Greenhouse at Orchids by Hausermann and artwork by (clockwise) Maggie Mardis, Linda Fairbanks, Nancy Wu
This Thursday, February 8, 2024, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will return for their annual ‘trip to the tropics’ at the greenhouse of one of the world’s largest growers of orchids, Orchids by Hausermann.
Whatever the weather outside, inside the greenhouse it will be balmy and filled with the sights and scents of the tropics. The paint-out begins at 7:30 am and continues until 10. The early start allows our artists to have exclusive use of the facility before the showroom opens to the public.
To help the creativity flow at such an early hour, Paint-out Coordinator Celia Rodee will supply hot coffee and a delicious snack to all attendees. In addition, one lucky participant will be randomly chosen to receive a gift certificate towards the purchase of a stunning orchid to bring home! Interested members can register here and be added to the email list for updates and details, or contact Celia by email.
Tomorrow at 7 pm, February 1, 2024, Claudia Lane will present ‘The Evolution of Botanical Art’ to members and guests of the Nature Artists’ Guild.
Guild members and guests were emailed a link to this online live presentation on January 25. Please click here to read more.
In other Nature Artists’ Guild news –
The Guild is now accepting reservations for the limited spots available at the upcoming paint-out at Orchids by Hausermann on the morning of February 8, 2024 from 7:30 to 10. This paint-out starts early so that participating artists can enjoy the greenhouse before the display area opens to the public for the day. Interested members can register here or contact Celia Rodee to be added to the email list for updates and details.
Guild members who would like to contribute artwork images for the Spring Quarterlycan do so by February 3. An email sent to members on January 26 has all the details.
The Nature Artists’ Guild continues to welcome new and returning members for 2024. Interested artists can join online or by mail (more details here) and be eligible to receive a prospectus (to be emailed late next month) for the upcoming Spring Nature Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum.
Covers from 2023 Quarterlies. Cover art (left to right) by Jackie Louis, Dan Danielson, Jeff Walter, Joanne McKibben.
The Nature Artists’ Guild is already thinking of spring with a call for art and articles from its members for The Nature Artists’ Quarterly.
Four times a year, members are invited to share artwork, news, and much more with their fellow artists. Personal stories about adventures in nature and art, members news and accomplishments, book reviews, and information about Guild events are all accompanied by beautiful seasonal member artwork. Skillfully designed and edited by Jane Kellenberger and other volunteers (listed inside the back cover), the Quarterly is a publication that Nature Artists’ Guild members look forward to receiving in the mail.
Current members were emailed details on January 26 about where to send their material for the Spring Quarterly. Materials should be sent by February 3 for possible inclusion in the spring issue.
Deer Morning, copyright Marybeth Devine. Click on the image above for a quick look at 2023 or scroll through this website for all the posts and images.
The Nature Artists’ Guild bids farewell to 2023 with fond memories of programs, paint-outs, parties, exhibits, and the friendship and support of fellow artists.
The Guild would like to welcome first-time and returning members to new opportunities to explore and share the appreciation of nature through art in 2024!
Copyright Bernadette Hanacek. Click on the image to view more cards!
The Nature Artists’ Guild would like to wish everyone a joyful holiday season and invite all to take a moment to enjoy some wonderful cards created and shared by members of the Guild.
Copyright Yvonne Buckley
Copyright Carol Cooley
Copyright Margie Navolio
Copyright Patty Koenigsaecker
Copyright Ann Lamoureux
Copyright Bernadette Hanacek
Copyright Karen Remkus
Copyright Vicki Liszewski
Copyright Terrie McComb
Copyright Celia Rodee
Copyright Heidi Jachna
Copyright Christine Carroll
Copyright Jane Kellenberger
Copyright Alice Wych
Copyright Cheryl Holz
Copyright Dorothy Duffala
Copyright Jeannine Stump
Copyright Joanne McKibben
Copyright Laurie Alvear
Copyright Pat Mroczka
Copyright Lisa Paraday
Many thanks to all the artists who contributed! Participants in the card exchange can still send images of cards sent or received by December 31 to have them added to the online display.
Nature Artists’ Guild members registered for the 2024 Downers Grove Public Library exhibit can drop off their artwork tomorrow, December 16, between 10 and 11:30 am (specifics are in the prospectus emailed on November 18).
Guild members participating in the 2023 Holiday Card Exchange should send their handmade cards by tomorrow, December 16.
Members should renew for 2024 (or new members join) by the end of this month to ensure receiving all the benefits of membership for the new year.
Top to bottom: Detail of January 9, copyright Maggie Capettini, 2022 Holiday Card Project samples, Nature Artists’ Guild logo.
A flash of color in the subtle landscape is often a welcome sight for artists, photographers, and other wanderers of the woods and fields during the winter months. Maggie Capettini found her inspiration and depicted it with wonderful exuberance in ‘January 9’.
Two of Maggie’s winter landscapes will be exhibited along with botanical, wildlife, garden, and other scenes of nature in all seasons by fellow members of the Nature Artists’ Guild at the Downers Grove Public Librarythroughout January 2024.
The Downers Grove Public Library has a long history of supporting the visual arts, with an expansive gallery area and numerous works by local and internationally-renowned artists in their permanent collection. Each January, the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum adds to the library visitors’ artistic experience with its own special exhibit.
Guild members were emailed the prospectus and all the details on December 8. Registrations (online or by mail) must be submitted by December 11, 2023 to participate.
A sample of holiday cards from 2022. Please click here or on the image to see the full versions and the artists’ names along with other cards from last year.
