Category: Events

Jurica-Suchy Expedition on March 10, 2017

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Each Spring, a group of intrepid explorers make their yearly trek through forests, jungles and tundra in search of bears, lions, and leopards, armed only with sketchbooks, pencils, erasers, brushes and paint.nature-artists-guild-at-jurica-suchy-2016-1

On Friday, March 10, 2017, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited to attend the annual paint-out at the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL, between the hours of 1 and 4 pm.  Since classes will be in session during this paint-out, interested members are encouraged to RSVP to Jane Kellenberger, who can assist with parking directions and distribute parking passes.  Jane’s contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook.  Please click on this link for driving directions and a campus map.nature-artists-guild-at-jurica-suchy-2016-3

With over 3500 specimens currently on display, the award-winning Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum offers artists a rare opportunity to get a close-up look at some of the world’s most fascinating creatures.  Please click on the above link to read more about the history of the museum, and view photos, or click here for a searchable Online Specimen Catalog.

nature-artists-guild-at-jurica-suchy-2016

Grab your gear, and we’ll see you there!  Thank you to Jane Kellenberger and Evelyn Grala for these photos from last year’s expedition.

The Always Delightful Peggy Macnamara on Thursday, March 2, 2017

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The good news is that the talented and beloved artist, writer, instructor, and speaker Peggy Macnamara has just finished illustrating a new book.

Mary Hennen and Peggy Macnamara’s The Peregrine Returns

The great news is that Peggy will be teaching a one-day workshop as part of The Morton Arboretum’s Visiting Artist Series on Saturday, March 4, 2017, titled Use the Layering Method in Watercolor with Peggy Macnamara (please click on the highlighted link to check for available spots or to be placed on the wait-list).

The fantastic news is that Peggy will be sharing some of her experiences, as well as a close-up look at her artwork, with members of  the Nature Artists Guild, guests, and visitors on the evening of Thursday, March 2, 2017 from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.

Peggy Macnamara is the Artist-in-Residence at the world renowned Field Museum in Chicago, IL, a professor at the School of the Art Institute, the author and illustrator of numerous scientific and children’s books, and an all-around delightful person!

As always, Nature Artists’ Guild programs are open to all and are free-of-charge for admission and parking.  Guests and visitors who are not members of The Morton Arboretum can let the gate attendant know that they are there for the program, and they will be directed to the Thornhill Education Center.

The Winter Encounter is Underway

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The Winter Encounter has begun.  Member Evelyn Grala, who brought us the wildly popular Sketchbook Encounter last summer, has inspired us again with the Winter Encounter, a challenge to fellow bodacious (check out that list of synonyms) Nature Artists’ Guild members to create a new work of art per week, yes every week, until Spring!

The weekly results of this challenge can be seen on the Winter Encounter Gallery page of this website, and will also be included in the upcoming Quarterly.

Giraffe, copyright Alice Wych
Giraffe, copyright Alice Wych

Bravo, Winter Encounter participants!

Julie Sutter-Blair Comes to Thornhill on Thursday, February 2, 2017

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Julie Sutter-Blair is a superbly talented artist whose intaglio prints and colored pencil drawings are inspired by nature.  The Nature Artists’ Guild is honored to host a presentation by Julie on Thursday, February 2, 2017 from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum, in Lisle, IL.

Julie will also participate in the Visiting Artist Series of The Morton Arboretum’s education program with her workshop Drawing Nests With Julie Sutter-Blair, which will be held the following Friday and Saturday, February 3rd and 4th, 2017.  Please click on the above link to register.

Both the Nature Artists’ Guild program and the workshop are open to all, not just members of the Nature Artists’ Guild or The Morton Arboretum.  There is a fee and a registration requirement for the workshop, but Thursday evening’s program is free-of-charge for both admission and parking. Visitors should let the gate attendant know that they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program and they will be directed to the Thornhill Education Center.

Copyright Julie Sutter-Blair
Copyright Julie Sutter-Blair

It’s Back to the Tropics for the Nature Artists’ Guild

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Copyright Nancy Kolar
Copyright Jane Kellenberger

Wind, snow, and bitter cold are all possibilities for Chicagoland on Thursday, February 9, 2017, but some members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will hardly notice, because they will be spending the morning in the tropics instead!

Sorry, this isn’t a give-away for a trip to Hawaii, but it is the chance to spend a morning, between 7 and 11 am, sketching, drawing, painting, and photographing in the tropical greenhouse of one of the nation’s oldest and largest orchid growers, Orchids by Hausermann, at 2N134 Addison Road in Villa Park, IL.  One lucky participant will be awarded a gift certificate to spend as they choose at the greenhouse.  Please click on this link to see the beautiful blooms in Hausermann’s catalog, including orchids that are in bud right now!

Space is limited for this popular event, so interested Nature Artists’ Guild members should contact Jane Kellenberger as soon as possible to reserve a spot. Jane’s contact information can be found in the Yearbook.  Participants should bring their camera, art supplies, and possibly a small folding chair, as seating is limited.

