Hi! I'm Taliko (aka Natalia), a professional artist based in the Bay Area. Let me tell you a bit about myself…

Although I don't have a "traditional" art background, I don't consider myself any less of an artist. After graduating from a medical high school in the Czech Republic, I realized I was terrified of blood and needles and decided to take a gap year in the US instead. After my exchange program I got a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from SJSU, and later started to. work as a UI Engineer. I found myself in a field that combined logic and creativity, which began with my interest in web design and development. While I enjoyed my work as a UI Engineer, I never felt the true spark in what I was doing.

Around the time I graduated, the tech industry crashed, and many people, including myself, struggled to find jobs. After months of applying, facing rejections, and feeling disheartened, I asked myself, "Is this really what I want to be doing?" Admitting the answer was "no" was tough, especially after dedicating four years to becoming a software engineer.

Eventually, I made the difficult decision to pursue art full-time. Since then, I've been creating art daily, and it never gets old or boring — I’m excited about it every day.

So here I am now, a professional artist who once thought she wanted to be a doctor, then a computer scientist, and finally, an artist. I wouldn't have it any other way.

For work inquiries, please write me at: natalia.s.kelly@gmail.com 

thank you!