Denise

Scenes in Pen and Ink by Marianne Lisson Kuhn, June 2, 2016

Published on May 17, 2016January 23, 2020 by DeniseLeave a comment

Marianne Lisson Kuhn grew up in the “then small farming community of Naperville, Illinois”, and “spent most Sundays visiting her grandparents at their local farms and grew to love the country and the beauty of nature unfolding with each passing season”.

Marianne Lisson Kuhn, Photo Credit mariannelissonkuhn.com/

Marianne’s artwork includes small rural scenes and landscapes in pen and ink, pastel and watercolor, as well as large murals depicting historical and contemporary life in the area.

On Thursday, June 2, 2016, Marianne will share some of her thoughts, inspirations and techniques with the Nature Artists’ Guild at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL from 7 until 9 pm. Her focus will be on scenes in pen and ink for this presentation.

As always, guests and visitors are welcome to attend this program sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild. There is no charge for attendance, parking, or admission to the Arboretum for this event. Visitors can just let the gate attendant know that they are there for the program, and they will be directed to Thornhill.

Please click on the following links to learn more about Marianne, and to view examples of her artwork –

Marianne’s website, Naperville’s Century Walk Art website

Set Aside a Morning In May

Published on April 25, 2016May 27, 2016 by Denise1 Comment

This is one of the busiest times of the year for many of our Nature Artists’ Guild members. There are so many things to see and do as Spring bursts in with all its colors, sounds and scents!

The Nature Artists’ Guild is asking its members to consider setting aside a few hours on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, between 9 am and noon, to join their fellow artists at the Gardens at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, IL, for a morning of painting, drawing, sketching and photographing.

The Gardens at Cantigny beckon you. They tug at your senses, drawing you closer. If you listen carefully, each garden will tell you a story, unfolding with every step. You will feel your body relax as you absorb the landscape and the landscape devours your stress. The hustle of life melts away just a few steps into our 29 acres of flourishing, blooming tranquility. Come enjoy the pace of nature here in The Gardens at Cantigny. – Cantigny.org

Cantigny.org header 2 — Photo Credit Cantigny.org

After a morning of creating art and enjoying nature, members may be interested in visiting Cantigny’s Le Jardin for lunch. We have heard only wonderful things about the food from members who have been there! There is a $5 fee for parking at Cantigny, but there is no charge for admission to the gardens. Attendees are encouraged, but not required to RSVP to Jane Kellenberger, whose contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook.

Please click on any of the highlighted links above to read more about Cantigny’s history, to see a map of the garden or a list of the plants, to view a bloom report, or for driving directions.

A Few Reminders

Published on April 12, 2016May 17, 2016 by DeniseLeave a comment

The Morton Arboretum will be blooming spectacularly this weekend (please click here for the latest Bloom Report) and the weather is expected to be sunny and in the 70’s! Could this mean record attendance at the 2016 Spring Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild?

For all participating artists, it’s time to tie up those loose ends, and get ready for drop-off tomorrow (Wednesday, April 13, 2016 between 6 and 8 pm) at the Thornhill Education Center.

Square Dance, fiber art, ©Patty Koenigsaecker

Is your artwork ready for drop off tomorrow evening?
Do you have a wrap, towel or case to protect your artwork and frame during transport?
If participating in the Mini-Canvas project, is your canvas complete, including finishing the edges?
If you have written an Artist’s Statement, have you made four copies to submit?
If you have artist’s business cards, are they ready to drop off?

All Nature Artists’ Guild members, exhibiting or not, are encouraged to invite friends and family to join us for the Opening Reception on Friday evening, April 15, 2016, between 5 and 9 pm at Thornhill.

Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum’s Spring 2016 Exhibit

Published on March 31, 2016April 25, 2016 by DeniseLeave a comment

In just over two weeks, from Friday, April 15, through Sunday, April 17, 2016, the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum, in Lisle, IL, will be presenting its Spring 2016 Exhibition, featuring nearly 200 works of nature art in a wide variety of media, by approximately 50 nature artists. Featured Artist for the exhibit, Patty Koenigsaecker, will be also be exhibiting a number of her beautiful works in fiber, pastel and other media.

Artwork by Patty Koenigsaecker, poster design by Evelyn Grala

In addition –

Visitors will have the opportunity to watch and interact with artists in the process of creating artwork in various media.
Raffle tickets for gift baskets will be available for purchase. Two baskets include art supplies and a voucher for a private class by a talented art instructor, another includes various craft beers, another is geared towards birding enthusiasts, and one is an art basket for the entire family.
By popular demand, the mini-canvas fundraising project, introduced last autumn, will be repeated. Nature Artists’ Guild members have the option of creating one or more small artworks, which will be displayed in a group mosaic, and sold for just $20 each at the exhibit. (Members who still wish to participate, but have not yet obtained their canvas are encouraged to contact Jill Adzia, whose contact information can be found in their Yearbook).

