Already Thinking of Spring

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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.

‘Field’ Trip for the Nature Artists’ Guild on January 31, 2024

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Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are heading back to the world-renowned Field Museum to draw and paint.

White-tailed deer diorama, Nature Walk & Messages from the Wilderness, Field Museum. Photo credit FieldMuseum.org.

Nearly everyone who grew up in Chicago or its suburbs will remember the excitement of boarding a big yellow bus with their classmates and eventually spilling out to skip up those impressive steps to the entrance of the Field Museum. First, the awe of the Stanley Field Hall. Then, the treasures, large and small. The dinosaurs! The gems! The mummies! The elephants! The dioramas! Where to begin?

Entrance to the Field Museum. Photo credit FieldMuseum.org.

At 9:30 on the morning of Wednesday, January 31, 2024, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will be revisiting the wonders that the Field Museum, one of the world’s largest museums of natural history, has to offer. At this paint-in, members will probably spend most of their time drawing or painting in the quiet corners of the dioramas (click here for a short video of Artist-in-Residence and friend of the Guild, Peggy Macnamara, doing just that). But the other artifacts are still there, along with many new and modern attractions, for visitors to enjoy after the sketching is done. 

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild recently received an email with details about meeting at the museum. Admission will be free on this day, but members will have to arrange for their own transportation, and there will be a fee for parking. Those who would like to attend can register here by January 28 to learn more and receive email updates from Paint-Out Coordinator Celia Rodee.

Photo credit FieldMuseum.org.

Claudia Lane presents the ‘The Evolution of Botanical Art’ on February 1, 2024

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Maidenhair Tree, Ginkgo biloba, female, copyright Claudia Lane. Used with permission. Click on the image to view more of Claudia’s work.

Botanical Art combines scientific observation and artistic expression. As a member of the Board of the American Society of Botanical Art, which has a membership of approximately 1850 botanical artists from all over the world, I do my best to promote this genre of art. – Claudia Lane

The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is pleased to sponsor The Evolution of Botanical Art, an online presentation featuring Claudia Lane on February 1, 2024 at 7 pm.

Claudia Lane currently teaches classes in color pencil and pen and ink for the Botanical Art Certificate Program at the Chicago Botanic Garden, while also serving on the board of the American Society of Botanical Art. Her wonderful work has toured the country with various traveling exhibitions.

Claudia’s personal artistic experiences, along with her involvement in the world of Botanical Art, have given her unique insights into its history and evolution to share with viewers in what promises to be an interesting and enjoyable evening.

This event will available live online to all (no recordings will be made). All members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will be emailed a link shortly before February 1, and non-members can request a link by clicking here.

Update – Links for the presentation were emailed to members and guests on January 25. Requests for a link will be accepted through January 30.

8-Week Charcoal Class with John Fleck Begins January 24, 2024

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A sheet of paper, a kneaded eraser, and a few sticks of charcoal are all one needs to create nuanced and evocative works of art.

In Charcoal Techniques, an upcoming 8-week class at The Morton Arboretum, artist and educator John Fleck will share his expertise in working with charcoal (thought to be the world’s oldest drawing material) in both old and new ways. “Charcoal is both boldly expressive and very forgiving. Charcoal is a malleable, inexpensive drawing medium with a rich heritage and a pleasing tactile quality. It makes an ideal entry medium to drawing and also offers deeper possibilities as experience is gained.”

Registration for the class is open to all, and members of The Morton Arboretum will receive a discount on the enrollment fee. The class meets each Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 12:30 beginning on January 24 and continues through March 13, 2024.

Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit at the Downers Grove Library through January 28, 2024

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The special exhibit by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is now open at the Downers Grove Public Library.

Nature Artists’ Guild members have filled the walls of the library’s exhibit area with works celebrating nature in a variety of media, sizes, styles, and subjects. Large multi-media collages share the space with intricate botanical pieces and bold landscapes painted en plein air.

Many of the more than thirty works have been previously exhibited at The Morton Arboretum and some will be making their Guild exhibit debut at the library.

The exhibit will be open to Downers Grove Library visitors through January 28, 2024 during normal library hours.

Farewell to 2023 from the Nature Artists’ Guild

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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! 

