Category: Events

Willowbrook Wildlife Center Paint-Out September 22, 2016

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There will be something for every nature artist at the Willowbrook Wildlife Center, the location for the Nature Artists’ Guild’s next paint-out on Thursday, September 22, 2016 between 9:30 am and noon.

Willowbrook Wildlife Center, one of the nation’s oldest and largest wildlife rehabilitation facilities and education centers, is located on a 50-acre preserve at 525 South Park Boulevard, Glen Ellyn, IL.  An indoor exhibit area and outdoor enclosures house native Illinois wildlife not able to be released back into the wild. Songbirds, cranes, raptors, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals such as fox, raccoon and bobcat make up some of the 80 residents of the center.

Willowbrook Wildlife Center's Dr. Jennifer Nevis performing examination on resident bobcat
Willowbrook Wildlife Center’s Dr. Jennifer Nevis performing examination on resident bobcat. Photo credit Willowbrook Wildlife Center Facebook page

Artists who prefer their subject to be a bit more tame will be able to explore the butterfly garden and pond as well as the flowers, grasses and trees along nature trails leading through 40 acres of forest, savannah, prairie and wetland ecosystems.

Participants are encouraged to contact Jane Kellenberger to RSVP, but last-minute drop-ins are absolutely welcome.  Jane’s contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook. A folding chair will be useful for drawing outdoors, but some benches are available in the indoor exhibit area. Wildlife currently undergoing rehabilitation are treated in a separate building at the center and will not be available for viewing.

Please click on this link to the Willowbrook Wildlife Center’s website, or this link to their Facebook page to read more about the center and their wonderful and vital mission.  Short videos of many of the residents are available to view on the website.

The Annual Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibition of Natural History Art in New Location this Autumn

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Cudahy Auditorium, The Morton Arboretum
Cudahy Auditorium, The Morton Arboretum

The annual Nature Artists’ Guild Holiday Exhibit of natural history art has been scheduled for Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13, 2016. Friends, family and guests of Nature Artists’ Guild members, as well as members of The Morton Arboretum are also invited to attend the opening reception on the evening of Friday, November 11, 2016.

It’s important to note that this autumn’s exhibit will take place in the newly renovated Cudahy Auditorium at The Morton Arboretum. This wonderful, well-lit space is located in The Morton Arboretum Administration and Research Center, which also houses the distinctive Sterling Morton Library.  Just a short walk down a peaceful path will bring visitors from the busy Visitor Center and Ginkgo Restaurant and Cafe to the exhibit.

Check back soon for more details, including words and artwork from the exhibit’s featured artist, Eva Holy.

Lovely Weather Predicted for Paint-Out Tomorrow!

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Will it be the wonderful weather forecast, or the promise of an acre of mature trees, shrubs and flowers that will convince you to drop what you are doing tomorrow morning to join fellow Nature Artists’ Guild members for the last paint-out of the summer at Sharon Malec’s home?Sharon Malec's garden, tulip trees

There is plenty of room, so members are absolutely welcome to drop-in tomorrow, Tuesday, August 23, 2016, any time between 9:30 am and noon.  Bring your art supplies, camera, and a small stool or folding chair.  Sharon’s address can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook.

Please scroll down or click here for more information and a few photos of Sharon’s landscape. This paint-out is limited to Nature Artists’ Guild members and their guests only, please.

A Morning in the Country

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Sharon Malec’s charming acre in West Chicago couldn’t be more picturesque and brings to mind a morning in the countryside.  Sharon humbly states that her garden is “just the normal stuff”, but where else could you sit in the dappled shade of huge tulip trees, sketch a bamboo patch or hydrangea and sneak a ripe blackberry fresh from the vine, all in one place?

On the morning of Tuesday, August 23, 2016, from 9:30 am until noon, Sharon will share her wonderful yard and garden for a paint-out with fellow Nature Artists’ Guild members.  Interested members are encouraged to RSVP to Paint-Outs Coordinator Jane Kellenberger, but there is plenty of room for last-minute participants as well.   Jane’s contact information, as well as Sharon Malec’s address and contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook.

Three Nature Artists at The Morton Arboretum on Thursday, August 4, 2016

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Nature Artists’ Guild members, non-member artists, those fascinated by the process of creating art, or those just curious or looking for an interesting and enjoyable way to spend an evening – all are invited to attend and none will leave disappointed!

On the evening of Thursday, August 4, 2016 from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL, the Nature Artists’ Guild will proudly present three talented members who will share their art, inspirations and techniques with attendees.

