Nature Artists' Guild

Season’s Greetings from the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum

Published on December 24, 2021December 30, 2021 by Denise1 Comment

2021 Holiday Card, copyright Mary Sinclair

Participating members of the Nature Artists’ Guild have mailed their hand-made holiday cards to the designated recipients and many have also shared images of their cards here for all to enjoy.

The Nature Artists’ Guild exhibition guidelines are loosened a bit just for this project, so domestic animals, traditional scenes, people, colored lights, stockings, and bows all make an appearance in addition to the expected trees, birds, and forest creatures.

Thank you to all the participants in this wonderful new tradition for the Nature Artists’ Guild. Happy Holidays to all!

The Holiday Cards are Arriving!

Published on December 15, 2021December 24, 2021 by Denise1 Comment

Holiday card 2020, copyright Sharon Malec. Cards for 2021 coming soon.

We have been receiving images of some of the holiday cards created by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild for 2021 and can hardly wait to share. The actual cards have also been mailed to their “secret” recipients, so we will wait for them all to be received and opened before posting any of the images – no spoilers here!

(There is still time for participating members to email an image of the card they created if they haven’t already done so.)

Join or renew

Add a Splash of Color this Winter

Published on December 9, 2021December 15, 2021 by DeniseLeave a comment

*Winter Warms Me*, watercolor, copyright Dan Danielson

The colors of winter may not seem as varied or vibrant as those of the other seasons, but they can be found, and are just as captivating in their slightly more subtle way.

Renowned artist Dan Danielson will be offering a class this winter at The Morton Arboretum featuring techniques for capturing the colors and wonders of nature using the “fresh, transparent, and fluid qualities of watercolor.”

Loose Watercolor Techniques will include four online sessions in February, 2022. The class is open to all artists with basic watercolor experience and is filling fast, so early enrollment is encouraged!

*Winters’ Sentinel*, watercolor, copyright Dan Danielson

Traditions Old and New

Published on November 30, 2021January 7, 2022 by DeniseLeave a comment

In the 35 years since the Nature Artists’ Guild was established, many of its traditions are still going strong, a few have fallen away, and some have just begun.

Detail of holiday card 2020, copyright Beata Nowak

For most years in more than a decade, the Nature Artists’ Guild has secured the first exhibit of the year at the Downers Grove Public Library’s wonderful gallery. The tradition continues in 2022 and members can participate by returning their completed registration forms by Friday, December 10, 2021. Artwork must be dropped off by December 18, 2021.

Last year a new tradition began within the Nature Artists’ Guild when each of the participants created a hand-made holiday card to share with another member. This popular project continues in 2021, and those who would like to join in can contact Terrie McComb by Friday, December 3, 2021. Completed cards must be mailed by December 14, 2021.

Details for these events were emailed to 2021 Nature Artists’ Guild members on November 15, 2021. Members can check those emails for forms, names, dates, addresses, and more information.

One More Thing Before the Holiday Season Begins

Published on November 20, 2021November 28, 2021 by Denise1 Comment

Become a new member or renew your membership to the Nature Artists’ Guild before the busy holiday season and start the new year enjoying all that membership offers.

click here to Join or renew

Selection of member and presenter artwork and paint-out settings. Each piece of artwork is copyrighted by the artist and may not be used without written permission.

Images from the 2021 Nature Artists’ Guild’s Autumn Art Exhibit

Published on November 14, 2021November 28, 2021 by Denise1 Comment

Blue Jay, copyright Jane Kellenberger
Fall, copyright Kathi Kuchler
Winter, copyright Kathi Kuchler
Spring, copyright Kathi Kuchler
Summer, copyright Kathi Kuchler
Not Forgotten, copyright Terrie McComb
Prairie Blues, copyright Karen A Johnson
Bluebird, copyright Vick Liszewski
White Iris, copyright Linn Eldred
Tangled Hickory, copyright Patricia Mroczka
September Sketchbook, copyright Terrie McComb
Owl, copyright Arlene Widrewitz
Magnolia, copyright Vick Liszewski
Local Heron, copyright Judy Leppert
White Trillium, copyright Linn Eldred
Hummingbird Jewel, copyright Karen Remkus
Golden Eagle at Nest, copyright Judy Leppert
Forest Fantasy, copyright Terrie McComb
Rabbits, silverpoint, copyright Arlene Widrewitz
Crocus Study, copyright Ann Lamoureux
Copyright, Marlene Vitek
Copyright Marlene Vitek
Copyright Marlene Vitek
Copyright Carol Cooley
Celebrating the end of 2020, copyright Patti Koenigsaecker
Coming Through (owl), copyright Judy Leppert
Coleus, copyright Ann Lamoureux
Kestrel, copyright Jane Kellenberger
Blown Flower, copyright Joe Rizzo
Bumblebee Nest locket, copyright Karen A Johnson
Blue Heron, copyright Margaret Navolio
White Magnolia, copyright Linn Eldred
Great Horned Owl, scrachboard with ink, copyright Jill Adzia
Orange leaves/blue drops, copyright Vicki Liszewski
Twilight Visit, copyright Yvonne Buckley
Time Travelers, copyright Ann Lamoureux
Screech Owl Chick, copyright Jill Adzia
Tangled Acer, copyright Patricia Mroczka
Lincoln Marsh Mushrooms, copyright Betsy Edwards
Copyright Carol Cooley
Blue Jay on River Birch, copyright Karen Remkus
A Shady Copse at the Dunes, copyright Joe Rizzo
Cecropia Moth, scrachboard with ink, copyright Jill Adzia

Congratulations and thank you to the artists, volunteers, and arboretum staff who helped make the 2021 Nature Artists’ Guild Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum a success!

