Category: Meetings

 While most of us have had the pleasure of meeting Nancy Hart (Stieber), many of us only know her as an always friendly, fun, and helpful fellow member of the Nature Artists’ Guild. What many of us don’t realize is that Nancy is also the retired Staff Artist of the Morton Arboretum and Curator of Rare Prints and Drawings at the Sterling Morton library, as well as the developer of the Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate Program and the founder of our very own Nature Artists’ Guild! A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Nancy has notable accomplishments in an incredible array of learning, teaching, designing, lecturing and exhibiting (including The Smithsonian Institution, The Art Institute of Chicago, and The New York Natural History Museum) activities. 

  Please join us as at the arboretum’s Thornhill Educational Center on Thursday, October 7 at 7:00 pm, as Nancy shares her enthusiasm as well as the challenges presented by her newest form of creative expression, the art of sculpture in ceramics. Her new third dimensional work is so different from her previous two dimensional work that Nancy reports that “to think of a piece from all sides at the same time makes my head hurt! But I love it!” She also loves the history around the human use of clay, which is “omnipresent” and “all wrapped up in the earliest of human endeavors”, as well as “the feel of clay at all stages”. Nancy’s love of her latest chosen art form is even more apparent in her statement that “It is almost alive as it changes from dust to the final beauty of artists’ creations”.  Not only will Nancy bring examples of her work and discuss basic hand-building , but she will be bringing clay for each of us and guiding us through the formation of a tea bowl! 

 As always, refreshments will be served and guests and visitors are welcome!

Approximately 58 members and visitors turned out to enjoy our recent Prismacolor seminar conducted by Diana Garrett, who certainly did not disappoint!  Between her friendly style, her demonstrations, tips, prizes, and samples, Diana kept the crowd enthralled.  Thank you Diana, and we hope to have you back again soon!

Pamela Hart, painter of luminous oil landscapes, will be our featured presenter and speaker at the June 3, 2010 meeting of the Nature Artists’ Guild.
Pamela’s traditional style of oil painting is greatly influenced by the Impressionists, as well as the Flemish portrait painters of the 14th and 15th centuries. Her technique of layering highly reflective whites, then numerous glazes of transparent and translucent colors, enhances the luminosity of her work. The finished paintings have an incredible glow and depth that draws the viewer right in. Continue reading “June Meeting Features Luminous Landscapes of Pamela Hart” →

On Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 7:00 pm, please join us at our formal meeting as renowned sculptor and painter Victoria Fuller shares her art experiences.
Victoria’s works range from delicate watercolor paintings of flora and fauna to large scale public sculptures. Her 35 foot bronze sculpture Global Garden Shovel, recently installed in the city of Seattle, “is constructed from castings and manual replications of indigenous plants and trees from the tropics and northern climates. The sculpture is also a reminder of the crucial role that plants play in sustaining life on our planet, such as producing food, medicine, oxygen, moisture, as well as providing beauty and enjoyment in our everyday lives”.

“In search for knowledge and adventure” Victoria has “traveled to China, witnessing the Tiananmen Square uprising, to Africa on photo Safari, and the Amazon on a house boat, creating botanical illustrations. She has lived in Paris to study French, New York to immerse herself in the NY art scene, and in San Francisco to study at the San Francisco Art Institute.” Victoria moved to Chicago in 1992 to obtain an MFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her award-winning work has been featured in exhibitions from Chicago to New York, as well as in numerous publications.

 

Please join us for what will surely be a fascinating evening as Victoria shares her experiences. You can read more about Victoria online at http://www.ObjectArtist.com.

Local accomplished porcelain artist, Karen Wahlers, will be our featured presenter at the February 4, 2010 meeting of the Nature Artists’ Guild.  Karen’s program will guide us through the preparation and application of this stunning ancient art form. 

A member of the International Porcelain Art Teacher’s Association and the World Organization of China Painters (www.illinoiswocp.com), Karen has taught classes and workshops at art leagues and galleries, as well as at state and national conventions.  Karen is also the founder of the DuPage Wild Roses guild.

Please join us February 4, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. for a fascinating journey through this ancient art form with this talented teacher.