Category: Programs

Nature Artists’ Guild Program This Thursday, August 2, 2018

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Thursday’s program will feature three Nature Artists’ Guild members sharing techniques and tips for creating art in some unique and beautiful ways. 

Spring, At Last, copyright Catherine Stacy.
Polar Vortex Landscape, copyright Marilyn Peretti.
Retreating Glacier, copyright Joe Rizzo.

All are invited to attend this program and can read more about it and view complete versions of the above artwork by clicking here.

In addition to the program, Guild members will be able to pick up some blank canvases for a fundraiser for the 2018 Autumn (Holiday) Exhibition of Natural History Art.  The 3 x 3 inch canvases can be painted, collaged, or drawn on, and the finished works of art will be sold at the upcoming exhibit in November.

Nature Artists’ Guild 2018 Fundraiser. Examples of finished canvases by Laurie Freeman, Carol Puotinen, and Catherine Stacy.

The small size and reasonable price ($5 each) will make it possible for almost any exhibit attendee to bring home an original work of art to display, use as an ornament, or give as a gift.  Blank canvases will also be available to pick up at the October meeting, but must be completed and returned on or before the exhibit drop-off  (referee) evening of October 31, 2018.  Questions about this fundraiser can be answered by Catherine Stacy, whose contact information is in the Yearbook.

More information about the exhibit will be coming soon!

Three Nature Artists on Thursday, August 2, 2018

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Nature Artists’ Guild members Joe Rizzo, Marilyn Peretti and Catherine Stacy will be sharing their artistic talents on the evening of Thursday, August 2, 2018 from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.  Each of these three artists will give audience members the opportunity to learn the basics of a unique and fascinating art form.

Retreating Glacier, copyright Joe Rizzo.

Joe Rizzo will be giving attendees a chance to experiment with creating landscapes using his marbleizing technique.

Spring, At Last, copyright Catherine Stacy.

Catherine Stacy will be sharing her method for creating nature prints in ink.

Polar Vortex Landscape, copyright Marilyn Peretti.

Marilyn Peretti will be sharing her cold wax painting technique.

Visitors and guests are welcome to attend this program, which is sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild.  There is no fee for attendance or parking, nor is there a gate fee to enter the Arboretum for this special event.  Visitors can let the gate attendant at the Arboretum know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program to be directed to Thornhill.

Julie Zickefoose This Thursday Evening, June 7, 2018

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All are invited to the Thornhill Education Center at The Morton Arboretum this Thursday, June 7, 2018 from 7 until 9 pm, for a presentation by acclaimed author, artist and naturalist, Julie Zickefoose.

Baby birds are abundant this time of year, fluttering, chirping, squawking, and making their first attempts at flight.  Julie has studied and sketched birds in their nest all the way through the growth cycle, and in her newest book, Baby Birds:  An Artist Looks into the Nest, Julie chronicles that growth with her words and her art.

After her presentation, Julie will be available for signing copies of her books, and the books will also be available for purchase.  Please click on one of the highlighted links to read more about Julie’s fascinating adventures in nature, or to listen to some of her commentaries on NPR.

Field Sparrow with Nesting Materials, copyright Julie Zickefoose. Used with permission.

This program is sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum and is open for all to attend.  There is no charge for admission, parking, or entrance into the Arboretum for this special event.  Non-members of the Arboretum should let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be directed to Thornhill.

Welcoming Julie Zickefoose on June 7, 2018

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Julie Zickefoose is a biologist, a naturalist, a speaker, an author, and an artist.  The Nature Artists’ Guild is excited and honored to sponsor a presentation by Julie at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum on Thursday, June 7, 2018 from 7 until 9 pm.

Baby Birds: An Artist Looks Into The Nest, copyright Julie Zickefoose. Used with permission.

Julie will be speaking about her adventures in nature and in researching, writing and illustrating Letters from Eden, The Bluebird Effect: Uncommon Bonds With Common Birds, and her newest book, Baby Birds: An Artist Looks into the Nest.  This program will appeal not only to artists, but also to birders, writers and anyone interested in the natural world. Please click on the images or this link to JulieZickefoose.com to read more about Julie, her fascinating experiences and her books.

Copies of Julie’s books will be available for purchase at the meeting, and she will be glad to sign those as well as previously purchased books brought in by attendees.

As always, all are welcome to attend this Nature Artists’ Guild program.  There is no charge for the program or for parking, and there is no admission fee to the Arboretum for this event.  Non-members can let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be directed to Thornhill.

