Each issue, capitalmag.com invites a new artist to interpret the issueí¢â‚¬â„¢s theme. This issueí¢â‚¬â„¢s theme í¢â‚¬“ SEEK í¢â‚¬“ inspired Vancouver-based artist Nathalee Paolinelli to put colourful pen to paper and create the SEEK banners you see at the top of each page. Her work can be characterized as a combination of loose drawing technique, classical illustration, and contemporary graphic design.

Nathalee works form a small studio in downtown Vancouver. She frequently shows her work in group shows, runs a t-shirt label, and works with a range of companies as a freelance designer.

Nathalee recently sat down with Capitalmag.com to talk about her inspiration, her technique and her future plans.

CM: Your artwork is really playful, full of colour and light. What's your inspiration?

NP: For inspiration, I close my eyes and imagine I'm in storybook land with Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sarimbo Hari Kari Bushkie Perry Pem Do Hai Kai Pom Pom Nikki No Meeno Dom Barako. My head pops and creativity pours forth.

CM: If you had to sum up your art in one word?

NP: Hilarious!

CM: It seems as though your artwork draws from several disciplines. Who are the artists that you admire the most?

NP: Norbert Schwontkowski, Jonathan Meese, Chris Forgues, Benjamin Degen, Andreas Hofer, Jules de Balincourt, Echo Eggebrecht, followed only by the abstract expressionists of the 80's.

CM: You have a degree from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in photography. What mediums do you generally work with?

NP: Drawing, but I'm gifted in all mediums.

CM: Have you found that new media technologies, like Myspace, have helped spread the word about your artwork?

NP: A little, but new media is cheap. I like spreading the word in other ways like putting a message in a bottle or praying.

CM: Where is your artwork headed in the future?

NP: The National Gallery of Canada?

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For more from Nathalee, check out www.myspace.com/nathaleenathalee.