Created by
Nathalie D Gribinski
by Nathalie Gribinski in Chicago
Working the Line is an original acrylic painting on canvas created in my Chicago studio while listening to music. Painted intuitively without sketches or predetermined composition, the work developed through successive layers of acrylic, with each gesture responding to the rhythm of the music and the marks already on the canvas. This painting was part of my personal collection until it was sold to a private collector.
Inspired by the idea of rhythm, continuity, and creative flow, Working the Line transforms simple vertical strokes into a vibrant visual language. Cascading lines, luminous circles, and energetic splashes of red, orange, turquoise, and white emerge from a rich blue atmosphere, creating the sensation of movement and suspended motion. Rather than illustrating a specific subject, the painting explores how a single line can evolve into a network of relationships, where every mark contributes to the balance and energy of the whole.
Created with professional acrylic paint on canvas, the work combines transparent glazes, expressive brushwork, fluid drips, and layered textures that create depth and luminosity. The vertical movement of the composition contrasts with circular forms that punctuate the surface like musical notes, inviting the viewer's eye to travel through the painting at different rhythms. The interplay between spontaneity and structure reflects my intuitive approach to abstraction.
Working the Line celebrates the dialogue between gesture, color, and music. It invites viewers to experience the painting emotionally rather than literally, discovering their own meanings within its flowing forms and vibrant energy.
Original acrylic on canvas. This original painting was sold to a private collector.
Meet the Artist
Meet the Artist
Chicago, United StatesI am a French-American artist, illustrator, and graphic designer based in Chicago. For more than three decades, I have explored the power of visual communication through painting, drawing, illustration, and design. My work has been exhibited in galleries and cultural venues in the United States and internationally, and my paintings are held in private collections around the world.
What inspires me most is connection. Every painting is a conversation—between colors, shapes, emotions, ideas, and ultimately the viewer. I find inspiration everywhere: in music, nature, human relationships, dreams, memories, and the beauty hidden in everyday life. Music plays a particularly important role in my creative process, often influencing the rhythm, movement, and energy of my work.
I am known for creating vibrant, expressive artwork filled with color, movement, and imagination. Over the years, I have developed numerous bodies of work, including my signature Tourlicoulis and Tourliboulis series, distinctive visual languages populated by playful characters, organic forms, and visual stories. Whether abstract or figurative, my work seeks to spark curiosity, encourage connection, and celebrate the joy of being alive.
My artistic practice combines acrylics, oil markers, watercolor, ink, pastels, charcoal, and mixed media. I work intuitively and embrace experimentation. Some of my favorite discoveries begin as unexpected accidents. My background as both a fine artist and professional graphic designer has given me a strong understanding of composition, color, visual storytelling, and creative problem-solving.
In addition to studio work, I enjoy live painting events where audiences can witness a piece unfold in real time. I have also created artwork for large-scale public and digital installations, including a project for Emory Brain Health featured during Super Bowl week.
What I love most about creating is the sense of discovery. I never begin a painting knowing exactly where it will lead. Each work teaches me something new and opens the door to the next adventure. I am not searching for my voice—I am curious about what my voice can say next.
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