Yesterday I had a wonderful day! I learned that one of my pieces was accepted by the Coast Guard Fine Art Program. That was so encouraging! During the last two weeks I was rejected by several juried shows I had entered, and all of my artwork created during that period ended up in the trash. I felt so disheartened, but after receiving the news about the COGAP acceptance, I got up the stamina to go to the Florida state fair where I had entered some pieces. I earned one Honorable Mention, and One Third Place Ribbon. Best of all: I earned a Blue Ribbon- First Place- for a portrait that I did of my girlfriend's mother! Wow! My portrait was in acrylics, and I beat out some gorgeous oil paintings. I have no idea how, but why argue with the judges? What an incredible day this was for me!