Extraordinary Color Pencil by Phil Schorn, October 2, 2025

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Luminous Succulent, color pencil, copyright Phil Schorn

The Nature Artists’ Guild is pleased to welcome artist Phil Schorn to the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum for a presentation on the evening of October 2, 2025.

Phil Schorn’s award-winning work has been featured in numerous publications, including Colored Pencil Magazine, as well as in group and solo exhibits. He also shares his talents through demonstrations, workshops, outdoor art fairs, classes, and private lessons.

With the color pencil, I have the ability to create the shape, color and detail that I envision in my art. Color pencil is where I find the most comfort in, where the color and detail truly stands out. My art is realistic but done with an artistic approach. I want the viewer to see more than what they thought was there.
I take what is considered ordinary and make it extraordinary.
 –Phil Schorn

Just Leaves, color pencil, copyright Phil Schorn

The presentation, sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum, will be held at the Arboretum’s Thornhill Education Center on Thursday, October 2, 2025, from 7 until 9 pm. The program is open to all, free of charge, and no registration is required. There will be no charge for parking or admission to the Arboretum for this event. Visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the presentation to be admitted and directed to Thornhill.

Plenty of seating and delicious light refreshments will be provided.

Catching the Golden Autumn Light, October 1, 2025

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Gardens of Cantigny Perennial Border. Photo credit Cantigny.org.

The last paint-out of the year for the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum will take place at the gardens of Cantigny Park on October 1, 2025, from 9:30 until noon.

Attendees will be able to make the most of autumn’s brilliant blue skies and warm colors, while enjoying coffee and a tasty homemade pastry provided by coordinator Celia Rodee, at the lovely and vast gardens of Cantigny Park.

“Located in Wheaton, Illinois, Cantigny Park is the 500-acre former estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune.” Included in the park are the gardens, “created in 1967 by renowned landscape architect Franz Lipp. Nearly 30 acres of display gardens, theme plantings and statuary render exceptional beauty in all seasons.” – Cantigny.org

There will be no charge for entering Cantigny or for parking at this event. Drop-ins, guests, and visitors are welcome to join the paint-out, but registration is strongly recommended (to make sure there are enough delicious delectables to go around). It’s a great opportunity to enjoy the autumn air and time with fellow nature artists!


Miniature Masterpieces in Acrylic on Wood

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Wood slice ornaments by Lindsay Sandbothe

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited to join a free workshop with Arboretum instructor (and fellow member) Lindsay Sandbothe, on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 10 am to 1 pm at the Thornhill Education Center.

Attendees will be provided with expert instruction and all the materials and tools needed to create a unique miniature masterpiece using acrylic on a prepared slice of wood. The completed ornaments will be sold to raise funds for the Nature Artists’ Guild at its upcoming Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum. (Participants will also be able to purchase one or two extra prepared wood slices for $3 each, to bring home for their personal use.)

There is no charge to attend this fun workshop for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, but registration is required, and space is limited!

Grand Garden Paint-Out on September 5, 2025

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Grand Garden, The Morton Arboretum. Photo credit mortonarb.org.

There is a very special show at The Grand Garden of The Morton Arboretum in late summer and early autumn. Vibrant annuals and perennials are still the stars, but the warmer colors of autumn are beginning to make their debut.

To celebrate this display, the Nature Artists’ Guild has planned a paint-out at The Grand Garden on Friday, September 5, 2025, from 9:30 am until noon. Coordinator Celia Rodee will greet attendees with hot and iced coffee and her famous homemade baked goods to prepare the artists for a morning of enjoying the garden in all its glory.

Drop-ins are welcome, but registration is highly recommended (to receive email updates and details, and ensure there are enough treats to go around).

The Grand Garden paint-out also offers a perfect opportunity for Guild members to create or gather references for their contribution to this year’s small works exhibit, “Flora”!

An “Encore” Paint-Out on August 22, 2025

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View of garden of Cynthia Hellyer Heinz and Earl Heinz

Encore! Encore! Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum will once again visit the garden of Cynthia Hellyer Heinz and Earl Heinz in Warrenville, IL, next Friday, August 22, 2025, for a paint-out and studio tour.

Paint-Outs Coordinator (and accomplished baker) Celia Rodee will meet participants at 10 am with coffee (hot or iced) and homemade baked goods at the private garden of artists Cynthia Hellyer Heinz and Earl Heinz. Cynthia is excited to report that the garden is in full bloom and ready for its repeat performance!

