Meet Natalie Cha Olguin | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Cha Olguin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
My origin starts in Yuma, AZ, where I was born. My parents and family are from northern Mexico, so I spent part of my childhood experiencing my Sonoran Desert homes in Mexico and Arizona. I lived there up until the age of seven. I loved the fiery environment. I remember how the sun chimed on my skin, how the sand shimmered across the streets. At home, I was exposed to a lot of Spanish rock and/or alternative rock music. Eventually, I was introduced to performative dance when I joined my school’s dance team. It was there that I found my love for dance and music.

In 2007, my mom, sister, and I moved across the country to our current home: Shelbyville, Kentucky. I am the eldest daughter of an immigrant mother. I am a proud first-generation Mexican woman, Centre College graduate with a B.S. in Mathematics. I found my love for science, and made connections with inspiring and long-lasting friends. However, I was also, drowning myself in gratitude and suffocating in shame. When we moved to Kentucky, I learned at an early age how to assimilate and cope with culture shock. As I grew, I saw myself becoming the narrative that others wanted me to take on due to my upbringing, and for the sake of my future. After I graduated from college, I promised myself that I would reconnect with my inner creative-self, again, and trust that it is a safe, good orderly direction. From that moment on, I’ve been going to dance classes at Crestview Studios since October 2023, I created my own poetry account on Instagram (@nataliiarte), and I’ve started to dabble in modeling.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The art that I have created allows for the world to see two versions of my artist within:

1) On my main Instagram page (@_natalieco), I like to show my more vibrant, fun artistic-self. It consists of my dance class videos, such as hip-hop, heels, jazz, and more. I have some fun shoots that I’ve done, and posts of places I’ve traveled.
2) On my poetry Instagram page (@nataliiarte), you notice an immediate shift to a more somber, deeper version of my artistic-self. I’ve created nine poems, so far. The poems, as a whole, have a general theme of my more analyzed, dark, unaltered voice. Each one is attached with a mystic-themed image, and a part of a song you can listen to while you read them.

It’s a surreal moment to see that I was once on the side of fear, where I thought this was impossible for me to even think about doing at some point. Everyone has their own personal challenges that was prevalent at certain points in their life, and I’d say mine was overcoming the fear of starting over. I went to school all my life, that’s all I knew. Until, one day, I had enough of self-sabotaging my own life. I chose this creative route because I knew that I could make my experiences into something beautiful and healing through art. I just had to start my own healing process in order to start my creative recovery.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In my hometown of Shelbyville, KY, I’d recommend grabbing a warm-hearted coffee from 6th and Main Coffeehouse. They serve delicious coffee’s and teas, they have various local artist’s work displayed inside the coffeehouse each month, and the environment gives you a sense of coziness.

In Louisville, the diversity in culture grows more each year. Anytime I’m with my friends or family, we almost, always end up in the Highlands and Bardstown Road. Lately, I’ve been visiting Paris Báhn Mì. They’re a restaurant and bakery that serves my personal favorites, pho and Korean corn dogs. The atmosphere is lively and spacious, a great hang out place with friends and family.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This exciting, unfamiliar transition I’m taking into becoming an artist could not have been as welcoming without the kindness and support of Kevin A. Sanchez. He’s an amazing photographer, and even better soul to be around. He welcomed me into the many creative spaces in Louisville, and I have met so many amazing, inspiring people along the way. He’s helped me to stay aligned with my dreams and aspirations, and see’s the best in me during times of self-doubt. Kevin is my rock, and my other half.

One of the amazing, inspiring people I’ve met that I have to recognize is Kayla Prather. She’s a talented, beautiful model and person. She’s also one of my closest friends. At times, I would feel ashamed about who I am and where I came from. Kayla, however, has always: 1) Been supportive of my journey. 2) Reminded me to be proud and unapologetic about who I am and who I am becoming as an artist. I’m very thankful to have someone like Kayla, whom I can be my complete true-self around.

Instagram: Personal Account: @_natalieco

Other: Poetry Account: @nataliiarte