Works in Progress…Artistic Growth Through Classical Atelier Training
BJ Dickhute is currently expanding her artistic practice through an apprenticeship in the advanced study program at the reknown Miano Academy of Art in Sarasota, Florida, one of the country's leading ateliers dedicated to the Classical Figurative Tradition.
Founded by acclaimed artist and educator Charles Miano, the academy is rooted in the centuries-old atelier model, emphasizing direct observation, technical mastery, and the disciplined study of form, movement, anatomy, and light. Through intensive live model work and hundreds of observational exercises, artists are trained to sharpen their ability to truly see, developing greater confidence, precision, and fluency in visual expression.
As part of the apprenticeship curriculum, BJ is immersed in a rigorous practice of gesture drawing, figure studies, and observational painting designed to strengthen eye-hand coordination, proportion, and craftsmanship. The program focuses on capturing the vitality and energy of a subject through direct observation while refining the technical skills that underpin representational art.
This experience marks an exciting new chapter in BJ's artistic journey. While her work has long been inspired by the beauty and spirit of the natural world, her training at Miano Academy is further deepening her understanding of movement, structure, and expression. The influence of this classical education is already beginning to inform her evolving body of work, bringing new depth, confidence, and vitality to her paintings.
BJ remains committed to the lifelong pursuit of artistic growth and is grateful for the opportunity to study within a tradition that has shaped generations of master artists.
If you are interested in purchasing a piece, please contact: BJDickhute@gmail.com (540) 325-6798