Young Bird Artist Amps Up Oil Spill Relief Efforts
Brown pelican, by Olivia Bouler. The original is hanging in the National Audubon Society's headquarters in New York City.
After hearing about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, 11-year-old (as of this Friday) Olivia Bouler was devastated—and determined to act. She and her parents brainstormed ways to help, and it dawned on her: “I have a little artistic talent,” she says modestly. So she began sending original bird illustrations to donors who contribute to oil spill relief efforts.
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People have noticed. Since she began her campaign, Olivia has sent out 150 illustrations (she's capped the number at 500, after which contributors will receive limited edition prints) and attracted more than 9,000 fans on her Facebook page. And just yesterday, AOL announced “Olivia’s Help the Gulf Wildlife Project,” a partnership with the young artist to help display her work and enhance aid going to one organization in particular that’s responding to the spill: The National Audubon Society. The Internet service juggernaut also donated its own cool $25,000 to Audubon, in Olivia’s name.
Olivia’s interest in birds, however, transcends the recent Gulf disaster. “I want to become an ornithologist,” she says, and has already set her sights on Cornell, home of the renowned Lab of Ornithology.
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“I’ve always been fascinated by [birds].” She’s even hooked her family, which enjoys watching birds arrive at feeders around their vacation cottage. “I didn’t anticipate that my child’s interests would become mine,” says her mom, Nadine Bouler. “She’s brought birding to us, and that has been a really great part of our journey as a family.”
This summer, Olivia, her parents, and her younger brother have planned a trip to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness about birds and the environment. For Olivia, when a person feels strongly about a cause, there’s no recourse but taking action. “If you can do something to help, always do it,” she says. Art was her solution, but she has advice for others who may not share her talents: “If people don’t know what their strengths are yet, they should try to use their smarts and problem solving ability to tell other people [about the disaster],” she says. “The best thing you can do is really just shoot for the stars.”
Raised $70K
I saw on MSNBC that she's raised $70,000 so far for relief efforts in the Gulf. Amazing! You go Olivia!
Bolus of insight
What follows is a "bolus of insight" from a great poet regarding a breach between a civilization and "the strong earth".
The Purse-seine, by Robinson Jeffers, 1937
.......I cannot tell you
How beautiful the scene is, and a little terrible,
then, when the crowded fish
Know they are caught, and wildly beat from one wall
to the other of their closing destiny the
phosphorescent
Water to a pool of flame, each beautiful slender body
sheeted with flame, like a live rocket
A comet's tail wake of clear yellow flame; while outside
the narrowing
Floats and cordage of the net great sea-lions come up
to watch, sighing in the dark; the vast walls
of night
Stand erect to the stars.
Lately I was looking from a night mountain-top
On a wide city, the colored splendor, galaxies of light:
how could I help but recall the seine-net
Gathering the luminous fish? I cannot tell you how
beautiful the city appeared, and a little terrible.
I thought, We have geared the machines and locked all together
into inter-dependence; we have built the great cities; now
There is no escape. We have gathered vast populations incapable
of free survival, insulated
From the strong earth, each person in himself helpless, on all
dependent. The circle is closed, and the net
Is being hauled in.......
________________________________________________
Steven Earl Salmony
AWAREness Campaign on The Human Population, est. 2001
http://sustainabilityscience.org/content.html?contentid=1176
I'm Inspired
Thank you Mr Salmony for this poem. It beautifully offers a view through a window to understanding Olivia's very perceptive voice regarding this terrible situation we find ourselves in. I'm an Olivia fan 4ever! She captivates me and I've told her story to EVERYONE I talked to since seeing it 2 mornings ago.
Oil Spill Relief Efforts
WE CAN HELP! The Audubon Society I am the executive assistant to the CEO of a major US corporation. We have a network in place with hundreds of thousands of people! Allow us to help YOU! Teamwork makes the dream work! Please contact me at your earliest convenience. ~Kevin Sousa
yup, you go olivia. but how
yup, you go olivia. but how can people with no artistic talent help?
Donations
On April 20th, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon incident occurred in the Gulf of Mexico. This event is horrific and tragic due to the loss of human life and now the beginnings of the loss of our environment. My heart is heavy and my mind constantly at work thinking of any way that I can assist with the cleanup effort currently underway. Tragic events never seem to fully sink in until it happens in your backyard. Florida is in danger of this catastrophic oil spill, both coasts now, due to the loop current that transfers water from the Gulf of Mexico out and up the East Coast of Florida, my home.
