Author: Denise

Gratitude

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At the time of the year when so many are taking time to reflect on gratitude, we at the Nature Artists’ Guild are reminded that we have much to be grateful for–

  • We are grateful to all the volunteers who work so hard to ensure that our exhibits, paint-outs, field-trips, programs and publications are enjoyable and successful.
  • We are grateful to our artist members who contribute such wonderful artwork to our exhibits and offer so much inspiration and encouragement to their fellow artists.
  • We are grateful to the artists’ friends and family members for their help with everything from delivering artwork to exhibits to giving up the spare bedroom for studio space.
  • We are grateful to The Morton Arboretum for providing us with the most elegant exhibit and meeting space that we know of,  for the inspiration of the gorgeous grounds, for the excellent instructors in the Education Program, and for the friendly staff who help with everything from holding doors and setting up our meeting space, to promoting our exhibits and programs.
  • We are grateful to all of the art and nature lovers who take time out of their busy schedules to attend our exhibits and encourage our artists with their interest and their kind words.

It’s That Time of the Year!

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It’s the time of the year for Nature Artists’ Guild members to renew their membership for 2015.  Members can scroll back through previous posts on this blog to get a glimpse of all that membership brings you – programs, paint-outs, exhibit opportunities, publications, fun events, friendship, encouragement and inspiration!  As an added bonus for renewing before December 31, 2014, returning previously-exhibiting members will be eligible to participate in the first exhibit of 2015 at the stately Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, IL.

Current members can send their dues to our Treasurer, Nancy Wu, whose address can be found in their Yearbook, or can give their dues to Nancy or one of the other Nature Artists’ Guild board members at our upcoming Holiday Exhibit.

New members are always welcome and can click on the tab at the top of the page to access a membership form for more information.

Presenting Crow-na Lisa

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Here she is!  The next time you visit The Morton Arboretum, please be sure to swing by Meadow Lake, near the Visitor’s Center, to check out the 2014 Nature Artists’ Guild’s contribution to the annual Scarecrow Trail.

The Crow-na Lisa is our slightly scary, slightly humorous take on a painting that you may recognize.  Whether or not she fulfills her job of scaring away any crows, though, remains to be seen.

Thank you to all the artists who worked so hard to create Crow-na Lisa, especially Patty Koenigsaecker, who created the design and prepared the “canvas”, both structurally and artistically, and Sharon Malec who had the wonderfully creative idea of painting a scarecrow, rather than constructing an actual scarecrow.  The short slide show below follows construction from start to finish.

Please click on this link to read more about Scarecrow Trail, which will be featured at The Morton Arboretum throughout the month of October.

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Annual Autumn Paint-Out at The Morton Arboretum, Tuesday, October 14, 2014

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There’s no place like The Morton Arboretum in autumn, and members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will be celebrating the season with their annual autumn paint-out on the morning of Tuesday, October 14, 2014 from about 9 am until noon.  Our artists will meet at Lake Marmo, where they will be greeted with gorgeous reflections of changing leaves and possibly a squirrel or two, hard at work.

The trees will be in their full autumn splendor, and we can almost count on a slight nip in the air.  Bring your chair, your warm beverage, your art supplies, and your camera, as you join your fellow Nature Artists’ Guild artists at this wonderful  gathering.   If you don’t feel like drawing or painting, leave your art supplies at home and just come to sit back and enjoy the view as we celebrate autumn!

There is no need to RSVP, but please feel free to contact Carol Jean Rogalski if you have any questions.  Nature Artists’ Guild members will find Carol Jean’s contact information in their Yearbook.

Presentation by Glass Artist Paul Messink on October 2, 2014

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Glass Artist Paul Messink at 2014 Nature Artists' Guild Presentation 1Please join the Nature Artists’ Guild on Thursday, October 2, 2014 from 7 until 9 pm at Thornhill for a unique and fascinating presentation by glass artist Paul Messink.

In his Artist Statement, Paul explains that he creates “hand-painted, multi-layered glass panels that exhibit nature in deep dimension, presenting natural objects around us in a new way”.   He goes on to describe his technique:  “By using only enamel applied by hand, I create depth using several techniques:  layering, diminishing size and color, texture, and translucence. “

To view Paul’s wonderfully ethereal artwork, please visit his website. www.paulmessink.com. by clicking here.   In the section entitled “Foggy Trees 1”,  Paul states that “Looking at nature for inspiration, I create scenes which often include bare trees.  I like bare trees because of their minimalism, and because they reveal a great deal of character.”   Paul’s Trees in Twilight, shown below, was recently honored with ” Best in Show” at Gallery 924 in Indianapolis, IN.

