Artist Natalie Krim’s Ojai Quarantine Diary Is an Ethereal Study in Self-Care
Artist Natalie Krim relocated from Los Angeles to Ojai, a rural valley in the Topatopa Mountains, less than a year ago—and given the supremely serene, atmospheric nature of her daily life, even now, the move was a prescient one. Based in Upper Ojai on a property that boasts easy access to nature, citrus trees, and a landmate who delivers avocados to her doorstep, Krim’s quarantine is a master class in calm self-care, the kind that is maybe most enjoyed by someone who has already embraced the subtle art of isolation. “We have to channel all of the things that we’ve learned and read about self-love, and whether it’s skincare or self-pleasure,” says Krim.
For those who need a primer in slowing down the days, Krim has some easily adaptable practices. Early bed- and rising-times coupled with a commitment to catching up on reading material help to keep the brain in check, while herb-infused ice cubes (dreamed up by friend Adina Diaz, owner of Natural Feeling Spa in L.A.) pulled across the complexion in the morning offer a simple and connective means of waking up. Long walks, sunsets—each one featuring Ojai’s signature “pink moment,” an atmospheric result of the valley’s unique positioning—and ample time for drawing round out Krim’s admittedly dreamy days.
The artist’s erotic line drawings, touched in romantic pastel and vivid pops of color in a whimsical celebration of female and self-pleasure, are something of a beacon in an era that is calling us all to turn our focus inward. Krim’s works have skewed all the more positive in past weeks, her latest series titled “Think Happy Thoughts.” “When you’re alone, your mind can play tricks on you and you can go into these dark spaces,” says Krim.” So the pieces are just a reminder to uplift and call friends and check in on people.”
Even in the most idyllic of environments, though, Krim is feeling the collective anxiety—an emotion she tempers by staying tuned into the news and nurturing a burgeoning crush on Andrew Cuomo. “For me as an artist, when people are saving money and they don’t know when their next paycheck is coming, art isn’t their first priority, so that is scary,” she says. “The unknown is a bit scary. But I’m just trying to settle in. To take it day by day.”
Originally Appeared on Vogue
