March 2008

Dear Friends:

There are so many things to share with you this month that I am hoping to fit it all in without rattling on toward boredom. To begin with a hearty thank you to the seven participants in a recent Academy Instructor exhibit held at Unity Church here in Sarasota. We were very proud to display the work of our fine instructors including a never before seen Amazon Waterlily referred to as "Baby Vic." This dwarf waterlily was found on exhibition in the Amazon. Academy Instructor, Susan Coffey went on this excursion with a team of professional scientists, botanists, and photographers. Upon discovering "Baby Vic", Susan had the job of recording all its information, color coding, measuring etc. The results are displayed in three beautiful plant portraits by Susan including a watercolor painting; a pen and ink drawing; and a graphite drawing. We were all thoroughly impressed by this beautiful example of botanical art presented for our viewing pleasure for the v ery first time. Bravo Susan!

Next, it gives me great pleasure to announce that my watercolor painting Nelumbo 'Baby Doll' Dwarf White Lotus is now in the permanent collection of the South Florida Museum. This wonderful natural history museum located in Bradenton, Florida will hang this painting in the Patron's Gallery. This acquisition was made possible by the generous gift of Dona Sarah Bermudez and Hugo Tolentino Dipp for whom I will soon begin a commission of Dominican Palms.

Today's Botanical Artists by Cora Marcus and Libby Kyer has just been released. This beautiful book includes 65 artists that include Olivia Braida-Chiusano, Linda Funk, Carol Hamilton, Wendy Hollender, Robin Jess, Libby Kyer, Katie Lee, Mindy Lighthipe, Kate Nessler, Dick Rauh, Scott Rawlins, Dolores Santoliquido, Jessica Tcherepnine, Louisa Rawle Tiné, and Carol Woodin to name a few. The publisher Schiffer quotes the following about the book: "Gain insight to the current world of Botanical Art and see the work of 65 top artists from throughout America. Gorgeous flowers, leaves, plants, roots, and vegetables have been beautifully drawn and painted and are displayed here. See 220 colorful images that bring modern techniques and a contemporary eye to this venerable tradition." I hope you enjoy it.

The Academy of Botanical art offered a wonderful class in Calligraphy by renowned calligrapher Victoria Kibildis. We are delighted to announce that we will offer ongoing calligraphy classes at the Marie Selby Botanical Garden and will in fact be offering a Certificate In Calligraphy. The Certificate will include four levels: Copperplate; Roman Capitals; Humanist Bookhand; Formal & Semi-Formal Italic; and finally Illuminated Manuscripts. There is some flexibility about "jumping in" to levels that meet your schedule pending instructor approval; but to receive the certificate all five need to be completed. After completion of Level Four, those wishing to complete the program for a certificate will take an Illuminated Manuscript course. We are planning to offer Level One again this summer and move forward to Level Two in the fall of 2008. Please be sure to inquire about this wonderful program open to everyone not just botanical art students.

Speaking of new programs, I'll be offering classes in New York City in May, June, July and October. This I hope will help students work on a cohesive program of study and will help them achieve a sound knowledge of the "Ten Steps" program that the Academy is teaching. Please refer to the side panel for dates of these New York workshops.

University of Wisconsin Horticulturist, botanical artist, and Academy Instructor Mary Bauschelt will be holding classes in Wisconsin this spring and summer. You can register online for the Olbrich Botanical Garden classes that are scheduled every Monday evening in April. Or call Mary to register for her Mazomanie classes that begin in May. Mary offers private tutoring as well. Classes at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison are held every Monday evening in April. Visit the botanical garden website or contact Mary through her website:

www.marybauschelt.com

Boerner Botanical Gardens

At the Gardens

The Academy Distance Learning program is progressing very nicely. Those of you who have been working independently on your own, can now register and receive phone tutorials with each class. These registrations are available online payable by credit card. Just call us if you need clarification and we'll get you started. The new structure is helping students stay on the path. Even those who don't wish to obtain a certificate find the discipline and the accountability factor a great help. Here's what students are saying:

I studied art at school and we learned all of the fundamentals but in recent years I have taken up art again and I found that I was not able to do what I wanted as I felt I did not have a good grasp of the basic theory. I bought many instruction books but they were not quite right. I am now doing the Ten Step Course and it is exactly what I was hoping for. It starts from the beginning: Lesson 1 - how to hold a pencil. I find my art improving because I am more firmly grounded in the basics.

