Nature Artists' Guild

Back to the Bison, Beetles, and Birds at the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum

Published on May 6, 2022May 7, 2022 by DeniseLeave a comment

It’s been a while since members of the Nature Artists’ Guild have been able to attend a paint-out to sketch and photograph some of the thousands of natural history specimens (from the tiniest insects to the largest mammals) on display at the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL.

Museum staff have graciously offered to open to fifteen members of the guild on Wednesday, May 25 from 10 am until noon. (The museum will not be open to the public at that time.) Interested members should contact Linn Eldred soon, as many of the spots have already been filled! Linn’s contact information and more details about the paint-out, including required safety precautions, can be found in the recent email sent to all members.

In the Works at the Nature Artists’ Guild

Published on April 27, 2022May 7, 2022 by DeniseLeave a comment

The June 2, 2022 meeting of the Nature Artists’ Guild (open to all, free-of-charge) at 7 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum will feature three guild members sharing their techniques, materials, and talents. This popular annual “Artist Trio” presentation usually takes place in August, but has been moved to June this year so that we can welcome a special guest in August. Much more about the 2022 presenters coming soon!

From former years –

Laverne Bohlin, an award-winning pastel artist (and Nature Artists’ Guild member) who recently moved to New Mexico from the Chicago area will be back in August to teach a workshop at The Morton Arboretum focusing on painting water with pastels. Laverne has generously agreed to share some of her techniques and inspirations at the guild’s August 4, 2022 meeting at 7 pm at the Thornhill Education Center. The August 4 program will be open to all, free-of-charge.

Wetland Sunset II, Pastel, Copyright Laverne Bohlin

There were reports of balmy and beautiful weather at the recent daffodil paint-out and the daffodils responded in a spectacular manner! Paint-outs will be offered throughout the summer, and members are encouraged to keep some of their most portable art supplies and a folding chair ready to go. (Paint-outs will normally be announced at least two weeks ahead of the date, but occasionally a last-minute opportunity comes along.)

From recent paint-out locations –

Daffodil Paint-Out Rescheduled to Saturday, April 23, 2022

Published on April 21, 2022April 21, 2022 by DeniseLeave a comment

The daffodils certainly don’t seem to mind the rain (or even snow), but that kind of weather can make things a little uncomfortable for the nature artist!

Because of the forecast for rain on Friday, the Nature Artists’ Guild paint-out has been re-scheduled to this Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 10 am. Interested members should meet in front of the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum with their art supplies, camera, and a folding chair or stool. Members can contact Linn Eldred with any questions.

Please click on this link for The Morton Arboretum’s latest Bloom Report.

Timed-entry passes will be required and may go quickly on this spring weekend.

“A host, of golden daffodils”

Published on April 19, 2022May 7, 2022 by DeniseLeave a comment

Spring flowers, copyright Linda Fairbanks

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

……………………………………

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

……………………………………

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

Wordsworth, “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” (3-4, 11-12, 23-24)

Members of the Nature Artists Guild are invited to gather at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum at 10 am on Saturday, April 23, 2022 for a paint-out celebrating ‘golden daffodils’ and other early blooms of spring. Interested members should contact Linn Eldred with any questions and to be put on the list to receive weather-related updates. Timed-entry passes will be required.

Note: This post has been updated with the new date.

From the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2022 Spring Art Exhibit

Published on April 11, 2022May 7, 2022 by Denise2 Comments

Family Swim, copyright Lindsay Sandbothe
Secret Parrot Tulip, copyright Kathi Kuchler
Path, copyright Linda Fairbanks
Spring Keeps Her Promise, copyright Patty Koenigsaecker
Variegated Solomons Seal, (Polygonatum Odoratum Variegatum), copyright Ku-mie Kim
We Both Need a Hug, copyright Dan Danielson
Tulips, copyright Jackie Louis
White Magnolias, copyright Marlene Vitek
Snowy Egret, copyright Lindsay Sandbothe
Spring flowers, copyright Linda Fairbanks
Pink Magnolia, copyright Marlene Vitek
Titmouse, copyright Jackie Louis
Night Tree Totem: Celestial Tree Line, copyright Cheryl Holz
Night Tree Totem: Moon through the Canopy, copyright Cheryl Holz
Magnolia, copyright Paulette McDermott
My Half-Shell Sanctuary, copyright Nancy Wu
Two Tone Iris, copyright Kathi Kuchler
Kiwi Harvest, copyright Linda Fairbanks
Slate Colored Junco, copyright Vicki Liszewski
Ladybug, copyright Jackie Louis
Aloe, copyright Paulette McDermott
Indigo Bunting 1, copyright Carol Cooley
Indigo Bunting 2, copyright Carol Cooley
Hybiscus, copyright Linn Eldred
Pink Magnolia, copyright Paulette McDermott
Yellow Lily, copyright Marlene Vitek
HEY… The Birdfeeder is Empty!, copyright Dan Danielson
Ginger, copyright Linn Eldred
Fall colors at the Dunes, copyright Joe Rizzo
Hail to the Kingbird, copyright Lindsay Sandbothe
Checkered Lily (Fritiilaria Meleagris), copyright Ku-mie Kim
Evening Glow, pastel, copyright Vicki Liszewski
Edith’s Garden (three panels), copyright Ann Lamoureux
American Bellflower, copyright Lisa Kanellos
Canada Lynx, copyright Carol Cooley
Blooms en Mass, copyright Jean Black
Winter Whimsy, copyright Terrie McComb.
Bearded Irises, copyright Kathi Kuchler
Autumn, Sterling Pond, copyright Dale Olsen
Swan, copyright Paulette McDermott
Spring Beauty, Clatonia virginica, copyright Ku-mie Kim
April Snow, copyright Ann Lamoureux
Iris, copyright Paulette McDermott

Thank you to all the artists, volunteers, arboretum staff, supporters, and visitors for contributing to the success of the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2022 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum.

