Category: Events

A Beautiful Site for Beautiful Art

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Mayslake Hall, at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 West 31st Street in Oak Brook, IL is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The buildings and remaining 89 acres of the estate are now owned by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.  The Mayslake Peabody Estate, amidst ongoing restoration work, hosts art classes and exhibits inspired by nature, lectures about culture, history, and architecture, as well as concerts featuring jazz and classical musicians and theatrical performances.

The Nature Artists’ Guild is excited to announce that the Mayslake Peabody Estate will be sponsoring an exhibit of nature art by members of the Guild from June 6 until July 13, 2018, with a “meet the artists” reception on June 27, 2018 at 6 pm.

Mayslake Peabody Estate. Photo credit Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild should have received their prospectus for participating in the exhibition a few weeks ago. Prospectuses need to be completed and returned by this Saturday, May 19, 2018.  Any questions can be directed to Gary Chipman or Linn Eldred, whose contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook or on the prospectus.  Additional information about artwork drop-off and pick-up dates is also included there.

 An added bonus for participating in this exhibit is that no extra work is required. This exhibit will feature works shown at The Morton Arboretum within the last five years, so there will be no need for last-minute tweaking, matting, or framing.  All eligible members (see prospectus) are encouraged to participate in making this exhibition one to be proud of.

Below are a few photos from a previous Nature Artists’ Guild paint-out at the Mayslake Peabody Estate. Please click on any of the photos for a larger image.

Welcoming Julie Zickefoose on June 7, 2018

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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.

The Morton Arboretum will also be offering a lecture by Julie the following evening, Personal Habitat: Creating a Haven for Wildlife (and Yourself).

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.

A Spring Woodland Paint-Out

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Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited by fellow member Linda Hilderbrant to visit her home for a paint-out on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, between 10 am and 1 pm.  Linda lives in Hampshire, IL, where her 16 woodland acres include wildflowers, mature trees, a pond, and wildlife. Participants should bring their art supplies, a camera, something to sit on, and a picnic lunch to enjoy the day to its fullest.  These photos were taken by Linda right around the same time last year and give a glimpse of some of the treasures participants can expect to find! Many thanks to Linda for the photos and the generous offer to share the gorgeous views of nature at her home.

Members should RSVP to Jane Kellenberger if they’d like to attend.  Jane’s contact information and Linda’s address can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook.

Nature Artists Create at Spring Exhibit of Natural History Art

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One more reason to attend the 2018 Spring Exhibit of Natural History Art by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is for the chance to watch talented artists at work, chat with them, ask questions, and perhaps even try their technique.  The exhibit at the Cudahy Auditorium of The Morton Arboretum will include opportunities to see the following artists engaging in their creative processes.

Bluebird landing linoleum cut, copyright Carrie Carlson.
Colored pencil drawing on slate tile, copyright Mary Ann Jimenez.
Yellow iris in oil, copyright Kathi Kuchler.
Nest in tree in colored pencil on colored paper, copyright Maggie Mardis.
House Sparrow, copright Lindsay Sandbothe

On Friday, April 6, 2018, between 5 and 7:30 pm, Carrie Carlson will be sharing her techniques for masterfully cutting linoleum blocks for creating prints, using  traditional Swedish themes for her subject matter.

On Saturday, April 7, 2018, from 10:30 am until 1 pm, Kathi Kuchler will  be painting a yellow iris,  similar to the one above, but instead of using oil, she will be using the glowing colors of watercolor.

Later on Saturday, April 7, 2018, from 1:15 until 3:45 pm, Maggie Mardis will be using colored pencil on colored paper to draw a nest in a tree in her uniquely lovely and colorful way.

On Sunday, April 8, 2018, from 10:30 am until 1 pm, Mary Ann Jimenez will be using wax-based colored pencils on slate tiles to create subtle and beautiful drawings.

Finally, on Sunday, April 8, 2018, from 1:15 until 3:45 pm, Lindsay Sandbothe will be painting in her favorite medium, acrylic, and we assume, because it is Lindsay, and she does it so well, that she will be painting the beauty of birds.

Please note that the Friday evening artists’ reception is open to artists, their guests, and members of The Morton Arboretum.  The exhibit is open to all Arboretum visitors on Saturday and Sunday.

