Meetings – Page 14 – Nature Artists' Guild

Lori Stralow Harris and Butterflies on June 1, 2017

Published on May 4, 2017January 23, 2020 by DeniseLeave a comment

Update – We apologize, but due to a scheduling concern, Lori will not be presenting the June 2017 program. Please join us instead for a presentation by Marge Hall on June 1, 2017 from 7 until 9 pm.

Artist and educator Lori Stralow Harris opened the Salt Creek Butterfly Farm in 2012 in an effort to provide a “wide variety of opportunities for children and adults to slow down, observe, and appreciate the quiet but spectacular presence of butterflies in our world.”

On Thursday, June 1, 2017 from 7 until 9 pm, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, guests, and visitors will have the chance to experience one of these opportunities as Lori brings her talents as well as some live butterflies to the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their camera and sketchbooks to this unique presentation! As always, guests and visitors are welcome to attend this Nature Artists’ Guild sponsored program, and there is no charge for admission or parking. Visitors should let the gate attendant know they are there for the program in order to be admitted free-of-charge and directed to Thornhill.

Please click on this link for the Salt Creek Butterfly Farm or the photo below to read much more about Lori and her fascinating mission.

Photo credit www.saltcreekbutterflyfarm.com. Copyright Lori Harris.

Surely It Was Too Early For Spring to Have Sprung!

Published on February 25, 2017February 25, 2017 by DeniseLeave a comment

The snowflakes outside remind us that yes, we were fooled once again this year by the recent gorgeous weather. We weren’t the only ones, though. Birds, mammals, bugs and even reptiles have also been out soaking up the sunshine and warm temperatures in the last few days.

Spring will have sprung before we know it, though, and Nature Artists’ Guild members have plenty to keep them busy until it arrives-

Prospectuses for the Spring Exhibition of Natural History Art at The Morton Arboretum are due on Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Peggy Macnamara will be the featured speaker at the next Nature Artists’ Guild program from 7 until 9 pm on Thursday, March 2, 2017
Goldfinch © 2013 Peggy Macnamara
The Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum paint-out will be happening from 1 until 4 on Friday, March 10, 2017
The wonderful Winter Encounter has one more week to go
Magnolia, Ink and Colored Inks, © 2017 Nancy Thyfault
Openings are available for upcoming art classes offered by The Morton Arboretum
The Spring Exhibition of Natural History Art will be held on the weekend of April 8th and April 9th, 2017 at The Morton Arboretum, with a special artists’ reception for Arboretum members and guests of the artists on Friday, April 7, 2017. Check back soon for more about this event and the exhibition’s Featured Artist, Nancy Wu.
2017 Spring Exhibition Featured Artist Nancy Wu at Nature Artists’ Guild paint-out at Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum, 2015

Please click on any of the highlighted links to read more. Some events are open to the public, while others are reserved for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild.

The Always Delightful Peggy Macnamara on Thursday, March 2, 2017

Published on February 9, 2017January 23, 2020 by DeniseLeave a comment

The good news is that the talented and beloved artist, writer, instructor, and speaker Peggy Macnamara has just finished illustrating a new book.

Mary Hennen and Peggy Macnamara’s *The Peregrine Returns*

The great news is that Peggy will be teaching a one-day workshop as part of The Morton Arboretum’s Visiting Artist Series on Saturday, March 4, 2017, titled Use the Layering Method in Watercolor with Peggy Macnamara (please click on the highlighted link to check for available spots or to be placed on the wait-list).

The fantastic news is that Peggy will be sharing some of her experiences, as well as a close-up look at her artwork, with members of the Nature Artists Guild, guests, and visitors on the evening of Thursday, March 2, 2017 from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.

Peggy Macnamara is the Artist-in-Residence at the world renowned Field Museum in Chicago, IL, a professor at the School of the Art Institute, the author and illustrator of numerous scientific and children’s books, and an all-around delightful person!

