Charlotte Staub Thomas

COMMON TO THIS COUNTRY:
The Botanical Discoveries of Lewis & Clark,
illustrated with 25 of Ms. Thomas's beautiful and botanically accurate watercolors,
will be published by Artesan in November 2003. The book, written by Susan
Munger, describes the plants these passionate collectors found during the expedition and tells the terrific stories of the lengths they went to find them.

The original paintings, measuring 9 x 12.5" unmatted and unframed (17 x 22" framed ) will be on view at the Missouri Botanical Garden from April 12 through May 21, 2004. They can be purchased from the artist or at the Botanical Garden during the show. Gicleé prints* of several of the paintings will be
available for purchase directly from the artist. Please contact the artist for more information.

*Gicleé prints are limited-edition fine art prints digitally reproduced with archival inks on acid-free papers under the exacting direction of and signed and numbered by the artist.

(941) 744-1129
e-mail: chardesign@verizon.net

Biography:

Charlotte Staub Thomas is a New York City native, and developed a love for nature during childhood summers spent in Vermont. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design, and Master of Arts degree from Columbia University. For over 30 years she has been working as a graphic designer specializing in book design.

In the 1990's she began her career as botanical artist, earning a certificate in Botanical Illustration from the New York Botanical Garden. Her work has been shown there, at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, Longwood Gardens, and Highstead Arboretum among other venues.

Her interest in the plants found on the Lewis and Clark Exploration began in 1998, and it was then that she painted the first of the twenty-five paintings that appear in the book, Common to This Country. Each painting is based on a live specimen which Ms. Thomas found in gardens and parks around the country. The original paintings will be shown at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis in the spring of 2004 as part of the city's bicentennial celebration of the famous exploration.

Ms. Thomas lives with her husband, Wayne Thomas, in Bradenton, Flordia. She is planning to teach at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota in the fall of 2003, and is presently painting the plants of Florida.