, are just some of the subjects that command Shields’ attention in her work.
Capturing the beauty of nature, and especially of trees, is a passion expressed in Natalia’s photography. An ex-pat Torontonian, now residing in the Niagara Region, she delights in exploring the area’s farm fields and orchards, ravines and Conservation areas throughout the year.
Embracing the digital age, Shields enjoys taking some of her images past the original shot to express her personal vision. When opportunities arise, she uses her photography in support of the environment, the protection of Ontario’s prime farmland, her personal political beliefs and art and cultural activities in her community.
Artist Bio
A Niagara-based artist with rural roots, Shields developed her passion for photography during a teaching career which included the Visual Arts.
Shields exhibits annually at the Pelham Art Festival, in Toronto with f8 Photography Collective and in members’ exhibits at the Niagara Pumphouse Gallery and the Women’s Art Association of Canada. In 2020, she participated in the virtual Toronto Outdoor Art Fair.
Natalia’s images have been published in Local, a Toronto east end public interest magazine and in Along the Shore, a book by author Jane Fairburn. Her Melancthon Potato Field Tree photo was banner image of the group spearheading the Anti Mega Quarry movement to save prime farmland from a mining corporation in Melancthon Township. It still graces area billboards reminding locals and visitors that food & water should trump commercial development. Close to home, her images have appeared in Pelham’s paper The Voice and MyPelham’s online newsletter. She was awarded for best photograph at the Newmarket Juried Art Show in both 2019 & 2020.
Natalia is a founding member of Toronto’s f8 Photography Collective. A broad sampling of her work can be found on the Collective’s website www.f8photographycollective.com as well as her Instagram account @nshields37.
Artist Contact Info
Email - natshields02@gmail.com
Website - https://www.f8photographycollective.com/f8-photographers/natalia-shields/index.html
Instagram - @nshields37