From rejection to recognition

Where Wisdom Flows magical bear painting by Natalie Eve Marquis

Yahoo!!

I’m thrilled to share some exciting news — I’ve been accepted as a juried member of the New Hampshire Artists Association!

The acceptance letter stated, “The jurors feel that there’s a lot of promise in your paintings, and pieces like Where Wisdom Flows stand out with a strong, cohesive style that’s reminiscent of children’s books and folk art.”

Just two years ago, I submitted a selection of my birch tree and winterberry paintings and didn’t make the cut. I’ll be honest, that rejection stung and stuck with me for a while. But I reminded myself that I’d only been painting fine art for a few years, and I was determined to keep growing. I kept painting, learning, and experimenting—trusting that if I followed my passion, I’d improve. And guess what? I did!

Being accepted is a joyful milestone on my artistic journey. The NHAA offers so much: educational programs, critique groups, and the chance to show my work in multiple venues. But most of all, this juried membership is a wonderful validation of my progress and opens up even more opportunities for growth and professional development.