Category: Events

Don’t Forget Your Pith Helmet!

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You may be sitting within feet of a pride of lions.  You may be looking into the eyes of a leopard.  You could even find yourself staring down a skunk!

Yes, you guessed it!  The Nature Artists’ Guild is going to Jurica.  Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum, located on the second floor of the Birck Hall of Science at Benedictine University, 5700 College Road, Lisle, IL  60532, will be the site of an upcoming expedition (paint-out) for brave Nature Artists’ Guild members.

Photo Credit Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum
Photo Credit Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum

This year’s paint-out will take place on Tuesday, March 12, 2013.  No RSVP is necessary – you can drop in any  time between 9 am and 12 pm, but you’ll want to get there early to allow yourself enough time to sketch, paint or photograph some of the more than 10,000 specimens in the collection.  The museum has even added a new permanent exhibit featuring rocks and minerals.

The museum curators have confirmed that are expecting us and will be there to let us in, so no safaris in search of the elusive door key will be necessary this year!

For more information, please check out their website, http://benuscience.org/museum/index.php.

 

Illumination

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Ranunculus, © Carol Jean Rogalski, Watercolor and 23k gold on Vellum
Ranunculus, © Carol Jean Rogalski, Watercolor and 23k gold on Vellum

 On March 7, 2013 at 7 pm in Thornhill, we will have the pleasure of attending a program by one of our own members, Carol Jean Rogalski, as she shares with us the history and techniques of Illumination. 

Prior to the development of the printing press, original illustrations were used to enhance medieval manuscripts.  These glowing  illustrations included the use of silverpoint, egg tempera and illumination with gold on vellum.  Carol Jean Rogalski has spent years traveling to museums to view these early examples of illustration, while also learning and practicing these early techniques. She recently completed a techniques demonstration for the ASBA at The Chicago Botanic Garden in October, 2012.

Many of you may know Carol Jean as an instructor in The Morton Arboretum’s Botanical Art and Illustration program, and may have seen examples of her stunning illuminations in our Nature Artists’ Guild exhibits.  You may also remember Carol Jean as one of the three short–program demonstrators at our “Artist Trio” event last summer.

There has been so much interest in and fascination with Carol Jean’s artwork and techniques that we have asked Carol Jean to return for a full-length program that you won’t want to miss!

 

Braving the Weather

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Those members who braved the weather last evening to attend the program featuring artist Scott Harding were treated to a wonderful demonstration! Scott began an oil painting one of the most recognized (and hugged) trees of The Morton Arboretum, and we all were able to watch the painting transform before our very eyes.   Scott has promised to send a photograph of the finished painting, and we will post it when he does.  Below are a few photographs from the evening, taken by our Nature Artists’ Guild photographer, Kathy Wagner.

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While you’re here, please check out our Member News page (click on the tab at the top of your screen).  We can all be proud of (and inspired by) being part of such an ambitious and talented group of artists!

Upcoming events for the Nature Artists’ Guild include an exhibit at the Fine Line Creative Arts Center (prospectus due by February 22, 2013), the Spring Exhibition at The Morton Arboretum (prospectus due by February 23, 2013), a paint-out at Orchids by Hausermann on February 12, 2013 (contact Carol Jean Rogalski to RSVP), and  heading into early March, a program featuring Carol Jean Rogalski and the art of Illumination (March 07, 2013) and a paint-out at the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum  on March 12, 2013 (more details to come very soon).

Some Wonderful Member News!

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Member Carol Jean Rogalski would like to share the wonderful news –

Some of the Nature Artists’ Guild members have formed a local group in Long Grove. This group is titled the Reed-Turner Woodland Botanical Artists’ Circle.  This group is a Midwestern affiliate of the American Society of Botanical Artists, and it provides interaction and support among artists with similar interests.  The following members –

Fran Kelly, Kumie Kim, Eileen LaBarre, Barbara Papamarcos, Lynne Railsback, Carol Jean Rogalski, and Carla Schmakel

will be participating in Drawn to Nature II, an exhibition at Brushwood Gallery, in the Ryerson Conservation Center .  The opening reception will be on Sunday, March 3 from 1 to 3 pm, and all are invited.  In this exhibition the artists seek to further the interests of conservation science, botany and horticulture, and to represent the beauty of plants in our lives.

For further information, including directions to Ryerson Conservation Center and the Brushwood Gallery in Deerfield, see the website www.ryersonwoods.org

Our Annual Day in the Tropics is Coming Soon!

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One of our most popular annual paint-outs is scheduled this year for February 12, 2013 from 9 am until 12:30 pm. Where would we possibly want to hold a paint-out in the middle of February?  Hausermann Orchids’ showroom and greenhouse, of course!

Orchids by Hausermann, Inc.  is the largest orchid grower in the Midwest, and each year, fifteen members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are able to take this trip to the tropics without any of the hassles of traveling!  The showroom and huge greenhouses of Hausermann’s are warm, bright, and filled with gorgeous orchids of every shape, size and color.   One lucky participant will even win a certificate for a free orchid to take home with them!

