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Claudia Lane presents the ‘The Evolution of Botanical Art’ on February 1, 2024

Published on January 12, 2024January 31, 2024 by DeniseLeave a comment

Maidenhair Tree, Ginkgo biloba, female, copyright Claudia Lane. Used with permission. Click on the image to view more of Claudia’s work.

Botanical Art combines scientific observation and artistic expression. As a member of the Board of the American Society of Botanical Art, which has a membership of approximately 1850 botanical artists from all over the world, I do my best to promote this genre of art. – Claudia Lane

The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is pleased to sponsor The Evolution of Botanical Art, an online presentation featuring Claudia Lane on February 1, 2024 at 7 pm.

Claudia Lane currently teaches classes in color pencil and pen and ink for the Botanical Art Certificate Program at the Chicago Botanic Garden, while also serving on the board of the American Society of Botanical Art. Her wonderful work has toured the country with various traveling exhibitions.

Claudia’s personal artistic experiences, along with her involvement in the world of Botanical Art, have given her unique insights into its history and evolution to share with viewers in what promises to be an interesting and enjoyable evening.

This event will available live online to all (no recordings will be made). All members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will be emailed a link shortly before February 1, and non-members can request a link by clicking here.

Update – Links for the presentation were emailed to members and guests on January 25. Requests for a link will be accepted through January 30.

8-Week Charcoal Class with John Fleck Begins January 24, 2024

Published on January 8, 2024January 25, 2024 by DeniseLeave a comment

A sheet of paper, a kneaded eraser, and a few sticks of charcoal are all one needs to create nuanced and evocative works of art.

In Charcoal Techniques, an upcoming 8-week class at The Morton Arboretum, artist and educator John Fleck will share his expertise in working with charcoal (thought to be the world’s oldest drawing material) in both old and new ways. “Charcoal is both boldly expressive and very forgiving. Charcoal is a malleable, inexpensive drawing medium with a rich heritage and a pleasing tactile quality. It makes an ideal entry medium to drawing and also offers deeper possibilities as experience is gained.”

Registration for the class is open to all, and members of The Morton Arboretum will receive a discount on the enrollment fee. The class meets each Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 12:30 beginning on January 24 and continues through March 13, 2024.

Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit at the Downers Grove Library through January 28, 2024

Published on January 5, 2024January 27, 2024 by DeniseLeave a comment

The special exhibit by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is now open at the Downers Grove Public Library.

Nature Artists’ Guild members have filled the walls of the library’s exhibit area with works celebrating nature in a variety of media, sizes, styles, and subjects. Large multi-media collages share the space with intricate botanical pieces and bold landscapes painted en plein air.

Many of the more than thirty works have been previously exhibited at The Morton Arboretum and some will be making their Guild exhibit debut at the library.

The exhibit will be open to Downers Grove Library visitors through January 28, 2024 during normal library hours.

Farewell to 2023 from the Nature Artists’ Guild

Published on December 29, 2023December 29, 2023 by Denise1 Comment

Deer Morning, copyright Marybeth Devine. Click on the image above for a quick look at 2023 or scroll through this website for all the posts and images.

The Nature Artists’ Guild bids farewell to 2023 with fond memories of programs, paint-outs, parties, exhibits, and the friendship and support of fellow artists.

The Guild would like to welcome first-time and returning members to new opportunities to explore and share the appreciation of nature through art in 2024!

Click here to join or renew

Copyright Heidi Jachna
Copyright Jane Kellenberger
2023 Autumn Cards
Morning Revelation, copyright Beth Berry
2023 Holiday Party Invitation by Margie Navolio
Red Oak Branch, copyright Joanne McKibben
Forest in Ireland, copyright Marybeth Devine
Red Saddlebags Dragonfly, copyright Karen A. Johnson
Naturalist Treasure Trove #1, copyright Cheryl Holz
Short Eared owl, copyright Michelle Buziak
Lakeside Birch, copyright Marlene Vitek
Sparrow, copyright Lisa Kanellos
Sneak Preview, copyright Mary Ann Jimenez
Snowy Enchantment, copyright Mary Roberts
Blown Flower, copyright Joe Rizzo
Near Lake Marmo. Photo credit The Morton Arboretum.
Colorful Ramirezi and Friends, copyright Joe Rizzo
Autumn 2023 Exhibit poster artwork by Joe Rizzo
Green Kingdom, copyright Bryce Lafferty, Visiting Artist
Joy Morton on Joy Path. Photo credit The Morton Arboretum.
Rock and Gravel Garden, Cantigny Gardens
Presenter John Fleck
Copyright Linda Hilderbrant
Landscape in charcoal, copyright John Fleck
The Morton Arboretum, photo credit mortonarb.org
Exhibit postcard, McCord Gallery. Artwork by Alice Wych.
Grand Garden at The Morton Arboretum
Garden of Anne and Charles Bouchard, Glen Ellyn, IL. Photo credit Anne and Charles Bouchard.
House Wren, copyright Vicki Liszewski
McCord Gallery and Cultural Center
Woodridge Library exhibit postcard. Artwork by Cheryl Holz.
Lilacia Park, Lombard, IL
Common Redpoll, copyright Mary Voegeli
Myna in Maui, copyright Lindsay Sandbothe
Last Flowers of Winter, copyright Linda Fairbanks
Robin in her Nest, copyright Celia Rodee
Snow Glories Peek, copyright Patricia Mroczka
Watercolors by presenter Thomas Trausch
Lion specimen at Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum
Book by online presenter Amy Lindenberger
Examples of 8 x 8 artwork for Joy’s Vision project
Specimens at the Herbarium at The Morton Arboretum
Gardens at Ball, photo credit ballhort.com
Ball Horticultural
Great Blue Heron, copyright Jill Adzia
My Favorite Flower, in progress and complete, copyright Mary Ann Jimenez
Morning Meeting, copyright Vicki Liszewski
Jewels of Spring, copyright Beth Berry
Winter 2023 cards
Spring 2023 Exhibit poster. Artwork by Pat Mcrozka.
Summer Splendor, copyright Maggie Mardis
Various spring events
Frames at Colbert Custom Framing
Mauvelous Mallow, copyright Alice Wych
Artwork by member program presenters Joe Rizzo, Cindy Franks, Alice Wych

Season’s Greetings from the Nature Artists’ Guild

Published on December 22, 2023January 27, 2024 by DeniseLeave a comment

Copyright Bernadette Hanacek. Click on the image to view more cards!

