Red-winged Blackbird, copyright 2018 Lindsay Sandbothe. Please click on the image for more at lindsaysandbothe.com.
Lindsay Sandbothe and her incredible paintings of birds return to The Morton Arboretum on the weekend of July 28 and 29, 2018. In a two-day workshop for intermediate to advanced artists, Lindsay, in her friendly and fun teaching style, will share her techniques for painting on wood in acrylic.
Lindsay Sandbothe returns for a two-day, intermediate/advanced workshop. Explore intermediate techniques for painting on wood in acrylic, including staining, blocking, layering, and glazing while rendering detailed portraits of birds in their natural environment. Through demonstrations and time to work under the guidance of the instructor, students will create their own bird portraits.
To register or to read more about this workshop, please click on this link to The Morton Arboretum’s Learn and Experience page. All artists with some painting experience are invited to participate. There is no requirement to be a member of the Nature Artists’ Guild or The Morton Arboretum, but Arboretum members will receive a discounted fee. Registration ends soon!
Learn to capture nature with graphite, the perfect medium for textures. As you study and draw the details of living plants, you will learn the techniques of pencil drawing, develop your eye-hand coordination, and learn the structures of the plants you draw. Regular activities include daily drawing exercises, weekly home assignments, and constructive critiques.
Instructor Suzanne Wegener, current Vice President of the American Society of Botanical Artists, is a talented and experienced artist and educator, and the small class size will ensure that each participant is given plenty of personal attention. Some drawing experience is recommended.
Please click on this link to read more or to register. The class, scheduled for four Thursday evenings beginning July 12, 2018, is offered by The Morton Arboretum and is open to all. Membership in the Nature Artists’ Guild or The Morton Arboretum is not required, but Arboretum members will receive a discounted registration fee.
Two classes coming up very soon are being taught by some of the best artists and best instructors that The Morton Arboretum has ever offered. Suzanne Wegener will be the instructor for Drawing Nature II on four Thursday evenings beginning on May 31, 2018. Suzanne will be teaching skills that are essential to any artist who wishes to draw nature realistically. Plein Air on the Prairie, on either Monday, June 4, or Monday, June 11, 2018 is a three-hour excursion onto the prairie with a sketchbook and two experts, naturalist Cindy Crosby, and artist Karen Johnson. It’s a unique opportunity to learn about and experience the prairie from a botanical as well as an artistic point of view. Please click on the above links to learn more or to enroll. Classes are open to all, not just members of the Nature Artists’ Guild or The Morton Arboretum, but Arboretum members will receive a discount on registration fees.
Page from Karen Johnson’s sketchbook. Copyright 2017, Karen Johnson.
Evelyn Grala has done it again, and come up with a way to keep Nature Artists’ Guild members growing this summer. Evelyn has planned a new Summer Sketchbook Encounter, to begin on June 1 and continue until September 1, 2018. Participants will be asked to fill four pages of a sketchbook per week, using any media they would like (including crayons), and to have fun. It’s as simple as that. The improvement in drawing and composition skills will come automatically! Interested members who have not already signed up should contact Evelyn (whose contact information can be found in their Yearbook) to ensure they receive her periodic updates and encouragements.
The Nature Artists’ Guild will be exhibiting at the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, IL from Wednesday, June 6 through Friday, July 13, 2018. The exhibit may be viewed any time during estate business hours, Monday through Friday, from 9 am until 3 pm, or Saturday between 9 am and 1 pm, but the best time to visit would be on Wednesday evening, June 27, 2018 between 6 and 8 pm. This artists’ reception is open to all, and is a great opportunity to meet and talk with the artists and enjoy light refreshments. Participating artists should check the prospectus for drop-off and pick-up dates and times.
There is so much excitement and anticipation around the upcoming program featuring biologist, author and artist Julie Zickefoose on Thursday, June 7, 2018 at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. All are welcome to attend this event free-of-charge. Please click on the highlighted link for more information.
