Author: Denise

Hausermann’s Orchids Paint-Out Friday, February 4

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Hausermann’s Orchids is another favorite of Nature Artists’ Guild artists.  On a cold wintry day, you can almost feel yourself relax when you step inside this greenhouse. Thousands of the orchids that Hausermann’s is famous for nationwide will be in bloom, just waiting for you to capture their beauty in your artwork.

An area of the greenhouse has been set aside as a showroom with hundreds of orchid specimens which is where we can set up to sketch or paint.  Even if you only take photographs for future inspiration, it is worth the effort to set aside some time to attend.  Of course the orchids are also for sale, so if you’d like your “inspiration” to come home with you, that can be arranged!  One lucky paint-out attendee will even receive a free orchid to take home.

Unfortunately, space is limited so we have to limit the group to 15 artists.   Please contact Ku-mie Kim if you’d like to come (you can find her contact information in the Yearbook or write a comment to this post and I’ll forward the information).   We’ll be meeting at Hausermann’s on Friday, 02/04/10 from 9:30 to 12:30.  They are located at 2N134 Addison Road, Villa Park, IL (see www.orchidsbyhausermann.com for directions and more information.).  

 Bring a chair, your art supplies, and leave your parka at home!

Nature Artists’ Guild’s First Paint-Out of 2011

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The first paint-out location of 2011 is an annual favorite, the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University in Lisle. We will meet on January 15, at 9:30 am, and can stay until about 12:30 pm.  There’s a good reason we keep coming back – this museum is a treasure!

The museum is filled with mounts and skeletons of creatures ranging from birds to elk. Closer than the Field museum for most, and warmer than the zoo in January, this is a great opportunity to get good sketches of almost any animal imaginable! The more than 10,000 specimens are displayed in a few large rooms, and there are usually no other visitors during our paint-outs, so we have plenty of room.  There are a few benches available, but you may want to bring a folding chair so you can move to wherever you find an interesting subject. 

Please let Ku-mie Kim know if you are planning to come, as she will be meeting members there.  It’s fine if you need to be a little late – it’s a casual gathering.  Often some of the participants go out for lunch afterwards, or stay a little later at the museum for some extra time with the animals.

The address is 5700 College Road, Lisle, Birck Hall, 2nd Floor.  For some photos and more information about the museum, please click here. 

Artwork  © Robert Sunyog

Nature Artists’ Guild Important Dates List Updated for 2011

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The Nature Artists’ Guild calendar is already full of exciting exhibits, programs, workshops and paint-outs for next year.  Please click on the “Important Dates” tab above to see the updated list.  As there are a number of dates “to be announced” and details to be added, remember to check back often for updates!

Artists – No Peeking!

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This is for the friends, family and significant others of our artist members.    If you are still struggling with choosing a gift for the artist in your life, we’ve come up with a few last-minute suggestions.  While we wouldn’t necessarily recommend buying an artist their main tools (paints, brushes, easels, pencils, pastels, and so on), since most artists have their own very strong preferences, there are some things that we believe almost any artist would be glad to receive! Continue reading “Artists – No Peeking!” →

Some Reminders for the Coming Weeks

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As busy as you may be at this time of the year, there are just a few more Nature Artists’ Guild events you may still want to work into your schedule –

  • Share a cup of good cheer, and support your fellow artists at the Canterbury Shoppe Nature Artists’ Guild gallery for a “Meet the Artist” open house between 1 and 4 on Saturday, December 11, or at one of the artist demonstrations in December (see schedule here).
  • Don’t forget about the deadline for mailing your prospectus for the Downer’s Grove Library exhibit on December 17! It’s a nice venue for displaying your artwork.  Please contact Paulette if you have misplaced the prospectus that was e-mailed last month.
  • Save the date of January 15th for our popular annual Jurica paint-out.  More details to come!

Good Food and Fun at Holiday Party

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It appears that everyone had a good time at the holiday party!  It was a special treat to have former president and newest honorary member Mary Ingels surprise us with a visit. President Jill Adzia thanked all who have worked so hard in the last year, new officers were sworn in, raffle prizes were given out, and lots of good food and laughs were shared!

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Come Visit the Nature Artists’ Guild Winter Exhibit at the Canterbury Shoppe!

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Jill, Paulette, and Fran, after much deliberation and re-arranging, have put together a lovely display of the work of the artists participating in the Canterbury Shoppe Winter Exhibit.    Over 40 pieces of outstanding artwork were hung, and numerous plates, boxes, tiles, pendants, cards and ornaments were carefully arranged in our gift section.  Canterbury Shoppe owner Pamela Patton and her staff were helpful and gracious as always, even in the face of our barrage of requests for scissors, ladders, tacks, and picture hangers!

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The Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit area at the Canterbury Shoppe seems ideal for our artwork.  The open area with bamboo floors, high ceilings, cream-colored walls, track-lighting, and even some exposed brick walls all contribute to the “gallery” effect and the location is excellent!

If you happen to be in the Naperville area doing some holiday shopping, be sure to stop in, or even better, stop by our “Meet the Artist” open-house on Saturday, December 11 any time between 1 and 4, or stop by one of our artist demonstrations in December (schedule below).  You may find some unique holiday gifts or be inspired to participate in the upcoming Spring Exhibit!  The Canterbury Shoppe is located at 43 East Jefferson Avenue in Naperville, IL.

 Schedule

  • Denise Fisk – Saturday, December 4, 12 to 2 pm, Acrylic
  • Artists’ Reception Open House, Saturday, December 11, 1 to 4 pm
  • Karen Wahlers,  Sunday, December 12, 12 to 2 pm, China Painting
  • Don Castro, Wednesday, December 15, 1 to 3 pm, Pen and Ink
  • Denise Fisk – Saturday, December 18, 12 to 2 pm, Acrylic and Oil
  • Bob Sunyog, Sunday, December 19, 12 to 2 pm, Wood Burning Art

Nature Artists’ Guild 2011 Calendars Available

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In case you didn’t have a chance to purchase the 2011 edition of the popular Nature Artists’ Guild desk calendar at our Holiday Exhibition, or simply want more of them to give as gifts, they are now available at the following locations –

The Arboretum Store (formerly The Ginkgo Shop),   The Morton Arboretum, Lisle,  IL 

The Canterbury Shoppe, 43 East Jefferson Avenue, Naperville, IL

Women Wise Gallery and Gifts, 91 South Rand Road, Lakeview Plaza, Lake Zurich, IL

Graphic designer and guild member Mary Ingels has done a superb job in designing and arranging the calendar, using artwork contributed by NAG artists Laverne Bohlin, Carol Carls, Connie Devendorf, Linn Eldred, Evelyn Grala, Mary Ingels, Karen Johnson, Fran Kelly, Charlotte Doyle Leavitt, Rhonda Nass, Nancy Thyfault, Kathleen Tomasek, Susan Vogel, and Arlene Widrevitz.  All proceeds support the Nature Artists’ Guild. 

 The calendar size is about 4.75″ wide by about 5.75″ tall, so they don’t take up a lot of room, and would fit nicely on a desk or windowsill. 

What a great way to be inspired by your fellow Nature Artists’ Guild  members all year long!