Category: Exhibitions

Easy and Enjoyable New Year’s Resolutions for Nature Artists

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Why not a few resolutions for 2019 that are enjoyable and easy to keep?  Here are a few for artists at every skill level –

  • Learn new art techniques and methods from renowned artists from the local area as well as from across the country (and occasionally around the world)
  • Participate in wonderful and well-attended exhibitions at The Morton Arboretum and other venues
  • Attend paint-outs with fellow artists, often at locations only accessible as part of an artist’s group
  • Pick up tips and inspiration from artists who are also interested in nature, but whose work varies widely in style, specific subject matter, and technique
Nature Artists’ Guild at Orchids by Hausermann, an annual winter paint-out location.

2019 could be the year to increase artistic skills, learn a new technique, exhibit for the first (or 100th) time, or just have many opportunities to learn from and gain inspiration from fellow artists, all while having fun and enjoying the natural world. Becoming a member of (or renewing membership to) the Nature Artists’ Guild will make it much easier to keep those resolutions!

Please click on this link to the Membership Brochure to learn more. Membership in the Nature Artists’ Guild does not require membership at The Morton Arboretum.  A preview of some of the planned events for 2019 will be coming soon.

Nature Artists’ Guild’s First Exhibit of 2019

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The first exhibit of work by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum next year will take place at the Downers Grove Public Library from January 2 until February 2, 2019.

Current members of the Guild will need to return their completed prospectuses (e-mailed to members on November 17, 2018) by Monday, December 17, 2018 to be eligible to participate.  This one is easy!  Since the artwork must have been included in a Nature Artists’ Guild exhibition within the past five years, it is already completed, titled, framed, and ready to hang, and just needs to be dropped off at the library on Saturday, December 29, 2018 between 10 and 11 am.  All details are in the prospectus.

The Downers Grove Public Library has a long and interesting history as well as an impressive collection of original artwork.  The Nature Artists’ Guild is excited and proud to once again begin the new year as the first participant in their rotating exhibit, Active in the Galleries.

 

Nature Artists Share Their Talents November 2nd Through 4th, 2018

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One more reason to attend the 2018 Nature Artists’ Guild Holiday (Autumn) Exhibit of Natural History Art at The Morton Arboretum is that five talented members will be sharing their talents, tips and techniques.  Each member will spend a few hours talking with visitors, answering questions, and creating artwork.

The schedule for these artists is –

Needle-felting with Sharon Malec on Friday evening, November 2, 2018, from 5 until 7:30 pm

Watercolor and colored pencil with Linda Skisak on Saturday, November 3, 2018, from 10:30 am until 1 pm

Oils with Dale Olsen on Saturday, November 3, 2018, from 1:15 until 3:45 pm

Watercolor with Victoria Elizabeth (Pelarenos) on Sunday, November 4, 2018, from 10:30 am until 1 pm

Pastel dust with Linn Eldred on Sunday, November 4, 2018, from 1:15 until 3:45 pm

(Please note that the Friday evening reception is for friends of the artists and members of The Morton Arboretum.) Click here for exhibition hours open to all Arboretum visitors.

Embrace, watercolor, copyright Victoria Elizabeth (Pelarenos)

Nature Artists’ Guild 2018 Holiday (Autumn) Exhibit of Natural History Art Opens Next Week

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The leaves may be at “peak color” just in time for the Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit next weekend, November 3 and 4, 2018 at The Morton Arboretum (and the reception on Friday evening for guests of the artists and Arboretum members).

There will also be “peak color” of a slightly different nature indoors, at the annual Autumn exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild.  Here are just a few examples from the more than one hundred pieces of nature art that will be on display.

Please click on this link or the tab under Member Artwork to view each piece individually.

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Preview of the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2018 Holiday (Autumn) Exhibit of Natural History Art

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Please click on the below image or the tab under Member Artwork to be directed to a new page featuring samples of artwork that will be included in the upcoming Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2018 Holiday (Autumn) Exhibit of Natural History Art at The Morton Arboretum.  The exhibit will include more than 100 pieces of nature art by nearly 50 members of the Guild, and numerous pieces by the exhibit’s Featured Artist, Gary Chipman.

Members – there is still time to include your artwork in this sample by sending in your image!  Please check your e-mail from a few weeks ago for instructions.  After all entries are received, they will also be included in a slideshow in a future post.

Blue Heron, mixed media, copyright Arlene Widrevitz.

Pamela Hamilton’s Stunning Pastels This Thursday, October 4, 2018

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Pamela Hamilton at The Morton Arboretum Art and Wine Walk, 2018.

On Thursday, October 4, 2018, from 7 until 9 pm, Nature Artists’ Guild members, guests, and visitors will be treated to a presentation by the talented pastel artist, Pamela Hamilton, at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.

Autumn on The Eastside, copyright Pamela Hamilton. Used with permission.  Please click on image to read more about Pamela and to view more images of her work.

