Netalie Gvirtz is the type of person that is hard to define with just a title. She demonstrates an example of femininity and career life in this new day & age, when asking “What do I want to be when I grow up” has been replaced with “Who am I today, and where did my passion lead me?” / By Noa Faran
Natalie was a part of the team that founded the legendary “Patiphone” in Tel-Aviv, a club that was a home for Punk and Metal enthusiasts for a decade. She was also a partner in the independent label “Fast Music”, that brought back vinyl records for Israeli artists, as she created some memorable album arts, posters & music videos.
But she didn’t let Rock n Roll get the best of her and developed into a published author of Five books for both kids & adults (the 6th is on its way!) an illustrator, screenwriter, journalist and an editor. Oh, and a mom.
We could have interviewed her on Feminism, her children’s book that won the national Dvora Omer Award in Israel, on motherhood and how she does it all and maintains such a nonchalant style. But we chose to focus on somewhat irrelevant questions, that gave us a less standard view of her world.
What was the last song you listened to? And what do you most expect listening to next?
The first track on Solange’s new album, and am about to listen to a very old Israeli song as research for something I’m writing.
What do you want to be when you grow up? And How would your 10-year-old self react to what you do today?
OMG, I ask myself that constantly. I wish I could stop doing that. Bottom line: when I grow up I want to be a happy mom, spouse, friend, daughter and writer. My 10yo self would be ok with me, I guess. She would be happy to hear that there’s a “Full House” remake.
Choose a career highlight you’re most proud of.
Every book I publish is a victory. really. My upcoming book, “Princess Misfit” is a Young-Adults book, which is extremely personal and close to heart, and was very hard and also therapeutic to write. Until I wrote it I had no idea how affected I was by being a child of divorce. I think that if I had that book with me as a kid, it would have made me feel less lost and lonely.
What’s the one thing we should pay more attention to as human beings?
Each other. Dare we get our heads out of our own asses and phones?
What or who inspires you the most? At the moment.
It’s always people. Amazing magicians who are also people I love, like the writer Maayan Goldman and her book Woman Reclining, my husband Amir Schorr’s interactive artwork, My mom’s NGO, Elifelet – Citizens for Refugee Children, my friends Or and Sharon’s Safe Place Festival, theatre for special needs kids, and many others who dare.
What do you most enjoy spending money on?
Coffee, books and traveling.
What is your superpower?
Reading or writing in the middle of anything. We used to own a music venue, I was the one selling tickets. I could always read through the craziest punk shows.
What is your biggest challenge?
Getting everything done. My dear friend, illustrator Racheli Shalev once drew the golden triangle of life. It applies to almost everything.