Visiting the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum on March 20, 2018

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The annual paint-out for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild at the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL, will take place on the morning of Tuesday, March 20, 2018 from 9 am until noon.

The museum claims “over 10,000 specimens, ranging from a tiny aphid to a whale skeleton”, and attendees can request specific specimens from storage by contacting Jane Kellenberger by Monday, March 12, 2018.  Please click on this link to the museum’s online specimen catalog to search.  Jane’s contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook.

Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum. Photo credit Jane Kellenberger.

Members are encouraged to let Jane know if they plan to attend, but since there is plenty of room for all of our artists, drop-ins or late-comers are welcome!  There is some seating available, but participants can bring a small stool or chair if they prefer.  Please click on this link for directions to Benedictine University and for maps of the campus.  The museum is located on the second floor of the Michael and Kay Birck Hall of Science.

Nature Artists’ Guild at Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum. Photo credit Jane Kellenberger.
Nature Artists’ Guild at Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum. Photo credit Jane Kellenberger.

Tonight’s Program, March 1, 2018

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Here are just a few of the many reasons to attend tonight’s Nature Artists’ Guild program from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum –

  1. Dale Olsen’s Landscapes. Once you’ve seen Dale’s landscapes online, you will very likely want to see them in person as well.  As gorgeous as they are in photographs, the actual paintings will be even more so! Here’s an opportunity to see them up close and learn about Dale’s methods and inspirations.

    Mirror, copyright Dale Olsen. Used with permission.
  2. Postcards and Posters. Members and guests are encouraged to take some posters and postcards for the Spring Exhibition of Natural History Art taking place on the weekend of April 7 and 8, 2018, share them with friends and family, and post them in local businesses. The postcards will have information about the artists’ reception on Friday evening, April 6, when guests can gain entrance to the Arboretum to attend the exhibit with no gate fee.  A digital version will be distributed to members soon.
  3. Diptych Canvases. Members who would like to participate in a fundraising project for the spring exhibit by painting a small diptych can pick up their canvases at the meeting.  The finished canvases will be sold at the exhibit and all proceeds will go to the Guild to be used in furthering its mission.
  4. Fall into Winter Artwork.  Many of the industrious members of the Nature Artists’ Guild have been busy all fall and winter creating montages from nature.  The results are posted here, but members will also be sharing their artwork at tonight’s meeting.  It’s a chance to see the details that often make nature art so wonderful.

    Copyright Nancy Thyfault.
  5. Fun and Food. As always, there will be snacks, sweets and drinks.  There will be some time to chat with friends, old and new.  Guests and visitors are welcome to attend, and there is no fee for parking, attendance or admission to The Morton Arboretum for this event.  Visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the program and they will be directed to Thornhill.

For a Taste of Spring

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For a welcome taste of spring, the Nature Artists’ Guild gladly shares some artwork by Susan Bartlett, the Featured Artist of the 2018 Spring Exhibition of Natural History Art.  Please click on the above highlighted link or the Featured Artist Susan Bartlett tab to read more about Susan and to view a sample of the work she will be featuring at the exhibit on the weekend of April 7 and 8, 2018 and at a reception for artists, guests and members of The Morton Arboretum on the evening of April 6.

The exhibit will include nearly 150 pieces of artwork by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum. Check back soon for more details.

Copyright Susan Bartlett

Dale Olsen’s Stunning Landscapes on March 1, 2018

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Talented artist Dale Olsen will be sharing some of his inspirations and techniques at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum on Thursday, March 1, 2018 from 7 until 9 pm.  Dale’s website features the full scope of his work in varied subject matter and media, but at this program he will be focusing on his stunning landscapes.

Aspens, copyright Dale Olsen. Used with permission.

As always, guests and visitors are invited to attend this program sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum.  There will be no charge for admission or parking for this event, and non-members of the Arboretum should just let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be directed to Thornhill.

Please visit Dale’s website, Dale Olsen Fine Art, to learn more about him and to view many more examples of his wonderful work.

February Afternoon, copyright Dale Olsen. Used with permission.

Plenty Coming Up!

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Some of the activities and events coming up for the Nature Artists’ Guild –

  • The annual paint-out at Orchids by Hausermann will take place next Tuesday, February 6, 2018.  Sorry, but all the spots at this popular paint-out have already been reserved.
  • Artist Dale Olsen will bring his talents and his artwork to the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum on Thursday, March 1, 2018 from 7 until 9 pm.  For a sneak peek at Dale’s stunning work, please visit his website by clicking here.  Visitors are welcome to attend this event, which is sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild, free-of-charge at The Morton Arboretum.
  • The next  paint-out at Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum will take place on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 from 9-12 am.  There will be room for all of our members at this one!  More information to come soon.
  • The prospectus for the 2018 Annual Spring Exhibition of Natural History Art has been sent to members.  The exhibit, scheduled for the weekend of April 7 and 8, 2018 (with a reception on the evening of April 6, 2018) will feature up to 150 works of art by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, as well as numerous works by Featured Artist, Susan Bartlett.  Check back in the following weeks for more about Susan and her art.

    Susan Bartlett’s collage in progress. Constructed from Susan’s hand-painted paper.

Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit in Downers Grove Concludes Next Week

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Anyone who happens to be in the Southwest Suburbs this weekend might want to stop by the Downers Grove Public Library for an enjoyable stroll through the January exhibit of art by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild.

I Like Ducks, copyright Evelyn Grala. Photo credit Downers Grove Public Library.

The Downers Grove Public Library has both permanent and rotating art exhibits year-round, but the Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit ends on January 31, 2018.  The exhibit and parking are free and open during library hours.  This is a wonderful chance to view a variety of styles of nature art in different media by talented artists.

Artists, experienced or beginning, still have time to join the Nature Artists’ Guild and be eligible to receive a prospectus for the next exhibit at The Morton Arboretum in April, 2018, which will feature more than 100 works by our members and is expected to be attended by nearly 1000 visitors over the weekend.  Please click here or on the Membership Brochure tab above to read more.

Fall into Winter Encounter Second Phase Begins

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Please click on this link or the Member Artwork tab above to view the first contributions to the Fall into Winter Encounter gallery. Participating Nature Artists’ Guild members spent time each week in the autumn collecting items, photos or sketches from nature. The winter phase of this project is to create a montage each week or one final montage using some or all of these collections.  Please check back each week for more artwork.

Copyright Fran Kelly

Tribute to a Treasured Tool

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The New York Times Magazine recently published a short photo essay about the manufacturing process of pencils.  Don’t let the seemingly technical title, Inside One of America’s Last Pencil Factories, fool you – the photos and prose are a love letter to one of our oldest and most versatile tools.  At first glance, the photography will grab your attention and you might be tempted to skim through the text.  While doing so, you may come across a few phrases that convince you to go back to the beginning and savor the words.  For more tributes from artists and writers, visit the comments sections (use the “Readers Picks” option for some of the best).  You may never look at a pencil the same way again.

From The New York Times Magazine, “Inside One of America’s Last Pencil Factories”. Photo by Christopher Payne. Please click on photo or one of the highlighted links for full article.