When Jacksonville sculptor David Engdahl commissioned a film about his 96-year-old mother who’s been painting for more than 40 years, I jumped at the chance to explore where David and his sister, watercolor artist Ellen’s artistic talents come from.
Nathalie uses a palette knife to give people a glimpse of nature raw and untouched. She paints images of places where the family lived or spent vacations, sometimes combining several into one painting.
During filming one of the main challenges we faced was bringing the paintings to life. Cinematographer Gareth Paul Cox used a Cineslider, a small dolly that attaches to a special tripod head, to add some movement and guide the viewer through a scene in the woods or a patch of colorful flowers.
Being able to capture Nathalie’s creative spirit, energy and zest for life was incredibly meaningful for me. But even more fulfilling was the opportunity to create a legacy piece that tells the story of the Engdahl’s artistic roots that the family will enjoy for many generations to come.
A big thank you to David and Nathalie Engdahl for giving me this opportunity and allowing me into their lives.
