Category: Meetings

Schedules, programs, news.

Alex Warnick’s Birds in Watercolor on March 5, 2020

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Oh how we miss seeing these birds flitting from branch to branch or hopping among the leaves.  It won’t be long before they’re back, and Alex Warnick’s wonderful watercolor paintings give us a preview of what the next few months will bring.

On Thursday evening, March 5, 2020, the Nature Artists’ Guild’s program will feature guest artist Alex Warnick and her watercolor paintings and illustrations of birds at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum from 7 until 9 pm.  Alex has been drawing and painting birds since she fell in love with them as a little girl.  Her expert ability in capturing the intricacies of both the birds and their habitats in her work has earned her awards and partnerships from all over the world, and she is currently working on a field guide to the Birds of Costa Rica.  Please visit Alex’s website to enjoy much more of her work as well as some fascinating video and podcast interviews.

Alex’s workshop at the Arboretum, Visiting Artist:  Capturing Birds in Watercolor sold out quickly, but her presentation on March 5 is open to the all, free-of-charge.  Anyone with an interest in birds, art, or nature is welcome to attend.  Visitors should let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be admitted and directed to Thornhill.  There is no charge for parking or admission to the Arboretum for this event. 

Julie Sutter-Blair at The Morton Arboretum on February 6, 2020

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The Nature Artists’ Guild is excited to sponsor a program featuring artist Julie Sutter-Blair on the evening of Thursday, February 6, 2020 from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.  Julie’s “passion is found in the natural world and the rituals of everyday life” and her wonderful prints and drawings certainly reflect that passion.

Heart Matters, colored pencil and graphite, copyright Julie Sutter-Blair. Used with permission.

Julie’s upcoming workshop in colored pencil and graphite at the Arboretum on February 7 and 8, 2020, Visiting Artist:  Expressions of Winter with Julie Sutter-Blair quickly sold out.  Happily, Julie has agreed to share some of her artwork, inspirations, and a few tips and techniques with members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, their guests, and visitors on Thursday evening.

This program is open to the public. Non-members of the Nature Artists’ Guild or The Morton Arboretum can let the gate attendant at the Arboretum know they are there for the program to be admitted and directed to Thornhill.  Entry to the Arboretum, admission to the program, and parking will be free-of-charge for this event.  Please click on the image or one of the highlighted links to see more of Julie’s stunning work.

Nature Artists of the Round Table on Saturday, January 18, 2020

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The Nature Artists’ Guild has planned a fun event to start the new year!  It involves nature (flora, but no fauna) and it involves art (acrylic painting), but one of the best features of this event is that members don’t have to bring sketches, find photographs, search for subject matter, haul out their supplies, or clear off a spot in their studio or on their kitchen table.

Members of the Nature Artists Guild only need to do three things to participate –

  • Notify Linn Eldred that they plan to attend
  • Show up at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum on Saturday, January 18, 2010 before 1 pm
  • Find a chair and pick up a brush

This “round table” event will revolve (yes, pun intended) around a still life set up in the middle of each table.  Each artist will be given a canvas, some paint, and a brush and will begin to paint from their spot at the table.  After 15 minutes, each person will pass their painting to their neighbor at the table, who will add their own touch for 15 minutes.  This continues until each painting goes all around the table and returns to (and goes home with) the artist who began it.

Nature Artists’ Guild members admiring some of the completed paintings of a previous “round table” event.

For new and returning members alike, this event is sure to be an enjoyable, stress-free way to get to know fellow nature artists, possibly learn and practice some new skills in acrylic, and go home with a unique painting.  Space is limited to 25 artists, all supplies will be provided free-of-charge, and this event is for Nature Artists’ Guild members only.  No previous experience in acrylic painting is required.

Linn Eldred’s contact information can be found in the January 5th e-mail sent to all current members.  Members, please note that the e-mail provider for the Guild has changed and your e-mail may have incorrectly gone to your “social”, “promotions” or even “spam” folder.  Finding that e-mail and changing its folder to “primary” should direct future e-mails to the correct folder.

This December for the Nature Artists’ Guild

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Silverpoint drawing, copyright Mary Ann Jimenez

This Thursday, December 5, 2019, is the annual holiday party.  It’s fun, not too formal, and a good opportunity to get to know fellow artists a bit better (programs and paint-outs don’t always leave much time for socializing).  Please click on the link for more information.

On Saturday, December 7, 2019, members who have reserved a seat at the Sterling Morton Library presentation will be treated to a hot beverage and an afternoon of fascinating tales from author Cindy Crosby and librarian Rita Hassert.

Nature Artist’s Guild members wishing to participate in the January 2020 Downers Grove Library special exhibit will need to mail their completed prospectus by Friday, December 13, 2019 and drop off their work on Saturday, December 28, 2019 between 10 and 11 am at the library.  All the details are included in the exhibit prospectus, which was e-mailed to members on November 17.

Returning members of the Nature Artists’ Guild can pay 2020 membership dues by sending a check to Treasurer Catherine Stacy (whose address can be found in the Yearbook), by paying her or another board member with cash or check at the holiday party, or by clicking on the Membership tab of this website to use PayPal or a credit card.  New members can send a check to the address listed on the Membership brochure or use PayPal or a credit card as mentioned above.