The Morton Arboretum will also be offering a lecture by Julie the following evening, Personal Habitat: Creating a Haven for Wildlife (and Yourself).

This is the story of an artist’s love affair with a piece of land, and the birds, animals, and plants that inhabit it. Simple habitat enhancements can take a back yard from bland to bustling with wildlife. In this slide talk, artist/writer Julie Zickefoose shows how she and her husband have transformed their 80-acre abandoned farm into a wildlife sanctuary and observatory — a perfect personal habitat.

There are still some seats available for the lecture.  Please click on the above highlighted link to register or to read more.  Julie will also be teaching a two-day workshop for the Arboretum’s Visiting Artist Series.  Sorry, but that workshop, Nature in Word and Image with Julie Zickefoose is sold out.

Page from Baby Birds: An Artist Looks Into The Nest, copyright Julie Zickefoose. Used with permission.

Tonight’s Program, March 1, 2018

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Here are just a few of the many reasons to attend tonight’s Nature Artists’ Guild program from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum –

  1. Dale Olsen’s Landscapes. Once you’ve seen Dale’s landscapes online, you will very likely want to see them in person as well.  As gorgeous as they are in photographs, the actual paintings will be even more so! Here’s an opportunity to see them up close and learn about Dale’s methods and inspirations.

    Mirror, copyright Dale Olsen. Used with permission.
  2. Postcards and Posters. Members and guests are encouraged to take some posters and postcards for the Spring Exhibition of Natural History Art taking place on the weekend of April 7 and 8, 2018, share them with friends and family, and post them in local businesses. The postcards will have information about the artists’ reception on Friday evening, April 6, when guests can gain entrance to the Arboretum to attend the exhibit with no gate fee.  A digital version will be distributed to members soon.
  3. Diptych Canvases. Members who would like to participate in a fundraising project for the spring exhibit by painting a small diptych can pick up their canvases at the meeting.  The finished canvases will be sold at the exhibit and all proceeds will go to the Guild to be used in furthering its mission.
  4. Fall into Winter Artwork.  Many of the industrious members of the Nature Artists’ Guild have been busy all fall and winter creating montages from nature.  The results are posted here, but members will also be sharing their artwork at tonight’s meeting.  It’s a chance to see the details that often make nature art so wonderful.

    Copyright Nancy Thyfault.
  5. Fun and Food. As always, there will be snacks, sweets and drinks.  There will be some time to chat with friends, old and new.  Guests and visitors are welcome to attend, and there is no fee for parking, attendance or admission to The Morton Arboretum for this event.  Visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the program and they will be directed to Thornhill.

Dale Olsen’s Stunning Landscapes on March 1, 2018

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Talented artist Dale Olsen will be sharing some of his inspirations and techniques at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum on Thursday, March 1, 2018 from 7 until 9 pm.  Dale’s website features the full scope of his work in varied subject matter and media, but at this program he will be focusing on his stunning landscapes.

Aspens, copyright Dale Olsen. Used with permission.

As always, guests and visitors are invited to attend this program sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum.  There will be no charge for admission or parking for this event, and non-members of the Arboretum should just let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be directed to Thornhill.

Please visit Dale’s website, Dale Olsen Fine Art, to learn more about him and to view many more examples of his wonderful work.

February Afternoon, copyright Dale Olsen. Used with permission.

Art and Alpacas at Thornhill on February 1, 2018

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Susan Waldron and alpacas at her farm. Please click on image to visit susanwaldronart.com

No, there will not be any actual alpacas in the historic Founder’s Room or Arbor Room of the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum in the near future, nor have there ever been, as far as we know.  The Nature Artists’ Guild, though, will be hosting a program at Thornhill on Thursday evening, February 1, 2018, from 7 until 9 pm featuring artist and alpaca farmer, Susan Waldron.

While Susan also creates wonderful paintings in the more familiar media of oils and watercolors, her fiber art made from the wool of her own alpacas is uniquely beautiful.

On her website, Susan Waldron Art,  she writes-

I use my own hand-dyed alpaca fibers in the art pieces that I create.  The alpaca fiber feels like a combination of cashmere and silk.  As a result of raising these animals from birth, there is a spiritual connection with the animals and the felted pieces.

I am able to combine my love for color, nature, and alpacas to create exquisite, felted pieces.