For those who missed the exhibit as well as those who would just enjoy another look, here is a sample of the wonderful nature art created by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild. The images are also presented in a different format on the Member Artwork page of this website.

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 use the contact form on the About page and you will receive an e-mail reply, normally within 48 hours. Your contact information will not be shared or used for any other purpose.

Nature Artists’ Guild’s Spring Art Exhibit Reception Tonight, April 8, 2022

Published on April 8, 2022 by Denise2 Comments

My Half-Shell Sanctuary, acrylic, copyright Nancy Wu. One example of the nearly 200 works of art at the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2022 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum.

The Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2022 Spring Art Exhibit reception for members and guests will take place tonight from 4:30 until 7 at The Morton Arboretum. Timed-entry passes are not necessary to attend the reception and the gate attendant will direct visitors to the exhibit location. (Timed-entry passes to The Morton Arboretum will be required on Saturday and Sunday.)

The Nature Artists’ Guild’s Annual Celebration of Spring

Published on April 2, 2022 by Denise3 Comments

While we wait patiently for spring to burst into bloom, we can enjoy artwork inspired by the season (as well as the others) at the Nature Artists’ Guild Spring Art Exhibit beginning on the evening of Friday, April 8, 2022 (reception) and continuing throughout the weekend at The Morton Arboretum.

The exhibit will feature nearly 200 works of art by approximately 50 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild and is open to all. Please click on the highlighted links for more information.

Nature Artists’ Guild 2022 Spring Art Exhibit April 8 – 10

Published on March 26, 2022March 27, 2022 by Denise1 Comment

Evening Glow, pastel, copyright Vicki Liszewski

Above is a sample of some of the wonderful art that will be included in the 2022 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum from April 8 (reception) through April 10.

Approximately 200 pieces of art by nearly 50 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild as well as artist demonstrations will be featured throughout the exhibit for the enjoyment of all visitors to The Morton Arboretum. There is no additional fee to attend the exhibit after admission to the arboretum.

Creating Art at the 2022 Spring Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit

Published on March 19, 2022 by Denise1 Comment

In addition to viewing more than 200 works of nature art by nearly 50 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild at the 2022 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum, visitors will have the opportunity to observe some of the talented artists at work, learn about their materials, and ask questions.

From 5 until 7 pm on Friday, April 8, Sharon Malec will demonstrate techniques for depicting landscapes and clouds with soft texture using needle felting.

On Saturday, April 9 from 10:30 am until 12:30 pm, Jill Adzia will share some of her tips on capturing the fascinating details of nature with scratchboard.

On Saturday, April 9 from 1 until 3 pm, Dan Danielson will be using watercolor to create wonderfully loose and vivid paintings.

On Sunday, April 10 from 10:30 am until 12:30 pm, Terrie McComb will show visitors how she creates delicate botanical drawings in colored pencil.

Winter Whimsy, colored pencil on Mylar film, copyright Terrie McComb

On Sunday, April 10 from 1 to 3 pm, Lindsay Sandbothe will share her techniques for painting wonderful wildlife on wood using acrylics.

Red-winged Blackbird, acrylic on wood, copyright Lindsay Sandbothe

Please click here for more information about the 2022 Spring Art Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild

Meadow Lake Paint-Out on March 23, 2022

Published on March 13, 2022March 19, 2022 by DeniseLeave a comment

**Meadow Lake construction, The Morton Arboretum.** Photo credit The Morton Arboretum.

Meadow Lake was established in 1959 at The Morton Arboretum when a meadow with boundaries (now shoreline) and plantings dating from the late 1930’s and early 1940’s was excavated and the gravel used to widen a nearby road. The Morton Arboretum’s first director, Clarence Godshalk, wrote in a letter to the Board of Trustees –

The new Meadow Lake has given me more of a thrill in its creation than anything I have done in the Arboretum development… The first thing in the morning and the last thing at night I find great pleasure in looking at this body of water as it grows, now that the lake is being filled.

The Nature Artists’ Guild has scheduled a paint-out at The Morton Arboretum as one way to participate in celebrating their Centennial.

On the morning of Wednesday, March 23, 2022, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will have early access to the Gingko Restaurant and Cafe in the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum to sketch the lovely view of Meadow Lake from 9 until 11 am. Artists are welcome to stay later, but the cafe will open to all visitors at 11. Members can contact Linn Eldred with any questions or to let her know they’d like to attend. To protect the floor of the cafe, oils, acrylics, or other potentially staining art materials are not allowed.