Author: Denise

Painting in Pastel with Laverne Bohlin this September

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
Lake Marmo Reflections, copyright Laverne Bohlin, began as a demonstration at a recent Arboretum workshop.

Even after her move across the country to New Mexico, gifted artist and experienced educator (and long-time Nature Artists’ Guild member) Laverne Bohlin returns to the Chicago area every year to enjoy the early autumn colors and teach at The Morton Arboretum. In 2024, Laverne’s workshop, Painting the September Garden in Pastel, will take place on Friday and Saturday, September 27 and 28.

Painting the September Garden in Pastel will be open to all artists with a “foundational experience with drawing the landscape” and members of The Morton Arboretum will receive a discount on the registration fee. Space is limited for this wonderful workshop with a popular instructor, so early registration is recommended.

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild could even use this opportunity to create artwork for Trees, the special display of small works to be featured during the Guild’s 2024 Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum this November!

Wine and Art Walk this Weekend at The Morton Arboretum

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
Visitor Center at The Morton Arboretum. Image credit mortonarb.org

“Approximately 60 artists who create work using natural materials or incorporate a natural theme or subject were selected” to participate in the annual Wine and Art Walk at The Morton Arboretum this weekend, August 17 and 18, 2024.

Visitors to the Arboretum are invited to enjoy this “juried art show featuring photography, woodturning, jewelry, painting, ceramics, fused glass, fiber arts, and more from regional artists.” – mortonarb.org

The Nature Artists’ Guild will not have an outdoor booth at the event, but will have an information table inside the Visitor Center, where some members will be sharing artistic tools and techniques (as well as information about the Guild) with visitors.

All are invited to stop by to chat with an artist and learn more about the Nature Artists’ Guild!

Paint-Out at the Grand Garden on September 5, 2024

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden at The Morton Arboretum. Photo credit mortonarb.org (detail).

Nature Artists’ Guild members will visit the Grand Garden at The Morton Arboretum on the morning of September 5, 2024 with their paints and pencils for a fond farewell to summer and a warm welcome to autumn.

Autumn plantings will join the trees, fountains, and remaining summer blooms to create a lovely setting for Guild members to draw, paint, or photograph. The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden opened at the Arboretum last autumn, and was “designed for gathering, relaxation, inspiration, and beauty throughout the year.” – Delights of the Grand Garden, mortonarb.org

Nature Artists’ Guild members and guests are welcome to drop by the paint-out any time between 9:30 and noon on Thursday, September 5, but registration is recommended in order to be notified by email of updates.

Reminders for the Nature Artists’ Guild

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
Detail of Summer Daydream, fiber art, copyright Patty Koenigsaecker

Some reminders for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum as August 2024 begins –

  • Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild who would like to share articles or images of their autumn-inspired artwork in the members-only publication, the Quarterly, should forward them to Jane Kellenberger by August 1, 2024. Guild members recently received an email with details and an email address for submitting.

Paint-Out at the Gardens at Ball August 7, 2024

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
The Gardens at Ball, photo credit BallHort.com

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will be visiting the Gardens at Ball on the morning of Wednesday, August 7, 2024 from 9:30 to noon to paint, draw, photograph, and explore the vast showcase of plants.

Ball Horticultural Company is a leader in all facets of horticulture. Our global family of breeders, research and development teams, suppliers, and distribution companies has a strong presence on six continents in 20 countries.  – Ballhort.com

West Chicago, IL is the home Ball Horticultural Company and the site of the Gardens at Ball, their 13 acres of garden showcases filled with thousands of beautiful plants, including hundreds of their latest innovations in research and breeding.

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will meet at the gardens for a paint-out at 9:30 am on August 7 to enjoy all the color and beauty on display. Registration is required for this event, either online, or by emailing Paint-Out Coordinator Celia Rodee.

Kristina Knowski’s Avifauna Watercolors August 1, 2024

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
To Sleep, copyright Kristina Knowski. Click on image to learn more.

The Nature Artists’ Guild is proud to sponsor a presentation featuring Kristina Knowski and her ‘Avifauna Watercolors’ at The Morton Arboretum on Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 7 to 9 pm.

Kristina is a watercolorist depicting primarily avifauna and is best known for her portfolio of extinct bird species. She enjoys using observation, anatomical references, and specimens to examine these species with an acute attention to detail.

As an avid birder, Kristina prefers to work from life and spends most of her time sketching and researching species in the field. In working with extinct species, she visits the Bird Collections of the Field Museum and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum to study from skins. – KristinaKnowski.com

This presentation will be free and open to all. There will be no charge for attendance, parking, or admission to The Morton Arboretum for this event. Registration is not required, and attendees can let the gate attendant at the Arboretum know they are there for the presentation to be admitted and directed to their Thornhill Education Center. Plenty of parking and seating will be available.

New Half-Year Memberships Available

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
Image examples from late summer through early winter 2023

Artists who enjoy and appreciate the beauty of nature can now join the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum for the remainder of 2024 with a half-year membership option (first time members only).

New half-year members will be have the opportunity to participate in any paint-outs, exhibits (including the annual Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum), programs, projects, or other activities throughout the remainder of the year.

Interested artists are invited to visit the About or Membership pages and scroll through previous posts to learn more about the Nature Artists’ Guild.

Learn More About Half-Year Memberships Here

Nature Journaling Workshop July 13, 2024

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
Detail of nature journal pages, copyright Sandra Wilcoxon

In conjunction with the Nature Artists’ Guild’s special exhibit, Art Inspired by Earth, the Aurora Public Art Commission will be sponsoring a free workshop on Nature Journaling on July 13, 2024.

The 90-minute workshop, led by Guild member Sandra Wilcoxon, will be open to all, but attendance will be limited to fifteen participants (more details and registration form here). All supplies will be provided. The workshop will be held at the Aurora Public Art gallery on July 13, 2024 (the final day of the Nature Artists’ Guild’s exhibit) from 2 to 3:30 pm.

Reminder to exhibitors – Artwork pick-up will be on July 13 from 4 to 5:30 pm at the Aurora Public Art Commission gallery.

Nature Artists’ Guild to Visit Anderson Japanese Gardens on July 18, 2024

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
Photo credit Anderson Japanese Gardens

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited to join their fellow artists at the renowned Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, IL to sketch, draw, photograph, and simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Guild members will meet at 9:30 am on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at Anderson Japanese Gardens,“one of the highest quality Japanese gardens in the world” after which they can explore the “twelve-acre landscape of streams, waterfalls, winding pathways, and koi-filled ponds.”

If interested, attendees can also choose to enjoy a meal at the onsite restaurant, Fresco at the Gardens at 11:30.

Interested Guild members can register for the event here, or by emailing Paint-Out Coordinator Celia Rodee.

(Participants will be responsible for their own transportation and lunch costs. Anderson Japanese Gardens is located approximately eighty miles from Chicago’s southwest suburbs, a drive of about one and a quarter hours. Easels and paints are not permitted. Attendees can visit the Gardens’ website for details.)

A Garden Tapestry Paint-Out July 11, 2024

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment

Fiber artist Diane Fisher has woven the paths, plants, and other elements of her garden into a wonderful tapestry of values, colors, textures, and temperatures.

Fellow Nature Artists’ Guild members are invited to attend a paint-out in Diane’s private garden in Wheaton, IL on Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 9:30 until noon. Paint-Out Coordinator Celia Rodee will provide coffee and her delicious scones.

Interested Guild members can register here or by emailing Celia.