Susan Waldron’s Alpaca Fiber Art. Copyright Susan Waldron. Please click on image to visit SusanWaldronArt.com

Exquisite, indeed. Please visit her website for more images and to read more about Susan’s artistic journey and these fascinating creatures she raises.

As always, programs sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum are open to all.  Guests and visitors are welcome and there will be no charge for attendance, parking, or for admission to the Arboretum for this event.

The Nature Artists’ Guild would also like to encourage potential new members to attend.  Please arrive a few minutes early if you have any questions about our group and one of our members will be happy to assist you.  There is absolutely no pressure to join and it’s a great opportunity to learn more about the Guild, its members, exhibits, and activities.

Patricia Larkin Green and Sumi-e Brush Painting

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On Thursday, October 5, 2017, from 7 until 9 pm, the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum will be hosting a program by Patricia Larkin Green on the art of sumi-e brush painting.

Patricia Larkin Green, Sumi-e Artist. Photo credit http://patricialarkingreen.com/blog/.

“Experience the meditative practice of traditional Japanese ink painting, sumi-e, the art of painting using a brush (fude), ink (sumi) and thin, absorbent “rice-paper” (washi).”

Please click on one of the highlighted links to Patricia’s website to learn more about the artist, her artwork and sumi-e brush painting.

As always, guests and visitors are welcome to attend this program at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.  Attendance, parking and admission to The Morton Arboretum are free-of-charge for this event. Visitors should let the attendant at the gate know that they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program and they will be directed to Thornhill.

Something for Everyone at the August 3, 2017 Nature Artists’ Guild Program

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The annual August program of the Nature Artists’ Guild has traditionally featured three member-artists’ stations where visitors could learn about and participate in unique artistic methods. The 2017 format for this popular program will basically stay the same, but the three stations will mix it up a bit with presentations on the intriguing history and use of the Chinese chop, proper framing for original fine art, and a display of sketchbooks and journals created by members throughout last summer’s Sketchbook Encounter and this summer’s Nature Art Journal project.

At the Nature Artists’ Guild Spring Exhibit, Featured Artist Nancy Wu received numerous questions about her signature on paintings in the form of a Chinese seal (or chop).  For her presentation, Nancy will share books and traditional Chinese paintings as she explains the history and meaning of the seal in Chinese painting, as well as the different carving methods used in creating the seals.

Copyright Nancy Wu
The multi-talented Evelyn Grala, who aside from being a talented artist, publishes the Nature Artists’ Quarterly and has served on nearly every Nature Artists’ Guild committee, is a Certified Picture Framer through the Professional Picture Framers Association. Evelyn will be discussing the proper archival framing methods and materials for various types of fine art. This knowledge is important for understanding options when hiring a professional framer or performing some or all of the framing steps yourself.
Egret, Nature Art Journal pages, copyright Nancy Thyfault

The third station will be devoted to members’ artwork created during last summer’s Sketchbook Encounter or this summer’s Nature Art Journal projects.  Participating members are encouraged to bring their work to share with the group.  What fun to be able to browse through fellow artists’ sketchbooks and art journals for inspiration and a glimpse of their creative process (and sometimes personality)!

As always, guests and visitors are welcome to attend this enjoyable and informative Nature Artists’ Guild program at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum from 7 until 9 pm. There is no charge for admission to the Arboretum, the program, or parking for the event.  Guests and visitors should let the gate attendant at the Arboretum know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program to be directed to Thornhill.

Marge Hall’s Spectacular Floral Portraits on Thursday, June 1, 2017

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Marge Hall with one of her Floral Portraits, http://www.margehall.com

There has been a slight scheduling change, and the Nature Artists’ Guild now welcomes nationally recognized artist Marge Hall to Thornhill almost a year earlier than originally planned. On Thursday, June 1, 2017, from 7 until 9 pm, Marge Hall will share some of her inspirations, methods, and tips for creating her spectacular floral portraits in oil. Since Marge’s personality is as wonderfully sparkling and colorful as her paintings, it promises to be an enjoyable as well as educational evening.

As always, guests and visitors are welcome to attend this Nature Artists’ Guild sponsored program at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. There is no charge for parking or admission to the Arboretum for this event, and visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program to be directed to Thornhill.

Two White Daisies, copyright Marge Hall. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Please click on one of the photos or highlighted links to learn more about Marge, to see more of her award-winning artwork, or to watch a time-lapse video of her at work.

Flower, copyright Marge Hall. All rights reserved. Used with permission.