NWT Arts

Natalie Makletzoff grew up in a very artistic family. At the age of four she was taught by her architect, artist, father to draw an apple and then taught the letter "a" . As she grew, portraiture was introduced, as well as figure drawing was studied under the tutelage of the Group of Seven Figure Drawing instructor, Rowley Murphy. On holidays in Northern Ontario , her whole family would sketch and paint '.'Au Plein Air." At age 22 she attended Seneca College Of Art and Design and continued her education at York University completing her Fine Arts Degree and Teaching Degree: It was at University where, as a studio major, she attended an Art History Class which opened her eyes to how the great painters approached a canvas from the beginning to its completion. While studying painting, the end of term came with the final critique of all students gathering with their art pieces. Her professor brought her with all her large paintings to the front of the circle and announced to the group "Now here is a painter''.

She raised her family in the Northwest Territories and continued to work at her art but in a limited.capacity. However, recently she has had the freedom to pursue her painting full time. She has resided in the North for 24 years. In her early years she worked and supported her family as an Adult Educator throughout the North. She now resides in the capital, Yellowknife, close to her grown children and now grandchildren. She recently received several NWT Arts Council Grants as well as SEED monies to further develop her skills and exploration of the northern landscape in all its variety, which inspires and informs her work . She attended the Great Northern Arts Festival in lnuvik and experienced a wonderful opportunity to showcase new original watercolours.Mini lessons were taught to young people at this venue. She is a very gifted painter who also offers opportunities to others to learn to paint. An exhibition of her 'Reid Lake Series' was held out at Reid Lake in the Mobile Art Gallery. While this exhibition took place she offered a painting class to adult and youth campers. She also participated in local Art Shows such as Hand Made and Ramble and Ride. She sells her artwork through her website and in various stores throughout the city.

Recently Natalie Makletzoff traveled to Peterson PointLak.e Lodge an hour and half by float plane ride northeast of Yellowknife to take in the glorious Fall colours of the Tundra, while taking a photography course on site. She was partially sponsored by the NWT Arts Council. The eighteen pieces of artwork created from this opportunity have been exhibited at 47TH Street Art Gallery and will be on Exhibition at the NACC -The Northern Arts and Cultural Center, in Yellowknife, during the month of October 2023.