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 Artat 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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
Art and nature lovers have been able to enjoy the Nature Artists’ Guild’s exhibit at Mayslake Hall of the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, IL since it opened on June 6, 2018. On the evening of Wednesday, June 27, 2018, from 6 to 8 pm, all are invited to attend a reception to meet and speak with some of the artists and enjoy some light refreshments. There is no charge to attend.
Please click on this link for additional information about the exhibit, which will be open through Friday, July 13, 2018. More than 25 nature artists have contributed to this lovely exhibition filling two rooms of the historical estate.
A sample of the artwork at the Nature Artists’ Guild 2018 Exhibit, Mayslake Peabody Estate.Colorful Iris, copyright Linn Eldred. One of many pieces by artists participating in the 2018 Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit at the Mayslake Peabody Estate.
Two classes coming up very soon are being taught by some of the best artists and best instructors that The Morton Arboretum has ever offered. Suzanne Wegener will be the instructor for Drawing Nature II on four Thursday evenings beginning on May 31, 2018. Suzanne will be teaching skills that are essential to any artist who wishes to draw nature realistically. Plein Air on the Prairie, on either Monday, June 4, or Monday, June 11, 2018 is a three-hour excursion onto the prairie with a sketchbook and two experts, naturalist Cindy Crosby, and artist Karen Johnson. It’s a unique opportunity to learn about and experience the prairie from a botanical as well as an artistic point of view. Please click on the above links to learn more or to enroll. Classes are open to all, not just members of the Nature Artists’ Guild or The Morton Arboretum, but Arboretum members will receive a discount on registration fees.
Page from Karen Johnson’s sketchbook. Copyright 2017, Karen Johnson.
Evelyn Grala has done it again, and come up with a way to keep Nature Artists’ Guild members growing this summer. Evelyn has planned a new Summer Sketchbook Encounter, to begin on June 1 and continue until September 1, 2018. Participants will be asked to fill four pages of a sketchbook per week, using any media they would like (including crayons), and to have fun. It’s as simple as that. The improvement in drawing and composition skills will come automatically! Interested members who have not already signed up should contact Evelyn (whose contact information can be found in their Yearbook) to ensure they receive her periodic updates and encouragements.
The Nature Artists’ Guild will be exhibiting at the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, IL from Wednesday, June 6 through Friday, July 13, 2018. The exhibit may be viewed any time during estate business hours, Monday through Friday, from 9 am until 3 pm, or Saturday between 9 am and 1 pm, but the best time to visit would be on Wednesday evening, June 27, 2018 between 6 and 8 pm. This artists’ reception is open to all, and is a great opportunity to meet and talk with the artists and enjoy light refreshments. Participating artists should check the prospectus for drop-off and pick-up dates and times.
There is so much excitement and anticipation around the upcoming program featuring biologist, author and artist Julie Zickefoose on Thursday, June 7, 2018 at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. All are welcome to attend this event free-of-charge. Please click on the highlighted link for more information.
Page from Baby Birds, An Artist Looks into the Nest, copyright Julie Zickefoose. Used with permission.
A new paint-out has been added for June, and it’s at one of the prettiest spots in the area, Meadow Lake at The Morton Arboretum. On Tuesday, June 26, at 9 am, Nature Artists’ Guild members will meet at the P-2 parking lot east of Meadow Lake. There will be water, flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees (naturally), and even some large mysterious creatures in the area. Guild members can contact Jane Kellenberger if they would like to attend, but last-minute drop-ins by members are also welcome.
Note: This post has been updated to include the new date for the rescheduled paint-out.
Artist in Residence Thomas Dambo at work on one of his creations for the Troll Hunt at The Morton Arboretum. Photo credit mortonarb.org. Please click on the photo for more information about the artist.
Mayslake Hall, at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 West 31st Street in Oak Brook, IL is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The buildings and remaining 89 acres of the estate are now owned by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. The Mayslake Peabody Estate, amidst ongoing restoration work, hosts art classes and exhibits inspired by nature, lectures about culture, history, and architecture, as well as concerts featuring jazz and classical musicians and theatrical performances.
The Nature Artists’ Guild is excited to announce that the Mayslake Peabody Estate will be sponsoring an exhibit of nature art by members of the Guild from June 6 until July 13, 2018, with a “meet the artists” reception on June 27, 2018 at 6 pm.
Mayslake Peabody Estate. Photo credit Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild should have received their prospectus for participating in the exhibition a few weeks ago. Prospectuses need to be completed and returned by this Saturday, May 19, 2018. Any questions can be directed to Gary Chipman or Linn Eldred, whose contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook or on the prospectus. Additional information about artwork drop-off and pick-up dates is also included there.
