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Welcoming Julie Zickefoose on June 7, 2018

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.

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Nature Art Classes Beginning in Early May, 2018

There is still time to sign up for one or more of both of the nature art classes beginning early next month at The Morton Arboretum.

Nature in Colored Pencil, with instructor Kimberly Mullarkey, begins on Tuesday evening, May 1, 2018 and continues each Tuesday for three more weeks.  Colored pencil is a wonderful medium for capturing the subtle colors and details of nature, and Kimberly, a signature member of the Colored Pencil Society of America, is an experienced, talented and fun instructor.  Some drawing experience is required for this class.

Sacred Union, copyright Kimberly Mullarkey. Collection of The Morton Arboretum.

Drawing Mammals, with instructor Carrie Carlson, is offered on two different mornings, Saturday, May 5, 2018 or Saturday, May 12, 2018.  Using a variety of drawing media and photos as well as specimens, participants will explore the shapes and textures of mammals.  Carrie, probably most known for her block prints, is a popular and experienced art educator.  Please click on each image for the title or a larger view.

Indian Rhino, copyright Carrie Carlson
Arctic Fox, copyright Carrie Carlson
Wallaby, copyright Carrie Carlson

Please click on this link to The Morton Arboretum’s Nature Art and Photography class listings to read more or to enroll in these or other classes.  Classes are open to all and Arboretum members will receive a discounted registration fee.

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A Spring Woodland Paint-Out

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited by fellow member Linda Hilderbrant to visit her home for a paint-out on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, between 10 am and 1 pm.  Linda lives in Hampshire, IL, where her 16 woodland acres include wildflowers, mature trees, a pond, and wildlife. Participants should bring their art supplies, a camera, something to sit on, and a picnic lunch to enjoy the day to its fullest.  These photos were taken by Linda right around the same time last year and give a glimpse of some of the treasures participants can expect to find! Many thanks to Linda for the photos and the generous offer to share the gorgeous views of nature at her home.

Members should RSVP to Jane Kellenberger if they’d like to attend.  Jane’s contact information and Linda’s address can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook.

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Coming Soon at the 2018 Spring Exhibit of Natural History Art by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum

The following is just a sample of the more than 150 pieces of nature art being exhibited the weekend of April 7 and 8, 2018 at The Morton Arboretum by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild.  Featured Artist Susan Bartlett and nearly 50 other artist members of the Guild are excited to share their creations in a wide variety of media, styles and subject matter.  Please click on the highlighted links to learn more.  Thanks to all of the artists who contributed images!  This artwork will also be posted on a page under the Member Artwork tab, where any of the images can be clicked on for a larger view.

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All artwork exhibited on this website is the sole property of the artist and should not be used or reproduced without their written consent.  If you would like to contact one of the artists, please leave a comment on this website and you will receive an e-mail reply, normally within 48 hours. Your e-mail address will not be shared or used for any other purpose and you do not need to include it in your message as it will be available to us (but not visible to the public) from your comment log-in.
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Nature Artists Create at Spring Exhibit of Natural History Art

One more reason to attend the 2018 Spring Exhibit of Natural History Art by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is for the chance to watch talented artists at work, chat with them, ask questions, and perhaps even try their technique.  The exhibit at the Cudahy Auditorium of The Morton Arboretum will include opportunities to see the following artists engaging in their creative processes.

Bluebird landing linoleum cut, copyright Carrie Carlson.
Colored pencil drawing on slate tile, copyright Mary Ann Jimenez.
Yellow iris in oil, copyright Kathi Kuchler.
Nest in tree in colored pencil on colored paper, copyright Maggie Mardis.
House Sparrow, copright Lindsay Sandbothe

On Friday, April 6, 2018, between 5 and 7:30 pm, Carrie Carlson will be sharing her techniques for masterfully cutting linoleum blocks for creating prints, using  traditional Swedish themes for her subject matter.

On Saturday, April 7, 2018, from 10:30 am until 1 pm, Kathi Kuchler will  be painting a yellow iris,  similar to the one above, but instead of using oil, she will be using the glowing colors of watercolor.

Later on Saturday, April 7, 2018, from 1:15 until 3:45 pm, Maggie Mardis will be using colored pencil on colored paper to draw a nest in a tree in her uniquely lovely and colorful way.

On Sunday, April 8, 2018, from 10:30 am until 1 pm, Mary Ann Jimenez will be using wax-based colored pencils on slate tiles to create subtle and beautiful drawings.

Finally, on Sunday, April 8, 2018, from 1:15 until 3:45 pm, Lindsay Sandbothe will be painting in her favorite medium, acrylic, and we assume, because it is Lindsay, and she does it so well, that she will be painting the beauty of birds.

Please note that the Friday evening artists’ reception is open to artists, their guests, and members of The Morton Arboretum.  The exhibit is open to all Arboretum visitors on Saturday and Sunday.

 

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Time to Spring into Action

Spring begins tomorrow!  It’s one of the busiest times of the year for the flora, fauna, and yes, nature artists, here in the Midwest.  As the birds, trees, frogs  and flowers are preparing for the season, so are members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum.  Please click on any of the highlighted links for more information.

Coming soon –

  • The annual expedition (paint-out) to the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum for members of the Guild takes place tomorrow, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Members can drop in with their art supplies and camera any time between 9 and noon.
  • Spring nature art classes and workshops begin soon at The Morton Arboretum.  Inspired by Tony Tyznik: Drawing Oaks, taught by Suzanne Wegener, begins on Thursday, April 5, 2018, and Beginner’s Nature Art Workshops: Spring Flowers in Colored Pencil with Kathy Steere are scheduled for Saturday, April 7 and Sunday, April 8, 2018.  These classes and workshops are open to all, not just members of the Nature Artists’ Guild or The Morton Arboretum.
  • The Spring Exhibit of Natural History Art at The Morton Arboretum takes place on the weekend of April 7 and 8, 2018. This year we will be featuring images of some of the exhibit artwork by numerous Guild artists on this website.  Check back soon for a preview.
  • A new paint-out has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at the home of Guild member Linda Hilderbrant from 10 am until 1 pm.  More about this paint-out at Linda’s lovely and extensive woodland landscape to come soon.  Thank you to Linda for this gracious invitation!

    A sign of spring from Linda Hilderbrant’s garden. Photo credit Linda Hilderbrant.