Biography

Marianne Rose Bickett is a retired teacher, who expresses her love of nature through writing and art. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 1986 with a Master’s Degree in Art Education. Marianne has taught everything from preschool through college during her 40 years as a teacher. Marianne’s emphasis has always been on connections to nature and across the curriculum learning experiences, emphasizing art, math, science, and music. Exploring the world through a multi-sensory approach is also a vital part of Marianne’s approach to teaching, learning, and living.

Married to composer Brian Belét, Marianne cherishes her Ohana in Hawai'i and on the mainland as well as dear friends all over the world.

Her many interests include meditation, yoga, Hula dancing, music, long walks, poetry, art making, and advocating for the environment and for animal welfare.

Photo of the author by Brian Belét, April 2024. Artist Patrick Ching, former Park Ranger and Naturalist, had five refurbished Short Tailed Albatross decoys that needed repainting. Brian and I volunteered for the job and were gratified that we could help these endangered birds. The decoys will attract them to Kure Atoll, Moku Pāpapa, where a couple of the birds have been seen hanging out. 

The decoys will have accompanying sounds to help encourage the albatrosses to nest and build a colony. Mahalo Nui to Patrick for a great project!

Now in Preorder status until December 10! My new book, The Mindful Gut, a journal activity book for people with digestive disorders like IBS. You can find more information with links in the next tab under Publications!! Please share the news with someone you know who might benefit from a mindfulness approach to digestion problems. Not a medical or advice book. Mahalo!

Great Thanks to HartSpan creators of the fabulous Khelp alginate supplement for your generous support of The Mindful Gut! Khelp is welcome relief for those suffering with reflux who want to ease off of acid reducers/blockers! 

I presented at a Deep Transformation Network* session Nov. 12 a noon PST about The Gut and Art. We created neurographic images that also incorporated dialoging with the gut about what it wants and needs. Thank you all for attending!! The program was recorded. *See the DTN network link below under Join My Journey.

Join me in Kona, Hawai'i on August 5, 2025, at Kona Stories Bookstore for a Words and Wine Author presentation! See you there, Mahalo!

See my newest Plastic Dress II in the Plastic Pollution tab!

Check out the Trees for Honolulu site under Keiki Tree Art Contest/Resources at the bottom on the page for my Connecting with Trees program! It's free and you can download and adapt to any age. You can also now download the free pdf files from my Art/Nature Connections page!

Take a peek at Count On Me under the Publications tab! This newly printed board book I created for ages 0 - 5 is a sweet treasure. 

Many Thanks to Chapters Bookstore in Eugene, Oregon, for carrying my memoir! If you're in the area, please do check out this great bookstore!

Enjoy my new (May '23)  Youtube video, Love is Where We Are, along with my Owl Poem (listed below)! 

Congratulations to my beloved partner, Brian Bélet, who you can find on Youtube. View the score and listen to the complete orchestral performance of Fantasia: Nocturne as well as other compositions. Well done!

My true story, Owl's Rest: Encountering the Wild Where You Are, is now published as of February 23, 2023 in the Millennium Alliance for Humanity and the Biosphere.  There is a Resource page and forms regarding how to find your special "wild place" under the next tab labeled "Books/Publications."

You can find my poem, "Wild, I" on this Youtube video link.

"Summer Tide", a poem I wrote about summer months, is featured in the September 2022 Millennium Alliance for Humanity and the Biosphere newsletter.

Visit PositiveNeuroplasticity.com and go to the Learning page where you can scroll down to find my image of the HEAL process from Dr. Rick Hanson's book, Neuro Dharma. I highly recommend Dr. Hanson's book based on Buddhist principals and neuroscience for a healthy brain and a more satisfied life! Dr. Hanson hosts a regular Wednesday evening meditation and talk session every week. Learn more by visiting his website!

My poem, "For Jacques" was selected by the Oregon Poetry Association for 2nd place Honorable Mention for the Spring 2022 Poetry Contest! Thank you, Jacques, for being my inspiration!

Kona Stories Bookstore featured my memoir, Art á la Cart, Memoir of a Wayfaring Art Teacher on March 5, 2022, on their website, check it out! Thanks to Kona Stories for carrying my books!!