Page from Baby Birds, An Artist Looks into the Nest, copyright Julie Zickefoose. Used with permission.
A new paint-out has been added for June, and it’s at one of the prettiest spots in the area, Meadow Lake at The Morton Arboretum. On Tuesday, June 26, at 9 am, Nature Artists’ Guild members will meet at the P-2 parking lot east of Meadow Lake. There will be water, flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees (naturally), and even some large mysterious creatures in the area. Guild members can contact Jane Kellenberger if they would like to attend, but last-minute drop-ins by members are also welcome.
Note: This post has been updated to include the new date for the rescheduled paint-out.
Artist in Residence Thomas Dambo at work on one of his creations for the Troll Hunt at The Morton Arboretum. Photo credit mortonarb.org. Please click on the photo for more information about the artist.
Julie Zickefoose is a biologist, a naturalist, a speaker, an author, and an artist. The Nature Artists’ Guild is excited and honored to sponsor a presentation by Julie at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum on Thursday, June 7, 2018 from 7 until 9 pm.
Baby Birds: An Artist Looks Into The Nest, copyright Julie Zickefoose. Used with permission.
Julie will be speaking about her adventures in nature and in researching, writing and illustrating Letters from Eden, The Bluebird Effect: Uncommon Bonds With Common Birds, and her newest book, Baby Birds: An Artist Looks into the Nest. This program will appeal not only to artists, but also to birders, writers and anyone interested in the natural world. Please click on the images or this link to JulieZickefoose.com to read more about Julie, her fascinating experiences and her books.
Copies of Julie’s books will be available for purchase at the meeting, and she will be glad to sign those as well as previously purchased books brought in by attendees.
As always, all are welcome to attend this Nature Artists’ Guild program. There is no charge for the program or for parking, and there is no admission fee to the Arboretum for this event. Non-members can let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be directed to Thornhill.
This is the story of an artist’s love affair with a piece of land, and the birds, animals, and plants that inhabit it. Simple habitat enhancements can take a back yard from bland to bustling with wildlife. In this slide talk, artist/writer Julie Zickefoose shows how she and her husband have transformed their 80-acre abandoned farm into a wildlife sanctuary and observatory — a perfect personal habitat.
There are still some seats available for the lecture. Please click on the above highlighted link to register or to read more. Julie will also be teaching a two-day workshop for the Arboretum’s Visiting Artist Series. Sorry, but that workshop, Nature in Word and Image with Julie Zickefoose is sold out.
Page from Baby Birds: An Artist Looks Into The Nest, copyright Julie Zickefoose. Used with permission.
There is still time to sign up for one or more of both of the nature art classes beginning early next month at The Morton Arboretum.
Nature in Colored Pencil, with instructor Kimberly Mullarkey, begins on Tuesday evening, May 1, 2018 and continues each Tuesday for three more weeks. Colored pencil is a wonderful medium for capturing the subtle colors and details of nature, and Kimberly, a signature member of the Colored Pencil Society of America, is an experienced, talented and fun instructor. Some drawing experience is required for this class.
Sacred Union, copyright Kimberly Mullarkey. Collection of The Morton Arboretum.
Drawing Mammals, with instructor Carrie Carlson, is offered on two different mornings, Saturday, May 5, 2018 or Saturday, May 12, 2018. Using a variety of drawing media and photos as well as specimens, participants will explore the shapes and textures of mammals. Carrie, probably most known for her block prints, is a popular and experienced art educator. Please click on each image for the title or a larger view.
Spring begins tomorrow! It’s one of the busiest times of the year for the flora, fauna, and yes, nature artists, here in the Midwest. As the birds, trees, frogs and flowers are preparing for the season, so are members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum. Please click on any of the highlighted links for more information.
Coming soon –
The annual expedition (paint-out) to the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum for members of the Guild takes place tomorrow, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Members can drop in with their art supplies and camera any time between 9 and noon.