Fall Landscapes in Pastel with Laverne Bohlin in October 2019

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Autumn’s Song, pastel, copyright Laverne Bohlin, http://www.lavernebohlin.com. Used with permission.

By the time Laverne Bohlin returns to Illinois and The Morton Arboretum in the first week of October, there will be plenty of views similar to the one she has portrayed in her stunning Autumn’s Song, above.  Autumn is one of the best times of the year for artists to attempt to capture some of the beauty of nature, and Laverne will be sharing some of her techniques for doing so in soft pastel.

On Thursday, October 3, 2019, from 7 to 9 pm, Laverne will give a presentation, sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild, at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.  Tips, techniques, materials, subject matter and inspirations will be touched upon in the program, and guests will be able to ask questions and get a close-up look at some of Laverne’s luminous artwork. This program is open to all, free-of-charge.  Visitors and guests should let the gate attendant at Arboretum know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild meeting to be directed to Thornhill.

Laverne Bohlin’s pastel supplies and pastel painting in progress.

For those who want to learn even more about painting with soft pastels, Laverne will also be teaching a weekend workshop, Fall Landscapes in Pastel, at the Arboretum on Saturday and Sunday, October 5th and 6th, 2019.  The workshop will take place indoors and out, with the changing colors of nature as inspiration.  Beginning and intermediate artists are welcome, but some experience working with pastels would be helpful.  The workshop is open to all interested, and there is no requirement for membership in the Nature Artists’ Guild or The Morton Arboretum, although Arboretum members will receive a discounted registration fee.  Please click on the above image or highlighted link for more details, to review the supply list, or to enroll in the workshop.

Creativity, Learning, and Fun on September 5, 2019

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Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited to attend a fun and educational gathering on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 7 pm.  Participants will be exploring techniques for working on wood to create unique hand-made objects for fundraising at the Nature Artists’ Guild’s Holiday (Autumn) Exhibition of Natural History Art on November 9 and 10, 2019.

Fellow artists will be sharing their skills in nature printing, collage, colored pencil, pen and ink, painting, staining and much more.  Some supplies will be available, but artists are also encouraged to bring a few of their own. Wood will be provided.

All proceeds from the fundraising will be used to support the Nature Artists’ Guild.  This event is for members only, and will meet at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.

Photo credit Nature Artists’ Guild Fundraising Committee

Nature Artists’ Guild Program Next Thursday, August 1, 2019

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The next program sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild is only one week away, on Thursday evening, August 1, 2019 from 7 until 9 pm at The Morton Arboretum. This program will feature three stations with different types of artwork being done at each.  Please click on this link to read more.

All fans of nature and art are welcome to attend, free-of-charge.

Autumn Prairie, pen and ink, copyright Nancy Kolar.
Full Wolf Blood Moon, copyright Arlene Widrevitz
Thistle, copyright Jill Adzia

Please click on any of the images for larger versions and artist names.

Three Types of Nature Art at August 1, 2019 Program

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Each August, the Nature Artists’ Guild invites three of its members to share tips and techniques for creating artwork in “new” (or sometimes ancient) ways.  This annual program is open to all and free of charge for parking, admission, and entry to The Morton Arboretum.  Members, guests, and visitors are welcome to attend on Thursday, August 1, 2019 from 7 until 9 pm.  There will be light refreshments and door prizes. There is no membership requirement for either the Arboretum or the Nature Artists’ Guild for this event.  Visitors should let the gate attendant at the Arboretum’s main entrance know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program to be admitted and directed to the Thornhill Education Center.

The Arbor Room room in Thornhill will be set up into three different stations.  The audience will divide into three casual groups and visit each station for approximately 20 minutes to listen, watch, and ask questions (and occasionally participate) and then move to the next (or stay at the same place if so inspired).  It is a fun and informative event and a great opportunity to meet other artists and learn some new techniques.

 

At one of the stations, Jill Adzia will be sharing her tips and techniques for working with scratchboard, including the use of color to create stunning pieces.

Pileated Woodpecker, copyright Jill Adzia
Scratchboard artwork, copyright Jill Adzia
Thistle, copyright Jill Adzia

 

At another station, Arlene Widrevitz will discuss her adventures in the ancient art of Mokuhanga, Japanese woodblock printing.

Fritillaria, work in progress, copyright Arlene Widrevitz
Shingle Urchins, copyright Arlene Widrevitz
Full Wolf Blood Moon, copyright Arlene Widrevitz

 

At the third station, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild who participated in the 2019 Summer Encounter led by Evelyn Grala will be exhibiting their completed “progressive” artwork at the third station.  These examples by Nancy Kolar show the progression towards the finished piece.

Autumn Prairie Part 2, copyright Nancy Kolar
Autumn Prairie Part 4, copyright Nancy Kolar
Autumn Prairie Part 6, copyright Nancy Kolar
Autumn Prairie Part 7, copyright Nancy Kolar
Autumn Prairie, pen and ink, copyright Nancy Kolar.

Peggy Macnamara at The Morton Arboretum Tonight, June 6, 2019

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Probably the liveliest treasure of Chicago’s Field Museum is their Artist-In-Residence, Peggy Macnamara, who will share some of her art and inspirations this evening with New Directions at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum from 7 until 9 pm.  This program, sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild, is open to the public, free-of-charge.   Please click here for more information. Here are some images of Peggy’s artwork, books, and previous presentations.

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