Category: Meetings

Plan to spend a wonderful evening on Thursday, June 4, 2015, from 7 until 9 pm at the Sterling Morton Library of The Morton Arboretum, as Manager of Library Collections, Rita Hassert, and Rare Art Collection Assistant (and Nature Artists’ Guild member), Arlene Widrevitz, discuss the lives and works of some of the adventurous and dedicated artists who contributed to plant hunting, collecting, and documentation across the world and the centuries.

Featured in the presentation will be Ferdinand Bauer, an Austrian botanical illustrator, and William Bartram, an American botanical and ornithological illustrator, both contributors of artwork to the French botanist and explorer, Andre Michaux and his son, Francois Andre Michaux, for their book on trees of North America, The North American Sylva. The lives and works of other artistic contributors, Pierre-Joseph Redoute and Pancrace Bessa will also be explored.  (Please click on any of the highlighted links above to read more.)

During this presentation, rare works by these and other artists from the Sterling Morton Library’s Art and Rare Book Collections will be on display to highlight and illustrate the presentation, as well as the library’s current exhibit, Plant Hunters.

Guests and visitors are welcome to attend this special presentation sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum.  There is no fee for parking or attendance, and non-members of The Morton Arboretum should let the gate attendant know that they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program.

On Thursday, March 5, 2015 from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum, fiber artist Barbara Schneider will be sharing some of her artwork and techniques with members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, their guests, and visitors.

The three series of fiber art that Barbara will be presenting, Reflections, Leaves, and  Line Dance, Tree Ring Patterns are influenced by the Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi, which she describes as “finding beauty in things that are imperfect”.  Barbara’s program is meant to encourage viewers to look at nature “with fresh eyes”, and her creations using cloth, dye and thread are nothing short of breathtaking.

To see a preview of a Barbara’s DVD, Three Dimensional Fiber Art, please click on this link.  To view her artwork and read more about her techniques and inspirations, you can visit Barbara’s website by clicking here and here for her Facebook page.

As always, guests and visitors are welcome to attend the Nature Artists’ Guild programs. There is no fee for the program, parking, or entry into The Morton Arboretum for this event.  Visitors can 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.

Don’t forget that tonight’s Nature Artists’ Guild Meeting will be held in the Visitor’s Center of The Morton Arboretum.  Please park in the main parking lot and enter through the main doors of the Visitor’s Center.  Proceed towards the Ginkgo Cafe, and our friend Gary will direct you to the correct room.

Carrie Carlson will be sharing her linoleum block printing methods with us, and supplies will be provided to all who care to try some techniques for themselves.  It sounds like a fun evening!

On Thursday, February 5, 2015, from 7 until 9 pm, Nature Artists Guild members, guests and visitors will have the opportunity to explore the art of depicting nature through linoleum block printmaking with Scientific Illustrator, Carrie Carlson. Carrie is especially interested in raising awareness of native flora and fauna, especially threatened species.

Please note that this presentation will take place in the Ginkgo Room (located in the Visitor’s Center).  There is no fee for the program or parking, and visitors should just let the gate attendant at The Morton Arboretum know that they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild presentation.

More about this upcoming program from Carrie –

Linoleum block is an established printmaking technique accessible for all ages and skill levels!  Come learn the basics and how to increase sophistication in both content and methodology to create striking works of art.  Working with oil-based inks allows the artist terrific opportunity for hand painting finished prints.  Basic tools and methods, inks, papers, alternative carving substrates, and hot tips will be discussed.

The artist is midway through an ambitious Artist in Residency venture documenting at-risk, recovering, and keystone prairie species through linocut in order to generate awareness and celebration of a local grasslands restoration project.  Step-by-step directions and imagery of these grassland pieces will inspire you to seek out your own local cause to celebrate through linocut!  Small prints will be provided by the artist for experiential learning in hand-coloring and collaborative artistry!

More examples of Carrie’s wonderful artwork can be seen by clicking on this link to her Etsy shop.