Cynthia is an artist and associate professor at the School of Art and Design at NIU, and Earl creates wonderful works in ceramics. Their colorful and whimsical garden near the DuPage River is a reflection of their creativity and artistic talents. To add to the experience, paint-out participants are invited to join Cynthia on an informal tour of her home studio!

Registration is required for this paint-out, and no rain date will be scheduled. Celia will email registered attendees with the paint-out address and other details. Previous paint-out participants, as well as new ones, are welcome to attend.

Wine and Art Walk Demonstrators Needed

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From a recent demonstration in glazing by Dale Olsen. Dale will be demonstrating inside the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum from 10 to noon on Saturday, August 16.

The Morton Arboretum’s annual Wine and Art Walk will be held next weekend, and the Nature Artists’ Guild is looking for members to represent the Guild during the event.

“The Wine and Art Walk is a juried art show featuring photography, woodturning, jewelry, painting, ceramics, fused glass, fiber arts, and more artworks created by artists in the Midwest and beyond.” This year’s Wine and Art Walk will showcase the nature-connected work of 57 artists.

The Nature Artists’ Guild will have an information table inside the air-conditioned Arboretum’s Visitor Center (near the entrance of The Arboretum Store). Members volunteering to represent the Guild will have the opportunity to demonstrate, show their own work, and hand out business cards (no sales allowed) to the steady stream of visitors. Membership brochures and a sign directing visitors to the Nature Artists’ Guild’s website will help with answering questions about the Guild.

Volunteers can register here for a two-hour shift between 10 and 4 on Saturday, August 16, or Sunday, August 17, 2025, use this form to learn more, or email Terrie McComb with questions. Update – All Saturday shifts have been filled. Sunday shifts may still be available.

A Glimpse “Into the Wild”

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Glare, copyright Shuli Wang, is one of more than 30 pieces being displayed at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center through August 30. Click on image for a sample of exhibit artwork.

From the savannas of Africa to the depths of their own gardens, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild have ventured “into the wild” for their contributions to the 2025 Summer Special Exhibit at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

Into the Wild is free and open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays until August 30, 2025. More than 30 pieces are showcased in Hidden Oaks’ wild and wonderful gallery space overlooking a woodland and adjacent to a rooftop meadow.

While exhibits are best enjoyed in person (the textures, colors, brushwork, sizes, and arrangements all contribute to the experience), it’s not always possible, so many of the participating artists have also shared images of their work for all to enjoy. Please click here or on the glaring lion above to enjoy a glimpse into the wild!

Making the Most of Summer with the Nature Artists’ Guild

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White Petunia II, copyright Marge Hall, is included in the Into the Wild exhibit at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook, IL until August 30.

Despite what we see and hear on the screens and in the stores, we know that summer is far from over and there is plenty of the season left to enjoy. The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum looks forward to making the most of it!

  • Works by more than 30 artists are showcased in the lovely cool and quiet gallery room overlooking the edge of a forest in Into the Wild, the summer exhibit by members of the Guild at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook, IL, until August 30, 2025. (Artwork images coming soon.)
  • Coffee and Art continues each Wednesday morning inside the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum. Artists can also head outdoors to gather reference material for their contribution to this autumn’s special exhibit, Flora! No registration is required for these friendly and informal gatherings.

Landscapes in Gouache with Sarah M Johnson on August 7, 2025

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Utah in Fall, copyright Sarah M Johnson

The Nature Artists’ Guild is pleased to announce that their August program at The Morton Arboretum will feature artist Sarah M Johnson and her methods for creating striking landscapes in gouache.

Sarah M Johnson’s career in creating and teaching art includes the use of various media, but on Thursday evening, August 7, 2025, from 7 to 9, she will focus on the many uses of gouache.

Sarah will be demonstrating and explaining the tools and techniques for creating landscapes in two different types of gouache, describing the medium’s advantages for plein air and travel, and sharing examples of her own style, “realism with expressive and painterly elements.”

This program at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum will be free and open to the public. There will be no charge for parking or entrance into the Arboretum for the event, and visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be admitted and directed to Thornhill. Plenty of seating and light refreshments will be available, and registration is not required.