I took up playing guitar as a hobby when I was two years out of college. I was squeezing in practice time late at night, with a cup of coffee and a tape of my teacher playing Bob Dylan finger pickin' style. At the time, I was working for a community arts organization painting murals and teaching art classes, as well as committing 10 hours a week to other volunteer work. I call this a hobby, but I should mention that I'm quite neurotic about the whole thing and try to practice as much as my brain will allow. I first fell in love with the blues, but have moved onto trying to learn jazz as well as entertaining ideas of arranging the 80's college radio staples I grew up with, much to the chagrin of people with elite taste. But no matter, I think jazz ought to conjure up feelings of familiarity with contemporary music and styles as well as the canonized styles. In terms of guitar heroes, I would say my affection lies with Kenny Burrell, Freddy King, John McLaughlin, Lightnin' Hopkins and David Bainbridge (at the very least). But, I spend equal time listening to Talk Talk and Bark Psychosis. I can't help but like eerie synthesizers. I also spend a lot of time eating at Eva's house too. Lucky me.

To see some of Natalie's art, go to  www.nataliemarkward.blogspot.com.