News

Guardians of the Everglades Documentary

2012-04-19T22:00:00Z

The film documentary film trailer is ready for viewing!

The hour-long documentary film is due next March and we will be filming all year. There is much more coming -- an expansion of the Guardians to on-line educational materials, each Guardian's suggestions for contributing your talents to Everglades conservation, and the tour schedule.

Click here and let us know what you think. We appreciate your feedback.

On Location in the Everglades:

With Deb Jansen in Big Cypress.

Nicholas and Guardian Franklin Adams waiting for their cue.

Helenah, Sarah and Sandy with Guardian Franklin Adams

Connie and Sandy filming Deb Jansen at Big Cypress. Omer standing by.

Thank you from Nicholas and Connie

2012-03-14T19:00:14Z

Coming this month:

- Naples Orchid Society Show and Sale featuring Connie's Ghost Orchid Classic
March 16 - 18. www.NaplesOrchidSociety.org

- Women of Trinity Lecture by Connie - "A Spiritual Journey through Asia"
March 20. www.TrinitybytheCove.com

- Florida Camera Club Council (FCCC) photo tour of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
March 23
& Lecture "Assignment: World Heritage Asia"
8:30 am March 24
Both by Connie. www.f3c.org

NATHANIEL & ALETTA REED VISIT GUARDIANS OF THE EVERGLADES EXHIBIT AT EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK COE VISITORS' CENTER

Guardian Nathaniel Reed seen through sheer Ghost Orchid banner ©ConnieBransilverNat laughed out loud when he saw his Guardian portrait for the first time, then kept smiling and laughing, returning to study it and the other three portraits - Chief Buffalo Tiger, Gladesman Franklin Adams and Clyde Butcher. He talked at length with Nicholas about the portrait and the Guardians project, and apparently approved of the concept of "endangered" in Connie's sheer banners. His wife, Aletta, made photos on her iPhone and sent them to their children immediately. Special thanks to both Nat and Aletta for visiting.

GUARDIANS OF THE EVERGLADES EXHIBIT HANGS IN COE VISITOR'S CENTER UNTIL MARCH 31ST.

Endangered Sea Turtle Hatchling on sheer 8'x4' banner ©ConnieBransilver ©ConnieBransilverGuardian Nat Reed with his portrait and artist Nicholas Petrucci ©ConnieBransilver

HUGE CROWD ON THE ARTISTS' STUDIO TOUR SPONSORED BY THE NAPLES MUSEUM OF ART (THE PHIL)

Connie Bransilver with her sheer orchid banners ©ConnieBransilverNicholas and Connie set up their faux studio at the Botanical Garden March 5 and hosted nearly 400 visitors viewing, asking questions, and learning about the pair's work -- Guardians of the Everglades portraits, endangered species banners, the documentary film project and Nicholas' independent portraits and abstracts. It was an honor to be hosted by the Friends of Art, and a wonderful opportunity to meet new and old friends.

Thank you all!

East Coasters - March 3 - Save the Date

2012-02-17T15:00:55Z

Mangrove Nursery ©Connie BransilverEAST COASTERS - JOIN US AT EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK COE VISITORS’ CENTER MARCH 3, 2012

Join us for the Opening Reception for Guardians of the Everglades at Everglades National Park Coe Visitors’ Center in conjunction with “Vintage Day” Celebrations at the park’s Homestead entrance.

Guardians of the Everglades Exhibition Reception

Saturday, March 3, 2012
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Everglades National Park
Coe Visitors’ Center

On display will be four 72” x 42” portraits of Guardians Clyde Butcher, Nat Reed, Franklin Adams and Chief Buffalo Tiger along with photographs of all eleven Guardians in action and six diaphanous banners depicting what it means to be endangered or threatened.

East Coasters - that’s you in Miami and Fort Lauderdale the Keys and the eastern Everglades. Your next opportunity will not be until November at Deering Estate in Miami.

We look forward to seeing you there! More information at http://www.nps.gov/ever/parknews/vintageevergladesdayeverpr020912.htm

Human Being ©Connie BransilverWEST COASTERS - YOU HAVE UNTIL THE FEBRUARY 25 TO VISIT THE GUARDIANS EXHIBIT AT MUSEUM OF THE EVERGLADES IN EVERGLADES CITY

Visit the Museum or sign up for our lecture on Tuesday, February 21 in conjunction with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Festival. Information and reservations at 239-695-0008. Lecture and Lunch are $20 per person.

