A flash of color in the subtle landscape is often a welcome sight for artists, photographers, and other wanderers of the woods and fields during the winter months. Maggie Capettini found her inspiration and depicted it with wonderful exuberance in ‘January 9’.
Two of Maggie’s winter landscapes will be exhibited along with botanical, wildlife, garden, and other scenes of nature in all seasons by fellow members of the Nature Artists’ Guild at the Downers Grove Public Librarythroughout January 2024.
The Downers Grove Public Library has a long history of supporting the visual arts, with an expansive gallery area and numerous works by local and internationally-renowned artists in their permanent collection. Each January, the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum adds to the library visitors’ artistic experience with its own special exhibit.
Guild members were emailed the prospectus and all the details on December 8. Registrations (online or by mail) must be submitted by December 11, 2023 to participate.
The Nature Artists’ Guild has a busy December ahead, with a party, handmade cards, and the beginning of an exhibit.Here is a quick look –
Guild members are invited to attend the annual Holiday Party at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum on the evening of December 7, 2023. Members were recently emailed an invitation with all the details. (Reminder – tickets for the raffle will be available by cash or check only.) Volunteers are already hard at work making preparations for a lovely and enjoyable event!
December 7, 2023 will also be the last day for Nature Artists’ Guild members to register to participate in the fun and creative annual tradition of exchanging a handmade holiday card with a fellow artist. Details were emailed earlier this week, and members can complete this form to sign up. For those participants who would like to use them, blank white cards will be available, free of charge, at the Holiday Party. Here is a sample of the cards created for last year’s exchange.
The Nature Artists’ Guild is currently accepting new and renewing memberships for 2024. To be sure to receive all the benefits of membership for the entire year, artists can join or renew by December 31, 2023.
Did you know? If you received this post by email, you can always click on Nature Artists’ Guild at the upper right corner of the email to visit the website, where you can scroll through former posts, use the menu to view member artwork, check the Important Dates page, or use the Search bar to look up a name or keyword.
Sparrow, copyright Lisa Kanellos. Click on the image for more than 50 images from the recent exhibit at The Morton Arboretum.
A little bird told us that the 2023 Autumn Nature Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum, featuring over 200 works of art by more than 60 members of the Guild, was a resounding success (with a little help from the beautiful autumn weather). The Nature Artists’ Guild would like to thank the exhibit coordinators, participating artists, volunteers, demonstrators, Arboretum employees, and visitors who helped to make it so.
Please click here or on the sparrow above to view more than 50 images, along with titles and artists’ names.
Many of these works will also be included in the Guild’s Downers Grove Public Library special exhibit throughout January 2024. More details to come soon.
Click on any image for the full version. Use arrows to scroll through images.
