The Nature Artists’ Guild’s annual “paint-in” at world-renowned grower of orchids, Orchids by Hausermann, will provide members a warm and tropical break from the winter weather!
The gathering will take place at Hausermann’s vast greenhouse in Villa Park, IL, on the morning of Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 7:30 until 10 (before the showroom is open to the public). Surrounded by the sight and scent of thousands of orchids, Guild members will be able to sketch, paint, or photograph for future reference many of the varieties on display.
One lucky participant will win a $25 gift certificate to use towards the purchase of an orchid of their choice, and all participants will be able to enjoy free delicious refreshments, coffee and pastries from Paris Baguette.
HEY… The Birdfeeder is Empty!, copyright Dan Danielson
The DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center reports that January, which might seem quiet in Chicagoland’s natural world, is actually quite busy! For instance –
Tomorrow, January 18, a free reception for the Guild’s special exhibit at the Downers Grove Public Library will be held from 2 to 4. Everyone is invited to stop by the exhibit and support the artists while enjoying some light refreshments.
On Wednesday, January 21, Guild members are invited to stop by an informal gathering at the Wheaton Public Library at 11:30 to enjoy even more nature art by their fellow artists. Those interested in having lunch at nearby Bien Trucha afterward at 12:30 can RSVP here or by contacting Celia Rodee.
Nature Artists’ Guild members are encouraged to spend a quiet hour at home this month, looking through and photographing their spring-inspired artwork for possible inclusion in the upcoming issue of the Quarterly. Images, articles, and announcements can be emailed to Jane Kellenberger by February 1.
The annual paint-out at Orchids by Hausermann is scheduled for Thursday, February 5, from 7:30 until 10 am. This tropical destination is a favorite of Guild artists, who are invited to spend the morning, before the showroom opens, surrounded by gorgeous orchids in bloom. Space is limited, and registration is required.
Later in the evening of February 5, members (and guests who request a link) will be able to log in to join a Guild-sponsored online presentation by textile artist Kristin Field. Links to the program will be emailed the preceding week. (Much more about Kristin and her fascinating work coming soon.)
As always, members and visitors are welcome to stop by the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum any Wednesday morning about 9:30 to spend time chatting, sipping, and sketching with fellow artists at Coffee and Art.
Downy Woodpecker at Field Museum. Photo credit FieldMuseum.org
Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum will be taking a short trip into the city to study and sketch at Chicago’s world-renowned Field Museum this Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Participants will meet by the birds exhibit at 9:30 before scouting out their favorite spot to sketch or draw (no acrylics or oils) specimens of natural history from throughout the centuries and around the globe.
Photo credits the Field Museum
Coordinator Celia Rodee will share all the details about parking, admission, and carpooling with Guild members by email, and interested members should register online or by emailing Celia by Friday, January 16.
Winter Woods Edge, copyright Ann Lamoureux. Click on image for a look back at 2025 with the Nature Artists’ Guild.
2025 was a year of gatherings filled with laughter, learning, and sharing for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum.
The Guild’s artists enjoyed presentations (online and in person) by talented and renowned artists, attended paint-outs and field trips (accompanied by delicious treats) at stunning gardens and museums, and shared their artwork through exhibits at The Morton Arboretum (with record attendance!) and other locations. Weekly gatherings to sketch and chat, a fun fundraising workshop, and a holiday party also provided members with plenty of opportunities to meet, learn from, and enjoy the company of fellow artists.
Sample of images from 2025 –
Audubon exhibit at Field Museum
Field Museum paint-out
January Downers Grove Library exhibit
February paint-out at Orchids by Hausermann, copyright Kathi Kuchler
Paint-in at Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum
Rhonda Nass online presentation
Yum, A 5-lobed Chocolate Vine, copyright Rhonda Nass
Late winter, early spring preview
Joel Sheesley presentation at The Morton Arboretum
Kline Creek Sunrise Moonset, copyright Joel Sheesley
Micromovement of Wings, Mandala I, copyright Cynthia Heinz
Autumn 2025 demonstration
Autumn 2025 demonstration
Autumn 2025 demonstration
Autumn 2025 demonstration
Autumn 2025 demonstration
Autumn 2025 demonstration
Flora 2025 special exhibit
A Riot of Bee Balm and Rudbeckia, copyright Maggie Capettini
Hydrangea Blossom, copyright Margie Navolio
Holiday party, Suzanne Wegener artwork
2025 holiday cards preview
2025 Holiday Card, copyright Nicolette Metz
2025 Holiday Card, copyright Sandra Zeboski
2025 Holiday Card, copyright Vicki Liszewski
The Nature Artists’ Guild is looking forward to welcoming back all our current members in 2026 and, hopefully, some new ones as well (an evolving schedule of events will be coming soon)! More about renewals and memberships is available here.