Dr. Peter J. Scott,
Botany Professor and Specialist in Plant Taxonomy
Newfoundland, Canada
Feb 2008

I have been a student of Olivia Marie Braida-Chiusano's Botanical Art Certificate program for about a year now. I have chosen to do a combination of home study and classroom study. I attend workshops at Selby Gardens and then complete assignments at home. Before a workshop, I read the appropriate instruction book and familiarize myself with each concept and exercise. During the workshop, I learn more about the concepts and begin doing the exercises. At home, I complete the exercises and then begin working on assigned homework projects. I ask for clarification about the homework projects during the workshop so that I can finish homework independently at home. Olivia has always responded to me promptly when I think of a question at home. Despite my lack of art experience, Olivia's step by step method has guided me and challenged me to grow artistically every step of the way. I am very pleased with the progress I have made.

Kay Adams
Research and Development Software Specialist
Sarasota, Florida
Feb 2008

Olivia, your classes are excellent in that you are a good teacher, with all the information and patience needed to make the subject more understandable and less overwhelming. I find that few people know how to teach anything let alone art, so it is quite pleasant to find a teacher that has a very good grasp of her subject and can convey that information to her students in a way that is palpable and even enjoyable. And by the way, your books are as readable and understandable. Thank you.

Joanne Covo
Language Translator
Mexico
Feb 2008

For me this is interesting to list all that's been happening and I must admit I am leaving some things out so I won't tire you. But the real story in the story is that if we hold fast to our dreams they manage to flower.

To all of you who are working away at your art, be patient with yourselves. The beauty of what you do is in the moment. That precious moment when you are one in thought, word and deed. It is a moment when you are close to your heart and to God. There is no need to rush things.....let the spirit of your discoveries have a chance to develop. Those of you working the Academy program, need to simply follow the steps and they will lead you happily toward your goal. My very best to all of your during this holiday season.

God bless. OM

Click Here To Visit Our Book Store

Book Buys

Wildflowers of Newfoundland and Labrador
by Peter J. Scott (author) & Dorothy Black (illustrator)

Today's Botanical Artists

by Cora Marcus and Libby Kyer

The Book of Plants:
The Complete Plates
by Basilius Besler, Werner Dressendorfer

The Garden at Eichstatt (Icons)
by Basilius Besler

Click here to learn more about the
Academy and its instructors

Now Available
Course Companion Paks

Course Paks are filled with supportive information to accompany
"Ten Steps" Books Volumes 1-9
Only $16.00 for each Course Pak
Or $115 for the 9 piece set of Course Paks
Perfect for distance learners.
These same materials are sold in ABA classes.
Click Here To Order

OM Art Book Store
OM Art Class Art Supplies
OM Art Instruction Books

To me every hour of the day and night is an unspeakable perfect miracle.

-Walt Whitman

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.

-Abraham Lincoln

Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.

-Langston Hughes

Living well and beautifully and justly are all one thing.

-Socrates

More Soul Biz

Breath softly, deeply.
Breathe into emptiness.
Be the vessel without imposing
name or meaning or memory
upon that which you embrace or witness
right now.

In the still emptiness
the quietest whisper of soul is heard,
the gentlest tap of spirit is felt,
the smallest sign of divine guidance is seen.

Here you are not consumed by a life too full,
actions too hurried,
interpretations too limited,
or a heart too closed.

Emptied of all concerns
you can feel the fullness and flow
of that which guides you and
abide by its call.

Cathy Drew
HUB - Humanity Unites Brilliance
SoulEssenceArt.hubhub.org
laughingheart@hubhub.org

Soul Essence Art (SEA)
SoulEssenceArt@aol.com
941-993-0929

Dates & Instructors Subject to Change

You can now combine
Distance Learning with Class Time
at any of our locations!!!

Studio 20

Time:
All Private Studio Classes
are from 9:30am to 2:30pm

Location:
2068 Sunnyside Lane, Sarasota, FL, 34239.
Just off 41 in the Southgate area two blocks north of Webber and the Mall.

Dates:
March 6, 13, 20, 27
April 3, 10, 17, 24
May 1, 8, 15, 22
Pick and choose your dates so we can set up your personal schedule.

Tuition:
4 classes/20 hours: $450
Individual class: $125
Refreshments provided, but you may want to bring your own lunch.