There is no charge for admission to the exhibit or for parking, but admission fees for entry into The Morton Arboretum will apply for those who are not Arboretum members. Friends, family and guests of Nature Artists’ Guild members, as well as members of the Morton Arboretum are invited to attend a special opening celebration and preview on the evening of Friday, April 15, 2016 at the Thornhill Education Center between 5 and 9 pm. There will be no charge for admission to the Arboretum for the Friday evening event.

It’s All Up To You at the Nature Artists’ Guild Paint-Out This Tuesday

Published on March 20, 2016March 20, 2016 by DeniseLeave a comment

Drop in for an hour, or stay all morning. Sketch, paint, draw, sculpt, or snap a few photos. Sit with other artists, or find a quiet corner. Choose a giant mammal or a tiny bird.

Nature Artists' Guild at Jurica-Suchy 2015 — Nature Artists’ Guild at Jurica-Suchy 2015

It’s all up to you at the Nature Artists’ Guild paint-out this Tuesday, March 22, 2016 from 9 until around noon at the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum, located in the Birck Hall of Science at Benedictine University, 5700 College Road, Lisle, IL.

For photos and a link to the campus map, please click here or on the highlighted link above. RSVP’s are not necessary for this paint-out. Participants may wish to bring a portable chair along with their art supplies.

Call for Artists for The Morton Arboretum Wine & Art Walk

Published on March 13, 2016March 13, 2016 by DeniseLeave a comment

The Morton Arboretum will be presenting a “Wine and Art Walk” on the weekend of August 27th and 28th, 2016. This juried art festival will feature the works of approximately 80 nature artists “in a wooded and open area along a paved trail around Meadow Lake located near the Visitor Center”.

Applications will be accepted until March 25, 2016. Interested artists can read more about the festival and application process by clicking on this link to the event page of The Morton Arboretum’s website.

Introducing the Nature Artists’ Guild’s Featured Artist for Spring 2016, Patty Koenigsaecker

Published on March 13, 2016March 31, 2016 by DeniseLeave a comment

The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is honored to introduce the 2016 Spring Exhibit Featured Artist, Patty Koenigsaecker. Please click on the tab at the top of this website, or on this link to learn more about Patty and to see a few examples of her beautiful nature art.

Nature Artists' Guild Exhibit Postcard Spring 2016 — Spring 2016 Exhibition Postcard for Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum. Artwork by Patty Koenigsaecker, postcard design by Evelyn Grala.

Please feel free to download and share the above postcard with friends, family and fellow nature and art lovers by right-clicking on the image. Copies of the exhibition postcard and poster are also available for distribution, and can be picked up at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. We appreciate everyone’s assistance in spreading the word about this wonderful exhibit of approximately 150 works of nature art, by nearly 50 talented artists!

Top Five Reasons to Attend Tonight’s Nature Artists’ Guild Program

Published on March 3, 2016January 23, 2020 by Denise2 Comments

1. Rhonda Nass and her award-winning colored-pencil artwork

2. Rhonda’s new book, Scratchings of a Madwoman

3. For interested Nature Artists’ Guild members, an opportunity to pick up their mini-canvas

4. Visitors and guests are welcome, and the program, admission to The Morton Arboretum, and parking are free-of-charge

5. The special beauty of The Morton Arboretum after dark, especially with a dusting of snow

For more information about Rhonda, please scroll down to a our previous post, or visit her website, www.rnass.com. Visitors do not need to be a member of the Nature Artists’ Guild or The Morton Arboretum to attend this program from 7 until 9 pm on Thursday, March 3, 2016, and the gate attendant at The Morton Arboretum will direct them to the Thornhill Education Center building. More information about the Arboretum is available at www.mortonarb.org.

Natural History from Around the World

Published on February 24, 2016March 20, 2016 by DeniseLeave a comment

Grab your gear and go – no plane tickets or passports needed! On Tuesday, March 22, 2016, between 9 am and noon, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will once again have the chance to sketch, draw, paint, and photograph specimens from every corner of the earth by visiting the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum in the Birck Hall of Science at Benedictine University, 5700 College Road, in Lisle, IL. Please click on this link for a map of the campus.

For the first time, the museum has offered to bring specific specimens out of storage by request. Paint-out participants can request specimens by contacting Jane Kellenberger (whose contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook) before Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Jane will forward the requests to the museum staff. A searchable online specimen catalog of the museum’s collection is available by clicking here.

Members can RSVP to Jane, but there is plenty of room for everyone, so last minute drop-ins are absolutely welcome!

Some seating is available, but participants are encouraged to bring a folding chair along with their art supplies and camera.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Only Two More Weeks at Gallery 200

Published on February 15, 2016 by DeniseLeave a comment

There are only a few more weeks to enjoy the Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit at Gallery 200, 200 Main Street, West Chicago, IL. Thanks to all the participating artists, to Sharon Malec, Laurie Alvear and Gary Chipman for doing such a great job hanging the exhibit, and to Gail Diedrichsen for these photos!

The exhibit will continue until March 3, 2016, and gallery hours are Thursdays and Fridays from noon until 8 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 4 pm.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.