 

Time to Spring into Action

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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 workshops are 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.

Visiting the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum on March 20, 2018

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The annual paint-out for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild at the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL, will take place on the morning of Tuesday, March 20, 2018 from 9 am until noon.

The museum claims “over 10,000 specimens, ranging from a tiny aphid to a whale skeleton”, and attendees can request specific specimens from storage by contacting Jane Kellenberger by Monday, March 12, 2018.  Please click on this link to the museum’s online specimen catalog to search.  Jane’s contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook.

Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum. Photo credit Jane Kellenberger.

Members are encouraged to let Jane know if they plan to attend, but since there is plenty of room for all of our artists, drop-ins or late-comers are welcome!  There is some seating available, but participants can bring a small stool or chair if they prefer.  Please click on this link for directions to Benedictine University and for maps of the campus.  The museum is located on the second floor of the Michael and Kay Birck Hall of Science.

Nature Artists’ Guild at Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum. Photo credit Jane Kellenberger.
Nature Artists’ Guild at Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum. Photo credit Jane Kellenberger.

Tonight’s Program, March 1, 2018

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Here are just a few of the many reasons to attend tonight’s Nature Artists’ Guild program from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum –

  1. Dale Olsen’s Landscapes. Once you’ve seen Dale’s landscapes online, you will very likely want to see them in person as well.  As gorgeous as they are in photographs, the actual paintings will be even more so! Here’s an opportunity to see them up close and learn about Dale’s methods and inspirations.

    Mirror, copyright Dale Olsen. Used with permission.
  2. Postcards and Posters. Members and guests are encouraged to take some posters and postcards for the Spring Exhibition of Natural History Art taking place on the weekend of April 7 and 8, 2018, share them with friends and family, and post them in local businesses. The postcards will have information about the artists’ reception on Friday evening, April 6, when guests can gain entrance to the Arboretum to attend the exhibit with no gate fee.  A digital version will be distributed to members soon.
  3. Diptych Canvases. Members who would like to participate in a fundraising project for the spring exhibit by painting a small diptych can pick up their canvases at the meeting.  The finished canvases will be sold at the exhibit and all proceeds will go to the Guild to be used in furthering its mission.
  4. Fall into Winter Artwork.  Many of the industrious members of the Nature Artists’ Guild have been busy all fall and winter creating montages from nature.  The results are posted here, but members will also be sharing their artwork at tonight’s meeting.  It’s a chance to see the details that often make nature art so wonderful.

    Copyright Nancy Thyfault.
  5. Fun and Food. As always, there will be snacks, sweets and drinks.  There will be some time to chat with friends, old and new.  Guests and visitors are welcome to attend, and there is no fee for parking, attendance or admission to The Morton Arboretum for this event.  Visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the program and they will be directed to Thornhill.

For a Taste of Spring

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For a welcome taste of spring, the Nature Artists’ Guild gladly shares some artwork by Susan Bartlett, the Featured Artist of the 2018 Spring Exhibition of Natural History Art.  Please click on the above highlighted link or the Featured Artist Susan Bartlett tab to read more about Susan and to view a sample of the work she will be featuring at the exhibit on the weekend of April 7 and 8, 2018 and at a reception for artists, guests and members of The Morton Arboretum on the evening of April 6.

The exhibit will include nearly 150 pieces of artwork by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum. Check back soon for more details.

Copyright Susan Bartlett

Dale Olsen’s Stunning Landscapes on March 1, 2018

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Talented artist Dale Olsen will be sharing some of his inspirations and techniques at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum on Thursday, March 1, 2018 from 7 until 9 pm.  Dale’s website features the full scope of his work in varied subject matter and media, but at this program he will be focusing on his stunning landscapes.

Aspens, copyright Dale Olsen. Used with permission.

As always, guests and visitors are invited to attend this program sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum.  There will be no charge for admission or parking for this event, and non-members of the Arboretum should just let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be directed to Thornhill.

Please visit Dale’s website, Dale Olsen Fine Art, to learn more about him and to view many more examples of his wonderful work.

February Afternoon, copyright Dale Olsen. Used with permission.