Credit Cards Accepted!
Register Here

Or contact olivia@omartdesigns.com
Or Call 941-953-9999 for more information

New York City Workshops with O.M. Braida

Location:
New Studio for the Art of Painted Finishes
15 East 77th Street (Between 5th & Madison)
Ground Floor - Garden Level Studio

Time:
10:00am to 4:00pm

Dates:
May 26, 27, 28
May 30, 31, June 1
June 23, 24, 25
June 27, 28, 29
July 21, 22, 23
July 25, 26, 27
Oct 31, Nov 1, 2
Oct 27, 28, 29

Tuition: One Three-Day Workshop........................ $425.00
Two or More Three-Day Workshops........$400.00 each

Credit Cards Accepted!
Register Here

Or contact olivia@omartdesigns.com
Or Call 941-953-9999 for more information

Academy of Botanical Art @
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

To Register, visit www.selby.org
Or Call Marilynn Shelley 941-366-5731 x 239

2008 Schedule

Botanical Drawing & Watercolor – Noon to 5pm

Mar. 24, 25, 26 w/ Olivia Braida
Apr. 21 to 25 w/ Olivia Braida - Five Day Workshop
May 19, 20, 21 w/ Olivia Braida
July 21, 22, 23 w/ TBA
Aug. 18, 19, 20 w/ TBA
Sept. 22, 23, 24 w/ TBA
Oct. 20, 21,22 w/ Olivia Braida
Nov. 10, 11, 12 w/ Olivia Braida
Dec. 8, 9, 10 w/ Olivia Braida

Botanical Art & Illustration
Certificate Program Classes
Ringling College of Art and Design

Summer 2008 Term
To Register, visit www.ringling.edu
Or call, 941-955-8866

Beautiful Botanicals w/ Olivia Braida
June 9, 10, 11 - 5:30pm to 9:30pm
June 11, 12, 13 - 9:00am to 12:00Noon

Florida Society of Botanical Artists

presents

A Botanical Exhibition
In Our Own Backyard:
Florida Native Plants

First Juried Botanical Exhibition
brought to you by the FSBA
exhibiting 27 works by 13 artists.

Roskamp Center for Arts and Humanity
1226 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236

March 4 to April 10
Gallery Hours
Monday to Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Artist Reception:
Friday, March 7 from 5pm to 7pm

If you would like to join the FSBA, contact
Treasurer Leslie Nicks: 941-955-2697.

South Florida Museum
201 10th Street West
Bradenton, Florida 34205
(941) 746-4131
http://www.southfloridamuseum.org/

John and Mable Ringling Museum
5401 Bay Shore Road,
Sarasota Florida 34243
(941) 359-5700
http://www.ringling.org/

Museum of Fine Arts
255 Beach Drive NE, St.
Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 896-2667
http://www.fine-arts.org/

Salvador Dali Museum
1000 Third Street South
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-4901
(727) 823-3767
http://www.salvadordalimuseum.org/home.html

Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213-3890
(412) 268-2434
http://huntbot.andrew.cmu.edu/

National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005-3970
(202) 783-5000
1-800-222-7270
http://www.nmwa.org/

Smithsonian Institute
10th Street and Constitution Ave., NW in Washington, D.C. 20560
(202) 633-1000
http://www.si.edu/

Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10028
(212) 535-7710
http://www.metmuseum.org/

American Museum of Natural History
79th Street @ Central Park West
New York, New York
(212) 769-5100
http://www.amnh.org/

American Museum of Natural History
79th Street @ Central Park West
New York, New York
(212) 769-5100
http://www.amnh.org/

Modern Museum of Art
11 West 53 Street,
New York, NY 10019-5497
(212) 708-9400
http://www.moma.org/

Brooklyn Museum of Art
200 Eastern Pkwy
Brooklyn, NY 11238
(718) 638-5000
http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/

High Museum of Art
1280 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
(404) 733-HIGH
Receptionist: 404-733-4400
http://www.high.org/

Art Institute of Chicago
111 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois, 60603-6404
(312) 443-3600
http://www.artic.edu/aic/

Bruce Museum One Museum Drive
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-869-0376
http://www.brucemuseum.org/

Harvard University Museum of Natural History
Home of the famous Glass Flower Sculptures
by Leopold Blaschka (1822-1895)
and his son Rudolf (1857-1939)
22 Divinity Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 495-2365
http://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/

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