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Marie Natale

"Inspired by Light - Morning to Night"

"Meet the Artist" Reception:

Friday, July 14, 7pm - 8:30pm

Watercolor artist Marie Natale, of Egg Harbor Township, brings her collection of Ocean City images by day and night to the Ocean City Arts Center July 1 through July 31. Marie's unique paintings will be for sale.

Marie said, "I used my vibrant palette of watercolors to capture the transition of magical light from dawn to dusk along the famous beach and boardwalk of Ocean City, NJ. After reviewing my work I decided to name the show "Inspired by Light-Morning to Night". She also said about her love of art, "My goal in life is to use my talents to make the world a brighter place while I continue to share with others the joy that art has brought into my life".

In this exhibit, Ocean City landmarks are viewed in a totally unique manner due to the background lighting portrayed in the paintings. City icons such as the 9th Street Bridge, Fishing Pier, Music Pier and Beach are all represented with dramatic dawn, dusk and night skies.

Marie is well-known in the Southern New Jersey area as an accomplished artist and teacher who has won many awards since she began painting at age twelve. After earning a Master's Degree in Art Education from Rowan University, Marie taught in the public school system for ten years. Here she served as an advocate for art education for children of all ages and won the acclaimed "Teacher of the Year Award". She has continued teaching watercolor painting to adults at the Ocean City Arts Center, in Gloucester County, Cape May, in her studio, and at community centers and art guilds throughout the East Coast. She is also a signature member of the Noyes Museum in Southern New Jersey, the New Jersey Watercolor Society, and the Philadelphia Watercolor Society. She has also been recognized on the national level having won the Gold Medal of Honor in Aquamedia by Audubon Artists Inc. in 2013 and by her watercolor paintings being featured twice in "Splash-Best in Watercolor". Marie's work has also been seen on the cover of Ocean City Magazine, and Cape May's Exit Zero Magazine.

In addition to painting, Marie designs jewelry and for ten years ran her own clothing design company, "Paw Togs/Enchanted Beginnings", targeted to infants and children.

Ocean City Arts Center Executive Director Rosalyn Lifshin said, "We are so happy to host this exhibit by Marie Natale. We can showcase our beautiful resort during our busiest month in July".