CHILTERN ARTIST SETS UP SHOP
It took 15 years, but Chiltern artist Nat Ord has finally found her space. Nat has been looking for the perfect place to locate her photographic studio and workshop where she can practice her art and sell a variety of items related to her craft and passions.
Like many of us, Nat learned a new skill during COVID and has been carving spoons daily ever since she first picked up a hook knife. “There’s a real mindfulness to both the act of spoon carving and using the finished product. When you’re making a spoon, you have to work with the wood, you can only guide it so much.” Similarly, when using the spoons she’s created, Nat says the form and texture of the spoon reminds you to be present in what you’re doing, “whether that’s stirring the pot on the stove for dinner or slurping up your breakfast.”
Whilst her spoons and fine art prints have been for sale online for a while, it’s the in-person shopping experience that people are asking for. “You really need to hold a spoon” Nat says, “once you pick up the right one for you, you just know it.”
It’s the same with her photography she says, with a lot of the editing done in camera and printing the works herself using archival quality inks and papers, “these artworks will outlive us all” she jokes. “It’s one thing to see a beautiful piece on the screen, but it really resonates when you’re standing in front of it. You really get a sense of scale and texture”.
An award-winning commercial and portrait photographer by day, Nat has used her decades of experience and skills to explore the creative aspects of fine art photography and spoon carving and now has created a space to share her passions with everyone. “It’s been a dream for many years and the right space opened up at the right time and I jumped at the chance” Nat said when speaking about her new studio and gallery at the former Grapevine Hotel in Chiltern, home to the largest grapevine in Australia, planted in 1867.
Open from 10am to 3pm Thursday – Sunday each week, with extended trading in the lead up to Christmas, Nat is excited to be able to offer unique gifts and experiences for locals and visitors to the town. “There’s a real buzz about Chiltern lately. We get so many positive comments from visitors about the creative hub the town is becoming and the depth and diversity of artistic talent here. It’s so exciting to be a part of that and shine the light on what us locals have always known, that Chiltern is a creative community and we love to share it.”
For interviews contact Nat Ord on 0468 394 808
53 Conness Street, Chiltern Victoria
Spoon Carver Nat Ord opens new store & studio