My breaking point came when I started seeing photographs taken of helpless animals drenched in oil and dying. It sickened me to my core and at that moment I knew that I had to do more than sit at my computer in tears. Because of the endless demand of urgent help, I have started donating thru my non-profit corporation, Enduring Wildlife. I felt the name was appropriate and timeless. Our environment is in dire need of help and no one knows how much time, money, volunteers, supplies, experts, etc. are going to be required. It is very scary and sad beyond words.
As of today, the oil is still gushing into the Gulf of Mexico with no end in sight. While I am not able to control when this damaged riser will be fixed, I can help clean up what has and will wash ashore. I can support local and non-local worker's efforts to keep this disaster as under control as much as possible.
Florida is home to manatees, dolphins, turtles, endless variety of fish, reptiles, birds and more. There is an amazing ecosystem here, it is beautiful and remarkable and it is crucial that it remains that way. This is the reason for my reaching out to you. I am asking for any donation you can offer, any amount will assist Enduring Wildlife tremendously and help it do extraordinary things. If you are offering your assistance with a personal check or money order, please make them payable to Enduring Wildlife Corporation. All donations made will help the wildlife that has been damaged by the oil spill.
Also, please visit ourwebsite at www.enduringwildlife.com to make a donation via Pay Pal. Please see the website for a list of items that are in high demand. The website is a work in progress and will continue being updated. If I can answer any questions, please feel free to contact me at info@enduringwildlife.com and someone will respond to your question(s) as soon as possible.
Best regards,
Nicole LeGrano
Executive Director
oil spill, our birds, and your message
Hi Nicole --- your message of June 18 said it all for me. I sit night and day, crying at what is happening to our birds (and marine life as well), but especially our birds because they die a tragic death like a human. I cannot believe man didn't realize the consequences of these actions to bring about this unbelievable outcome.
I write bird articles in my local newspaper to help people learn about all the birds that migrate to our wonderful valley each year, to spend spring, summer and fall here or just stop on their way north. I am talking about the historic Madison Valley between Yellowstone National Park and Ennis, Montana, and blue ribbon Madison River which created this valley, and continues to meander through it.
I wrote folks two weeks ago, "Thank God we have migration or all the birds would be down there dying, but what happens when they start making their return in late summer to fall??"
We have a great population of large water birds such as the American White Pelican, Cormorant, and Trumpeter Swan. The last article was on the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican - tying in information about the serious devastation of the oil spill on the Brown Pelican. Many of our songbirds winter in the south as well, like the Mountain Bluebirds.
I am so sick inside for what is going on in the Gulf, especially since I experienced a severe oil spill to the coast of western Washington State in 1989 or '90 - when a tanker accident offshore, sent oil to the beaches and killed all the sea birds. Despite our efforts, none were saved. If I wasn't on such low income, I would be down there on the Gulf helping and would stay until it was over. My only ability is to take pen in hand and get action against this ever being allowed to happen again. Hope to hear from you.
yup, you go olivia. but how
yup, you go olivia. but how can people with no artistic talent help?
Don't give up, Olivia!
Hi Olivia -- You've inspired me to make a donation. PLEASE continue your efforts -- you are making a difference in our world! Suzanne Van Cleve, San Diego, CA
You have inspired me, Olivia.
I am 16, and although I live across the nation in Oregon, I feel my heart breaking every time I see an animal dieing because of the spill. As an artist, I feel obligated and willing to follow in your footsteps and contribute all my talents to raise money to stop this. I plan on contacting the National Wildlife Federation and sell any art that people will buy. Thank you so much for all that you've done, and keep going strong! ~Kiana McMillian
Olivia the inspiration
People like Olivia make the world a better place for all animals and even the clueless people who damage our living planet.
David Miln Smith, PhD
Explorer
Very well done. Your are
Very well done. Your are inspirational.
Your Story
What an amazing child you are. Everyone could take a lesson from you.
I woke up this morning early and decided to turn my TV on that is in my bedroom. I turned it on just in time to see the section on you.
You should be very proud of yourself. And, you are right. BP will not do the right thing here. It is going to be up to us, all the people that care to help out any way they can.
I am a retiree and cannot afford much, but I will contribute something to help out and I want you to know that it is because of a girl named Olivia who has the courage and will to do what is right.
What a wonderful story and a wonderful girl.
Olivia
Inspirational..humble...a born leader. compassionate, smarter than
most adults. Olivia your only eleven..what will you be doing when you
are an adult...I think something to again change the world.. Good Luck..
Good Health and Best Wishes Michele
Olivia
Olivia, what an inspiration you are. Your work is beautiful. I just became a member of the Audubon Society because of you. Thank you for making a difference.