The spots fill quickly, so please contact Carol Jean Rogalski (you can find her contact information in your Yearbook) to reserve your place in the sun (or at least warmth).   

Orchids by Hausermann, Inc. is located at 2N134 Addison Road, Villa Park, IL  60181.

Please visit their website at www.orchidsbyhausermann.com to view some stunning photos and read more about the art of growing orchids!

Update

The word is that the paint-out was a huge success, so please enjoy these photographs contributed by some of the attendees!   The winner of the orchid was Irene Gintilas, and the photo she has shared with us is included in the slideshow.

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“The Effects of Light on the World Around Us” with Scott Harding, February 7, 2013

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Our first program of the new year will feature award-winning artist Scott Harding.  Scott works primarily in oil, but is also well-versed in pencil, watercolor, pastel and intaglio printing.   His work is described as “realistic, with an impressionistic touch”, and covers a wide range of subject matter.

Scott’s work has been featured in numerous galleries and one-man shows, and has won awards in several national competitions.  His art is included in many private and corporate collections around the world.

Please join us on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 7 pm at Thornhill  for what promises to be a fascinating evening with this talented artist as he discusses the challenges and joys of creating his work and his fascination with “the effects of light on the world around us”. 

You can read more about Scott and see examples of his stunning artwork on his website by clicking here.

 

 

Nature Artists’ Guild Member Don Castro’s Retrospective at the Burning Bush Gallery

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One of the biggest perks of being a member of the Nature Artists’ Guild is the support of your fellow members.   Whether you are exhibiting for the first time, or the hundredth, it’s always great to see a few familiar smiling faces of fellow Nature Artists’ Guild members at your reception!

Who could be more deserving of our support than 22-year member, and Holiday Party “Master of Ceremonies”, Don Castro?  Don not only shows up every December to swear in our officers, make us laugh, and hand out prizes, but has also contributed so much of his time and talents to the Nature Artists’ Guild over the years.

The Artists’ Reception for Don’s upcoming Retrospective at the Burning Bush Art Gallery in Wheaton, IL is coming up on January 20th from 1 until 4 pm (details below).  What a great chance to admire some of Don’s best work all in one place, and show your appreciation for all of his contributions to the Nature Artists’ Guild!

Courtesy of Burning Bush Gallery
Courtesy of Burning Bush Art Gallery

Artists Reception: Sunday, January 20, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Gallery Hours: Sundays: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm,

Wednesdays: 5:30 – 7:00 pm, Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, or by appointment (708) 705-8669.

216 North Main Street, Wheaton IL

 

Nature Artists’ Guild to Exhibit at the Fine Line Creative Arts Center

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Our Outside Exhibitions Chairpersons have been hard at work!  Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild  have an exciting opportunity to exhibit at the Kavanagh Gallery of the Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles, Il from March 8 through March 28, 2013.  An Artists’ Reception is scheduled on March 9, 2013 between 2:30 and 5 pm.

The Fine Line Creative Arts Center is one of the country’s few regional arts centers, and along with its many classrooms and beautiful galleries,  The Fine Line also features a fascinating history , which you can read about here!

Photo credit, Fine Line Creative Arts Center
Photo credit,  Fine Line Creative Arts Center

All current members of the Nature Artists Guild should have received their prospectus recently via mail or e-mail.  If you have not received your prospectus, or have any questions, please contact Sharon Malec or Patty Koenigsaecker (whose contact information you will be able to find in your Yearbook).

Please remember to register before Friday, February 22, 2013 to  be a part of this wonderful opportunity!

 

The Nature Artists’ Guild Starts Planning for the New Year!

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Great news!  The board and committee members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are already busily planning some of next year’s events, and we have a sneak peek of some that are coming up within the next few months!

Our first program of the new year will feature artist Scott Harding, on February 7, 2013.  Of course, we’ll have our special exhibit at Downers Grove Library in January, we’ll be visiting Hausermann’s Orchids for a paint-out in February,  and we can look forward to a fascinating presentation by one of our own members, Carol Jean Rogalski, at our March meeting.

There is also talk of a “open studio” event at Thornhill, where natural objects will be provided as subject matter, and an instructor will be on-hand for questions or assistance.

Please check your next issue of the Quarterly or check back here in the upcoming months for all the details.

All Members and Guests are Invited to our Annual Holiday Party on December 6, 2012

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Don’t forget to save an evening during your busy holiday season to spend some time with a great group – your fellow Nature Artists’ Guild members!  Our annual Holiday Party and Elections will take place on December 6, 2012, beginning at 7:00 pm at Thornhill.

If you can, bring a dish to pass, and/or a contribution to the raffle (books, prints, or other nature or art-related items are always popular).  There will be a few short speeches, the swearing in of the new Board, and then the fun begins! You’ll finally have an opportunity to catch up with old Guild friends, welcome some new members, and maybe even win some great prizes.  Please feel free to bring a guest to join us for this enjoyable and relaxing annual tradition.