Category: Events

Coming Soon!

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment

We may not be able to count on the weather this time of the year (how about all of this rain?), but we can always count on the Nature Artists’ Guild to come up with some great events, indoors and out.

Coming up in the next few months –

  • On Wednesday, July 15, 2015, from 9 am until noon, members will be meeting on the Joy Path and in the Fragrance Garden of The Morton Arboretum for a paint-out filled with wonderful scents, sounds and sights.
  • The Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit, Viewing Nature, at Benedictine College in Lisle, IL, continues until July 16, 2015.  This gorgeous collection of nature art is located in the Komechak Gallery on the fifth floor of the Kindlon Hall of Learning.  After entering at the main entrance, visitors should proceed to the back of the building, where the elevator to the fifth floor is located in a short hallway to their right.  For more details, please click on the gallery name above.
  • On Thursday evening, August 6, 2015, from 7 until 9 pm, at Thornhill Education Center at The Morton Arboretum, Nature Artists Guild members and their guests will be given the opportunity to see three of our most talented artists at work.  Gail Diedrichsen, Bob Sunyog and Lindsay Sandbothe will be sharing some of their techniques, tips and inspirations at this popular yearly program.  Open to visitors, it is a great chance to interact with these artists, as well as to meet other members of the Nature Artists Guild (and possibly even consider becoming a member in the future). Everyone is welcome to attend this fun and fascinating program!
  • Member Margo Heald has very generously donated over 60 books to the Nature Artists’ Guild!  At our August 6, 2015 meeting, these books (instructional art books to fabulous coffee table books, as well as everything in between) will be available for purchase at a generous discount to our members (cash or check only, please).
  • A new fundraising project will be announced at our August 6, 2015 meeting. Committee members will have twenty 6-inch square canvases to give to members who wish to participate.  These canvases will then be taken home by the artists, to be painted or collaged as they wish, and returned at “referee night” of the Holiday Exhibit.  A display of all the canvases will be part of our 2015 Holiday Exhibit, and the canvases will be for sale, with proceeds going to the Nature Artists’ Guild.

Please be sure to check back for more details about these events as the dates approach.  

Two More Opportunities to Paint This June!

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment

Well, why not?  Why not paint while the weather is willing and the gardens are at their finest?

Nature Artists’ Guild member Linn Eldred (click here to see some examples of her work as a previous featured artist) has kindly offered to share her daughter’s garden in Bolingbrook, IL with fellow members for a morning of painting, sketching, drawing and photographing from 9 am until noon on Thursday, June 18, 2015.  Those who would like to attend should RSVP to Mary Ann Jimenez, and check their e-mails from earlier this month for the address.

Ty Warner Park, Westmont Park District, Photo Credit Westmont Park District
Ty Warner Park, Westmont Park District, Photo Credit, Westmont Park District

On Thursday, June 25, 2015 between 9 am and noon, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will be meeting at Ty Warner Park,  at the corner of Plaza Drive and Blackhawk Drive, Westmont, IL for another morning in nature.  According to the park’s website page (click here to visit), “Restored woodlands and enhanced wetlands are connected through a prairie system surrounding the perimeter of the park”.  Members should meet at the main gazebo, and may want to consider bringing a picnic lunch.  There is no need to RSVP for this event – the more the merrier!

Ku-mie Kim’s Garden Paint-Out Added on June 23, 2015

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment

Ku-mie Kim’s talent for composition and color is not only evident in her artwork (click here for examples), but in her garden as well!

Ku-mie Kim has generously offered the opportunity to paint or draw in her garden to fellow members of the Nature Artists’ Guild on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 between 9 am and 1 pm.  Members who have attended previous paint-outs at Ku-mie’s garden have nothing but praise for the beauty of the garden and the graciousness of the host!  She has offered coffee, tea, water and a snack, and if attendees would like to bring their own lunch, Ku-mie will contribute a salad to that as well.

Please let our Programs and Paint-Outs Chair, Mary Ann Jimenez, know if you would like to attend by Friday, June 20, 2015.  Both Mary Ann’s contact information and Ku-mie Kim’s address can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook.

Gardener’s Art Festival, June 20, 2015

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment

The Growing Place, 25w471 Plank Road, Naperville, IL, has again asked members of the Nature Artists’ Guild to return for their annual Gardener’s Art Festival, a fun celebration of plants and art, taking place on Saturday, June 20, 2015!

Space is limited to ten artists, so members of the Nature Artists’ Guild who wish to participate in this event should contact Mary Ann Jimenez (whose e-mail address can be found in their Yearbook) as soon as possible. Our artists will be featured from 11 until 3 pm, and can stay the entire time or just 2 hours, and will be working right amongst the flowers, shrubs, trees, and garden art of The Growing Place or at the Nature Artist’s Guild information table.

Most types of media are welcome, and styles can range from detailed botanical sketches to impressionistic views of the many garden tableaus featured at The Growing Place. Participating artists should bring a chair, some water, art supplies, and if desired, small examples of some of their finished artwork.

Suzanne Wegener and Karen Johnson at the Nature Artists’ Guild Information Table, Gardener’s Art Festival at The Growing Place

This is a wonderful opportunity to participate in a lively and festive event, where visitors from throughout the area who are interested in both gardening and art can view our talented Nature Artists’ Guild members at work!  For more information about The Growing Place, please visit their website by clicking here.

The Art and Lives of the “Plant Hunters” at the Sterling Morton Library on June 4, 2015

Published on by Denise1 Comment

Plan to spend a wonderful evening on Thursday, June 4, 2015, from 7 until 9 pm at the Sterling Morton Library of The Morton Arboretum, as Manager of Library Collections, Rita Hassert, and Rare Art Collection Assistant (and Nature Artists’ Guild member), Arlene Widrevitz, discuss the lives and works of some of the adventurous and dedicated artists who contributed to plant hunting, collecting, and documentation across the world and the centuries.

