Meetings – Page 13 – Nature Artists' Guild

Beginning the New Year

Published on January 2, 2018January 20, 2018 by Denise1 Comment

Whether your priority for the upcoming year is to make more art, to learn new techniques, or simply to view more art or make new friends, the Nature Artists’ Guild has it covered. There is still time to join or renew, and since memberships are for the calendar year, the sooner you join, the more benefit you’ll receive from your membership.

Here are a few of the activities coming up in the next month or so –

The Nature Artists’ Guild is proud to present their first exhibit of the year at the Downers Grove Public Library. This lovely collection of members’ work will be open to the public throughout the month of January during regular library hours.
On Thursday evening, February 1, 2018, between 7 and 9 pm, Susan Waldron will give a presentation at the Thornhill Education Center on her techniques for creating floral and landscape paintings in oil as well as in fiber made from, if you can believe it, the wool from her own herd of alpacas! Guests and visitors are also welcome to attend this program free-of-charge. More details will be coming soon, but please visit Susan’s website for a preview of her work (and her alpacas).
The first paint-out of the year is scheduled for Tuesday morning, February 6, 2018 from 8 until 11 am at Orchids by Hausermann in Villa Park, IL.
Copyright Jane Kellenberger.

This popular paint-out (think tropical weather and being surrounded by thousands of orchids) has limited space and fills up quickly, so interested Guild members should contact Jane Kellenberger to save a spot. Jane’s contact information can be found in the Yearbook.
New classes and workshops start soon at The Morton Arboretum. Some upcoming nature art classes include Rocks, Minerals and Bones in Colored Pencil with Kimberly Mullarkey, Jewelry Making: Winter Berries Necklace with Karen Johnson, Linoleum Block Printing Workshop with Carrie Carlson, and Advanced Textures in Graphite and Watercolor and Nature in Graphite with Suzanne Wegener. For those just starting out, Beginner’s Nature Art Workshops: Winter Foliage in Graphite and Begin to Draw Nature are scheduled for late February and early March. All classes are open to the public and a discount is offered for members of The Morton Arboretum. Please click on this link to the Arboretum’s class listings for more information or to enroll.
It won’t be long before we begin to post montages from those Nature Artists’ Guild members who are participating in the Fall into Winter Encounter. It will be exciting to see the results of weeks of collecting and creating!

Please check back here soon or click on any of the highlighted links for more about these and other upcoming activities.

Birds of a Feather, We Flock Together

Published on November 8, 2017November 8, 2017 by DeniseLeave a comment

The work is done (for a while), the exhibit was a success, and now it’s time to celebrate a wonderful year of creating nature art.

The theme for this year’s holiday gathering is Birds of a Feather,We Flock Together. The party planners have a festive evening planned, with decorations, music with an (optional) sing-along with Bruce Oscar of WDCB’s Swing Shift, lots of food, and the traditional raffle (which will include the generous donation of free admission to a class from The Morton Arboretum).

The best part, of course, will be the chance to celebrate with fellow members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, a special flock of friendly, sharing, and talented birds!

Sandhill Cranes screenprint, copyright Carol Cooley.

The evening begins at 6 pm on Thursday, December 7, 2017 in the historic and lovely Founders Room of Thornhill Education Center at The Morton Arboretum. Dinner begins at 7 pm, and the after-dinner raffle will continue until 9. Current members of the Nature Artists’ Guild should check their e-mailed invitation for details and contact Gail Diedrichsen or Susan Bartlett (whose contact information can be found in the Yearbook) with questions.

2017 Annual Autumn (Holiday) Exhibit of Natural History Art Invitation

Published on September 30, 2017 by DeniseLeave a comment

Please share this invitation with friends and family! Printed versions of the postcard as well as the exhibit poster will be available at the October 5, 2017 Nature Artists’ Guild meeting at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum, or at the Thornhill office afterwards. Thank you to Featured Artist Peggy McGahan for the artwork and to Evelyn Grala for the design of the poster and postcard.

The exhibition is free and open to all visitors to the Arboretum. A printed ticket or invitation is not required for entry into the exhibit.

Welcome to Autumn

Published on September 23, 2017January 20, 2018 by DeniseLeave a comment

The unique pleasures of Autumn make for a busy (the busiest?) season at The Morton Arboretum and for the Nature Artists’ Guild. Here are some reminders to keep everyone on track!

*Wood duck*, copyright Peggy McGahan, Featured Artist for the 2017 Exhibition of Natural History Art by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum.