As always, guests and visitors are welcome to attend the Nature Artists’ Guild’s formal meetings.  There is no entrance fee or charge for parking.  Visitors can just let the gate attendant at The Morton Arboretum know they are there to attend the presentation.

Trees in Twilight, 13.5 x 16.5 inches (including stand), copyright Paul Messink
Trees in Twilight, 13.5 x 16.5 inches (including stand), copyright Paul Messink

 

The 2014 Nature Artists’ Guild Scarecrow is Sure To Bring a Smile!

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The planning meeting for the 2014 Nature Artists’ Guild’s contribution to The Morton Arboretum’s annual Scarecrow Trail went very well, with all kinds of creative ideas bouncing around.  The winning idea is to construct not an actual scarecrow, but a portrait of a scarecrow, in a very recognizable pose!

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited to show up to Room A of Thornhill, next Saturday morning, September 13, 2014, between 9 am and noon to help with the construction.  Most of the work will involve painting with acrylics, so wear some old clothes and bring your old tubes or jars of acrylic paint and large brushes if you have them.  If you don’t have any, please come anyway, as there will surely be extra supplies.

If you have any questions or want more details about this fun project, please contact Patty Koenigsaecker.  Members will find Patty’s contact information in their Yearbook.

You can view some of our previous scarecrows (such as Betty Birdwatcher, Patty Painter, Suzy Sketcher) by typing in the word “scarecrow” in the Search box in the right column of this blog.

2014 Nature Artists' Guild Scarecrow. Drawing by Patty Koenigsaecker.
2014 Nature Artists’ Guild Scarecrow. Drawing by Patty Koenigsaecker.

How About Those Dahlias!

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Thanks to Suzanne Wegener, Carol Jean Rogalski and Mary Jo Sinclair for sharing these photos from the recent Nature Artists’ Guild paint-out at Catherine Donovan’s garden. The garden was beautiful, and how about those dahlias!  Thank you so much, Catherine, for sharing your lovely garden with the Nature Artists’ Guild.

You can click on any image to enlarge it or to start a slide show of all the images.  Enjoy!

 

Connie Devendorf at Catherine Donovan’s Garden
Connie Devendorf’s artwork at Catherine Donovan’s Garden
Barb Denny at Catherine Donovan’s Garden
Karen Rugg at Catherine Donovan’s Garden
Karen Rugg’s artwork at Catherine Donovan’s Garden
Suzanne Wegener and Catherine Donovan at Catherine Donovan’s Garden
Mary Jo Sinclair at Catherine Donovan’s Garden
Mary Jo Sinclair’s artwork at Catherine Donovan’s Garden
Barb Denny at Catherine Donovan’s Garden
Karen Rugg at Catherine Donovan’s Garden
Suzanne Wegener at Catherine Donovan’s Garden
Carol Jean Rogalski and Connie Devendorf at Catherine Donovan’s Garden
Carol Jean Rogalski’s artwork at Catherine Donovan’s Garden
Barb Denny, Carol Jean Rogalski, Catherine Donovan and Connie Devendorf at Catherine Donovan’s Garden

The Private Garden of Tanner Musso, September 9, 2014

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On the morning of Tuesday, September 9, 2014 from 9 am until noon, Nature Artists’ Guild members will have an opportunity to paint, sketch and photograph from the private garden of Tanner Musso, 242 East 3rd Street, Hinsdale, IL.Tanner Musso's Garden

Tanner’s beautifully artistic garden includes a pond, antique planters, benches, and garden accessories, as well as trees, shrubs and flowers that line the many paths that lead to “garden rooms”. How intriguing!  You can see more photos of Tanner’s garden on her Pinterest board, “My Garden”, by clicking here.

Please contact Carol Jean Rogalski if you would like to attend.  Nature Artists’ Guild members will find Carol Jean’s contact information in their Yearbook.  This is the last “garden” paint-out of 2014 (our last paint-out of the year will take place in October at The Morton Arboretum).  Thank you, Carol Jean, for arranging the opportunities for our members to experience some of the most beautiful gardens in the area this year!

An Evening of Learning and Laughs

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The 2014 Nature Artists’ Guild “Artist Trio” evening was a huge success!  Three wonderfully talented artist members of the Guild shared many of their artistic trials, tips and techniques.

Peggy McGahan shared some great new ideas for livening up watercolors, Mary Ann Jimenez showed us the fascinating art of Metalpoint, and Charlotte Doyle Leavitt created a fresh, lively watercolor collage inspired by paintings and objects from a recent seaside vacation.

Thank you, Gail Diedrichsen and Carol Jean Rogalski, for sharing these photos.

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