Hear from the Artist: Natalie Courtney

For over three decades, The Phillips Collection has honored the artistic talents of its staff through the annual James McLaughlin Memorial Staff Show. This beloved tradition showcases the creative work of museum employees across departments. As part of the exhibition, the “Hear from the Artist” series invites participating artists to lead 15-minute tours of their work, offering visitors personal insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives into their creative process.

About Natalie Courtney

Natalie Courtney, born in Dallas, Texas, is an illustrator, multimedia artist, photographer, curator, educator, and animator. Natalie’s favorite means of creating are watercolor, colored pencils, acrylic markers, and crayons. She believes using these materials inspires the same naive creation as a child. Since her youth she has been creative, from taking cartooning lessons at the local rec center to advanced art courses throughout her K-12 education. Her passion for illustration and animation led to obtaining her BFA in Electronic Studio Arts from Howard University’s Chadwick Boseman College of Fine Arts in the fall of 2022. During her time at Howard, she was involved in the Mak Collective, contributing art direction, graphic design, and photography to campus creatives. Natalie plans to pursue an MFA in Art Education or to further her work as an educator and artist.

IMAGE: Natalie Rose Courtney, Leg Up, 2023, Acrylic and oil marker on canvas