Deliciously Red, copyright Pamela Hamilton. Used with permission.
There was a lot of excitement around the work of a certain talented pastel artist at the recent Wine and Art Walk at The Morton Arboretum. We are pleased to announce that this artist, Pamela Hamilton, will be sharing some of her inspirations, tips, and techniques at a presentation sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild on Thursday evening, October 4, 2018 from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.
Pamela Hamilton painting en plein air at the 2018 Wine and Art Walk at The Morton Arboretum.
Pamela Hamilton’s booth at the 2018 Wine and Art Walk at The Morton Arboretum.
Pamela’s stunning pastel paintings cover a wide range of subject matter, and she is as talented en plein air as she is in studio work. Please visit her website, ArtByPamelaHamilton.com to read more about this award-winning artist and view many more examples of her work.
Visitors and guests are welcome to attend this presentation, free-of-charge for parking, admission, and entrance into the Arboretum. Visitors should let the gate attendant at The Morton Arboretum know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program to be directed to the Thornhill Education Center.
Gilded Petals, 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!
Nature Artists’ Guild members Joe Rizzo, Marilyn Peretti and Catherine Stacy will be sharing their artistic talents on the evening of Thursday, August 2, 2018 from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. Each of these three artists will give audience members the opportunity to learn the basics of a unique and fascinating art form.
Retreating Glacier, copyright Joe Rizzo.
Joe Rizzo will be giving attendees a chance to experiment with creating landscapes using his marbleizing technique.
Spring, At Last, copyright Catherine Stacy.
Catherine Stacy will be sharing her method for creating nature prints in ink.
Polar Vortex Landscape, copyright Marilyn Peretti.
Marilyn Peretti will be sharing her cold wax painting technique.
Visitors and guests are welcome to attend this program, which is sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild. There is no fee for attendance or parking, nor is there a gate fee to enter the Arboretum for this special event. Visitors can let the gate attendant at the Arboretum know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program to be directed to Thornhill.
All are invited to the Thornhill Education Center at The Morton Arboretum this Thursday, June 7, 2018 from 7 until 9 pm, for a presentation by acclaimed author, artist and naturalist, Julie Zickefoose.
Baby birds are abundant this time of year, fluttering, chirping, squawking, and making their first attempts at flight. Julie has studied and sketched birds in their nest all the way through the growth cycle, and in her newest book, Baby Birds: An Artist Looks into the Nest, Julie chronicles that growth with her words and her art.
After her presentation, Julie will be available for signing copies of her books, and the books will also be available for purchase. Please click on one of the highlighted links to read more about Julie’s fascinating adventures in nature, or to listen to some of her commentaries on NPR.
Field Sparrow with Nesting Materials, copyright Julie Zickefoose. Used with permission.
This program is sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum and is open for all to attend. There is no charge for admission, parking, or entrance into the Arboretum for this special event. Non-members of the Arboretum should let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be directed to Thornhill.
Julie Zickefoose is a biologist, a naturalist, a speaker, an author, and an artist. The Nature Artists’ Guild is excited and honored to sponsor a presentation by Julie at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum on Thursday, June 7, 2018 from 7 until 9 pm.
Baby Birds: An Artist Looks Into The Nest, copyright Julie Zickefoose. Used with permission.
Julie will be speaking about her adventures in nature and in researching, writing and illustrating Letters from Eden, The Bluebird Effect: Uncommon Bonds With Common Birds, and her newest book, Baby Birds: An Artist Looks into the Nest. This program will appeal not only to artists, but also to birders, writers and anyone interested in the natural world. Please click on the images or this link to JulieZickefoose.com to read more about Julie, her fascinating experiences and her books.
Copies of Julie’s books will be available for purchase at the meeting, and she will be glad to sign those as well as previously purchased books brought in by attendees.
As always, all are welcome to attend this Nature Artists’ Guild program. There is no charge for the program or for parking, and there is no admission fee to the Arboretum for this event. Non-members can let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be directed to Thornhill.
This is the story of an artist’s love affair with a piece of land, and the birds, animals, and plants that inhabit it. Simple habitat enhancements can take a back yard from bland to bustling with wildlife. In this slide talk, artist/writer Julie Zickefoose shows how she and her husband have transformed their 80-acre abandoned farm into a wildlife sanctuary and observatory — a perfect personal habitat.
There are still some seats available for the lecture. Please click on the above highlighted link to register or to read more. Julie will also be teaching a two-day workshop for the Arboretum’s Visiting Artist Series. Sorry, but that workshop, Nature in Word and Image with Julie Zickefoose is sold out.
Page from Baby Birds: An Artist Looks Into The Nest, copyright Julie Zickefoose. Used with permission.