Come for the Scenery, Stay for the Fun

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Both inside and out, there won’t be a prettier place in the suburbs than the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum this Thursday, December 8, 2016, for the annual Nature Artists’ Guild Holiday Party.

Yes, The Morton Arboretum is always quite pretty, but with the holiday decorations in place and a bit of moonlit snow on the ground, it is sure to be breathtaking!

The Morton Arboretum Thornhill Education Center. Photo credit www.mortonarb.org
The Morton Arboretum Thornhill Education Center. Photo credit http://www.mortonarb.org

Inside, the Nature Artists’ Guild party team, led by Gail Diedrichsen and Susan Bartlett, will be busy all afternoon preparing and decorating, making the historic Founder’s Room and Arbor Room even more festive for the occasion.

The fun starts at 6 pm, with live music, food, raffles and a few 30th Anniversary surprises.

This special event is limited to Nature Artists’ Guild members and their guests. Please click on this invitation for details.

The 2016 Autumn (Holiday) Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum

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We are proud to present the official exhibit poster of the 2016 Holiday Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum.  The poster artwork was created by our Featured Artist, Eva Holy (read more by clicking here), and as usual, member Evelyn Grala has done a wonderful job with the graphic design!

2016 Nature Artists' Guild Exhibit Poster. Artwork copyrighted by Evalyn Holy, poster design by Evelyn Grala.
2016 Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit Poster. Artwork copyrighted by Evalyn Holy, poster design by Evelyn Grala.

Signs of Autumn

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There’s a new header on our website, which can only mean that-

  • Autumn is here
  • The annual Holiday (Autumn) exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild, featuring approximately 150 works of art by 50 artists is coming soon
  • We have a new Featured Artist, Evalyn Holy, whose work will be highlighted at the upcoming exhibit (Congratulations Eva!)
Owl, copyright Evalyn Holy
Owl, copyright Evalyn Holy

Please read more about Evalyn, and see some of her wonderful drawings and paintings by clicking here or on the Featured Artist tab at the top of the Nature Artists’ Guild website.

Click here to read more about the upcoming exhibit in our new location, Cudahy Auditorium.

Annual Danada Nature Art and Photo Exhibit October 8 and 9, 2016

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The Friends of Danada are proud to present their annual Nature Art and Photo exhibit on the weekend of October 8 and 9, 2016 between 11 am and 5 pm. Nature artists and photographers throughout the Chicagoland area are invited to participate in this juried exhibit located inside Danada House, the beautiful and historic former home of Dan and Ada Rice, at 3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton, IL.

Danada House entrance. Photo credit danadahouse.com
Danada House entrance. Photo credit http://www.danadahouse.com

The Friends of Danada Nature Art and Photo Exhibit is held in conjunction with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s largest event of the year, the annual Danada Fall Festival. This popular festival is held on Sunday at the Danada Equestrian Center, on the grounds of Danada House, and attracts over 10,000 visitors each year.  Parking and admission to the event are free-of-charge.

An artists and photographers reception will be held at Danada House on Friday, October 7, 2016 from 7 to 9 pm. Winners in the various categories will be announced at that time.

For more information about participating in the Friends of Danada Nature Art and Photo Exhibit, please click here for Friends of Danada contact information.

Update:  Susan Bartlett’s Paper, pictured below, was awarded a first place ribbon at the Danada Nature Art and Photo Exhibit.  This stunning work is “colored pencil on five different papers and is titled Paper in reference to the paper birch, paper kite butterfly, paper wasp and paper whites”. Congratulations to Susan and all of the other Nature Artists’ Guild members who participated, some of whom were awarded “Honorable Mention” ribbons.

"Paper" copyright Susan Bartlett
“Paper” copyright Susan Bartlett

Nature Artists’ Guild Presents Pastel Artist Gary Wick at October Program

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Anyone who has seen a sky by Gary Wick in his favored medium of soft pastel doesn’t soon forget it!  Attendees of the Thursday, October 6th program sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center will have the opportunity to watch Gary in the process of creating one of his glowing landscapes.

Gary Wick, a widely collected and admired artist from the Chicagoland area, is also an accomplished instructor in painting with pastels and is currently teaching at the McCord Gallery and Cultural Center in Palos Park, IL.

Gary has been featured in the Pastel Journal as a finalist in their Annual Pastel 100 Awards, and his work has been published in American Artist magazine and in Best of American Pastel Artists, Vol. II.  Gary’s work is also included in the permanent collection of the National Veterans Art Museum.

Crooked Creek, copyright Gary Wick
Crooked Creek, copyright Gary Wick

Guests and visitors are welcome to attend this presentation.  Non-members of The Morton Arboretum are asked to let the gate attendant know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program, and they will be directed to the Thornhill Education Center.  Parking, admission to the Arboretum and to the program are free-of-charge for this event. Please click here for directions to The Morton Arboretum.

The October meeting will also feature examples of Nature Artists’ Guild member sketchbooks completed during the first Great Sketchbook Encounter. Any members who wish to share should bring theirs along!