A cup of hot cocoa, some holiday music, maybe even a crackling fire (in the fireplace or on a screen) and a few art supplies. What better way to spend an hour or two during the holiday season?
The Nature Artists’ Guild invites all of its members to take some time during this busy season to share their creativity and brighten the day of a fellow artist. The annual Holiday Card Exchange has become a popular Guild tradition, and all that’s required to participate is some paper, an envelope and stamp, and some basic art supplies.
The last day to register for the Holiday Card Exchange is Thursday, December 7, 2023. Members can register online here, by emailing Celia Rodee, or in person at the Holiday Party. On December 8, Celia will email each participant the name and address of their card’s recipient. All cards should be mailed by December 16.
The Nature Artists’ Guild guidelines are somewhat relaxed for this project, but the cards should be original and handmade. Many members photograph or scan their cards before sending and have copies printed to use as their personal greeting cards for friends and family.
Blank multi-media cards and envelopes will be available at the Holiday Party for those who prefer to use them.
Participants are invited to send a photo or scan of the cards they send and receive to Denise Fisk to share later on this website.
For inspiration, following are links to some wonderful cards from previous years: 2022, 2021, 2020.
Sparrow, copyright Lisa Kanellos. Click on the image for more than 50 images from the recent exhibit at The Morton Arboretum.
A little bird told us that the 2023 Autumn Nature Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum, featuring over 200 works of art by more than 60 members of the Guild, was a resounding success (with a little help from the beautiful autumn weather). The Nature Artists’ Guild would like to thank the exhibit coordinators, participating artists, volunteers, demonstrators, Arboretum employees, and visitors who helped to make it so.
Please click here or on the sparrow above to view more than 50 images, along with titles and artists’ names.
Many of these works will also be included in the Guild’s Downers Grove Public Library special exhibit throughout January 2024. More details to come soon.
Click on any image for the full version. Use arrows to scroll through images.
Burnt Umber Nature Study, copyright Cheryl HolzLeopard Plant, copyright Kumie KimBlushing Beauty, copyright Cynthia S. CockrielAmerican holly (Ilex opaca), copyright Kumie KimDazzling Begonia, copyright Karen RemkusFall Bouquet, copyright Nancy WuHide and Seek #1, copyright Jeffrey ZawadaForest in Ireland, copyright Marybeth DevineGreat Blue Heron, copyright Jill AdziaFall Splendor, copyright Jeff WalterAtlantic Puffins, copyright Marybeth DevineBeach Bliss, copyright Mary RobertsFall Anemone, copyright Karen RemkusLakeside Birch, copyright Marlene VitekHide and Seek, copyright Jeffrey ZawadaFlamboyant Departure, copyright Jeff WalterSunny Disposition, copyright Yvonne BuckleyWinter at Meadow Lake, copyright Margie NavolioThe Squirrel’s Been Here!, copyright Alice WychThe Antiquated Farmer’s Pest, copyright Michelle BuziakSummer Shades, copyright Patty KoenigsaeckerStop and Smell the Roses, copyright Alice SulinkskiSparrow, copyright Lisa KanellosAfter the Show, copyright Mary Ann JimenezSneak Preview, copyright Mary Ann JimenezPeony and orange blossoms, copyright Margie NavolioOrange Sherbet Sunrise, copyright Beth BerryPondside Dancer, copyright Terrie McCombmemory thread, weaving into the future, copyright Laurie PetersHarvest Lunch, copyright Pat MroczkaForest Treasures: Fern and Fungus, copyright Cheryl HolzFalse Solomon Seal, copyright Ann LamoureuxDeer Morning, copyright Marybeth DevineCommon Whitetail Dragonfly, copyright Karen A. JohnsonChickadee on Pine Tree, copyright Jill AdziaBlue and Gold Macaw, copyright Lindsay SandbotheAmerican holly (Ilex opaca), copyright Kumie KimBegonia, copyright Linda HilderbrantSnowy Enchantment, copyright Mary RobertsRed Oak Branch, copyright Joanne McKibbenRed Saddlebags Dragonfly, copyright Karen A. JohnsonSeabird, copyright Lia LiuWinter Bouquet, copyright Lisa KanellosWinter Haven, copyright Beth BerryTurn Your Face to the Sun, copyright Celia RodeePlant Patterns #1, copyright Marlene VitekToad, copyright Arlene WidrevitzMorning Revelation, copyright Beth BerryPlant Patterns #2, copyright Marlene VitekNaturalist Treasure Trove #1, copyright Cheryl HolzPopulus Euphratica, copyright Lia LiuOak Twig, copyright Betsy EdwardsHosta, copyright Ann LamoureuxLooking Up On St. Francis Court, copyright Ann LamoureuxOak Twig with Leaves, copyright Betsy EdwardsJack-O-Lantern Mushrooms, copyright Jeffrey ZawadaSunrise, copyright Lia Liueye of reciprocity, copyright Laurie PetersBirches, copyright Joe RizzoZion II, copyright Joe RizzoPeachy Pumpkins, copyright Pat MroczkaColorful Ramirezi and Friends, copyright Joe RizzoDreamy Lillypads, copyright Pat MroczkaBlown Flower, copyright Joe Rizzo
Poster art by Joe Rizzo. Poster design by Jane Kellenberger.
Click on the following links or scroll through the website for –
An invitation to the Friday evening reception, open to all, free of charge, where visitors can view over 200 works of art created by more than 60 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild.
Nature Artists' Guild 