No need to “pack up the station wagon” for this trip to the lake! Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited to join their fellow artists at Meadow Lake, located near the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum, the morning of Tuesday, June 26, 2018 any time between 9 am and noon. Participants will meet at the P2 parking lot east of the lake at 9 am, but late-comers are welcome and can also access the lake from the main parking lot.
There will be plenty of room, and plenty of subject matter. Shrubs, flowers, trees, birds, and a large wooden creature are near the path around the lake. Art supplies, a chair, sunscreen, insect repellent, and some water are all that are needed.
If a storm rolls in, participants can head over to the Ginkgo Restaurant and Cafe with its wall of floor-to-ceiling windows facing the lake to finish their sketch and enjoy a coffee or snack. After the paint-out, members might wish to go on a Troll Hunt throughout the Arboretum.
Note: This post has been updated to show the rescheduled date.
Visiting Artist Thomas Dambo at work on one of his Trolls for the Troll Hunt at The Morton Arboretum. Photo credit mortonarb.org.
All are invited to the Thornhill Education Center at The Morton Arboretum this Thursday, June 7, 2018 from 7 until 9 pm, for a presentation by acclaimed author, artist and naturalist, Julie Zickefoose.
Baby birds are abundant this time of year, fluttering, chirping, squawking, and making their first attempts at flight. Julie has studied and sketched birds in their nest all the way through the growth cycle, and in her newest book, Baby Birds: An Artist Looks into the Nest, Julie chronicles that growth with her words and her art.
After her presentation, Julie will be available for signing copies of her books, and the books will also be available for purchase. Please click on one of the highlighted links to read more about Julie’s fascinating adventures in nature, or to listen to some of her commentaries on NPR.
Field Sparrow with Nesting Materials, copyright Julie Zickefoose. Used with permission.
This program is sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum and is open for all to attend. There is no charge for admission, parking, or entrance into the Arboretum for this special event. Non-members of the Arboretum should let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be directed to Thornhill.
Two classes coming up very soon are being taught by some of the best artists and best instructors that The Morton Arboretum has ever offered. Suzanne Wegener will be the instructor for Drawing Nature II on four Thursday evenings beginning on May 31, 2018. Suzanne will be teaching skills that are essential to any artist who wishes to draw nature realistically. Plein Air on the Prairie, on either Monday, June 4, or Monday, June 11, 2018 is a three-hour excursion onto the prairie with a sketchbook and two experts, naturalist Cindy Crosby, and artist Karen Johnson. It’s a unique opportunity to learn about and experience the prairie from a botanical as well as an artistic point of view. Please click on the above links to learn more or to enroll. Classes are open to all, not just members of the Nature Artists’ Guild or The Morton Arboretum, but Arboretum members will receive a discount on registration fees.
Page from Karen Johnson’s sketchbook. Copyright 2017, Karen Johnson.
Evelyn Grala has done it again, and come up with a way to keep Nature Artists’ Guild members growing this summer. Evelyn has planned a new Summer Sketchbook Encounter, to begin on June 1 and continue until September 1, 2018. Participants will be asked to fill four pages of a sketchbook per week, using any media they would like (including crayons), and to have fun. It’s as simple as that. The improvement in drawing and composition skills will come automatically! Interested members who have not already signed up should contact Evelyn (whose contact information can be found in their Yearbook) to ensure they receive her periodic updates and encouragements.
The Nature Artists’ Guild will be exhibiting at the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, IL from Wednesday, June 6 through Friday, July 13, 2018. The exhibit may be viewed any time during estate business hours, Monday through Friday, from 9 am until 3 pm, or Saturday between 9 am and 1 pm, but the best time to visit would be on Wednesday evening, June 27, 2018 between 6 and 8 pm. This artists’ reception is open to all, and is a great opportunity to meet and talk with the artists and enjoy light refreshments. Participating artists should check the prospectus for drop-off and pick-up dates and times.
There is so much excitement and anticipation around the upcoming program featuring biologist, author and artist Julie Zickefoose on Thursday, June 7, 2018 at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. All are welcome to attend this event free-of-charge. Please click on the highlighted link for more information.
Page from Baby Birds, An Artist Looks into the Nest, copyright Julie Zickefoose. Used with permission.
A new paint-out has been added for June, and it’s at one of the prettiest spots in the area, Meadow Lake at The Morton Arboretum. On Tuesday, June 26, at 9 am, Nature Artists’ Guild members will meet at the P-2 parking lot east of Meadow Lake. There will be water, flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees (naturally), and even some large mysterious creatures in the area. Guild members can contact Jane Kellenberger if they would like to attend, but last-minute drop-ins by members are also welcome.
Note: This post has been updated to include the new date for the rescheduled paint-out.
Artist in Residence Thomas Dambo at work on one of his creations for the Troll Hunt at The Morton Arboretum. Photo credit mortonarb.org. Please click on the photo for more information about the artist.
Mayslake Hall, at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 West 31st Street in Oak Brook, IL is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The buildings and remaining 89 acres of the estate are now owned by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. The Mayslake Peabody Estate, amidst ongoing restoration work, hosts art classes and exhibits inspired by nature, lectures about culture, history, and architecture, as well as concerts featuring jazz and classical musicians and theatrical performances.
The Nature Artists’ Guild is excited to announce that the Mayslake Peabody Estate will be sponsoring an exhibit of nature art by members of the Guild from June 6 until July 13, 2018, with a “meet the artists” reception on June 27, 2018 at 6 pm.
Mayslake Peabody Estate. Photo credit Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild should have received their prospectus for participating in the exhibition a few weeks ago. Prospectuses need to be completed and returned by this Saturday, May 19, 2018. Any questions can be directed to Gary Chipman or Linn Eldred, whose contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook or on the prospectus. Additional information about artwork drop-off and pick-up dates is also included there.
An added bonus for participating in this exhibit is that no extra work is required. This exhibit will feature works shown at The Morton Arboretum within the last five years, so there will be no need for last-minute tweaking, matting, or framing. All eligible members (see prospectus) are encouraged to participate in making this exhibition one to be proud of.
Below are a few photos from a previous Nature Artists’ Guild paint-out at the Mayslake Peabody Estate. Please click on any of the photos for a larger image.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The following is just a sample of the more than 150 pieces of nature artbeing 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.
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.
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.
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 workshopsare 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.
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.
Nature Artists' Guild 