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 spending time with her two young grandsons, meditation, swimming, gardening, 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 attract them to Kure Atoll, Moku Pāpapa, where a couple of the birds have been seen hanging out. 

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

To learn more about efforts to protect birds like the albatross, please visit:

Pacific Rim Conservation, Aloha!

Please visit the Plastic Pollution Tab for more information on:

Work in progress Plastic III Dress was on display at the Pilina Kanaloa Ocean Day at the Hawaii State Capital building on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Mahalo Nui to representative Lauren Matsumoto for connecting me with the organization to spread awareness about plastic pollution and plastic in our clothing.

Mahalo Nui Loa to Kokua Foundation for inviting me to present Plastic Dress III at their April 3, 2026, Farm Fund Day to raise money for local farmers who have been greatly impacted by the recent floods in Hawai'i.

Recommendations and Gratitude:

Great Thanks to HartSpan creators of the fabulous Khelp alginate supplement for relief for those suffering with reflux who want to ease off of acid reducers/blockers! 

Also, for Vagus Nerve Reset Information, visit Dr. Rucio's website. The vagus nerve is an integral part of the digestive system!

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 download the free pdf files from my Art/Nature Connections page!

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!

Highlights from Previous News:

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!!