Author: Denise

Artistic Inspiration Paint-Out on July 8, 2025

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
Woods Garden and Peter’s Pond, copyright Ann Lamoureux

The Nature Artists’ Guild has been invited to share the garden that has been the inspiration for many of the joyous works of artist Ann Lamoureux.

On the morning of Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 9:30, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will gather at the home of fellow artist Ann Lamoureux in Wheaton, IL, to paint, sketch, and photograph her garden.

Ann’s exuberant garden has just about everything a nature artist could ask for! There are shady nooks with cool colors, sunny spots featuring bright perennials, water features, towering trees, and a porch that provides a comfortable spot to enjoy it all.

Hosta, copyright Ann Lamoureux

Paint-Outs Coordinator Celia Rodee will join Ann in welcoming participants with her homemade baked goods and hot or iced coffee. Advance registration for this paint-out is required, and Celia will contact attendees with details and updates by email.

Hidden Oaks Exhibit Registration Ends this Friday

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
Scratch That, copyright Lindsay Sandbothe

Only a few days left for members to register for the Nature Artists’ Guild’s exhibit at Hidden Oaks Nature Center!

It’s time for Guild artists to take a few minutes away from relaxing in our long-awaited sunshine to look through their artwork, find their favorites, and register for the summer’s special exhibit, Into the Wild.

Into the Wild is a special exhibit by Nature Artists’ Guild members being held at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center of the Forest Preserve District of Will County from July 5 through August 30, 2025. The newly renovated facility has a dedicated area for displaying artwork, away from the busy main floor attractions.

Hidden Oaks has confirmed that the “wild” in “Into the Wild” definitely includes the flora and fauna found in the yards, gardens, and planters of our members. Artwork should follow the general guidelines for Guild exhibits, as well as the specific guidelines outlined in the prospectus. Guild artists can register online here or by mail, as outlined in previously emailed instructions.

Artists’ Garden Paint-Out and Studio Tour on June 13, 2025

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
View of garden of Cynthia Hellyer Heinz and Earl Heinz

Update – An encore paint-out has been planned for August 22, 2025 at 10 am. Members can register here!

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum will visit the garden of Cynthia Hellyer Heinz and Earl Heinz in Warrenville, IL, next Friday, June 13, 2025, for a paint-out and studio tour.

Paint-Outs Coordinator (and accomplished baker) Celia Rodee will meet participants at 9:30 am with coffee (hot or iced) and homemade scones at the private garden of artists Cynthia Hellyer Heinz and Earl Heinz.

Cynthia is an artist and associate professor at the School of Art and Design at NIU, and Earl creates wonderful works in ceramics. Their colorful and whimsical garden near the DuPage River is a reflection of their creativity and artistic talents. To add to the experience, paint-out participants are invited to join Cynthia on an informal tour of her home studio!

Registration is required for this paint-out, and no rain date will be scheduled. Celia will email registered attendees with the paint-out address and other details.

A Trio of Nature Artists on June 5, 2025

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
Prairie Drought, copyright Todd Serrano

A Nature Artists’ Guild presentation by three talented members will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at The Morton Arboretum and will be open to all, free of charge.

Todd Serrano, whose spectacular drawing is shown above, will be one of three Guild members sharing inspirations, recommendations for tools and supplies, and methods with visitors beginning at 7 pm in the Arbor Room of the Arboretum’s Thornhill Education Center.

Program attendees will have the opportunity to watch three short demonstrations in various mediums, ask questions, learn about the artists’ supplies and tools, and closely view a sample of their artwork. Plenty of seating and light refreshments will be provided.

The program is open to the public, free of charge, and there will be no charge for parking or admission to the Arboretum for the event. No registration or ticket is required, and visitors can let the gate attendant at the Arboretum know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program to be admitted and directed to parking for Thornhill.

Nature Artists’ Guild Returns to Hidden Oaks this Summer

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
Mouse, copyright Vicki Liszewski

The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is pleased to announce a return to the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in July and August, 2025, for a special exhibit, “Into the Wild.“

The Guild was there when Hidden Oaks celebrated their grand re-opening after the facility was purchased by the Forest Preserve District of Will County, and the Guild will be there again a few years later to help celebrate the recent extensive renovations to the award-winning building.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County has long been supportive of the visual arts, frequently hosting and promoting exhibits (just last year, one of their facilities was chosen to begin the traveling tour of internationally renowned Birds in Art). Hidden Oaks Nature Center includes a well-lit dedicated space on their second floor for exhibiting artwork.

The Nature Artists’ Guild’s exhibit will open on July 5 and continue through August 30, 2025 (artwork drop-off on June 29 and pick-up on August 31). Two pieces, either previously exhibited at The Morton Arboretum or juried by email, can be registered per member. Guild members will be emailed a copy of the prospectus and a registration form link by the end of this month, and the final day to register will be June 20, 2025.

Our Kind of Town . . . for Nature Art

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art. Image credit West Town Chamber of Commerce.

