Category: Member Artwork

Surely It Was Too Early For Spring to Have Sprung!

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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 2013
    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-colored-inks-copyright-nancy-thyfault
    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
    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 Winter Encounter is Underway

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The Winter Encounter has begun.  Member Evelyn Grala, who brought us the wildly popular Sketchbook Encounter last summer, has inspired us again with the Winter Encounter, a challenge to fellow bodacious (check out that list of synonyms) Nature Artists’ Guild members to create a new work of art per week, yes every week, until Spring!

The weekly results of this challenge can be seen on the Winter Encounter Gallery page of this website, and will also be included in the upcoming Quarterly.

Giraffe, copyright Alice Wych
Giraffe, copyright Alice Wych

Bravo, Winter Encounter participants!

First Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit of 2017 Opens Tomorrow

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The first Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit of the new year opens tomorrow, January 4, 2017 at the Downers Grove Library,  1050 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, IL. The exhibit will be open during normal library hours, 9 am to 9 pm on weekdays, 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays, and 1 pm to 5 pm on Sundays.

The Downers Grove Library has a wonderful gallery space featuring rotating displays, and even has its own collection of art.  The exhibit of select works by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum runs through February 1, 2017.

The 2016 Autumn (Holiday) Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum

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We are proud to present the official exhibit poster of the 2016 Holiday Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum.  The poster artwork was created by our Featured Artist, Eva Holy (read more by clicking here), and as usual, member Evelyn Grala has done a wonderful job with the graphic design!

2016 Nature Artists' Guild Exhibit Poster. Artwork copyrighted by Evalyn Holy, poster design by Evelyn Grala.
2016 Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit Poster. Artwork copyrighted by Evalyn Holy, poster design by Evelyn Grala.

Signs of Autumn

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There’s a new header on our website, which can only mean that-

  • Autumn is here
  • The annual Holiday (Autumn) exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild, featuring approximately 150 works of art by 50 artists is coming soon
  • We have a new Featured Artist, Evalyn Holy, whose work will be highlighted at the upcoming exhibit (Congratulations Eva!)
Owl, copyright Evalyn Holy
Owl, copyright Evalyn Holy

Please read more about Evalyn, and see some of her wonderful drawings and paintings by clicking here or on the Featured Artist tab at the top of the Nature Artists’ Guild website.

Click here to read more about the upcoming exhibit in our new location, Cudahy Auditorium.

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

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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

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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.

“Featured: Feathers”, Solo Exhibit of Lindsay Sandbothe’s Awe-Inspiring Artwork

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Lindsay Sandbothe’s large-scale paintings of birds on wood have been inspiring awe at Nature Artists’ Guild exhibits for years!  Now, Lindsay’s first solo exhibit will feature all of her best artwork in one setting.  Please see the postcard below for details about the exhibit and the opening reception on July 9, 2016 from noon until 2 pm.  Congratulations, Lindsay!

Lindsay Sandbothe Exhibit Postcard front

Lindsay Sandbothe Exhibit Postcard back

Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit Opens at Kavanagh Gallery July 8, 2016

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Nature Artists' Guild at Kavanaugh Gallery 2016 Front

The Nature Artists’ Guild special exhibit of fine art will open at the Kavanagh Gallery, Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles, IL on July 8, 2016, and will run through August 12, 2016.  An artists’ reception will be held at the gallery on the evening of Friday, July 15, 2016 from 5:30 until 7:30 pm.  All are invited to attend this reception where they can meet and speak with many of the participating artists and enjoy a few light refreshments.  The gallery is open every Monday through Saturday from 10 am until 5 pm.

Please click on the highlighted links above for more about the Kavanagh Gallery and the Fine Line Creative Arts Center, or on the following highlighted link to view the front and back of the Kavanagh Gallery Invitation (which also includes information about and images from their current gallery exhibit).