Olivia Marie Braida-Chiusano of OM Art Designs Botanical Art & Workshop, Artist, Author & Educator

Olivia Marie Braida-Chiusano

Olivia Braida is founder of the Academy of Botanical Art, a division of OM Art Designs. As a Certified Botanical Artist, Ms. Braida has authored a book series entitled, “Ten Steps – A Course in Botanical Art, Volumes 1-10” which she has used to design the various classes that form the Academy’s Botanical Art Certificate Program. The botanical art lessons are designed to be sequential with each lesson building on the one before.

Ms. Braida’s course curriculum emphasizes developing strong drawing skills and an understanding of both watercolor and pen and ink which are considered the traditional media of the botanical artist. The entire program is designed to prepare the student for becoming a professional artist – whether it be for vocation or avocation.

Founder and Board President Emeritus of the Florida Society of Botanical Artists, Inc. (FSBA), Ms. Braida is delighted to expand the awareness of botanical art to both adults and young teens who may find the numerous opportunities connected with botanical art of great interest as they develop their drawing skills.

Ms. Braida's work has received many exhibitionawards and publishing honors and is featured in “TODAY’S BOTANICAL ARTISTS” by Cora B. Marcus and Libby Kyer, Schiffer Publishing 2008 and in “Kirpal Singh,His Grace Lives On” published by Ruhani Satsang 2001. She created a florilegia reflecting the biodiversity study in the Caribbean -- thirteen grand scale commissioned pieces now hang in the Cornell University’s Conference Center for Biodiversity and Medicinal Plants, in Punta Cana,

Dominican Republic

. Ms. Braida has been recognized by The Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Research Division of Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh, by the purchase for their private collection of her original watercolor, “Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ #2 and the South Florida Museum in Bradenton, Florida by their acquisition of “Nelumbo Baby Doll’ a Dwarf White Lotus. She has developed a network of clients within the

United States

, the Caribbean, Europe, and

Thailand

. Ms. Braida is the founder and director of the Academy of Botanical Art. Her school, books, and teaching methods available through her Distance Learning Program attract students in the US, Canada, Europe, South America, Australia and Mexico.

A graduate of the State University of New York, Ms. Braida holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Art and a Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate from the New York Botanical Garden. She received her professional art training at SUNY Purchase, Pratt, the New York Art Students League, the New York Botanical Garden and studied under Master Painters Caesar Borgia and Anne Marie Evans in the New York and in the

United Kingdom

Ms. Braida also conducts travel workshops and offers distance learning both in the U.S. and abroad. She lives in Sarasota with her husband with other family members close by, including two young grandchildren who love to draw and paint. (Source: Academy of Botanical Art, a division of OM Art Designs)

7 Questions, Artist Statement and Biography

1. 1.) What type of medium and paper do you work on?

I am primarily a watercolor artist and paint on paper or velum (calf skin). My methods are based on the “golden era” of botanical art in the French Court Tradition.

2. 2.) What artist has most influenced your work?

I am inspired by Gerard van Spaendonck 1746-1822 . He was a Dutch Floral Master and painter to the court of Louis XVI and Napoleon from 1780 to1822, succeeded by his pupil Pierre Joseph Redouté.

3. 3.) What is your process for capturing accurate plant portraits?

All of my drawings are made from live specimens. A careful study, which often includes working with a microscope, is documented in sketches, color swatches, and library research. Research materials usually make up “research boards” which contain the most pertinent information about the plant that I wish to convey in my painting. Many drawings are made to decide composition. Complete value studies and color studies are made before I begin to paint with watercolor.

4. 4.) Do you ever draw from photographs?

I do not trace or draw from photographs. Macro photography of the subject’s detail is used for reference. Drawings are made from the live subject.

5. 5.) Do you work on commission and who selects the subject for the artwork commissioned?

Yes. The client may select the subject, or they make consult with me, or they may leave the decision to me. Often the subject is chosen once I have seen the space in which the planned painting will occupy. The location and its surroundings often influence the decision.

6. 6.) Can someone with absolutely no experience attempt this art form?

Most definitely. I have written ten books and another 16 course pak materials in support of teaching individuals this beautiful art form. My school has many students who begin with no skills and after a period of tuition are creating beautiful artwork.

7. 7.) Can established artists learn something from studying this genre?

Most definitely. I have students who are jewelry makers, potters, oil painters, sculptors, etc. and those who are looking to increase their drawing and painting skills find my school, the Academy of Botanical Art, a helpful environment to advance their skills.

Artist Statement

“Botanical art, one of the oldest art forms, represents the ascent of man and custom, of knowledge and thirst for knowledge. Its evolution parallels the human spirit and its quest for self knowledge. In this wonderful world of nature, plants by their proximity to various cultures have acquired their own meaning. And so as I strive for realism to achieve actualization each one of my works takes on both appearance and message. The inspiration for the quest is by grace, the outcome a gift, and the process is gratitude. The finished work reverberates with a multitude of strokes – each a memory of my beloved. I hope you will enjoy these conversations with God. And, with each work find your own mystical revelation.” O.M. Braida

“Olivia’s work marries science and art and presents a sound knowledge of botanical accuracy while incorporating fine art standards of color, form and classical design. Immersed in shadows and light that create an ethereal quality her exquisite compositions are of the highest professional level and pay homage to the great masters.” Suzanne White, Curator, South Florida Museum 2007

Artist Brief Bio

Olivia Marie Braida-Chiusano is freelance certified botanical artist, author, and educator. Her work has received many exhibition awards and publishing honors and is featured in “TODAY’S BOTANICAL ARTISTS” by Cora B. Marcus and Libby Kyer, Schiffer Publishing 2008 and in “Kirpal Singh, His Grace Lives On” published by Ruhani Satsang 2001. She created a florilegia reflecting the biodiversity study in the Caribbean that now hang in the Theodore Kheel Conference Center for Biodiversity and Medicinal Plants, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Ms. Braida has been recognized by The Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Research Division of Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh, by the purchase for their private collection of her original watercolor, “Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ #2 and the South Florida Museum in Bradenton, Florida by their acquisition of “Nelumbo ‘Baby Doll’ a Dwarf White Lotus. She has developed a network of clients within the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and Thailand. Ms. Braida is the founder and director of the Academy of Botanical Art which offers a botanical art certificate program through her local and Distance Learning Program that has attracted students from the US, Canada, Europe, South America, Australia and Mexico. She is the founder and president emeritus of the Florida Society of Botanical Artists, Inc. (FSBA) a chapter of the American Society of Botanical Artists. A graduate of the State University of New York, Ms. Braida holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Art and a Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate from the New York Botanical Garden. She received her professional art training at SUNY Purchase, Pratt, the New York Art Students League, the New York Botanical Garden and studied under Master Painters Caesar Borgia and Anne Marie Evans in the New York and in the United Kingdom. Ms. Braida teaches and works in Florida, Kentucky, and New York with her team of Certified Academy Instructors who have graduated from her botanical art certificate program and her teacher training program. She lives in Sarasota, Florida with her husband. More about Ms. Braida and her school is available on her websites: www.omartdesigns.com or www.academyofbotanicalart.com

Originally on Don411.com