West Coasters - that’s you in Naples, Fort Myers, Marco, Everglades City and the western Everglades. More information at http://www.evergladesmuseum.org/

Nicholas and Connie Invite You to Guardians of the Everglades Preview

2012-01-30T08:00:28Z

Reception with Nicholas & Connie
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 4, 2012

Museum of Florida Art and Culture - January 2012 ©Connie Bransilver

Come early as it is also Seafood Festival Weekend - Festive and lots of traffic. Exhibition continues through February 25. It's close, Neapolitans. This is your best chance to see Guardians this year.

Directions: From the intersection of US41 East and SR 29 South continue south into Everglades City. Turn Right when you have to, continue through the roundabout, and a few yards beyond the museum is on your left. www.EvergladesMuseum.org.

The museum is located at 105 West Broadway in Everglades City, Florida. Open Tuesday through Saturday 9 am - 5 pm (4 pm Sat) 239-695-0008

FILMING BEGINS FOR GUARDIANS DOCUMENTARY

Sandy Cannon-Brown, Owner of Washington, DC, based environmental film company, VideoTakes, brought her crew to south Florida to begin filming for the documentary on the Guardians of the Everglades. The hour-long film will premier at the Washington, DC, Environmental Film Festival in March 2013, but the trailer can be viewed from March 2012.

Helenah and Sarah filming Nicholasas he draws Guardian Deb Jansen.

Helenah, Sarah and Sandy with Guardian Franklin Adams
in the Everglades.

With Deb Jansen in Big Cypress.

Connie and Sandy filming Deb Jansen
at Big Cypress. Omer standing by.

Nicholas and Guardian Franklin Adams waiting for their cue.

SKETCHBOOK FEATURES CONNIE'S MALAGASY FRIENDS

Madagascar - Sandrine & Ratine ©Connie Bransilver

Sandrine and Ratine, two of Connie's hosts in the rainforest of Eastern Madagascar, share a cuddle and a secret. Bernard Gieske's poem is here.

Rejoice! Our first preview Guardians of the Everglades exhibition and lecture was a hit!

2011-12-10T12:00:00Z

Have a look at the video of the exhibition at Museum of Florida Art and Culture in Avon Park, FL.

Museum of Florida Opening of Guardians of the Everglades ©Connie Bransilver

Joy to the World ©Connie Bransilver

To our Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Shinto, Baha'i, Sikh, humanist, animist, pantheist, agnostic and atheist friends,

Peace ©Connie Bransilver

May the spirit of Christmas -- love -- be with you and yours. Delight in the warmth of family, friends and your nurturing Mother Earth.

Faith ©Connie Bransilver

Great News & an Invitation to the First Preview Exhibition of Guardians of the Everglades

2011-11-24T03:00:00Z

NEWS FIRST:The Honorable Bob GrahamWe are extremely honored that The Honorable Bob Graham, Senator, Governor and Statesman, has accepted our invitation to be the ninth GUARDIAN OF THE EVERGLADES.

The Honorable Bob Graham, former Florida Senator and Governor, is now concentrating on the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at University of Florida, his legacy of leadership. Long known for his tireless support for protection of the Everglades, his participation in the GUARDIANS OF THE EVERGLADES project adds both statewide and national political perspective to the project. A native son, Bob Graham has dedicated his life to serving the public, and the Florida voters approved. He has never lost an election in Florida.

As Senator, Bob Graham pioneered several environmental programs which have attracted national and international attention. Senator Graham is best known as the author and key sponsor of the "Restoring the Everglades, An American Legacy Act," which authorized the $7.8 billion Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Graham would not settle for a piecemeal approach to restoration but steered this multi-billion dollar, multi-year plan through Congress a decade ago. It is still being implemented.

After retiring from the Senate in 2005 Senator Graham served as Co-Chair of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. In a lifetime of leadership, he has never been timid in protecting the heart of Florida. Nicholas and Connie are deeply honored to have The Honorable Bob Graham, Senator, Governor and Statesman, as a GUARDIAN OF THE EVERGLADES.

AN INVITATION TO OUR FRIENDS IN FLORIDA - FIRST PREVIEW EXHIBITION AND LECTURE - GUARDIANS OF THE EVERGLADES:

The first Preview Exhibition of GUARDIANS OF THE EVERGLADES opens December 7, 2011, at the Museum of Florida Art & Culture in Avon Park. If you are nearby, please plan to attend the lecture and formal opening on Thursday, December 8, 2011 from 6:30 - 7:30 pm at the SFCC University Center Auditorium. Nicholas will talk about the individuals he selected to honor as Guardians of the Everglades, and Connie, along with Photographer and Guardian, Clyde Butcher, will join Nicholas to expose the beauty of this delicate and unique ecosystem.