Here are just a few of the many reasons to attend tonight’s Nature Artists’ Guild program from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum –
Dale Olsen’s Landscapes. Once you’ve seen Dale’s landscapes online, you will very likely want to see them in person as well. As gorgeous as they are in photographs, the actual paintings will be even more so! Here’s an opportunity to see them up close and learn about Dale’s methods and inspirations.
Mirror, copyright Dale Olsen. Used with permission.
Postcards and Posters. Members and guests are encouraged to take some posters and postcards for the Spring Exhibition of Natural History Art taking place on the weekend of April 7 and 8, 2018, share them with friends and family, and post them in local businesses. The postcards will have information about the artists’ reception on Friday evening, April 6, when guests can gain entrance to the Arboretum to attend the exhibit with no gate fee. A digital version will be distributed to members soon.
Diptych Canvases. Members who would like to participate in a fundraising project for the spring exhibit by painting a small diptych can pick up their canvases at the meeting. The finished canvases will be sold at the exhibit and all proceeds will go to the Guild to be used in furthering its mission.
Fall into Winter Artwork. Many of the industrious members of the Nature Artists’ Guild have been busy all fall and winter creating montages from nature. The results are posted here, but members will also be sharing their artwork at tonight’s meeting. It’s a chance to see the details that often make nature art so wonderful.
Copyright Nancy Thyfault.
Fun and Food. As always, there will be snacks, sweets and drinks. There will be some time to chat with friends, old and new. Guests and visitors are welcome to attend, and there is no fee for parking, attendance or admission to The Morton Arboretum for this event. Visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the program and they will be directed to Thornhill.
Talented artist Dale Olsen will be sharing some of his inspirations and techniques at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum on Thursday, March 1, 2018 from 7 until 9 pm. Dale’s website features the full scope of his work in varied subject matter and media, but at this program he will be focusing on his stunning landscapes.
Aspens, copyright Dale Olsen. Used with permission.
As always, guests and visitors are invited to attend this program sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum. There will be no charge for admission or parking for this event, and non-members of the Arboretum should just let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be directed to Thornhill.
Please visit Dale’s website, Dale Olsen Fine Art, to learn more about him and to view many more examples of his wonderful work.
February Afternoon, copyright Dale Olsen. Used with permission.
Some of the activities and events coming up for the Nature Artists’ Guild –
The annual paint-out at Orchids by Hausermann will take place next Tuesday, February 6, 2018. Sorry, but all the spots at this popular paint-out have already been reserved.
Artist Dale Olsen will bring his talents and his artwork to the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum on Thursday, March 1, 2018 from 7 until 9 pm. For a sneak peek at Dale’s stunning work, please visit his website by clicking here. Visitors are welcome to attend this event, which is sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild, free-of-charge at The Morton Arboretum.
The next paint-out at Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum will take place on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 from 9-12 am. There will be room for all of our members at this one! More information to come soon.
The prospectus for the 2018 Annual Spring Exhibition of Natural History Art has been sent to members. The exhibit, scheduled for the weekend of April 7 and 8, 2018 (with a reception on the evening of April 6, 2018) will feature up to 150 works of art by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, as well as numerous works by Featured Artist, Susan Bartlett. Check back in the following weeks for more about Susan and her art.
Susan Bartlett’s collage in progress. Constructed from Susan’s hand-painted paper.
Susan Waldron and alpacas at her farm. Please click on image to visit susanwaldronart.com
No, there will not be any actual alpacas in the historic Founder’s Room or Arbor Room of the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum in the near future, nor have there ever been, as far as we know. The Nature Artists’ Guild, though, will be hosting a program at Thornhill on Thursday evening, February 1, 2018, from 7 until 9 pm featuring artist and alpaca farmer, Susan Waldron.
While Susan also creates wonderful paintings in the more familiar media of oils and watercolors, her fiber art made from the wool of her own alpacas is uniquely beautiful.
I use my own hand-dyed alpaca fibers in the art pieces that I create. The alpaca fiber feels like a combination of cashmere and silk. As a result of raising these animals from birth, there is a spiritual connection with the animals and the felted pieces.
I am able to combine my love for color, nature, and alpacas to create exquisite, felted pieces.
Susan Waldron’s Alpaca Fiber Art. Copyright Susan Waldron. Please click on image to visit SusanWaldronArt.com
Exquisite, indeed. Please visit her website for more images and to read more about Susan’s artistic journey and these fascinating creatures she raises.
As always, programs sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum are open to all. Guests and visitors are welcome and there will be no charge for attendance, parking, or for admission to the Arboretum for this event.
The Nature Artists’ Guild would also like to encourage potential new members to attend. Please arrive a few minutes early if you have any questions about our group and one of our members will be happy to assist you. There is absolutely no pressure to join and it’s a great opportunity to learn more about the Guild, its members, exhibits, and activities.
Nature Artists' Guild 