NATALIE KARPUSHENKO | CENOTES OF MEXICO | JUNE 10 - 15 | 2025
UNDERWATER ART PROJECT: WOMEN | NATURE | REBIRTH | ETERNAL BEAUTY
Cenotes are natural portals to an ancient world—sacred waters where nature has sculpted stories for millennia. They symbolize rebirth, mystery, and the fragile balance between life and the elements. Women, like water, embody both power and fluidity, resilience and grace.
In this project, a woman becomes one with the cenote, suspended between light and shadow, air and water - representing the deep connection between humanity and nature. Just as these underground rivers sustain ecosystems, women sustain life itself. By capturing this ethereal dance beneath the surface, we remind the world: protecting nature is protecting ourselves.
LOCATION
The project will be shot in the breathtaking cenotes of Mexico, known for their crystal-clear waters, unique rock formations, and ethereal light. These natural sinkholes provide a dreamlike setting that enhances the artistic vision of the project, making each image a timeless piece of art.
Cenote Dos Ojos – Famous for its stunning underwater caves and blue waters.
Cenote Suytun – Recognized for its dramatic light beam effect.
Cenote Angelita – Known for its surreal underwater river effect.
MODEL
Clare Friesen
The chosen model, Claire, is a former member of the Canadian synchronized swimming team and a professional actress. With rare underwater performance skills and striking natural orange hair, Claire embodies the ethereal and powerful presence needed for this project. There are very few models with her ability to perform underwater, making her an essential part of the artistic vision.
ARTIST, PHOTOGRAPHER & ENVIRONMENTALIST
NATALIE KARPUSHENKO
Natalie studied fine art and design until she turned 20, bought her first camera, and began traveling the world. Following her eye for beauty she explored New York City, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Tonga, France, Switzerland and Bali, where she currently resides.
During her travels, she discovered two main muses: mother nature, especially the element of water, and the human figure.
As a result of her love for combining the two, Natalie’s artistic process is a blend of intention, intuition and magic. The true subject of her photos is often unclear as she captures the union of the human within nature and nature within the human.
“My art is a statement that we can find beauty in everything, and that in order to preserve and restore the beauty of our world, we must open our eyes to see things as they are — raw, real and natural. Not how we want to see them — enhanced, skewed, edited.”
Financial Model
Total Budget Required: $22,000
Travel & Accommodation: Flights and lodging for the team – $6,000
Production Costs: Equipment rental, permits, diving gear – $7,000
Logistics & Operations: Local transport, safety divers, support crew – $3,000
Post-Production: Editing, retouching, color grading – $4,000
Contingency: Unforeseen expenses (5-10%) – $2,000