Driehaus Museum. Image credit The Richard H. Driehaus Museum

Where would one expect to find two buildings of strikingly different architectural styles, within walking distance of each other, both offering exhibits of intricate artwork depicting the natural world? In our “kind of town,” Chicago, of course, one of the greatest cities in the world for architecture, art, and nature.

(Many thanks to trip coordinator Celia Rodee for suggesting the title and therefore having us humming that tune for days.)

The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is planning a trip, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, to Chicago, to enjoy exhibits of nature art at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art and at the Driehaus Museum.

The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art is hosting Lichen & Coral: Algae Symbiosis on Land and Sea, a two-person exhibit featuring works by Guild member Sandra Wilcoxon.

Powdered ruffle lichen, 5x, copyright Sandra Wilcoxon. Photo credit UIMA.

The Driehaus Museum is one of only four worldwide invited to host Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature. The exhibit will feature more than 100 works by Rory McEwen, often considered a master of contemporary botanical art.

Tulip ‘Helen Josephine,’ 1975 (detail), by Rory McEwen. Copyright Estate of Rory McEwen.

A light lunch will be scheduled at a local cafe for participants, and carpooling is being arranged by the trip coordinator, Celia Rodee. Guild members and guests are welcome to register here. More details about the outing were recently emailed to members, and any questions can be directed to Celia by email or through the registration form.

Good Things in Store for May and June

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
Hidden Prize, copyright Bernadette Hanacek

May and June bring all kinds of good things to Chicagoland! The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum has plans to celebrate with a field trip, preparations for an exhibit, a program featuring three members sharing their talents, a garden paint-out, and weekly Coffee and Art gatherings.

  • Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild and guests will receive information this week about an outing to the great city of Chicago to visit two museums currently exhibiting nature art. Participants will visit the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art for Lichen and Coral, a two-person exhibit featuring work by Guild member Sandra Wilcoxon, and Driehaus Museum for an exhibit of work by Rory McEwen, a “20th century botanical master.” Plans for lunch at a nearby cafe will also be shared. Members are welcome to bring guests, and can register here.
  • In late May, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will receive an email with all the details about, and a link to register for, an exhibit at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook, IL. The newly renovated center includes a well-lit area on the second floor of the award-winning building, ideal for exhibiting artwork. Guild members’ artwork will be displayed from July 5 to August 30, 2025.
  • On Thursday, June 5, 2025, beginning at 7 pm, three members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will share their inspirations, insights, tools, and techniques at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. The program will be open to all, free of charge, and admission fees to the Arboretum will be waived for the event. More details soon. Note – The Guild urgently needs a volunteer to supply snacks for this meeting (costs reimbursed by the Guild). Any member who can help should email Terrie McComb or use this contact form.
  • June’s paint-out will be at a private garden blooming with glorious color. Details for the paint-out are being worked out, and Guild members will be the first to know when they are available.
  • Coffee and Art gatherings continue to meet each Wednesday morning (weather permitting) after 9. Guild members, their guests, or any other interested artists are invited to stop by the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum. No registration is required (regular gate fees will apply). The Arboretum will be filled with inspiration from which Guild members may choose to begin their “Flora” artwork!

Looking Lovely for Lilacia!

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
Lilac photo credit LombardLilacTime.com

The forecast is for a cool morning with plenty of warm sunshine for the Nature Artists’ Guild’s paint-out at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL, this Thursday.

Artists will meet at Lilacia Park on May 8, 2025 at 9:30 am to grab a coffee and one (or two?) of Celia’s homemade muffins before finding their inspiration throughout the park’s more than 7 acres.

Originally designed by renowned landscape architect, Jens Jensen, the park features 700 lilacs, 35,000 tulips, water features, flowering trees, and towering oaks, all connected by winding paths. Lilacia Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.

Paint-out participants can register here to be sure to receive details and updates about the paint-out, but drop-ins are also welcome.

Lilacia Park Paint-Out Thursday, May 8, 2025

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
Image credit (edited) Lombard LilacTime.com

700 lilacs, 35,000 tulips, coffee, and Celia’s homemade muffins will welcome artists arriving at the Nature Artists’ Guild’s paint-out at Lilacia Park on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 9:30 am.

In addition to the scents and scenery, Lombard’s annual Lilac Time festival honors and celebrates the park’s long and fascinating history featuring Col. William Plum and his wife, Helen Maria Williams Plum, Joy Morton, and renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen.

The Guild’s paint-out is scheduled to end at noon, when other festival events, such as local garden club and park district lilac and perennial plant sales, begin.

Interested artists are encouraged to register here to be added to an email list for details and possible weather cancellations or other updates.

Nature Artists’ Guild Request for Art and Articles

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
Quarterly cover art (left to right) by Karen Romani, Ann Lamoureux, Jean Black, and Mary Ann Jimenez.

The Nature Artists’ Quarterly is a publication consisting of artwork, articles, and announcements by and for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum.

Guild members are invited to submit their artwork and articles for the 2025 summer edition of the Quarterly by May 1 for possible inclusion (an email address and details for contributions were recently emailed to all members).

Nature Artists’ Guild members can look forward to receiving their copy of the summer Quarterly by mail in the beginning of June.