Category: Events

Get Ready for The Great Sketchbook Encounter!

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The Great Sketchbook Encounter, a fun new challenge for Nature Artists’ Guild members, begins next week.  Members who wish to participate should bring an empty sketchbook to the June 2, 2016 meeting, where they will receive an official participation stamp on the first page.

The very next day, the fun begins!  As detailed in the e-mail sent to members earlier this week, the Great Sketchbook Encounter is a challenge to Nature Artists’ Guild members to fill two pages in their sketchbook every day from June 3 until September 4, 2016.  That’s 90 days of skill-improving sketching!

Redbellied Woodpecker Sketch, © 2016 Karen A. Johnson. Used with permission.
Red-bellied Woodpecker Sketch,© 2016 Karen A. Johnson. Used with permission.

Before purchasing a new sketchbook, participants might like to take a few minutes to think about when and where they are most likely to find the time and opportunity to sketch, and which media they would like to try.  Pencil sketches just require a regular sketchbook, a few pencils, a sharpener and an eraser. Adding color, whether with colored pencil, watercolor, inks or pastels may require a thicker or textured paper.  Pen and ink may work better on something smooth.  If you are planning a lot of traveling, a small sketchbook and simple supplies can go anywhere, but if you plan to sketch in your garden each morning, a larger sketchbook may result in some lovely frame-able drawings.

Great Sketchbook Encounter tote bags will be awarded at the October 2016 meeting to those who meet the challenge, and any members who wish to may display their sketchbooks at the meeting. Thank you to Evelyn Grala for planning this exciting challenge!  Those who wish to participate or have questions but cannot attend the June meeting, should check their recent e-mail for contact information.

No Hoeing, Mulching or Weeding Required

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How nice would it be to enjoy a beautiful garden on a May morning without thinking about all of the hoeing, mulching and weeding that lies ahead? At the Gardens at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, IL, the work has been done and the only thing left to do is enjoy the results.

The Nature Artists’ Guild paint-out at the Gardens of Cantigny Park is this Tuesday, May 24, 2016, between 9 am and noon.  Please click on this link to a previous post for more details, and on this link to Cantigny’s “In Bloom” report.  There is no need for Nature Artists’ Guild members to RSVP for this event.  Admission to the gardens is free, but there is a $5 fee for parking.

Visiting Artist Series – Drawing Trees in Pastel

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The upcoming workshops in The Morton Arboretum’s Visiting Artist Series – Drawing Trees in Pastel, on June 17 and 18, 2016 will be taught by none other than longtime Nature Artists’ Guild member and Arboretum instructor Laverne Bohlin, and she will be visiting from the sunny city of Albuquerque, NM.  Perhaps she will bring some of that sunshine with her!

From the class description on the Arboretum’s website –

Apply pastel techniques to the challenging subject of trees in the landscape. Join returning artist Laverne Bohlin and learn to recognize three major design characteristics of trees and how to express them in pastel. Depict a tree’s three-dimensional form under changing light conditions. Friday’s subject will be deciduous trees, and Saturday’s subject will be evergreens. Sign up for both days and receive a $20 discount.

Please register soon, as workshops fill quickly.  You can read more about Laverne and view her beautiful artwork at lavernebohlinart.com.  To register for or read more about the workshop, please click on one of the highlighted links above.  The workshop is not limited to members of The Morton Arboretum or the Nature Artists’ Guild, although Arboretum members will receive a discount.

Scenes in Pen and Ink by Marianne Lisson Kuhn, June 2, 2016

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Marianne Lisson Kuhn grew up in the “then small farming community of Naperville, Illinois”, and “spent most Sundays visiting her grandparents at their local farms and grew to love the country and the beauty of nature unfolding with each passing season”.

Marianne Lisson Kuhn, Photo Credit mariannelissonkuhn.com/

Marianne’s artwork includes small rural scenes and landscapes in pen and ink, pastel and watercolor, as well as large murals depicting historical and contemporary life in the area.

On Thursday, June 2, 2016, Marianne will share some of her thoughts, inspirations and techniques with the Nature Artists’ Guild at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL from 7 until 9 pm. Her focus will be on scenes in pen and ink for this presentation.

As always, guests and visitors are welcome to attend this program sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild.  There is no charge for attendance, parking, or admission to the Arboretum for this event.  Visitors can just let the gate attendant know that they are there for the program, and they will be directed to Thornhill.

Please click on the following links to learn more about Marianne, and to view examples of her artwork  –

Marianne’s website,   Naperville’s Century Walk Art website

Set Aside a Morning In May

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This is one of the busiest times of the year for many of our Nature Artists’ Guild members. There are so many things to see and do as Spring bursts in with all its colors, sounds and scents!

Photo Credit Cantigny.org
Photo Credit Cantigny.org

The Nature Artists’ Guild is asking its members to consider setting aside a few hours on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, between 9 am and noon, to join their fellow artists at the Gardens at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, IL, for a morning of painting, drawing, sketching and photographing.