The Nature Artists’ Guild would like to wish everyone a joyful holiday season and invite all to take a moment to enjoy some wonderful cards created and shared by members of the Guild.

Many thanks to all the artists who contributed! Participants in the card exchange can still send images of cards sent or received by December 31 to have them added to the online display.

This Week for the Nature Artists’ Guild

Published on December 15, 2023December 23, 2023 by DeniseLeave a comment

Nature Artists’ Guild members registered for the 2024 Downers Grove Public Library exhibit can drop off their artwork tomorrow, December 16, between 10 and 11:30 am (specifics are in the prospectus emailed on November 18).

Guild members participating in the 2023 Holiday Card Exchange should send their handmade cards by tomorrow, December 16.

Members should renew for 2024 (or new members join) by the end of this month to ensure receiving all the benefits of membership for the new year.

Top to bottom: Detail of January 9, copyright Maggie Capettini, 2022 Holiday Card Project samples, Nature Artists’ Guild logo.

Downers Grove Library to Feature the Nature Artists’ Guild throughout January 2024

Published on December 9, 2023December 15, 2023 by DeniseLeave a comment

January 9, oil, copyright Maggie Capettini

A flash of color in the subtle landscape is often a welcome sight for artists, photographers, and other wanderers of the woods and fields during the winter months. Maggie Capettini found her inspiration and depicted it with wonderful exuberance in ‘January 9’.

Two of Maggie’s winter landscapes will be exhibited along with botanical, wildlife, garden, and other scenes of nature in all seasons by fellow members of the Nature Artists’ Guild at the Downers Grove Public Library throughout January 2024.

The Downers Grove Public Library has a long history of supporting the visual arts, with an expansive gallery area and numerous works by local and internationally-renowned artists in their permanent collection. Each January, the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum adds to the library visitors’ artistic experience with its own special exhibit.

Guild members were emailed the prospectus and all the details on December 8. Registrations (online or by mail) must be submitted by December 11, 2023 to participate.

Nature Artists’ Guild’s Annual Celebration Tomorrow!

Published on December 6, 2023December 6, 2023 by DeniseLeave a comment

While celebrating the season with their fellow artists and guests, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild can look forward to –

Wonderful food shared by members of the Guild
The lovely setting of festively decorated Thornhill
A fun raffle of items inspired by art or nature (tickets are cash or check only)
Live music in the Founder’s Room, the historic former library of the Morton family
An opportunity to sign up for the annual card exchange (blank cards available)
An opportunity to renew membership dues for 2024 in person (cash or check only)
Good company and an enjoyable evening

Invitations with details about the party were recently emailed to members of the Nature Artists’ Guild.

Creative Cards to Share Some Cheer

Published on December 2, 2023December 6, 2023 by DeniseLeave a comment

A sample of holiday cards from 2022. Please click here or on the image to see the full versions and the artists’ names along with other cards from last year.

A cup of hot cocoa, some holiday music, maybe even a crackling fire (in the fireplace or on a screen) and a few art supplies. What better way to spend an hour or two during the holiday season?

The Nature Artists’ Guild invites all of its members to take some time during this busy season to share their creativity and brighten the day of a fellow artist. The annual Holiday Card Exchange has become a popular Guild tradition, and all that’s required to participate is some paper, an envelope and stamp, and some basic art supplies.

The last day to register for the Holiday Card Exchange is Thursday, December 7, 2023. Members can register online here, by emailing Celia Rodee, or in person at the Holiday Party. On December 8, Celia will email each participant the name and address of their card’s recipient. All cards should be mailed by December 16.

The Nature Artists’ Guild guidelines are somewhat relaxed for this project, but the cards should be original and handmade. Many members photograph or scan their cards before sending and have copies printed to use as their personal greeting cards for friends and family.

Blank multi-media cards and envelopes will be available at the Holiday Party for those who prefer to use them.
Participants are invited to send a photo or scan of the cards they send and receive to Denise Fisk to share later on this website.
For inspiration, following are links to some wonderful cards from previous years: 2022, 2021, 2020.

The Nature Artists’ Guild Begins Celebrating the Season

Published on November 25, 2023December 6, 2023 by DeniseLeave a comment

2023 Nature Artists’ Guild’s Holiday Party Invitation artwork, copyright Margie Navolio

It won’t be long until members of the Nature Artists’ Guild begin celebrating the season at their annual Holiday Party.

On Thursday evening, December 7, 2023, members are invited to share food, fun, and laughter with their fellow artists from 6 to 9 at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.

Attendees can look forward to the lovely atmosphere of the Arbor Room decorated by volunteers, live music and appetizers in the historic Founder’s Room, a variety of food contributed by members, a raffle of art and nature items, and the delightful company of fellow artists.

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild were emailed an invitation earlier this month with all the details.

Tickets for the raffle will be available at the party by cash or check only.
Blank greeting cards will also be available at the party for those who would like to use one for the Guild’s newest tradition, the annual Holiday Card Exchange.