The Nature Artists' Guild

Nature Artists’ Guild to Visit Hausermann’s Orchids February 6, 2012

Denise — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:47:14 +0000

In just a few weeks, during the cold, dreary month of February, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will once again be taking a trip to the most tropical place in the area, Hausermann’s Orchids, the showroom and greenhouse of the largest orchid grower in the Midwest!

The paint-out will take place on Monday, February 6, from 9 am until noon. This is one of our most popular paint-outs of the year, and Hausermann’s can accommodate only 15 artists, so please be sure to RSVP to Kathyrn Wagner-Selbach (you can find her e-mail address in your Yearbook) to save your spot.

You can read more about Hausermann’s, get directions, and view some of their thousands of stunning orchids at their website, www.orchidsbyhausermann.com.

Colored Pencil Artist Cynthia Hellyer-Heinz, February 2, 2012

Denise — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:08:08 +0000

Cynthia Hellyer–Heinz is an accomplished colored pencil artist whose work defies any simple description and truly must be seen to be appreciated! On her website, www.cynthiahellyerheinz.com, Cynthia explains that “These pencil drawings are visual surrealist narratives. The intention is that they not hang passively on the wall but stimulate a dialogue. They are meant to provoke questions.”

A widely respected artist and the recipient of numerous awards, Cynthia will join us on Thursday evening, February 2, from 7 to 9 pm at Thornhill for what promises to be a fascinating look into her process and inspirations. You can view Cynthia’s artist statement and biography by clicking here.

Nature Artists’ Guild 2012 Spring Exhibit Prospectus to be Issued Soon

Denise — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:47:00 +0000

Believe it or not, your prospectus for the Nature Artists’ Guild Spring Exhibition will be e-mailed or mailed to you very soon! This is a friendly reminder that membership dues need to be current in order to receive a prospectus.

There is still time to mail your dues to Suzanne Wegener at The Morton Arboretum. You can use the membership renewal form in your Quarterly, the membership form on this website, or if you’re already a member and haven’t made any changes in your address, phone or e-mail, simply mail Suzanne a check with “NAG 2012 dues” written on the memo line. If you’re not a member yet, but are thinking about joining, now would be a great time to do it!

We’d love to see your artwork at the exhibit in April. Don’t miss out by forgetting your dues!

We’ve Made a Change!

Denise — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:17:24 +0000

It’s not a huge one, but it is one that may make your life ever-so-slightly simpler. The change is our blog name. We are now officially www.natureartistsguild.com. That’s correct – you no longer have to remember the “wordpress” part when looking for us or when telling your friends where to find us!

Of course, if you use our old name, www.natureartistsguild.wordpress.com, you will be automatically re-directed here, and as always, if you do a search for “nature artists’ guild” or similar, we’ll still show up near the top of the list!

Wheaton College Paint-Out, Saturday, January 14, 2012, 9 am – Noon

Denise — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:49:20 +0000

Nature Artists’ Guild member Marilyn Peretti has arranged a wonderful new opportunity for our first paint out of 2012!

According to Marilyn, the new Science Center at Wheaton College features the Perry Mastodon, which was unearthed in 1963 in Judge Perry’s backyard pond in Glen Ellyn. Several other large animal specimens, as well as a geological display of rocks and gems are also in included in what Marilyn describes as a “gorgeous, classy display area on two floors”.

Wheaton College has asked us to limit the number of participants to 12, so please RSVP to Ku-mie Kim to reserve your spot. You will also need to bring your own folding chair or stool.

Please click here to see more about the mastodon and the Science Center!

Welcoming 2012!

Denise — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:42:33 +0000

The Nature Artists’ Guild schedule next year will include some new paint-out locations (the first being Wheaton College’s Science building in January), some old favorites (Hausermann’s Orchids in February) and as always, some of the best artist presentations in the area (renowned colored pencil artist Cynthia Hellyer-Heinz will be featured at our February meeting). Details will be posted soon, or you can check your Winter Quarterly for the dates and times.

Although the Nature Artists’ Guild accepts membership dues at any time of the year, if you want to ensure that you are included in our Yearbook and that you won’t miss any issues of The Quarterly, please renew your membership by sending in your check and the renewal coupon from your latest Quarterly by December 31, 2011.

Downers Grove Library Gallery Prospectus Due This Friday, December 23, 2011

Denise — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:01:37 +0000

The Nature Artists’ Guild’s first exhibit of the year is again our annual special exhibit at the Downers Grove Library Gallery. The Downers Grove Library Gallery is well-attended, and has a wonderfully spacious and nicely-lit gallery area that really highlights your artwork. If you have artwork already framed and ready to hang from a previous Nature Artists Guild show, you are all ready for this additional great opportunity to exhibit your work!

All Nature Artist Guild members were mailed or e-mailed a prospectus late last month, which contains all the details about participating in the exhibit. The prospectus must be completed and postmarked by this Friday, December 23, 2011.

You artwork should be dropped off on Saturday, December 31 between 10 and 11 am, and picked up Saturday, February 4 between 10 and 11 am. If you cannot drop off your work, please arrange to have someone take it for you.

If you have any questions, please call or e-mail our Special Events Coordinator, Paulette McDermott. You can find her contact information in your Yearbook.

Join Us at Our Annual Holiday Party and Election of Officers on December 1, 2011

Denise — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:44:23 +0000

It’s been a wonderful year for the Nature Artists’ Guild, and what better way to celebrate than with a holiday party?

On Thursday evening, December 1, from 6:30 to 9, members and their guests are invited to join us in the beautiful Founders’ Room at Thornhill for good food, lots of laughs and even some raffle prizes, (as well as our annual board elections).

If you’re interested, you’ll also have the opportunity to purchase Nature Artists’ Guild 2012 desk calendars, or our Nature Artists’ Guild t-shirts, featuring the artwork of our current featured artist, Ku-mie Kim.

Please join us for a good time and a great way to meet or catch up with your fellow Nature Artists’ Guild members! Bring a dish to pass if you can, and if you would like to contribute a book, print or other item to the raffle, it would certainly be appreciated (but definitely not required). If you’re a new member, we’d love to see you there and will do our best to make sure you feel welcome!

The Nature Artists’ Guild Holiday Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum, November 19th and 20th, 2011

Denise — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:42:52 +0000

Artwork by Featured Artist Ku-mie Kim, Poster Design by Evelyn Grala

Two Important Arrivals – Our First Frost and The Morton Arboretum Education Program Winter Schedule!

Denise — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:34:12 +0000

Waking up to our first frost last week has many of us thinking about the upcoming winter! Instead of dreading the cold, the snow, the ice and the slush, why not think of winter as a wonderful time for learning something new? After all, the gardening and yardwork are done, summer vacations are over, and the kids or grandkids are back in school – now it’s time for you!

Whether you prefer to spend the cold months all warm and toasty indoors, or outdoors exploring the magical beauty that only snow and ice can provide, the new winter schedule for The Morton Arboretum Education Program has something for you.

After choosing your winter art classes, don’t forget to check out some of the other areas of interest –Natural History, Nature Photography, Ornithology, Horticulture and Gardening and Woodland Stewardship. Learning something completely new and different is a great way to enrich those winter months!

Click here for The Morton Arboretum Education Program schedules.