Click here to join or renew
  • Copyright Heidi Jachna
  • Copyright Jane Kellenberger
  • 2023 Autumn Cards
  • Morning Revelation, copyright Beth Berry
  • 2023 Holiday Party Invitation by Margie Navolio
  • Red Oak Branch, copyright Joanne McKibben
  • Forest in Ireland, copyright Marybeth Devine
  • Red Saddlebags Dragonfly, copyright Karen A. Johnson
  • Naturalist Treasure Trove #1, copyright Cheryl Holz
  • Short Eared owl, copyright Michelle Buziak
  • Lakeside Birch, copyright Marlene Vitek
  • Sparrow, copyright Lisa Kanellos
  • Sneak Preview, copyright Mary Ann Jimenez
  • Snowy Enchantment, copyright Mary Roberts
  • Blown Flower, copyright Joe Rizzo
  • Near Lake Marmo. Photo credit The Morton Arboretum.
  • Colorful Ramirezi and Friends, copyright Joe Rizzo
  • Autumn 2023 Exhibit poster artwork by Joe Rizzo
  • Green Kingdom, copyright Bryce Lafferty, Visiting Artist
  • Joy Morton on Joy Path. Photo credit The Morton Arboretum.
  • Rock and Gravel Garden, Cantigny Gardens
  • Presenter John Fleck
  • Copyright Linda Hilderbrant
  • Landscape in charcoal, copyright John Fleck
  • The Morton Arboretum, photo credit mortonarb.org
  • Exhibit postcard, McCord Gallery. Artwork by Alice Wych.
  • Grand Garden at The Morton Arboretum
  • Garden of Anne and Charles Bouchard, Glen Ellyn, IL. Photo credit Anne and Charles Bouchard.
  • House Wren, copyright Vicki Liszewski
  • McCord Gallery and Cultural Center
  • Woodridge Library exhibit postcard. Artwork by Cheryl Holz.
  • Lilacia Park, Lombard, IL
  • Common Redpoll, copyright Mary Voegeli
  • Myna in Maui, copyright Lindsay Sandbothe
  • Last Flowers of Winter, copyright Linda Fairbanks
  • Robin in her Nest, copyright Celia Rodee
  • Snow Glories Peek, copyright Patricia Mroczka
  • Watercolors by presenter Thomas Trausch
  • Lion specimen at Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum
  • Book by online presenter Amy Lindenberger
  • Examples of 8 x 8 artwork for Joy’s Vision project
  • Specimens at the Herbarium at The Morton Arboretum
  • Gardens at Ball, photo credit ballhort.com
  • Ball Horticultural
  • Great Blue Heron, copyright Jill Adzia
  • My Favorite Flower, in progress and complete, copyright Mary Ann Jimenez
  • Morning Meeting, copyright Vicki Liszewski
  • Jewels of Spring, copyright Beth Berry
  • Winter 2023 cards
  • Spring 2023 Exhibit poster. Artwork by Pat Mcrozka.
  • Summer Splendor, copyright Maggie Mardis
  • Various spring events
  • Frames at Colbert Custom Framing
  • Mauvelous Mallow, copyright Alice Wych
  • Artwork by member program presenters Joe Rizzo, Cindy Franks, Alice Wych

Season’s Greetings from the Nature Artists’ Guild

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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.

This Week for the Nature Artists’ Guild

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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.

Downers Grove Library to Feature the Nature Artists’ Guild throughout January 2024

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January 9, oil, copyright Maggie Capettini

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 Library throughout 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.

Nature Artists’ Guild’s Annual Celebration Tomorrow!

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Artwork by Margie Navolio

While celebrating the season with their fellow artists and guests, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild can look forward to –

  • Wonderful food shared by members of the Guild
  • The lovely setting of festively decorated Thornhill
  • A fun raffle of items inspired by art or nature (tickets are cash or check only)
  • Live music in the Founder’s Room, the historic former library of the Morton family
  • An opportunity to sign up for the annual card exchange (blank cards available)
  • An opportunity to renew membership dues for 2024 in person (cash or check only)
  • Good company and an enjoyable evening

Invitations with details about the party were recently emailed to members of the Nature Artists’ Guild.