Author: Denise

The Not-So-Lazy Days of Summer Begin

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Summer Memories, pastel, copyright Laverne Bohlin. Click on image for link to Laverne’s website.

The Nature Artists’ Guild has a lot in store, from programs and paint-outs to special exhibits and projects, for the upcoming “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer“ (Nat King Cole, 1963.)

Members are invited to stop by Ginkgo Restaurant and Café in the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum at 9 am for informal weekly gatherings beginning tomorrow, June 1, 2022. These will continue throughout the season. (Timed-entry passes will be required.) Note – time has been updated to 9 am from previously announced 11 am.

The following evening, Thursday, June 2, 2022, the Nature Artists’ Guild will be sponsoring a program (open to all, free of charge) at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum at 7 pm. This annual program will feature three talented members of the guild sharing some of their artistic inspirations, tools, and techniques. (Timed-entry passes are not required.)

Paint-outs will be scheduled as the summer progresses, and special projects and exhibits are being planned for July and August. Award-winning pastel artist (and guild member) Laverne Bohlin will be giving a presentation at the August 4th program and teaching a workshop for the arboretum the following weekend. Many more details coming soon!

Please click on any of the highlighted links for more information.

Nature Artists’ Guild’s “Coffee and Art” Returns on Wednesdays at 9 am

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Exterior of Ginkgo Restaurant and Café facing Meadow Lake at The Morton Arboretum. Photo credit mortonarb.org.

The casual weekly gatherings of members of the Nature Artists’ Guild and their guests will take place on Wednesdays at 9 am adjacent to the Ginkgo Restaurant and Café inside the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum.

Members are welcome to stop by any Wednesday to chat with fellow members, share recent artwork, sketch, stitch, sip or snack, or simply gaze out the wall of windows overlooking the areas surrounding the Visitor Center and Meadow Lake as the day unfolds.

Early-risers or members who would like to head outdoors to enjoy one of the stunning gardens, many within easy walking distance of the Visitor Center, can do so before, after, or during the gathering. Perhaps a few participants can get together to choose an area to sketch, paint, or photograph each week.

Taking Time for Nature Art

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Indigo Bunting 2, copyright Carol Cooley

It is true that it’s one of the busiest times of the year for those who appreciate nature. Nature artists are often also birders, hikers, amblers, gardeners, or travelers, and late spring is a wonderful time to enjoy (as well as sketch, paint, or photograph) those adventures. The Nature Artists’ Guild would like to add just a few more worthwhile activities to fit into those busy schedules in the next few weeks.

Next Wednesday, May 25, 2022, Nature Artists’ Guild members will meet for a paint-out at the Jurica-Suchy Museum from 10 am until noon. Attendance at this paint-out will be limited and not available for drop-ins. Members who have not yet signed up to attend can email Linn Eldred to check for openings.

From the Jurica-Suchy Museum. Photo credits Jane Kellenberger and Linn Eldred.

On Thursday June 2, 2022, beginning at 7 pm, visitors to the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum will have the opportunity to watch and interact with three members of the Nature Artists’ Guild as they demonstrate and discuss their artwork. This popular annual program is open to all, free-of-charge.

Details of artwork by 2022 presenters Maggie Mardis, Cheryl Holz, and Kathy Steere.

Please click on any of the highlighted links for more details.

Three Nature Artists on June 2, 2022

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An annual tradition of the Nature Artists’ Guild is to ask three talented members to share some of their art, inspirations, methods, and materials with fellow members and visitors. This year the popular “Nature Artists Trio” presentation will take place on Thursday, June 2 at 7 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.

Guests are welcome to attend this program, sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild, completely free-of-charge. There will be no charge for admission to the program, admission to the arboretum, or parking. The event will not require a timed-entry ticket to the arboretum. Visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be directed to Thornhill.