Nature Artists’ Guild members who would like to participate in the upcoming 2017 Autumn (Holiday) Exhibition of Natural History Art need to have their completed prospectuses postmarked by Thursday, September 28, 2017. All requirements are detailed on the prospectus which was e-mailed to eligible members approximately a month ago. Drop-off of artwork for the exhibit will take place on the evening of Wednesday, November 1 between 6 and 8 pm at the Cudahy Auditorium in the Administration and Research Center at The Morton Arboretum.
Renewing members can mail their $45 membership dues for next year beginning on October 1, 2017. Dues should be mailed to the treasurer, Nancy Wu, whose contact information can be found in the Yearbook. New members are also welcome and can mail their dues to the address provided on the membership brochure. New or renewing members can also pay in person at the October 5, 2017 meeting or the upcoming exhibit.
On October 5, 2017, the Nature Artists’ Guild will sponsor a program featuring artist Patricia Larkin Green and Sumi-e brush painting. This program is free-of-charge and open to the public. More details can be seen by clicking on this link.
There is still time to enroll in one or more of the Autumn Nature Art classes or workshops at The Morton Arboretum, many of which are taught by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild. Please click on this link to the Arboretum’s class listings for more information. All classes are open to the public.
The 2017 Autumn (Holiday) Exhibition of Natural History Art will open on the evening of Friday, November 3, 2017 with a reception for guests of the artists and members of The Morton Arboretum and will continue throughout the weekend, Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5, 2017, for the enjoyment of all visitors to The Morton Arboretum. E-mail postcards will be made available soon to Nature Artists’ Guild members. The official exhibit posters and postcards featuring the work of Peggy McGahan and designed by Evelyn Grala will be available for members to pick up at the October 5, 2017 meeting or at the Thornhill office thereafter.

Patricia Larkin Green and Sumi-e Brush Painting

Published on September 8, 2017January 23, 2020 by DeniseLeave a comment

On Thursday, October 5, 2017, from 7 until 9 pm, the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum will be hosting a program by Patricia Larkin Green on the art of sumi-e brush painting.

Patricia Larkin Green, Sumi-e Artist. Photo credit http://patricialarkingreen.com/blog/.

“Experience the meditative practice of traditional Japanese ink painting, sumi-e, the art of painting using a brush (fude), ink (sumi) and thin, absorbent “rice-paper” (washi).”

Please click on one of the highlighted links to Patricia’s website to learn more about the artist, her artwork and sumi-e brush painting.

As always, guests and visitors are welcome to attend this program at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. Attendance, parking and admission to The Morton Arboretum are free-of-charge for this event. Visitors should let the attendant at the gate know that they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program and they will be directed to Thornhill.

Nature Painting on Ceramics Workshop for Nature Artists’ Guild Members

Published on August 14, 2017January 20, 2018 by DeniseLeave a comment

The Nature Artists’ Guild fundraising committee will be conducting a new workshop for members only on Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 9:30 until noon at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.

Participants in this free workshop will learn how to create art on ceramics using oil-based paint markers. The Nature Artists’ Guild will provide all the ceramic plates and some oil-based paint markers for the workshop, but attendees are asked to bring one Sharpie oil-based paint marker in a color of their choice to share. These markers are widely available in art stores or craft departments.

Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers. Photo credit http://www.dickblick.com.

Attendees should also bring a simple nature art design to transfer onto a ceramic plate. Flowers, birds, feathers or leaves would be appropriate, but landscapes are discouraged.

The finished ceramic pieces (for decoration only and not dishwasher safe) will be sold for $20 each at the Autumn (Holiday) Exhibition of Natural History Art in November, with all proceeds going to the Nature Artists’ Guild. Materials and instructions can be provided for participants who would like to take their piece home to complete and return it on November 1 at the exhibit artwork drop-off.

Interested members should contact workshop leaders Jill Adzia or Catherine Stacy to enroll in this fun and easy fundraising project. Their contact information can be found in the Guild’s Yearbook.

Nature Artists’ Guild members Catherine Stacy, Jill Adzia and Susan Bartlett with their lovely ceramic plates.

Something for Everyone at the August 3, 2017 Nature Artists’ Guild Program

Published on July 15, 2017January 23, 2020 by DeniseLeave a comment

The annual August program of the Nature Artists’ Guild has traditionally featured three member-artists’ stations where visitors could learn about and participate in unique artistic methods. The 2017 format for this popular program will basically stay the same, but the three stations will mix it up a bit with presentations on the intriguing history and use of the Chinese chop, proper framing for original fine art, and a display of sketchbooks and journals created by members throughout last summer’s Sketchbook Encounter and this summer’s Nature Art Journal project.