Image by Cantigny.org, 2025 Autumn Exhibit postcard artwork by Kathy Steere, “Just Leaves by Phil Schorn
The colors of autumn are slowly arriving in Chicagoland, and the Nature Artists’ Guild will be there to welcome them with paints, pencils, paper, and canvas.
Members participating in the 2025 Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum will need to register online or by mail by October 11. Much more about the exhibit and Featured Artist Kathy Steere to come in the next few weeks. Postcards and posters will be available for members to pick up at the October 2 meeting to share with friends, family, and local businesses.
Nature Artists’ Guild members and visitors will continue to meet each Wednesday morning at the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum to enjoy the company of fellow artists, as well as the stunning views surrounding them.
Gardens of Cantigny Perennial Border. Photo credit Cantigny.org.
The last paint-out of the year for the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum will take place at the gardens of Cantigny Park on October 1, 2025, from 9:30 until noon.
“Located in Wheaton, Illinois, Cantigny Park is the 500-acre former estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune.” Included in the park are the gardens, “created in 1967 by renowned landscape architect Franz Lipp. Nearly 30 acres of display gardens, theme plantings and statuary render exceptional beauty in all seasons.” – Cantigny.org
There will be no charge for entering Cantigny or for parking at this event. Drop-ins, guests, and visitors are welcome to join the paint-out, but registration is strongly recommended (to make sure there are enough delicious delectables to go around). It’s a great opportunity to enjoy the autumn air and time with fellow nature artists!
Grand Garden, The Morton Arboretum. Photo credit mortonarb.org.
There is a very special show at The Grand Garden of The Morton Arboretum in late summer and early autumn. Vibrant annuals and perennials are still the stars, but the warmer colors of autumn are beginning to make their debut.
To celebrate this display, the Nature Artists’ Guild has planned a paint-out at The Grand Garden on Friday, September 5, 2025, from 9:30 am until noon. Coordinator Celia Rodee will greet attendees with hot and iced coffee and her famous homemade baked goods to prepare the artists for a morning of enjoying the garden in all its glory.
Drop-ins are welcome, but registration is highly recommended (to receive email updates and details, and ensure there are enough treats to go around).
The Grand Garden paint-out also offers a perfect opportunity for Guild members to create or gather references for their contribution to this year’s small works exhibit, “Flora”!
View of garden of Cynthia Hellyer Heinz and Earl Heinz
Encore! Encore!Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum will once again visit the garden of Cynthia Hellyer Heinz and Earl Heinz in Warrenville, IL, next Friday, August 22, 2025, for a paint-out and studio tour.
Paint-Outs Coordinator (and accomplished baker) Celia Rodee will meet participants at 10 am with coffee (hot or iced) and homemade baked goods at the private garden of artists Cynthia Hellyer Heinz and Earl Heinz. Cynthia is excited to report that the garden is in full bloom and ready for its repeat performance!
Cynthia is an artist and associate professor at the School of Art and Design at NIU, and Earl creates wonderful works in ceramics. Their colorful and whimsical garden near the DuPage River is a reflection of their creativity and artistic talents. To add to the experience, paint-out participants are invited to join Cynthia on an informal tour of her home studio!
Registration is required for this paint-out, and no rain date will be scheduled. Celia will email registered attendees with the paint-out address and other details. Previous paint-out participants, as well as new ones, are welcome to attend.
White Petunia II, copyright Marge Hall, is included in the Into the Wild exhibit at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook, IL until August 30.
Despite what we see and hear on the screens and in the stores, we know that summer is far from over and there is plenty of the season left to enjoy. The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum looks forward to making the most of it!
Works by more than 30 artists are showcased in the lovely cool and quiet gallery room overlooking the edge of a forest in Into the Wild, the summer exhibit by members of the Guild at the Hidden Oaks Nature Centerin Bolingbrook, IL, until August 30, 2025. (Artwork images coming soon.)
Spots at the popular annual paint-out at the Gardens of Ball are filling quickly! Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will meet at Ball Horticultural’s spectacular display gardens on the morning of August 8, 2025. Registration is required.
Coffee and Art continues each Wednesday morning inside the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum. Artists can also head outdoors to gather reference material for their contribution to this autumn’s special exhibit, Flora! No registration is required for these friendly and informal gatherings.
Gardens at Ball photo credit Hoerr Schaudt. Click on image for more about the design of the gardens.
Pinks and purples, reds and yellows, greens and blues – all the colors of summer will be on display for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild at the August paint-out at the Gardens of Ball.Artists will want to bring their full palettes!
Each year, Ball Horticultural Company, one of the world’s leaders in “all facets of horticulture,” welcomes the Nature Artists’ Guild to its display gardens, the Gardens at Ball, to draw, paint, and photograph some of the thousands of plants showcased across its nine acres.
Participants will meet on August 8, 2025, at 9:30 am before spreading out to explore the beautifully landscaped gardens in their attempt to “capture the colors.”
Members of the Guild can register here or email Celia Rodee to receive more information about this event and be added to the list for email updates.
Nature Artists' Guild 