Click here for a PDF file of the invitation.
For more information www.MOFAC.org.

Guardians Updates November 2011

2011-11-09T20:44:23Z

CGladesman and Conservationist Franklin Adams ©Nicholas Petruccionservationist, Gladesman & Friend, Franklin Adams at Home in the Glades

Franklin is tireless in working to educate Floridians about their heartland. Franklin says of the Gladesmen culture of tropical Florida, dependent upon and protective of the natural environment, "It's something we love and it's deeply ingrained in us . . . This is my place, in the swamp, and that's where I'm happy and what I know. I'm a master naturalist, and I'm still learning at my age."

Gladesmen John & Marshall Jones ©Connie Bransilver

Twins John & Marshall Jones, 5th Generation Gladesmen, Revere the Past & Embrace the 21st Century

Connie spent an amazing day at Mack's Fishing Camp with these Next Gen Gladesmen & their families.

Jane Goodall - Portrait by Nicholas Petrucci, Photo ©Connie Bransilver

Bernard Gieske's Poem, Jane's Menagerie, Inspired by Nicholas' Portrait of Dr. Jane Goodall

Thank you again, Bernard, for honoring the work of Nicholas and Connie and the inspirational Dr. Jane Goodall.

www.janegoodall.org
http://poetrywriting.org

Guardians Updates

2011-10-08T00:09:29Z

Have you "liked" us yet?

More Guardians

Panther Tracker Roy McBride - Photo courtesy Deb JansenRoy McBride's Tracker Hounds "Chili" and friend. Photo courtesy Deb JansenFlorida Panther Biologist Deb Jansen. Photo courtesy Deb Jansen.Scientist Dr. Hilary Swain ©Connie BransilverPanther Tracker Roy McBride and his dog, Chili, Florida Panther Biologist Deb Jansen and Rancher/Scientist Dr. Hilary Swain are our newest "Guardians" and Nicholas will be painting them in the next months. He has just completed Gladesman Franklin Adams and is working on both Statesman Nathanial Reed and Ed Carlson, Director of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, for completion before the "Guardians" opening Dec. 7 at the Museum of Florida Art and Culture in Avon Park.

Estates Lifestyles Features Guardians of the Everglades and Naples Orchid Society Show and Sale

Clean and Clear, Big Cypress Swamp ©Connie Bransilver

"Splendor in the Grasses" highlights the Guardians project and the Naples Orchid Society Show and Sale, Oct. 15 at the Moorings Presbyterian Church, Noon - 4:00 pm. Along with living plants for sale will be Connie's Endangered Native Orchid banners which will also be on sale. Connie is also developing a series of orchid scarves which may also be debuted at the show and sale.

Nicholas To Be Featured in Documentary on Artists and Their Work

Ed Clay, John Scoular & Hand Sorrick filming in Big Cypress ©Connie BranilverNicholas, Hank, Ed & John at Nicholas' Studio ©Connie BransilverFilmmakers Ed Clay and Hank Sorrick, with John Scoular are in production on their series destined for cable on artists and their art. Connie is next. Stay tuned. We will let everyone know when and where to view the series.

Sweet Equity: Connie & Nicholas Featured by Art Coach Aletta de Wal

Sweet Equity: Connie & Nicholas"HAVE FUN in your life and your work!" Aletta De Wal and Robin Sagara have offered priceless support and guidance to us, and we are forever indebted to them for knowing what we want and what we need before we do! Read about it here.

Ekphrastic Poem by Bernard Gieske is Spookily Clairvoyant

Wildfire in the Swamps ©Connie BransilverAnd I did not even know him when I made tehis image of Wildfire in the Swamps. Click here to read the poem.

Nicholas Featured in American Art Collector

2011-07-22T19:29:58Z

AMERICAN ART COLLECTOR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2011 ISSUE ON NEWSSTANDS NOW!

Check out two full pages devoted to Nicholas' portraits, thanks to Lisa Burgess of New River Fine Art Galleries, Fort Lauderdale and Naples. Click here for a PDF file of the article or visit www.AmericanArtCollector.com

In the first few pages of the magazine Chairman Buffalo Tiger of the Miccosukee, 91 Year Old Guardian of the Everglades offers the peace pipe he made some 40 years ago.