Olivia, You are a special
Olivia, You are a special young girl with a brilliant future! I saw you & your Dad on NBC Today show this morning...I immediately went to my computer & joined the Nat'l Audubon Soc....You reminded me of this VIP thing to do! I adore birds & all living creatures that we are so lucky to be sharing our home on Planet Earth. Thank you so much for your dedication & charitable efforts. :-)
re: Olivia
You are a great role model for children your age! My daughter is an artist and we live in the Pensacola area. She loves the beach and wants to be a marine biologist when she grows up. We are saddened by what is happening here. Our family goes to the beaches all summer long and we snokle and fish and take lots of pictures of the wildlife. My daughter wants to help too, but because of the age restrictions she cannot help with clean up. You have given her some great ideas to help in other ways! Kids are people too and what they do matters!
Olivia, The Angel Artist
I have been so touched by Olivia's tears when she appeared on a morning news show, that I have been promoting her artwork and the Audubon Society's wonderful work in protecting the birds of the Gulf of Mexico, so I wanted to comment on her kindness and on her talent.
If the tears of this beautiful child with such a loving heart does not move the souls of the people who have caused this world tragedy, then nothing will - but I believe that Olivia's compassion will open every heart!
Thank You Dont Quit!
I'm a 40 year old man who served his country twice in the Army including Special Forces training. I served 6 years total. This A.M. I saw the piece on the news about you and your amazing insight on this horrible tragedy. And then at the end I saw you crying and yelling it's not fair. And I cried. And I declared that it isn't fair at all.
Don't be embarrassed for crying, because you showed me we all should cry; and cry out loud to the world.....It Isn't Fair.
Amazing how a Little Angel without wings can remind as all of the wings without Angels. Good job Little Lady, good job indeed!
YOU ARE AWESOME GIRL
WOW. I am so impressed with you and proud of you. What a great idea Olivia. Being an artist myself I can appreciate all your passion being poured out into your drawings. My heart has been sick since this oil spill and wish I had already done something to help raise awareness and monies for the relief effort to save the animals. You have inspired me to go do something NOW..Bless you for your sweet heart....Lydia Porter Montgomery, AL.
Thank you Olivia
Olivia,
You are truly remarkable and inspiring! Thank you so much for your awesome artwork and making this terrible situation a little brighter. Hope floats.
Olivia
God bless you, Olivia. May He continue to show in life how to help not only nature but others.
Pray that other little boys and girls will be inspired by your example and this way they can stay away from "doing bad" in life and contrate in "doing good."
Hugs,
Iris Hill
Bico-Amares
Portugal
thank you for caring and sharing
Olivia - it takes a special person to care enough to step out and do something. I know you didn't realize the magnitude of your effort by drawing that first picture but you have really impacted lots of folks.
I am a grandmother now, retired, and living here in western Montana, Ennis, and the historic Madison Valley, which is a pristine and precious area of wildlife. Great varieties of large and small water birds, and songbirds, as well as four-legged type wildlife call this special place home; many migrate here during spring. I am so upset at man allowing this oil spill, caring only about money rather than consequences of such a traumatic ending to our wildlife.
I am glad the National Audubon Society is down there but it just never should have happened. I write bird articles for my local newspaper and had just written one about the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican, trying to make people aware that the Brown Pelican may go into extinction again. I lived through a serious oil spill from a wrecked tanker off the coast of Washington State and as much as we tried to wash and save the birds, they all died. You see, they breathe through their feathers, and they also ingest the oil while trying to clean themselves.
Birds are like humans - they have blood, heart, lungs, feelings and instincts. The big thing that is different is that they give so much more than they take. Humans take so much more than they ever give. Time and time again, we watch MAN destroy them. If people like you and me don't do something to get this sort of tragedy stopped, we will probably see the end of birds on this planet.
you go girl
My daughter and I were catching up on current events recently when we came across your story online. Wow! What an inspiration. We are moved by your artwork and your passion. Like the many others before us, we too will help you to accomplish your goals. Keep up the great work and thank you for all that you are doing!
Travis and Delaney
oil spill
how did u get people to find out that u were drawing the pictures for the spill
You go girl!!!!!!!!! Your
You go girl!!!!!!!!! Your Rockin the gulf coast How much are they?
AMAZING
My friends and I have been so worried about the oil spill and what we can do to stop it. I saw what you were doing in People Magazine and I was so touched someone my age was helping out. I was thinking about collecting donations as soon as school starts again so we can support awareness to everyone that is worried. I what you are doing raises a lot more money.
AWESOME.
That's awesome, like-minded youth – keep on with the progressive art and share the love!!