The 2022 presenters –

Travel sketching supplies, Maggie Mardis
Sketchbook pages, copyright Maggie Mardis

Maggie Mardis will “discuss and show my Travel Sketchbooks and Travel Art Kits. I will have watercolor, colored pencil and ballpoint pen art kits set up and sketchbooks to match in those mediums.”

Soft Magnolia Spring Assemblage, copyright Cheryl Holz

Cheryl Holz will be “doing an introduction to the Gelli plate, a type of printing that does not involve a press. I’ll focus on natural patterns and textures using manmade and natural masks or resists.”

Detail of Whispers of Summer, copyright Kathy Steere
Detail of Chantilly Nights, copyright Kathy Steere

Kathy Steere will “be presenting ‘Wholecloth – drawing with thread and a power tool.’ I will talk through the process and then demonstrate how to use water-soluble crayons (NeoColor II) and watercolor pencils on fabric. Thread on fabric is just another medium, like pencil on paper, or paint on canvas. I am not planning on bringing my sewing machine (the power tool).”

Back to the Bison, Beetles, and Birds at the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum

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Photo credit Jane Kellenberger

It’s been a while since members of the Nature Artists’ Guild have been able to attend a paint-out to sketch and photograph some of the thousands of natural history specimens (from the tiniest insects to the largest mammals) on display at the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL.

Museum staff have graciously offered to open to fifteen members of the guild on Wednesday, May 25 from 10 am until noon. (The museum will not be open to the public at that time.) Interested members should contact Linn Eldred soon, as many of the spots have already been filled! Linn’s contact information and more details about the paint-out, including required safety precautions, can be found in the recent email sent to all members.

In the Works at the Nature Artists’ Guild

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The June 2, 2022 meeting of the Nature Artists’ Guild (open to all, free-of-charge) at 7 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum will feature three guild members sharing their techniques, materials, and talents. This popular annual “Artist Trio” presentation usually takes place in August, but has been moved to June this year so that we can welcome a special guest in August. Much more about the 2022 presenters coming soon!

From former years –

Laverne Bohlin, an award-winning pastel artist (and Nature Artists’ Guild member) who recently moved to New Mexico from the Chicago area will be back in August to teach a workshop at The Morton Arboretum focusing on painting water with pastels. Laverne has generously agreed to share some of her techniques and inspirations at the guild’s August 4, 2022 meeting at 7 pm at the Thornhill Education Center. The August 4 program will be open to all, free-of-charge.

Wetland Sunset II, Pastel, Copyright Laverne Bohlin

There were reports of balmy and beautiful weather at the recent daffodil paint-out and the daffodils responded in a spectacular manner! Paint-outs will be offered throughout the summer, and members are encouraged to keep some of their most portable art supplies and a folding chair ready to go. (Paint-outs will normally be announced at least two weeks ahead of the date, but occasionally a last-minute opportunity comes along.)

From recent paint-out locations –

Daffodil Paint-Out Rescheduled to Saturday, April 23, 2022

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April Snow, copyright Ann Lamoureux

The daffodils certainly don’t seem to mind the rain (or even snow), but that kind of weather can make things a little uncomfortable for the nature artist!

Because of the forecast for rain on Friday, the Nature Artists’ Guild paint-out has been re-scheduled to this Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 10 am. Interested members should meet in front of the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum with their art supplies, camera, and a folding chair or stool. Members can contact Linn Eldred with any questions.

Please click on this link for The Morton Arboretum’s latest Bloom Report.

Timed-entry passes will be required and may go quickly on this spring weekend.

“A host, of golden daffodils”

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Spring flowers, copyright Linda Fairbanks

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

……………………………………

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

……………………………………

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

Wordsworth, “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” (3-4, 11-12, 23-24)

Members of the Nature Artists Guild are invited to gather at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum at 10 am on Saturday, April 23, 2022 for a paint-out celebrating ‘golden daffodils’ and other early blooms of spring. Interested members should contact Linn Eldred with any questions and to be put on the list to receive weather-related updates. Timed-entry passes will be required.