Burnt Umber Nature Study, copyright Cheryl HolzLeopard Plant, copyright Kumie KimBlushing Beauty, copyright Cynthia S. CockrielAmerican holly (Ilex opaca), copyright Kumie KimDazzling Begonia, copyright Karen RemkusFall Bouquet, copyright Nancy WuHide and Seek #1, copyright Jeffrey ZawadaForest in Ireland, copyright Marybeth DevineGreat Blue Heron, copyright Jill AdziaFall Splendor, copyright Jeff WalterAtlantic Puffins, copyright Marybeth DevineBeach Bliss, copyright Mary RobertsFall Anemone, copyright Karen RemkusLakeside Birch, copyright Marlene VitekHide and Seek, copyright Jeffrey ZawadaFlamboyant Departure, copyright Jeff WalterSunny Disposition, copyright Yvonne BuckleyWinter at Meadow Lake, copyright Margie NavolioThe Squirrel’s Been Here!, copyright Alice WychThe Antiquated Farmer’s Pest, copyright Michelle BuziakSummer Shades, copyright Patty KoenigsaeckerStop and Smell the Roses, copyright Alice SulinkskiSparrow, copyright Lisa KanellosAfter the Show, copyright Mary Ann JimenezSneak Preview, copyright Mary Ann JimenezPeony and orange blossoms, copyright Margie NavolioOrange Sherbet Sunrise, copyright Beth BerryPondside Dancer, copyright Terrie McCombmemory thread, weaving into the future, copyright Laurie PetersHarvest Lunch, copyright Pat MroczkaForest Treasures: Fern and Fungus, copyright Cheryl HolzFalse Solomon Seal, copyright Ann LamoureuxDeer Morning, copyright Marybeth DevineCommon Whitetail Dragonfly, copyright Karen A. JohnsonChickadee on Pine Tree, copyright Jill AdziaBlue and Gold Macaw, copyright Lindsay SandbotheAmerican holly (Ilex opaca), copyright Kumie KimBegonia, copyright Linda HilderbrantSnowy Enchantment, copyright Mary RobertsRed Oak Branch, copyright Joanne McKibbenRed Saddlebags Dragonfly, copyright Karen A. JohnsonSeabird, copyright Lia LiuWinter Bouquet, copyright Lisa KanellosWinter Haven, copyright Beth BerryTurn Your Face to the Sun, copyright Celia RodeePlant Patterns #1, copyright Marlene VitekToad, copyright Arlene WidrevitzMorning Revelation, copyright Beth BerryPlant Patterns #2, copyright Marlene VitekNaturalist Treasure Trove #1, copyright Cheryl HolzPopulus Euphratica, copyright Lia LiuOak Twig, copyright Betsy EdwardsHosta, copyright Ann LamoureuxLooking Up On St. Francis Court, copyright Ann LamoureuxOak Twig with Leaves, copyright Betsy EdwardsJack-O-Lantern Mushrooms, copyright Jeffrey ZawadaSunrise, copyright Lia Liueye of reciprocity, copyright Laurie PetersBirches, copyright Joe RizzoZion II, copyright Joe RizzoPeachy Pumpkins, copyright Pat MroczkaColorful Ramirezi and Friends, copyright Joe RizzoDreamy Lillypads, copyright Pat MroczkaBlown Flower, copyright Joe Rizzo
Poster art by Joe Rizzo. Poster design by Jane Kellenberger.
Click on the following links or scroll through the website for –
An invitation to the Friday evening reception, open to all, free of charge, where visitors can view over 200 works of art created by more than 60 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild.
The 2023 Autumn Nature Art Exhibit by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum will open next Friday evening, November 10. The exhibit will feature over 200 works by more than 60 members of the Guild, including many by Featured Artist Joe Rizzo.
Visitors to the exhibit will also have the opportunity to meet and interact with some of the artists as they demonstrate their methods and share inspirations, techniques, and tools.
Friday, November 10, 5 – 7 pm
Dale Olsen, pastels
Palm House, Kew Gardens, Dale Olsen
Saturday, November 11, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Pat Mroczka, watercolor
Dreamy Lillypads, copyright Pat Mroczka
Saturday, November 11, 1 – 3 pm
Michelle Buziak, scratchboard
Lake Sturgeon Adult and Juvenile, copyright Michelle Buziak
Short Eared owl, copyright Michelle Buziak
Sunday, November 12, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Mary Ann Jimenez, silverpoint with powdered pastels
My Favorite Flower, in progress and complete, copyright Mary Ann Jimenez
Sunday, November 12, 1 -3 pm
Linda Hilderbrant, watercolor with colored pencils
Hummingbird (in progress), copyright Linda Hilderbrant
Please click on the image above for a closer look (including titles and artist names)at a sample of artwork that will be included in the upcoming 2023 Autumn Nature Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum from the evening of Friday, November 10 through Sunday, November 12.
The exhibit will showcase over 200 works by more than 60 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild. Many more images of artwork to come (after the exhibit)!