Carol Cooley’s print using “shinkolei” process
Susan Bartlett’s collage from hand-painted paper
Sharon Malec’s fiber art created with her hand-made silk paper

Please click on this link to a previous post to read more about artists Susan Bartlett, Carol Cooley and Sharon Malec, who will presenting this year’s edition of this popular annual program.  There is no charge for entry to The Morton Arboretum, the program, or parking, and light refreshments will be provided.  Visitors should let the gate attendant at the Arboretum know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild presentation, and they will be directed to Thornhill.

The Popular “Nature Artist Trio” is Back, Thursday, August 4, 2016

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No, it’s not a new musical group!  Even better, each year the Nature Artists’ Guild invites three artist members to share their tips, techniques, materials and inspirations in a fun, informal and informative presentation.  The program will be held at the Thornhill Education Center, The Morton Arboretum, on August 4, 2016 from 7 until 9 pm.  

This year, all three artists will be working on or with paper, but in interesting new ways.  

Carol Cooley will share her methods for using watercolor and the “shinkolei” process to add new elements to her wonderful block prints.

Carol Cooley’s block print with applied watercolor
Carol Cooley applying watercolor to block print
Carol Cooley’s print using “shinkolei” process

Sharon Malec uses her hand-made silk papers to create shimmering fabric art.

Silk fibers used by Sharon Malec to create silk paper
Detail of Sharon Malec’s art featuring her hand-made silk paper
Sharon Malec’s fiber art created with her hand-made silk paper

Susan Bartlett’s stunning collages are made with paper that she has hand-painted.

Susan Bartlett’s hand-painted paper drying in studio
Susan Bartlett’s hand-painted paper being prepared for collage
Susan Bartlett’s collage from hand-painted paper

Members, non-members, visitors, friends, family – all are welcome at this popular program!  Both the program and parking are free-of-charge.  Non-members of The Morton Arboretum should let the gate attendant know that they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program and they will be directed to Thornhill.

All artwork images above are copyrighted and may not be used without permission of the artist.

Ribbit!

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Two talented Nature Artists’ Guild’s members who also happen to be popular instructors at The Morton Arboretum will be teaching a three-evening class titled Amphibian Art:  Frogs Across Forms beginning on Tuesday, July 26, 2016  from 6:30 until 9:30 pm and continuing on the following two Tuesdays. Participants in this class, taught by Suzanne Wegener and Karen Johnson, will be looking at artsy amphibians from different points of view and interpreting fabulous frogs in various media.  Students will complete some drawings and even a croaker creation from polymer clay bead.

For more details (minus the poor puns and awful alliteration), please click on this link to The Morton Arboretum’s class listing.  It is sure to be a “ribbiting” experience!

Frog Beads, copyright KA Johnson

 

Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit Opens at Kavanagh Gallery July 8, 2016

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Nature Artists' Guild at Kavanaugh Gallery 2016 Front

The Nature Artists’ Guild special exhibit of fine art will open at the Kavanagh Gallery, Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles, IL on July 8, 2016, and will run through August 12, 2016.  An artists’ reception will be held at the gallery on the evening of Friday, July 15, 2016 from 5:30 until 7:30 pm.  All are invited to attend this reception where they can meet and speak with many of the participating artists and enjoy a few light refreshments.  The gallery is open every Monday through Saturday from 10 am until 5 pm.

Please click on the highlighted links above for more about the Kavanagh Gallery and the Fine Line Creative Arts Center, or on the following highlighted link to view the front and back of the Kavanagh Gallery Invitation (which also includes information about and images from their current gallery exhibit).

The Annual Garden Art Festival is All of the Above

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Is it a paint-out in a wonderful location?  Is it an artwork exhibit?  Is it a membership drive?  Yes, yes, and yes!  

Suzanne Wegener and Karen Johnson at the Nature Artists' Guild Information Table at The Growing Place
Suzanne Wegener and Karen Johnson at the Nature Artists’ Guild Information Table at The Growing Place

The annual Garden Art Festival, Saturday, June 25, 2016 at The Growing Place, 25w471 Plank Rd, Naperville, IL  will feature  “local artists, live music, talks and treats in our gardens” from 9 am until 5 pm.  Each year, the Nature Artists’ Guild is invited to host a table where guests can ask questions, pick up a membership brochure, or just talk with one of our members about the benefits of Nature Artists’ Guild memberships.

Meanwhile, Nature Artists’ Guild members are busy in the gardens sketching, drawing and painting.  Members bring their own chairs or standing easels, and set up throughout the vast display area.  While the Nature Artists’ Guild will not have a booth for selling artwork at this event, it is permissible for participants to bring business cards and a few small examples of previous work or a small portfolio for interested visitors to view.

Any members who would like to participate are asked to contact Mary Ann Jimenez as soon as possible.  Mary Ann’s contact information can be found in the Yearbook.  Please click on the highlighted links above to learn more about The Growing Place and the Garden Art Festival.