An added bonus for participating in this exhibit is that no extra work is required. This exhibit will feature works shown at The Morton Arboretum within the last five years, so there will be no need for last-minute tweaking, matting, or framing. All eligible members (see prospectus) are encouraged to participate in making this exhibition one to be proud of.
Below are a few photos from a previous Nature Artists’ Guild paint-out at the Mayslake Peabody Estate. Please click on any of the photos for a larger image.
The following is just a sample of the more than 150 pieces of nature artbeing exhibited the weekend of April 7 and 8, 2018 at The Morton Arboretum by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild. Featured Artist Susan Bartlett and nearly 50 other artist members of the Guild are excited to share their creations in a wide variety of media, styles and subject matter. Please click on the highlighted links to learn more. Thanks to all of the artists who contributed images! This artwork will also be posted on a page under the Member Artwork tab, where any of the images can be clicked on for a larger view.
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All artwork exhibited on this website is the sole property of the artist and should not be used or reproduced without their written consent. If you would like to contact one of the artists, please leave a comment on this website and you will receive an e-mail reply, normally within 48 hours. Your e-mail address will not be shared or used for any other purpose and you do not need to include it in your message as it will be available to us (but not visible to the public) from your comment log-in.
One more reason to attend the 2018 Spring Exhibit of Natural History Art by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is for the chance to watch talented artists at work, chat with them, ask questions, and perhaps even try their technique. The exhibit at the Cudahy Auditorium of The Morton Arboretum will include opportunities to see the following artists engaging in their creative processes.
Colored pencil drawing on slate tile, copyright Mary Ann Jimenez.
Yellow iris in oil, copyright Kathi Kuchler.
Nest in tree in colored pencil on colored paper, copyright Maggie Mardis.
House Sparrow, copright Lindsay Sandbothe
On Friday, April 6, 2018, between 5 and 7:30 pm, Carrie Carlson will be sharing her techniques for masterfully cutting linoleum blocks for creating prints, using traditional Swedish themes for her subject matter.
On Saturday, April 7, 2018, from 10:30 am until 1 pm, Kathi Kuchler will be painting a yellow iris, similar to the one above, but instead of using oil, she will be using the glowing colors of watercolor.
Later on Saturday, April 7, 2018, from 1:15 until 3:45 pm, Maggie Mardis will be using colored pencil on colored paper to draw a nest in a tree in her uniquely lovely and colorful way.
On Sunday, April 8, 2018, from 10:30 am until 1 pm, Mary Ann Jimenez will be using wax-based colored pencils on slate tiles to create subtle and beautiful drawings.
Finally, on Sunday, April 8, 2018, from 1:15 until 3:45 pm, Lindsay Sandbothe will be painting in her favorite medium, acrylic, and we assume, because it is Lindsay, and she does it so well, that she will be painting the beauty of birds.
Please note that the Friday evening artists’ reception is open to artists, their guests, and members of The Morton Arboretum. The exhibit is open to all Arboretum visitors on Saturday and Sunday.
Spring begins tomorrow! It’s one of the busiest times of the year for the flora, fauna, and yes, nature artists, here in the Midwest. As the birds, trees, frogs and flowers are preparing for the season, so are members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum. Please click on any of the highlighted links for more information.
Coming soon –
The annual expedition (paint-out) to the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum for members of the Guild takes place tomorrow, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Members can drop in with their art supplies and camera any time between 9 and noon.
Spring nature art classes and workshops begin soon at The Morton Arboretum. Inspired by Tony Tyznik: Drawing Oaks, taught by Suzanne Wegener, begins on Thursday, April 5, 2018, and Beginner’s Nature Art Workshops: Spring Flowers in Colored Pencil with Kathy Steere are scheduled for Saturday, April 7 and Sunday, April 8, 2018. These classes and workshopsare open to all, not just members of the Nature Artists’ Guild or The Morton Arboretum.
The Spring Exhibit of Natural History Art at The Morton Arboretum takes place on the weekend of April 7 and 8, 2018. This year we will be featuring images of some of the exhibit artwork by numerous Guild artists on this website. Check back soon for a preview.
A new paint-out has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at the home of Guild member Linda Hilderbrant from 10 am until 1 pm. More about this paint-out at Linda’s lovely and extensive woodland landscape to come soon. Thank you to Linda for this gracious invitation!
A sign of spring from Linda Hilderbrant’s garden. Photo credit Linda Hilderbrant.
Nature Artists' Guild 