At the Nature Artists’ Guild Spring Exhibit, Featured Artist Nancy Wu received numerous questions about her signature on paintings in the form of a Chinese seal (or chop). For her presentation, Nancy will share books and traditional Chinese paintings as she explains the history and meaning of the seal in Chinese painting, as well as the different carving methods used in creating the seals.

The multi-talented Evelyn Grala, who aside from being a talented artist, publishes the Nature Artists’ Quarterly and has served on nearly every Nature Artists’ Guild committee, is a Certified Picture Framer through the Professional Picture Framers Association. Evelyn will be discussing the proper archival framing methods and materials for various types of fine art. This knowledge is important for understanding options when hiring a professional framer or performing some or all of the framing steps yourself.

*Egret*, Nature Art Journal pages, copyright Nancy Thyfault

The third station will be devoted to members’ artwork created during last summer’s Sketchbook Encounter or this summer’s Nature Art Journal projects. Participating members are encouraged to bring their work to share with the group. What fun to be able to browse through fellow artists’ sketchbooks and art journals for inspiration and a glimpse of their creative process (and sometimes personality)!

As always, guests and visitors are welcome to attend this enjoyable and informative Nature Artists’ Guild program at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum from 7 until 9 pm. There is no charge for admission to the Arboretum, the program, or parking for the event. Guests and visitors should let the gate attendant at the Arboretum know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program to be directed to Thornhill.

Some Upcoming Events

Published on June 19, 2017 by DeniseLeave a comment

This month’s Nature Artists’ Guild paint-out is scheduled for Thursday, June 22, 2017 from 9 am until noon in the Ground Cover Garden of The Morton Arboretum. Please click on the highlighted link for details.
Ground Cover Garden at The Morton Arboretum. Photo credit http://www.mortonarb.org.
A Nature Artists’ Guild Special Exhibit, Impressions of Nature, at A Gallery of Nature opens at Wasco Nursery and Garden Center in St. Charles, IL this Friday, June 23, 2017. Participating artists should drop off their work on Tuesday, June 20 between 11 am and 1 pm. All are invited to attend a public reception on Saturday, July 22, 2017 between 3 and 5 pm to meet the artists, enjoy some light refreshments, view 30 works of nature art and observe a few of the artists engaging in the creative process. Please click on the above highlighted link for driving directions and more information.
The Summer Encounter – Nature Artist’s Journal is well underway, but members can still join in. More details are available by clicking on this link.
The next Nature Artists’ Guild program is scheduled for Thursday, August 3, 2017. More information coming soon about what promises to be a fun and informative evening!

Marge Hall’s Spectacular Floral Portraits on Thursday, June 1, 2017

Published on May 21, 2017January 23, 2020 by DeniseLeave a comment

Marge Hall with one of her Floral Portraits, http://www.margehall.com

There has been a slight scheduling change, and the Nature Artists’ Guild now welcomes nationally recognized artist Marge Hall to Thornhill almost a year earlier than originally planned. On Thursday, June 1, 2017, from 7 until 9 pm, Marge Hall will share some of her inspirations, methods, and tips for creating her spectacular floral portraits in oil. Since Marge’s personality is as wonderfully sparkling and colorful as her paintings, it promises to be an enjoyable as well as educational evening.

As always, guests and visitors are welcome to attend this Nature Artists’ Guild sponsored program at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. There is no charge for parking or admission to the Arboretum for this event, and visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program to be directed to Thornhill.

*Two White Daisies*, copyright Marge Hall. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Please click on one of the photos or highlighted links to learn more about Marge, to see more of her award-winning artwork, or to watch a time-lapse video of her at work.

*Flower*, copyright Marge Hall. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

A Few Reminders For Nature Artists’ Guild Members

Published on May 19, 2017June 5, 2017 by DeniseLeave a comment

The paint-out at The Gardens at Cantigny Park has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 25, 2017 (originally scheduled for Tuesday, May 23, but changed due to weather concerns). Please contact Jane Kellenberger if there are any questions. You can also click on this link for more information.
Prospectuses (which were e-mailed in late April) for this summer’s Nature Artists’ Guild Special Exhibit, Impressions of Nature, at A Gallery of Nature at Wasco Nursery and Garden Center in St. Charles, IL are due on Saturday, May 27, 2017. Please contact Gary Chipman if there are any questions.
The Summer Encounter begins on June 1, 2017. 30 Nature Artists’ Guild members have already agreed to try to get outdoors this summer to create a Nature Artist’s Journal. Check your e-mail for details and contact Evelyn Grala if there are any questions.
On the evening of June 1, 2017, the Nature Artists’ Guild welcomes Marge Hall and her Floral Portraits to the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. Guests and visitors are also welcome to attend this free presentation. Please click on this link for more details.