In addition,

  • Attendees will be invited to take and share some posters and postcards for the upcoming 2018 Holiday (Autumn) Exhibition of Natural History Art at The Morton Arboretum.  The posters and postcards, designed by Evelyn Grala, will feature the work of the show’s Featured Artist, Gary Chipman.  More on Gary and the exhibit to come soon.
  • Guild members will have the opportunity to pick up a few blank small canvases to finish in time for fundraising at the exhibit.
  • Those Guild members who participated in the 2018 Summer Sketchbook Encounter are invited to share their accomplishments in a display of sketchbooks at the meeting.
  • Prospective future Guild members are invited to attend for an anonymous and pressure-free glimpse into the dynamics of the group to see whether it would be a good fit for their interests.  Guild members will be available for questions, and there will be one-year “membership scholarship” application forms available.
  • As always, there will be light refreshments as well, in the setting of a historic building at the renowned Morton Arboretum, all free-of-charge for anyone who wishes to attend.  Visitors should let the gate attendant know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program for free admission and to be directed to Thornhill.

Please click on any of the highlighted links or on the images for more information.

Goldfinch II , copyright Pamela Hamilton. Used with permission.

Coming Soon For The Nature Artists’ Guild

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A few of the upcoming Nature Artists’ Guild’s activities for Autumn, one of the most wonderful times of the year to celebrate nature –

  • This Thursday, August 23, 2018 a paint-out at the Gardens at Ball will take place from 9 until noon for Guild members.  Please click on the highlighted link for more information.
  • On Thursday evening, October 4, 2018,  from 7 until 9 pm, pastel artist Pamela Hamilton (a favorite at last weekend’s Wine and Art Walk) will share some of her techniques and inspirations with Guild members, guests, and visitors at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.  Check back soon for more about Pamela and her presentation.  The program, sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild, is free-of-charge and open to all.
  • The 2018 Holiday (Autumn) Exhibition of Natural History Art, featuring the artwork of Guild members, is scheduled for the weekend of November 3 and 4, 2018, with a reception for Arboretum members and guests of the artists on the evening of Friday, November 2, 2018 in the Cudahy Room of The Morton Arboretum.  Much more to come in the following weeks about this exhibit and the featured artist, Gary Chipman.

    Gardens at Ball. Photo credit https://www.ballhort.com/GardensAtBall/Visit/

Nature Artists’ Guild Program This Thursday, August 2, 2018

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Thursday’s program will feature three Nature Artists’ Guild members sharing techniques and tips for creating art in some unique and beautiful ways. 

Spring, At Last, copyright Catherine Stacy.
Polar Vortex Landscape, copyright Marilyn Peretti.
Retreating Glacier, copyright Joe Rizzo.

All are invited to attend this program and can read more about it and view complete versions of the above artwork by clicking here.

In addition to the program, Guild members will be able to pick up some blank canvases for a fundraiser for the 2018 Autumn (Holiday) Exhibition of Natural History Art.  The 3 x 3 inch canvases can be painted, collaged, or drawn on, and the finished works of art will be sold at the upcoming exhibit in November.

Nature Artists’ Guild 2018 Fundraiser. Examples of finished canvases by Laurie Freeman, Carol Puotinen, and Catherine Stacy.

The small size and reasonable price ($5 each) will make it possible for almost any exhibit attendee to bring home an original work of art to display, use as an ornament, or give as a gift.  Blank canvases will also be available to pick up at the October meeting, but must be completed and returned on or before the exhibit drop-off  (referee) evening of October 31, 2018.  Questions about this fundraiser can be answered by Catherine Stacy, whose contact information is in the Yearbook.

More information about the exhibit will be coming soon!

The Promise of an Acorn Exhibit Opens Sunday, July 22, 2018

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Many of the artists participating in the upcoming exhibit, The Promise of an Acorn, at the Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods in Riverwoods, IL are also members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum. The artists would like to extend an invitation to all nature and art lovers to the opening reception and exhibit.  Please click on the above highlighted link or on the image for directions and more information.

From the Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods –

The Promise of an Acorn

The Art of Oak Ecosystems

July 22 to September 2, 2018

Our exhibition, The Promise of an Acorn, focuses not just on the oak itself, but also on the unique habitat it creates, the other species it supports, and its impact on the environment and culture.

Participating Artists:

Beverly Behrens · Stephanie Bird · Gabriella Boros · Carrie Carlson · Dolores Diaz
Heidi Jachna · Heeyoung Kim · Kumie Kim · Taehoon Kim
Peggy Macnamara · Victoria Marchio · Mary McCloskey · Carol Jean Rogalski
Barbara Rose · Carla Schmakel · Georgia Schwender · Vicky Tesmer

Opening Reception: Sunday, July 22 1-3 pm. After the reception, join us for the debut of our Dear Earth series!