Spring nature art classes and workshops begin soon at The Morton Arboretum. Inspired by Tony Tyznik: Drawing Oaks, taught by Suzanne Wegener, begins on Thursday, April 5, 2018, and Beginner’s Nature Art Workshops: Spring Flowers in Colored Pencil with Kathy Steere are scheduled for Saturday, April 7 and Sunday, April 8, 2018. These classes and workshopsare open to all, not just members of the Nature Artists’ Guild or The Morton Arboretum.
The Spring Exhibit of Natural History Art at The Morton Arboretum takes place on the weekend of April 7 and 8, 2018. This year we will be featuring images of some of the exhibit artwork by numerous Guild artists on this website. Check back soon for a preview.
A new paint-out has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at the home of Guild member Linda Hilderbrant from 10 am until 1 pm. More about this paint-out at Linda’s lovely and extensive woodland landscape to come soon. Thank you to Linda for this gracious invitation!
A sign of spring from Linda Hilderbrant’s garden. Photo credit Linda Hilderbrant.
Whether your priority for the upcoming year is to make more art, to learn new techniques, or simply to view more art or make new friends, the Nature Artists’ Guild has it covered. There is still time to join or renew, and since memberships are for the calendar year, the sooner you join, the more benefit you’ll receive from your membership.
Here are a few of the activities coming up in the next month or so –
On Thursday evening, February 1, 2018, between 7 and 9 pm, Susan Waldron will give a presentation at the Thornhill Education Center on her techniques for creating floral and landscape paintings in oil as well as in fiber made from, if you can believe it, the wool from her own herd of alpacas! Guests and visitors are also welcome to attend this program free-of-charge. More details will be coming soon, but please visit Susan’s website for a preview of her work (and her alpacas).
The first paint-out of the year is scheduled for Tuesday morning, February 6, 2018 from 8 until 11 am at Orchids by Hausermann in Villa Park, IL.
Copyright Jane Kellenberger.
This popular paint-out (think tropical weather and being surrounded by thousands of orchids) has limited space and fills up quickly, so interested Guild members should contact Jane Kellenberger to save a spot. Jane’s contact information can be found in the Yearbook.
New classes and workshops start soon at The Morton Arboretum. Some upcoming nature art classes include Rocks, Minerals and Bones in Colored Pencil with Kimberly Mullarkey, Jewelry Making: Winter Berries Necklace with Karen Johnson, Linoleum Block Printing Workshop with Carrie Carlson, and Advanced Textures in Graphite and Watercolor and Nature in Graphite with Suzanne Wegener. For those just starting out, Beginner’s Nature Art Workshops: Winter Foliage in Graphite and Begin to Draw Nature are scheduled for late February and early March. All classes are open to the public and a discount is offered for members of The Morton Arboretum. Please click on this link to the Arboretum’s class listings for more information or to enroll.
The unique pleasures of Autumn make for a busy (the busiest?) season at The Morton Arboretum and for the Nature Artists’ Guild. Here are some reminders to keep everyone on track!
Wood duck, copyright Peggy McGahan, Featured Artist for the 2017 Exhibition of Natural History Art by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum.
Nature Artists’ Guild members who would like to participate in the upcoming 2017 Autumn (Holiday) Exhibition of Natural History Art need to have their completed prospectuses postmarked by Thursday, September 28, 2017. All requirements are detailed on the prospectus which was e-mailed to eligible members approximately a month ago. Drop-off of artwork for the exhibit will take place on the evening of Wednesday, November 1 between 6 and 8 pm at the Cudahy Auditorium in the Administration and Research Center at The Morton Arboretum.
Renewing members can mail their $45 membership dues for next year beginning on October 1, 2017. Dues should be mailed to the treasurer, Nancy Wu, whose contact information can be found in the Yearbook. New members are also welcome and can mail their dues to the address provided on the membership brochure. New or renewing members can also pay in person at the October 5, 2017 meeting or the upcoming exhibit.