Flamboyant Departure, copyright Jeff Walter
Hide and Seek, copyright Jeffrey Zawada
Sunny Disposition, copyright Yvonne Buckley
The Squirrel’s Been Here!, copyright Alice Wych
The Antiquated Farmer’s Pest, copyright Michelle Buziak
Summer Shades, copyright Patty Koenigsaecker
Stop and Smell the Roses, copyright Alice Sulinkski
Sparrow, copyright Lisa Kanellos
Sneak Preview, copyright Mary Ann Jimenez
Pondside Dancer, copyright Terrie McComb
Peony and orange blossoms, copyright Margie Navolio
Orange Sherbet Sunrise, copyright Beth Berry
Oak Twig, copyright Betsy Edwards
memory thread, weaving into the future, copyright Laurie Peters
Harvest Lunch, copyright Pat Mroczka
Forest Treasures: Fern and Fungus, copyright Cheryl Holz
False Solomon Seal, copyright Ann Lamoureux
Deer Morning, copyright Marybeth Devine
Common Whitetail Dragonfly, copyright Karen A. Johnson
Chickadee on Pine Tree, copyright Jill Adzia
Blue and Gold Macaw, copyright Lindsay Sandbothe
Begonia, copyright Linda Hilderbrant
American holly (Ilex opaca), copyright Kumie Kim
Snowy Enchantment, copyright Mary Roberts
Blown Flower, copyright Joe Rizzo
Chimerical Birch, copyright Joe Rizzo
Colorful Ramirezi and Friends, copyright Joe Rizzo
Right-click to download the invitation for sharing by email or social media. A copy of the invitation is not required to attend the reception.
All are invited to the reception for the Nature Artists’ Guild 2023 Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum. The reception will take place from4:30 to 7 pm on Friday, November 10, 2023 at the Cudahy Room (adjacent to the Sterling Morton Library) inside the Administration Building of The Morton Arboretum. In addition to over 200 works of art by more than 60 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, there will be an art demonstration, raffle and fundraising items, and light refreshments at the reception.
The above invitation can be downloaded to share with friends and family by email or social media by right-clicking on the image. Printed exhibit postcards are also available at the desk in the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum while supplies last.
There will no charge for admission to The Morton Arboretum for this event. Admission to the exhibit and parking are also free and no tickets or copies of the invitation are required. Visitors can let the gate attendant at the Arboretum know they are there for the event to be directed to the exhibit location.
The Nature Artists’ Guild is excited to present two sets of seasonal greeting cards featuring members’ artwork.
Eight members of the Nature Artists’ Guild graciously agreed to the use of their artwork to create sets of greeting cards to be sold as a fundraiser at the upcoming 2023 Autumn Nature Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum.
The artwork was chosen from works previously published by the Nature Artists’ Guild on the cover of a Quarterly or Yearbook in recent years. All proceeds from the sale of the cards will be go to the Nature Artists’ Guild to contribute to its mission of exploring and sharing nature through art.
The cards, blank inside, with the artist’s name and the Guild’s logo on the back, will be sold in sets of four (one of each design per set) along with their included envelopes for $10 per set during exhibit hours.
Colorful Ramirezi and Friends, copyright Joe Rizzo
The Nature Artists’ Guild is pleased to announce its Featured Artist for the 2023 Autumn Nature Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum, Joe Rizzo.
Numerous pieces of Joe’s joyous artwork will be exhibited along with up to 200 works by more than 50 fellow Guild members on November 10, 11, and 12, 2023 in the Cudahy Room, adjacent to the Sterling Morton Library.
Much more about the exhibit, including information about demonstrations and samples of member artwork, will be coming throughout the next few weeks.
Examples of Joe’s work, along with some of his artistic experiences and inspirations, can be found on his Featured Artist page of this website.
Of course, nearly 100 years after this photo was taken, comfortable painting clothes, a warm drink, and a folding chair might be more appropriate for those members of the Nature Artists’ Guild meeting at the lovely Lake Marmo at The Morton Arboretum for a paint-out on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 beginning at 9:30 am.
Guild members can register here to be added to an email list to receive details and updates about the paint-out. Those who would rather just stop by might have to look around for their fellow artists (who may or may not be wearing berets) scattered around the lake.
This paint-out at Lake Marmo would be a great opportunity for Nature Artists’ Guild members to find inspiration or complete a drawing or painting for this fall’s Joy’s Vision special display at the Sterling Morton Library.
Important Reminder– the final day for members to register for the 2023 Autumn Nature Art Exhibit is October 7, 2023. Guild members were emailed a link to the prospectus and online registration form in recent weeks.
Nature Artists' Guild 