As always, Nature Artists’ Guild programs are open to all and are free-of-charge for admission and parking. Guests and visitors who are not members of The Morton Arboretum can let the gate attendant know that they are there for the program, and they will be directed to the Thornhill Education Center.

Julie Sutter-Blair Comes to Thornhill on Thursday, February 2, 2017

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

Julie Sutter-Blair is a superbly talented artist whose intaglio prints and colored pencil drawings are inspired by nature. The Nature Artists’ Guild is honored to host a presentation by Julie on Thursday, February 2, 2017 from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum, in Lisle, IL.

Julie will also participate in the Visiting Artist Series of The Morton Arboretum’s education program with her workshop Drawing Nests With Julie Sutter-Blair, which will be held the following Friday and Saturday, February 3rd and 4th, 2017. Please click on the above link to register.

Both the Nature Artists’ Guild program and the workshop are open to all, not just members of the Nature Artists’ Guild or The Morton Arboretum. There is a fee and a registration requirement for the workshop, but Thursday evening’s program is free-of-charge for both admission and parking. Visitors should let the gate attendant know that they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program and they will be directed to the Thornhill Education Center.

Nature Artists’ Guild Presents Pastel Artist Gary Wick at October Program

Published on September 19, 2016January 23, 2020 by DeniseLeave a comment

Anyone who has seen a sky by Gary Wick in his favored medium of soft pastel doesn’t soon forget it! Attendees of the Thursday, October 6th program sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center will have the opportunity to watch Gary in the process of creating one of his glowing landscapes.

Gary Wick, a widely collected and admired artist from the Chicagoland area, is also an accomplished instructor in painting with pastels and is currently teaching at the McCord Gallery and Cultural Center in Palos Park, IL.

Gary has been featured in the Pastel Journal as a finalist in their Annual Pastel 100 Awards, and his work has been published in American Artist magazine and in Best of American Pastel Artists, Vol. II. Gary’s work is also included in the permanent collection of the National Veterans Art Museum.

Guests and visitors are welcome to attend this presentation. Non-members of The Morton Arboretum are asked to let the gate attendant know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program, and they will be directed to the Thornhill Education Center. Parking, admission to the Arboretum and to the program are free-of-charge for this event. Please click here for directions to The Morton Arboretum.

The October meeting will also feature examples of Nature Artists’ Guild member sketchbooks completed during the first Great Sketchbook Encounter. Any members who wish to share should bring theirs along!

A Morning in the Country

Published on August 10, 2016 by DeniseLeave a comment

Sharon Malec’s charming acre in West Chicago couldn’t be more picturesque and brings to mind a morning in the countryside. Sharon humbly states that her garden is “just the normal stuff”, but where else could you sit in the dappled shade of huge tulip trees, sketch a bamboo patch or hydrangea and sneak a ripe blackberry fresh from the vine, all in one place?

Sharon Malec's garden, ripening blackberries

On the morning of Tuesday, August 23, 2016, from 9:30 am until noon, Sharon will share her wonderful yard and garden for a paint-out with fellow Nature Artists’ Guild members. Interested members are encouraged to RSVP to Paint-Outs Coordinator Jane Kellenberger, but there is plenty of room for last-minute participants as well. Jane’s contact information, as well as Sharon Malec’s address and contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook.

Three Nature Artists at The Morton Arboretum on Thursday, August 4, 2016

Published on July 31, 2016January 23, 2020 by DeniseLeave a comment

Nature Artists’ Guild members, non-member artists, those fascinated by the process of creating art, or those just curious or looking for an interesting and enjoyable way to spend an evening – all are invited to attend and none will leave disappointed!

On the evening of Thursday, August 4, 2016 from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL, the Nature Artists’ Guild will proudly present three talented members who will share their art, inspirations and techniques with attendees.