On October 5, 2017, the Nature Artists’ Guild will sponsor a program featuring artist Patricia Larkin Green and Sumi-e brush painting. This program is free-of-charge and open to the public. More details can be seen by clicking on this link.
There is still time to enroll in one or more of the Autumn Nature Art classes or workshops at The Morton Arboretum, many of which are taught by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild. Please click on this link to the Arboretum’s class listings for more information. All classes are open to the public.
The 2017 Autumn (Holiday) Exhibition of Natural History Art will open on the evening of Friday, November 3, 2017 with a reception for guests of the artists and members of The Morton Arboretum and will continue throughout the weekend, Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5, 2017, for the enjoyment of all visitors to The Morton Arboretum. E-mail postcards will be made available soon to Nature Artists’ Guild members. The official exhibit posters and postcards featuring the work of Peggy McGahan and designed by Evelyn Grala will be available for members to pick up at the October 5, 2017 meeting or at the Thornhill office thereafter.
The Nature Artists’ Guild fundraising committee will be conducting a new workshop for members only on Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 9:30 until noon at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.
Participants in this free workshop will learn how to create art on ceramics using oil-based paint markers. The Nature Artists’ Guild will provide all the ceramic plates and some oil-based paint markers for the workshop, but attendees are asked to bring one Sharpie oil-based paint marker in a color of their choice to share. These markers are widely available in art stores or craft departments.
Attendees should also bring a simple nature art design to transfer onto a ceramic plate. Flowers, birds, feathers or leaves would be appropriate, but landscapes are discouraged.
The finished ceramic pieces (for decoration only and not dishwasher safe) will be sold for $20 each at the Autumn (Holiday) Exhibition of Natural History Art in November, with all proceeds going to the Nature Artists’ Guild. Materials and instructions can be provided for participants who would like to take their piece home to complete and return it on November 1 at the exhibit artwork drop-off.
Interested members should contact workshop leaders Jill Adzia or Catherine Stacy to enroll in this fun and easy fundraising project. Their contact information can be found in the Guild’s Yearbook.
Nature Artists’ Guild members Catherine Stacy, Jill Adzia and Susan Bartlett with their lovely ceramic plates.
Whether you are a Nature Artists’ Guild member who has been working diligently to prepare your artwork for the upcoming Spring Exhibit and need a fun and educational break, or not a member, but still an artist who wants to improve your artwork, The Morton Arboretum’s Visiting Artist Series may have just what you were looking for –
Visiting Artist Series: Value and Color in Landscapes with Laverne Bohlin
Learn why value is essential to accurately capturing a landscape in your art. In this two-day pastel workshop, visiting artist Laverne Bohlin will show you how to use the correct value and to notice the subtle shifts of value that exist in the landscape. Develop your sensitivity to a color’s value so you are better able to separate it from its hue. During the one-hour lunch break on Saturday, visit the Nature Artists’ Guild Spring Exhibit in nearby Cudahy Auditorium for some inspiration.
Copyright Laverne Bohlin
Note – Basic drawing skills and some pastel experience required. Limit 15.
Supplies – Rembrandt Pastels, half stick of 15 colors, 3-4 sheets of Canson Mi-teintes paper, 8 1/2″ x 11″, color white, ivory or eggshell, 1″ foam brush and kneaded eraser, 11″ x 14″ foam core board, any additional pastels you may already have.
Schedule and Location – Friday, April 7, and Saturday, April 8, 2017, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Herbarium Conference Room of The Morton Arboretum.
Fees and Admission – Fees include admission to the Arboretum and are $138.00 for members, and $162.00 for non-members.
Registration Information – Course number A149,online – Register, call630-719-2468, or in person at The Morton Arboretum at the Visitor Center during open hours.
Nature Artists' Guild 