Welcome back, Natalie Marquis!

Natalie Marquis with her painting "Spring Melody" (photo by Natalie Eve Marquis)

The canvas has waited patiently, and the walls are ready to echo with inspiration. There’s a certain magic Natalie brings into Studio #5 — her vision and her art. Natalie moves back in Saturday, September 13.

Fellow animal and nature lovers will find original paintings that bring animals to life in enchanting ways. Each piece is a captivating blend of realism and fantasy, creating dreamlike qualities that invite you into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Natalie's art is crafted to infuse spaces with joy, wonder, and a daily connection to the wild beauty that inspires us all.

Her artistic vision is deeply rooted in the interconnectedness of all living things, exploring the realms of art, joy, and spirit. Through her work, she evokes wonder and delight, inviting the viewer to see nature and animals as sacred messengers offering wisdom and insight. Each painting is an invitation to connect with these inspiring guides and to uncover the profound lessons they share.

Natalie is an acrylic mixed media artist. Her process is a dance between intuition and discernment. She approaches the canvas with a sense of playful curiosity and experimentation, building up layers of color using paint, marks, script, drips, and occasionally, hand painted papers. Portions are removed with paper towels or rubbing alcohol. 

This process of adding and removing, creates delightful surprises and layers of scrumptious visual texture. Since, the layers are built from many “happy accidents,” no two are ever exactly alike. 

Natalie shares this about her artistic journey. "While art had always whispered to my soul, it took a lifetime of diverse experiences to finally answer its call. For years, I painted sporadically, finding solace and joy in creativity while managing a marketing communications business and later, an intuitive energy healing and hypnotherapy practice. Despite these fulfilling endeavors, a part of me always longed for more artistic expression."

"The turning point came on February 25, 2020, when I set a modest goal to paint “a little bit” every day for 30 days. This simple commitment became a catalyst for profound change. As I immersed myself in daily creation, my confidence grew, and my artistic voice emerged stronger than ever.

This transformative experience ignited a deep conviction within me. I realized that my true calling had been patiently waiting all along. From that moment, I made a heartfelt commitment to dedicate the remaining chapters of my life to my passion for painting and to fully embrace my identity as a working artist.

I’m primarily self-directed, honing my craft through an almost daily painting practice. In 2021, I completed Louise Fletcher’s “Find Your Joy” mini-course. The following year, I took my skills to the next level by participating in Nicholas Wilton’s 12-week “Creative Visionary Program.”

So glad you are back, Natalie! We can't wait to watch the "layers unfold".

For more of Natalie's art go to https://www.nataliemarquis.com/shop/original-art or see her studio at Art Up Front Street Wednesday through Saturday 10am-4pm.