Natalie Santoro is a Chicago-based artist whose work draws directly from her engagement with the natural world, including seasonal flowers and plant forms. The artist works mainly in ceramics and painting, combining her background in visual art with her interest in botanical subjects and urban environments. Her art begins with a foundation in traditional painting and illustration, and this history informs the way she applies imagery to clay and other surfaces.
Nat – A Chicago-Based Potter
Santoro’s journey as an artist did not start with ceramics. She studied theater and worked as an actor and scenic artist before shifting her focus to visual media. The move to ceramics came during the pandemic when performance work paused, and she began to explore other creative outlets. Because she had always painted – whether watercolor or theatrical sets – incorporating painting into her ceramic practice became a natural extension of that earlier work.
The influence of plants and flowers appears consistently across her pieces. Though she does not work directly as a floral artist, the shapes, colors, and forms of plant life inform her visual language. Her bio notes a specific interest in seasonal florals and fruits as subjects, alongside travel and urban architecture.
Those natural references surface in the patterns and motifs she applies to her ceramics, creating a link between functional objects and the visual cues drawn from nature.
Plant and Floral Influence in Her Work
Natalie's studio practice is based in Chicago, where she balances hand-thrown and painted ceramics. She works in a community space – described as an old church – with her dog nearby, producing pieces that are both functional and handcrafted. Her work appears at art fairs and in online sales updates, and she promotes these through social media and newsletters.
The choice to work with clay and paint reflects a broader interest in materiality and surface. In ceramics, artists often consider texture, color, and form in relation to how the work will be used and experienced. Santoro’s approach respects this dual role: her pieces are made for everyday use while also carrying visual elements that reference outdoor environments. The inclusion of floral and natural imagery anchors her ceramics in a specific visual terrain that connects to everyday life.
Her work reflects an interest in creating art that sits comfortably in both domestic and communal settings, without entirely separating itself from real-world influences.
Overall, Natalie's art reflects a mix of art and visual narrative. By drawing on forms from nature, especially plants and flowers, she brings recognizable environmental references into objects that people live with. Her transition from painting to ceramics has expanded the ways she incorporates botanical inspiration, making natural forms part of both visual experience and everyday utility. Make sure to check out all her funky and floral designs on Natalie's Instagram account.
Photos: @nataliesantoroart.