Note: This post has been updated with the new date.

From the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2022 Spring Art Exhibit

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  • Family Swim, copyright Lindsay Sandbothe
  • Secret Parrot Tulip, copyright Kathi Kuchler
  • Path, copyright Linda Fairbanks
  • Spring Keeps Her Promise, copyright Patty Koenigsaecker
  • Variegated Solomons Seal, (Polygonatum Odoratum Variegatum), copyright Ku-mie Kim
  • We Both Need a Hug, copyright Dan Danielson
  • Tulips, copyright Jackie Louis
  • White Magnolias, copyright Marlene Vitek
  • Snowy Egret, copyright Lindsay Sandbothe
  • Spring flowers, copyright Linda Fairbanks
  • Pink Magnolia, copyright Marlene Vitek
  • Titmouse, copyright Jackie Louis
  • Night Tree Totem: Celestial Tree Line, copyright Cheryl Holz
  • Night Tree Totem: Moon through the Canopy, copyright Cheryl Holz
  • Magnolia, copyright Paulette McDermott
  • My Half-Shell Sanctuary, copyright Nancy Wu
  • Two Tone Iris, copyright Kathi Kuchler
  • Kiwi Harvest, copyright Linda Fairbanks
  • Slate Colored Junco, copyright Vicki Liszewski
  • Ladybug, copyright Jackie Louis
  • Aloe, copyright Paulette McDermott
  • Indigo Bunting 1, copyright Carol Cooley
  • Indigo Bunting 2, copyright Carol Cooley
  • Hybiscus, copyright Linn Eldred
  • Pink Magnolia, copyright Paulette McDermott
  • Yellow Lily, copyright Marlene Vitek
  • HEY… The Birdfeeder is Empty!, copyright Dan Danielson
  • Ginger, copyright Linn Eldred
  • Fall colors at the Dunes, copyright Joe Rizzo
  • Hail to the Kingbird, copyright Lindsay Sandbothe
  • Checkered Lily (Fritiilaria Meleagris), copyright Ku-mie Kim
  • Evening Glow, pastel, copyright Vicki Liszewski
  • Edith’s Garden (three panels), copyright Ann Lamoureux
  • American Bellflower, copyright Lisa Kanellos
  • Canada Lynx, copyright Carol Cooley
  • Blooms en Mass, copyright Jean Black
  • Winter Whimsy, copyright Terrie McComb.
  • Bearded Irises, copyright Kathi Kuchler
  • Autumn, Sterling Pond, copyright Dale Olsen
  • Swan, copyright Paulette McDermott
  • Spring Beauty, Clatonia virginica, copyright Ku-mie Kim
  • April Snow, copyright Ann Lamoureux
  • Iris, copyright Paulette McDermott

Thank you to all the artists, volunteers, arboretum staff, supporters, and visitors for contributing to the success of the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2022 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum.

For those who missed the exhibit as well as those who would just enjoy another look, here is a sample of the wonderful nature art created by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild. The images are also presented in a different format on the Member Artwork page of this website.

All artwork exhibited on this website is the sole property of the artist and should not be used or reproduced without their written consent.  If you would like to contact one of the artists, please use the contact form on the About page and you will receive an e-mail reply, normally within 48 hours. Your contact information will not be shared or used for any other purpose.

Nature Artists’ Guild’s Spring Art Exhibit Reception Tonight, April 8, 2022

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My Half-Shell Sanctuary, acrylic, copyright Nancy Wu. One example of the nearly 200 works of art at the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2022 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum.

The Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2022 Spring Art Exhibit reception for members and guests will take place tonight from 4:30 until 7 at The Morton Arboretum. Timed-entry passes are not necessary to attend the reception and the gate attendant will direct visitors to the exhibit location. (Timed-entry passes to The Morton Arboretum will be required on Saturday and Sunday.)