Carol Cooley’s print using “shinkolei” process

Susan Bartlett’s collage from hand-painted paper

Sharon Malec’s fiber art created with her hand-made silk paper

Please click on this link to a previous post to read more about artists Susan Bartlett, Carol Cooley and Sharon Malec, who will presenting this year’s edition of this popular annual program. There is no charge for entry to The Morton Arboretum, the program, or parking, and light refreshments will be provided. Visitors should let the gate attendant at the Arboretum know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild presentation, and they will be directed to Thornhill.

The Popular “Nature Artist Trio” is Back, Thursday, August 4, 2016

Published on July 8, 2016January 23, 2020 by Denise2 Comments

No, it’s not a new musical group! Even better, each year the Nature Artists’ Guild invites three artist members to share their tips, techniques, materials and inspirations in a fun, informal and informative presentation. The program will be held at the Thornhill Education Center, The Morton Arboretum, on August 4, 2016 from 7 until 9 pm.

This year, all three artists will be working on or with paper, but in interesting new ways.

Carol Cooley will share her methods for using watercolor and the “shinkolei” process to add new elements to her wonderful block prints.

Carol Cooley’s block print with applied watercolor

Carol Cooley applying watercolor to block print

Carol Cooley’s print using “shinkolei” process

Sharon Malec uses her hand-made silk papers to create shimmering fabric art.

Silk fibers used by Sharon Malec to create silk paper

Detail of Sharon Malec’s art featuring her hand-made silk paper

Sharon Malec’s fiber art created with her hand-made silk paper

Susan Bartlett’s stunning collages are made with paper that she has hand-painted.

Susan Bartlett’s hand-painted paper drying in studio

Susan Bartlett’s hand-painted paper being prepared for collage

Susan Bartlett’s collage from hand-painted paper

Members, non-members, visitors, friends, family – all are welcome at this popular program! Both the program and parking are free-of-charge. Non-members of The Morton Arboretum should let the gate attendant know that they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program and they will be directed to Thornhill.

All artwork images above are copyrighted and may not be used without permission of the artist.

Scenes in Pen and Ink by Marianne Lisson Kuhn, June 2, 2016

Published on May 17, 2016January 23, 2020 by DeniseLeave a comment

Marianne Lisson Kuhn grew up in the “then small farming community of Naperville, Illinois”, and “spent most Sundays visiting her grandparents at their local farms and grew to love the country and the beauty of nature unfolding with each passing season”.

Marianne Lisson Kuhn, Photo Credit mariannelissonkuhn.com/

Marianne’s artwork includes small rural scenes and landscapes in pen and ink, pastel and watercolor, as well as large murals depicting historical and contemporary life in the area.

On Thursday, June 2, 2016, Marianne will share some of her thoughts, inspirations and techniques with the Nature Artists’ Guild at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL from 7 until 9 pm. Her focus will be on scenes in pen and ink for this presentation.

As always, guests and visitors are welcome to attend this program sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild. There is no charge for attendance, parking, or admission to the Arboretum for this event. Visitors can just let the gate attendant know that they are there for the program, and they will be directed to Thornhill.

Please click on the following links to learn more about Marianne, and to view examples of her artwork –

Marianne’s website, Naperville’s Century Walk Art website

Top Five Reasons to Attend Tonight’s Nature Artists’ Guild Program

Published on March 3, 2016January 23, 2020 by Denise2 Comments

1. Rhonda Nass and her award-winning colored-pencil artwork

2. Rhonda’s new book, Scratchings of a Madwoman

3. For interested Nature Artists’ Guild members, an opportunity to pick up their mini-canvas

4. Visitors and guests are welcome, and the program, admission to The Morton Arboretum, and parking are free-of-charge

5. The special beauty of The Morton Arboretum after dark, especially with a dusting of snow

For more information about Rhonda, please scroll down to a our previous post, or visit her website, www.rnass.com. Visitors do not need to be a member of the Nature Artists’ Guild or The Morton Arboretum to attend this program from 7 until 9 pm on Thursday, March 3, 2016, and the gate attendant at The Morton Arboretum will direct them to the Thornhill Education Center building. More information about the Arboretum is available at www.mortonarb.org.