On page 182 American Art Collector presents a full page "Artist Focus: Nicholas Petrucci" featuring portraits of Father Michael and Her Honor with text about Guardians of the Everglades and Nicholas' exclusive association with New River Fine Arts Galleries. Portrait commission bookings at info@newriverfineart.com.

NICHOLAS PRESENTS COPY TO BUFFALO'S SON, LEE TIGER

Nicholas met with Buffalo's son, Lee Tiger, to present a copy of his portrait of Chairman Buffalo Tiger and to plan the official unveiling for his father, 91 Year Old Chief Buffalo Tiger.

Great News!

2011-07-06T23:08:06Z

NEW RIVER FINE ART

of Fort Lauderdale and Naples, one of South Florida's oldest and most prestigious fine art galleries, is now Nicholas' exclusive representative for portraits. New River, long the premier source for masterworks and fine contemporary paintings, added a new dimension with Nicholas Petrucci's portraits. "I am honored and pleased to work with owner, Lisa Burgess, and her staff to serve this elite segment of the art community," said Nicholas. "Please contact Lisa for more information." www.newriverfineart.com.

"We've been looking for a portrait artist whose quality of work is up to the high standards expected by our discerning clientele," states New River Fine Art's owner Lisa Burgess, "Nicholas Petrucci has the rare combination of passion, talent and technique that is required for great portraiture that withstands the test of time. We welcome Nicholas to the New River family."

the second Guardian of the Everglades, is posted on this website and GuardiansoftheEverglades.com. It is an incredible honor to be entrusted with the portrait of this great man who was born into the traditional Miccosukee culture of living entirely but lightly off the bounty of the Everglades and then leading his tribe into an accommodation with the invasive white man's 20th Century world. Mike Grunwald quotes Buffalo in The Swamp: "The Breathmaker made the Everglades. . .all we needed. White people messed it up, so we couldn't live with nature anymore." Grunwald is direct: "The Everglades saved their ancestors, and they have helped to return the favor. [T]he tribe has replaced the U.S. government as the defender of Everglades. . . " As 91 year old Buffalo stands aside, his son, Lee Tiger, is hoping to use the portrait as a starting point in reinvigorating young peoples' pride in their Miccosukee culture.

ARTIST COACH ALETTA DE WAL

recorded an extensive interview with Nicholas. She leads with "Nicholas Petrucci Brings Back the Jeweled Portraiture of the Masters," as she explores what inspires and motivates Nicholas. Listen or read at www.artistcareertraining.com/nicholas-petrucci. "Aletta has opened doors and inspired us both, and we so appreciate her experienced coaching."

The portrait of Father Michael Basden of Trinity was installed in the Library in June.

NICHOLAS FEATURED IN PREMIER PRINT ISSUE OF 239SPOT,

the "With it" Where To Go and What To Do online and print magazine for southwest Florida. Editor Lisa Pavy "spotted" and interviewed Nicholas at Art Naples Contemporary Art Fair in March. www.239spot.com/wp2/239spot-print/ - Click to page 10 - 14.

Bee Swarm Orchid Banner 8x4 ft ©Connie BransilverClamshell Orchid Banner 8x4 ft ©Connie BransilverDelicate Iionopsis Banner 8x4 ft ©Connie BransilverNATIVE ORCHID BANNERS AT NAPLES ORCHID SOCIETY

Several of Connie's native orchid banners will be installed at the Naples Orchid Society meeting July 7th. Each of ten native Florida orchids printed on diaphanous silk-like fabric represent the ephemeral nature of these jewels of the Everglades. The ten banners will be part of the Guardians of the Everglades exhibition in museums starting this December. www.guardiansoftheeverglades.com Each one is 8 x 4 feet, and can be ordered at this size ($1,200) or several smaller sizes. Connie's GHOST CLASSIC image was selected as the poster, medal and logo for the Naples Orchid Society's 50th anniversary next year and will be on display as well.

on the back page to illustrate its feature article on South Florida's wildfires in the August issue. www.GulfShoreLife.com.

EL SALVADOR - CENTRAL AMERICA'S QUIET JEWEL

Nicholas and Connie spent ten wonderful days in El Salvador with a return, and longer, visit scheduled for October. We managed to visit a UNESCO World Heritage site, Joya de Ceren, 1300 BC village buried by volcanic ash, like Pompeii, and also many Mayan villages in the mountains. The warm, spiritual people were the highlight. Enjoy a few images below. More at Facebook.

Mayan Hands, Pinto Beans - ©Connie BransilverMotmot - ©Connie BransilverUNESCO World Heritage - Joya de Ceren-Sauna - ©Connie Bransilver