My friend is doing something very similar in response to the gulf:
http://gastongilberte.com/gallery/gulf-coast-catastrophe-series/
Help with selling paintings
I am not a tree hugger or one who would normally be interested in a lot of bird watching. However I do appreciate ther beauty of birds and other animals. So I would gladly pruchase a painting or duplicate of such if the proceeds were going to the Audunbon Society to hire as many workers as would be needed to save the animals hurt by the oil in the Gulf. Please extend your outreach to let America know of this wonderful way we can help. Thanks and God Bless your efforts I would like to purchase one of the prints for about $20.00 Let me know.
one of your paintings
Dear Olivia,
My husband and I would be interested in buying one of your paintings. How do we go about it? Please send us pictures if you can and we'll choose one.
Many thanks,
Nancy Sachs
Buy Painting
Olivia,
My wife and I would like to buy one of your paintings---$300-400- to donate to the disaster, and it IS a disaster. Let me know how you do this and we'll move--
Steve
Donation for a Picture
Dear Olivia,
My husband and I would like to make a donation to help with the recovery effort. We would also love to receive one of you fabulous pictures. Please let me know how to go about becoming a proud owner of an original Olivia picture.
Best Wishes
Sylvie
Pelican Print
Dear Olivia:
We received your beautiful print and heartwarming note. Thank you!
How do we get prints?
Olivia,
I am inspired by your art and your tenacity. Would that we all had your commitment to doing SOMETHING!
We've been long-time members of Audubon and other conservation organizations. We'll gladly make contributions to several of them and would love to receive some of your prints. We'll frame and display them proudly.
Purchase a painting
Emily,
Thanks for "just doing it". I work to save birds, plants and habitat too. L:ove your paintings and would like to purchase one. Please let me know what to do. Keep painting and being a voice for the birds and the gulf.
Thanks for the news! Just
Thanks for the news! Just thinking about it! By the way Happy New Year to all of you;)
Amazing what this girl
Amazing what this girl achieved. If you want to get something done you just have to start yourself. It doesn't really matter what you do, all that matters is that you take action and do it with passion.
They showed her video in some schools here for English class and it inspired a lot of people.
Wow.. thank you. very nice
Wow.. thank you. very nice and informative post. ... A very interesting and well presented post. Great work as always.
zygor guides | Adsense earning
Great varieties of ample and
Great varieties of ample and baby baptize birds, and songbirds, as able-bodied as four-legged blazon wildlife alarm this appropriate abode home; abounding drift actuality during spring. I am so agitated at man acceptance this oil spill, caring alone about money rather than after-effects of such a alarming catastrophe to our wildlife.rhce dumps | mcse 2008 dumps
I am animated the National Audubon Society is down there but it just never should accept happened. I address bird online writing for my bounded bi-weekly and had just accounting one about the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican, aggravating to accomplish humans acquainted that the Brown Pelican may go into afterlife again. | mcitp certification dumps | mcitp dumps
So I would gladly pruchase a
So I would gladly pruchase a painting or duplicate of such if the proceeds were going to the Audunbon Society to hire as many workers as would be needed to save the animals hurt by the oil in the Gulf. Please extend 70-551 your outreach to let America know of this wonderful way we can help. Thanks and God Bless your efforts 70-552 I would like to purchase one of the prints for about $20.00 Let me know.
Jhon
I am not a tree hugger or
I am not a tree hugger or one 000-377 who would normally be interested in a lot of bird watching. However I do appreciate ther beauty of birds and other animals. So I would gladly pruchase a painting or duplicate of such if the proceeds were going to the Audunbon Society to hire as many workers as would be needed to save the animals hurt by the oil in the 642-974 . Please extend your outreach to let America know of this wonderful way we can help. Thanks and God Bless your efforts I would like to purchase one of the prints for about $20.00 Let me know.I am not a tree hugger or one who would normally be interested in a lot of bird watching. However 642-515 I do appreciate ther beauty of birds and other animals. So I would gladly pruchase a painting or duplicate of such if the proceeds were going to the Audunbon Society to hire as many workers as would be needed JN0-100 to save the animals hurt by the oil in the Gulf. Please extend your outreach to let America know of this wonderful way we can help. Thanks and 000-100 God Bless your efforts I would like to purchase one of the prints for about $20.00 Let me know.
As I am a bird lover and
As I am a bird lover and environmentalist, BP and others know there’s only one way to save our wildlife and putting a stop to this tragic situation.
IMPLODE THE BP WELL NOW! This well is most likely drilled 500 to 1,000 feet below the sea floor. One implosion charge driven into that well would cave in the entire length of pipe(s), and stop this. However, due to the fact that BP may not get another drilling permit, 1/10th of the nation’s population must suffer, along with hundreds of species of wildlife. QUESTION: Why hasn’t anyone mentioned imploding the well, caving in the walls, which are sunk 500+ feet below the ocean floor – VERY STRANGE?
Tommy Jamess
special Education Lecturer
642-974 | 1Y0-A08
Oxford College
642-975 | E20-001
USA