Rising Stars: Meet Natalia Wohletz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Wohletz. 

Hi Natalia, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My love of art began under the tutelage of my creative Aunt Mimi, who paints gorgeous works of art on canvas using every color under the sun. My cousins and I found inspiration from the flowers in her garden and fairies in our imaginations and painted under her guidance at the kitchen table. 

While art remained a passion throughout my childhood and into adulthood, I explored the left side of my brain in college. I graduated Summa cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and minor in studio arts from Kalamazoo College in 2017. After working briefly in corporate America, I pivoted back to art and began my journey as an entrepreneur. 

The name of my fine art business, Peninsula Prints, is an ode to Michigan, my home state and muse. I draw inspiration from Mackinac Island where I spent summers as a child. My designs reference the island’s landscapes, architecture, wildlife, and lifestyle to create dynamic, colorful linoleum block prints. Printmaking became my favorite medium back in 2014 after taking a class at the University of Rochester. I find the process of flipping traditional positive-negative space techniques and creating the work in reverse to be challenging and rewarding. 

I started out selling my original work and cards as Peninsula Prints on Esty and in Mackinac Island galleries. As I started to produce more work, I applied to shows and received commissions. My prints have been featured in many juried art exhibitions (i.e., Best of Show Award, 2019 Mackinac Island Contemporary Art Exhibit), ArtPrize 10, and are on permanent display in the Michigan Supreme Court’s Hall of Justice. Now I am building an eCommerce site for Peninsula Prints in addition to selling on Etsy, display my work at art fairs, and sell wholesale to galleries around the country. 

My entrepreneurial journey did not stop at Peninsula Prints. As of late August 2019, I am the proud owner of Main Street Art, a custom frame shop and art/gift gallery in Milford, Michigan. I employ a team of 4, including myself, and enjoy working with clients to frame artwork and sentimental objects, as well as curating a gallery filled with art and handmade goods by Michigan artists and artisans. I am constantly learning new framing techniques and specialize in tackling the detailed, complex projects such as shadowboxes & complicated mat designs. 

Giving back to the community is greatly important to me, and my businesses make regular donations art and environmental initiatives in Michigan. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Running two businesses in the arts has definitely not been easy, especially because I started putting all of my effort into them right before COVID-19 hit. I had just moved Main Street Art to a brand-new building when we were shut down in March 2020. I was struggling to finance our new location’s build-out, brand new display pieces, and higher rent when suddenly I had to lay off all of my employees and figure out how to navigate the shifting land of COVID-related grants, loans, and unemployment. It was terrifying. 

I pivoted the business by developing our online shop, offering virtual framing consultations, and finding tasks for my employees to do at home so that I could put them back on payroll as soon as I could. In the end, we fared really well and I am super grateful for that. 

Supply chain issues and cost increases due to COVID-19 are hitting the framing industry hard right now, which has presented a new challenge to Main Street Art. With a little bit of luck and a lot of flexibility and creativity, I am confident we will sail through these new rough waters. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in relief printmaking, linoleum block printing in particular. Printmaking is a lesser-known medium that was popularized in Asia hundreds of years ago and makes its way in and out of the art world. I love printmaking for its process of flipping traditional positive-negative space techniques and creating the work in reverse because the block functions more or less like a stamp. 

To create a piece, I draw out a design on linoleum horizontally reversed from my desired final design. Then, I carve out everything that I don’t want to show up in the print. When the block is ready to go, I roll ink onto the block and pull it through my 15″ etching press. I repeat this process for each color in a multicolor print, working from lightest color to the darkest. Unlike many printmakers who stick to one-color prints or large blocks of color, I utilize layering of colors and meticulously detailed carving to create a painterly wealth of textures, depth, and gradients. I keep my editions small (15-100 prints per edition), and sign and number each one. 

Outside of the unique medium and process, my original block prints well known for pulling you right into the beautiful, natural landscape of Michigan. I got my start on Mackinac Island where I spent summers as a child. A large percentage of my prints are inspired by the island’s iconic buildings, wildlife, and natural landscapes. 

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I do not consider myself a risk-taker generally: I am afraid of heights; don’t ride rollercoasters and I loathe standing up in front of people to speak or perform. However, I have taken enormous risks for my business. I quit my steady, high-paying job as a business analyst to pursue my passion for art. I also invested all of my money and took on loans to purchase a business (Main Street Art) in a field that I knew only a cursory amount. 

Contact Info:

• Email: peninsulaprintsllc@gmail.com
• Website: peninsula-prints.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/peninsulaprintsllc
• Facebook: facebook.com/peninsulaprints