The Gardens at Cantigny beckon you. They tug at your senses, drawing you closer. If you listen carefully, each garden will tell you a story, unfolding with every step. You will feel your body relax as you absorb the landscape and the landscape devours your stress. The hustle of life melts away just a few steps into our 29 acres of flourishing, blooming tranquility. Come enjoy the pace of nature here in The Gardens at Cantigny.  – Cantigny.org

Cantigny.org header 2
Photo Credit Cantigny.org

After a morning of creating art and enjoying nature, members may be interested in visiting Cantigny’s Le Jardin for lunch. We have heard only wonderful things about the food from members who have been there!  There is a $5 fee for parking at Cantigny, but there is no charge for admission to the gardens. Attendees are encouraged, but not required to RSVP to Jane Kellenberger, whose contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild  Yearbook.

Please click on any of the highlighted links above to read more about Cantigny’s history, to see a map of the garden or a list of the plants, to view a bloom report, or for driving directions.

Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum’s Spring 2016 Exhibit

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In just over two weeks, from Friday, April 15, through Sunday, April 17, 2016, the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum, in Lisle, IL, will be presenting its Spring 2016 Exhibition, featuring nearly 200 works of nature art in a wide variety of media, by approximately 50 nature artists.  Featured Artist for the exhibit, Patty Koenigsaecker, will be also be exhibiting a number of her beautiful works in fiber, pastel and other media.

Artwork by Patty Koenigsaecker, poster design by Evelyn Grala
Artwork by Patty Koenigsaecker, poster design by Evelyn Grala

In addition –

  • Visitors will have the opportunity to watch and interact with artists in the process of creating artwork in various media.
  • Raffle tickets for gift baskets will be available for purchase.  Two baskets include art supplies and a voucher for a private class by a talented art instructor, another includes various craft beers, another is geared towards birding enthusiasts, and one is an art basket for the entire family.
  • By popular demand, the mini-canvas fundraising project, introduced last autumn, will be repeated.  Nature Artists’ Guild members have the option of creating one or more small artworks, which will be displayed in a group mosaic, and sold for just $20 each at the exhibit. (Members who still wish to participate, but have not yet obtained their canvas are encouraged to contact Jill Adzia, whose contact information can be found in their Yearbook).

There is no charge for admission to the exhibit or for parking, but admission fees for entry into The Morton Arboretum will apply for those who are not Arboretum members. Friends, family and guests of Nature Artists’ Guild members, as well as members of the Morton Arboretum are invited to attend a special opening celebration and preview on the evening of Friday, April 15, 2016 at the Thornhill Education Center between 5 and 9 pm. There will be no charge for admission to the Arboretum for the Friday evening event.

It’s All Up To You at the Nature Artists’ Guild Paint-Out This Tuesday

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Drop in for an hour, or stay all morning.  Sketch, paint, draw, sculpt, or snap a few photos. Sit with other artists, or find a quiet corner.  Choose a giant mammal or a tiny bird.

Nature Artists' Guild at Jurica-Suchy 2015
Nature Artists’ Guild at Jurica-Suchy 2015

It’s all up to you at the Nature Artists’ Guild paint-out this Tuesday, March 22, 2016 from 9 until around noon at the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum, located in the Birck Hall of Science at Benedictine University, 5700 College Road, Lisle, IL.

For photos and a link to the campus map, please click here or on the highlighted link above. RSVP’s are not necessary for this paint-out. Participants may wish to bring a portable chair along with their art supplies.

Call for Artists for The Morton Arboretum Wine & Art Walk

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The Morton Arboretum will be presenting a “Wine and Art Walk” on the weekend of August 27th and 28th, 2016.  This juried art festival will feature the works of approximately 80 nature artists “in a wooded and open area along a paved trail around Meadow Lake located near the Visitor Center”.

Applications will be accepted until March 25, 2016. Interested artists can read more about the festival and application process by clicking on this link to the event page of The Morton Arboretum’s website.

Introducing the Nature Artists’ Guild’s Featured Artist for Spring 2016, Patty Koenigsaecker

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The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is honored to introduce the 2016 Spring Exhibit Featured Artist, Patty Koenigsaecker.  Please click on the tab at the top of this website, or on this link to learn more about Patty and to see a few examples of her beautiful nature art.

Nature Artists' Guild Exhibit Postcard Spring 2016
Spring 2016 Exhibition Postcard for Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum. Artwork by Patty Koenigsaecker, postcard design by Evelyn Grala.

Please feel free to download and share the above postcard with friends, family and fellow nature and art lovers by right-clicking on the image.  Copies of the exhibition postcard and poster are also available for distribution, and can be picked up at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.  We appreciate everyone’s assistance in spreading the word about this wonderful exhibit of approximately 150 works of nature art, by nearly 50 talented artists!

Top Five Reasons to Attend Tonight’s Nature Artists’ Guild Program

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1.  Rhonda Nass and her award-winning colored-pencil artwork

2.  Rhonda’s new book, Scratchings of a Madwoman

3.  For interested Nature Artists’ Guild members, an opportunity to pick up their mini-canvas

4.  Visitors and guests are welcome, and the program, admission to The Morton Arboretum, and parking are free-of-charge

5.  The special beauty of The Morton Arboretum after dark, especially with a dusting of snow

For more information about Rhonda, please scroll down to a our previous post, or visit her website, www.rnass.com.  Visitors do not need to be a member of the Nature Artists’ Guild or The Morton Arboretum to attend this program from 7 until 9 pm on Thursday, March 3, 2016, and the gate attendant at The Morton Arboretum will direct them to the Thornhill Education Center building.  More information about the Arboretum is available at www.mortonarb.org.