Arlene Widrevitz and Rita Hassert at Nature Artists' Guild Presentation, Sterling Morton Library, 2014
Arlene Widrevitz and Rita Hassert at 2014 Nature Artists’ Guild Presentation, Sterling Morton Library

Featured in the presentation will be Ferdinand Bauer, an Austrian botanical illustrator, and William Bartram, an American botanical and ornithological illustrator, both contributors of artwork to the French botanist and explorer, Andre Michaux and his son, Francois Andre Michaux, for their book on trees of North America, The North American Sylva. The lives and works of other artistic contributors, Pierre-Joseph Redoute and Pancrace Bessa will also be explored.  (Please click on any of the highlighted links above to read more.)

During this presentation, rare works by these and other artists from the Sterling Morton Library’s Art and Rare Book Collections will be on display to highlight and illustrate the presentation, as well as the library’s current exhibit, Plant Hunters.

Guests and visitors are welcome to attend this special presentation sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum.  There is no fee for parking or attendance, and non-members of The Morton Arboretum should let the gate attendant know that they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program.

“Viewing Nature”, Exhibit of Nature Art at the Komechak Gallery Begins May 3, 2015

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment

On Sunday, May 3, 2015, between 2 and 4 pm, all are invited to attend an opening reception for the special exhibit of artwork by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, at the Fr. Michael E. Komechak, O.S.B. Art Gallery at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL.  This “First Sunday Tea & Talk Art Lecture Series” gives members of the public a chance to meet and talk with the artists, as well as to view some of the artists engaging in their creative process.

Viewing Nature, featuring nearly 50 pieces of nature art, many of which were inspired by the collection of the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University, will be on display at the Komechak Gallery from May 4 until July 18, 2015. The gallery is open from 11 am until 4 pm every day except Sunday.

Komechak Art Gallery, Benedictine University, Lisle IL
Komechak Gallery, Benedictine University. Photo credit Benedictine University website. Please click on photo to be directed to the website page.

Komechak Gallery is located on the 5th floor in Kindlon Hall of Learning, Benedictine University, 5700 College Road, Lisle IL. For more information, please click on this link to the Komechak Art Gallery’s web pages or click on one of the photos to be directed to their website.

Komechak Art Gallery, Benedictine University
Komechak Gallery, Benedictine University. Photo credit Benedictine University website. Please click on photo to be directed to the website page.

Nature Artists’ Guild Open Studio, Paint-In, Saturday May 2, 2015

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment

On Saturday, May 2, 2015, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited to meet at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum anytime between noon and 3 pm for an open studio and “paint-in”.

From our Program and Paint-Out Chair, Mary Ann Jimenez –

Having the opportunity to associate and work alongside other artists, from time to time, can enlighten us and open our eyes to the diversity that pours out of creative minds. Come and enjoy this opportunity to share in an environment of creativity and motivation. Everyone can learn a great deal working alongside other artists.

Bring whatever piece you are currently working one (or start a new one), as well as your own supplies. Hope to see you there.

Of course, if you come down with a touch of spring fever during this event, remember that the sights, sounds and scents of Joy Path are right outside of the doors of Thornhill for all to enjoy!

Spring Color, photo credit www.mortonarb.org
Spring Color, photo credit http://www.mortonarb.org. Please click on the photo to be directed to The Morton Arboretum’s Bloom Report.

Spring Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum, April 18 and 19, 2015

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment

The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is proud to announce our Featured Artist of the 2015 Annual Spring Exhibit, Nancy Halliday.  You can view more of Nancy’s work and read all about her artistic journey by clicking on the “Our Current Featured Artist” tab above.

The Spring Exhibit will feature over 200 pieces of artwork by more than 50 of our talented Nature Artists’ Guild members.  It is a wonderful opportunity to see some of the best nature art in the area, in a beautiful setting, the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.

The exhibit is open to the public on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19, 2015 from 10 am until 4 pm.  There is no admission charge, but gate fees do apply to non-members of The Morton Arboretum, located at 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL.

A special reception for Arboretum members and guests of the artists will be held on April 17, 2015 from 5 until 9 pm.

Copyright Nancy Halliday
Copyright Nancy Halliday

Nature Artists’ Guild Annual Expedition to Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum

Published on by Denise2 Comments

There’s no need to pack anything but a few art supplies and a folding stool or chair for this short expedition to the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum!

Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University. Photo credit www.ben.edu.
Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University. Photo credit http://www.ben.edu.

On Tuesday, March 17, 2015, Nature Artists’ Guild members will once again have the opportunity to sketch, paint, or draw from the enormous collection at the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL, any time between 9 am and noon. There is no need to RSVP, and some participants may choose to meet for lunch afterwards at a local restaurant.

The museum is located on the second floor of the Birck Hall of Science, Benedictine University, 5700 College Road, Lisle, IL.  To read about the history of the museum, view more photos, or even search for a particular specimen, please click on this link to the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum section of the Benedictine University’s website.

Below are some photos from previous expeditions by the Nature Artists’ Guild, contributed by various members.

Nature Artists’ Guild Member Karen Johnson Shares Her Experiences

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment

Once again, we can thank Karen Johnson for posting some wonderful photographs of recent Nature Artists’ Guild events on her blog! Please click on this link to Karen’s Nature Art to read about and view photos of Karen’s experiences at the Nature Artists’ Guild presentation featuring Carrie Carlson and the recent raptor photography event at the Stillman Nature Center.