These images were shared by some of the participating artists. Individual images and information about contacting the artists can be found on the 2021 Autumn Art Exhibit page in the Member Artwork section of this website.

2021 Autumn Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum November 6 through November 13

Published on November 6, 2021November 14, 2021 by DeniseLeave a comment

Details of just a few of the nearly 150 works of nature art in the **2021 Autumn Art Exhibit** by members of the Nature Artists Guild of The Morton Arboretum. Left to right – *Time Travelers*, copyright Ann Lamoureux, *Kestrel*, copyright Jane Kellenberger, *Tangled Acer*, copyright Patricia Mroczka, *Orange leaves/blue drops*, copyright Vicki Liszewski, *Celebrating the end of 2020*, copyright Patti Koenigsaecker. **The exhibit will also feature** **numerous works of art by** **Featured Artist Jill Adzia**.

The trees and the members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are putting on their wonderful displays at the same time this year and timed-entry passes and tickets to The Morton Arboretum are disappearing quickly. Guest tickets are already sold-out for today (although some member tickets are still available.) Scheduled volunteers and reception guests will not require passes or tickets, and members will find all the details in a recent email.

This year’s Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit will be open to visitors for a full week to better accommodate the artists and volunteers as well as the guests. Even weekday passes and tickets may sell-out, so early ordering is recommended. The exhibit is free-of-charge with admission to The Morton Arboretum.

Autumn Art Exhibit by Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum Begins November 6, 2021

Published on October 29, 2021October 30, 2021 by Denise1 Comment

There will be leaves and landscapes, birds and bugs, maples and mushrooms, and much more in the 2021 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum. Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will be displaying nearly 150 works of art beginning Saturday, November 6, 2021 in the Cudahy Room of the Administration and Research/Sterling Morton Library building at The Morton Arboretum.

A small sample of the artwork to be exhibited next week in a variety of media, sizes, shapes, styles, and subject matter –

Orange leaves/blue drops, copyright Vicki Liszewski
Kestrel, copyright Jane Kellenberger
A Shady Copse at the Dunes, copyright Joe Rizzo
Blue Jay on River Birch, copyright Karen Remkus
Bumblebee Nest locket, copyright Karen A Johnson
Rabbits, silverpoint, copyright Arlene Widrewitz
Lincoln Marsh Mushrooms, copyright Betsy Edwards
Pileated Woodpecker, copyright Jill Adzia
Fall, copyright Kathi Kuchler (one of a set of four)
Copyright Marlene Vitek
Twilight Visit, copyright Yvonne Buckley
Tangled Acer, copyright Patricia Mroczka
White Magnolia, copyright Linn Eldred
Copyright Carol Cooley
Time Travelers, copyright Ann Lamoureux

If the slideshow does not display correctly on your device, please click here to visit the website.

Time to Take a Photo and Find a Framer!

Published on October 22, 2021December 9, 2021 by DeniseLeave a comment

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild who are participating in the 2021 Autumn Art Exhibit may want to finish up those details and get their piece to the framer. The exhibit is only two weeks away!

Artists should also remember to photograph their work. These photos will be useful for numerous reasons – for entering future competitions or exhibits, for sharing with friends and family, and for sharing on this website or in the Nature Artists’ Quarterly (a members-only publication of the Nature Artists’ Guild.)

Most phones take excellent photographs, but it would be worth it to take a peek at the instructions online if unfamiliar with the settings. Some phones have a default setting that will make colors more vivid, blur the background, or incorrectly adjust the lighting. Learning to avoid some of these issues by choosing appropriate settings before taking the photos can save a lot of time trying to correct them later. Professional photographers will often remind beginners to take many photos (changing settings or lighting in between.) This increases the odds that at least one of the photos will accurately represent the artwork (or require less editing.)

We will post a few photos of the exhibit artwork as a preview on this website in the coming weeks and the rest after the exhibit closes. Guild members will receive an email soon with instructions for submitting images.

Wonderful Marge Hall and her Wonderful Flowers, October 18, 2021

Published on October 11, 2021 by DeniseLeave a comment

Many art-fair visitors in Chicagoland will recognize Marge Hall and her wonderful large-scale close-up portraits of flowers. Marge can be seen throughout the summer in front of her booth painting and talking with visitors, engaging with and inspiring collectors and artists alike.

Marge Hall is also a popular instructor at the Dupage Art League where she teaches painting to artists at all levels. Many of Marge’s tips and techniques for painting flower portraits in oil can be adapted for use in acrylic, pastel, or even watercolor.

The Wheaton Public Library and the Dupage Art League have announced a joint presentation of Oils Start to Finish, an online program with Marge Hall, on Monday, October 18, 2021 from 6:30 until 8:30 pm. There will be a chance to ask questions, follow along at home, or just sit back and enjoy. Please click on one of the highlighted links to register for this free program, open to all.

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild who participate in the event are encouraged to create their own floral portrait (in any medium) and submit an image to Denise Fisk by for display on this website.