Meet the Artists Reception Next Saturday, July 22, 2017
Something for Everyone at the August 3, 2017 Nature Artists’ Guild Program
The annual August program of the Nature Artists’ Guild has traditionally featured three member-artists’ stations where visitors could learn about and participate in unique artistic methods. The 2017 format for this popular program will basically stay the same, but the three stations will mix it up a bit with presentations on the intriguing history and use of the Chinese chop, proper framing for original fine art, and a display of sketchbooks and journals created by members throughout last summer’s Sketchbook Encounter and this summer’s Nature Art Journal project.
At the Nature Artists’ Guild Spring Exhibit, Featured Artist Nancy Wu received numerous questions about her signature on paintings in the form of a Chinese seal (or chop). For her presentation, Nancy will share books and traditional Chinese paintings as she explains the history and meaning of the seal in Chinese painting, as well as the different carving methods used in creating the seals.
The multi-talented Evelyn Grala, who aside from being a talented artist, publishes the Nature Artists’ Quarterly and has served on nearly every Nature Artists’ Guild committee, is a Certified Picture Framer through the Professional Picture Framers Association. Evelyn will be discussing the proper archival framing methods and materials for various types of fine art. This knowledge is important for understanding options when hiring a professional framer or performing some or all of the framing steps yourself.
The third station will be devoted to members’ artwork created during last summer’s Sketchbook Encounter or this summer’s Nature Art Journal projects. Participating members are encouraged to bring their work to share with the group. What fun to be able to browse through fellow artists’ sketchbooks and art journals for inspiration and a glimpse of their creative process (and sometimes personality)!
As always, guests and visitors are welcome to attend this enjoyable and informative Nature Artists’ Guild program at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum from 7 until 9 pm. There is no charge for admission to the Arboretum, the program, or parking for the event. Guests and visitors should let the gate attendant at the Arboretum know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program to be directed to Thornhill.
Some Upcoming Events
- This month’s Nature Artists’ Guild paint-out is scheduled for Thursday, June 22, 2017 from 9 am until noon in the Ground Cover Garden of The Morton Arboretum. Please click on the highlighted link for details.
Ground Cover Garden at The Morton Arboretum. Photo credit http://www.mortonarb.org. - A Nature Artists’ Guild Special Exhibit, Impressions of Nature, at A Gallery of Nature opens at Wasco Nursery and Garden Center in St. Charles, IL this Friday, June 23, 2017. Participating artists should drop off their work on Tuesday, June 20 between 11 am and 1 pm. All are invited to attend a public reception on Saturday, July 22, 2017 between 3 and 5 pm to meet the artists, enjoy some light refreshments, view 30 works of nature art and observe a few of the artists engaging in the creative process. Please click on the above highlighted link for driving directions and more information.
- The Summer Encounter – Nature Artist’s Journal is well underway, but members can still join in. More details are available by clicking on this link.
- The next Nature Artists’ Guild program is scheduled for Thursday, August 3, 2017. More information coming soon about what promises to be a fun and informative evening!
Inspiration For Getting Started
For Nature Artists’ Guild members participating in the Summer 2017 Encounter, Nature Artists’ Journal, these first two entries into Karen Johnson’s sketchbook show how simply and beautifully an artist can effectively illustrate a natural setting.
Notice that Karen has included the date, the weather, and a few details about the setting and plant. All of this information may be useful in future artwork. Perhaps more importantly, those details will greatly contribute to the wonderful memories of the experience (“First day of summer and one lone poppy is blooming”).
For more information about participating, Nature Artists’ Guild members can contact Evelyn Grala. The project began on June 1, 2017 and continues for 10 weeks, so there is still time to join in. Evelyn’s contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook.
Many more examples of Karen’s nature journaling can be found by clicking on one of the drawings or on this link to her blog, Karen’s Nature Art. At the left side of the page there will be a “cloud” of common categories. Clicking on the word “sketch” will connect you to all of the posts that include Karen’s sketches.
A Scene The Impressionists Would Have Loved
On the morning of Thursday, June 22, 2017, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited to meet at the Ground Cover Garden of The Morton Arboretum between 9 am and noon for a paint-out.
A living carpet of foliage and flowers graces The Morton Arboretum’s Ground Cover Garden, linking the Visitor Center to the Research Center and the Sterling Morton Library.
The original garden was built in 1938. It is one of the more densely planted and diverse gardens in the Arboretum, with over 350 different plants amid shady, winding paths with strategically placed benches that allow visitors to enjoy a moment of seclusion and tranquility.The Ground Cover Garden consists of perennial plants and ground covers chosen to complement trees and shrubs, blanketing the ground with a wonderful assortment of attractive flowers and foliage.
Those members participating in the 2017 Summer Encounter can use this opportunity to add to their Nature Artist’s Journal. All others can simply enjoy a morning of sketching, painting and photographing in a setting fit for an Impressionist.
Nature Artists’ Guild members are encouraged, but not required, to RSVP to Jane Kellenberger for this paint-out. Jane’s contact information can be found in their Yearbook. Artists may consider bringing a folding chair (although a few benches may be available for use) along with their art supplies, something to drink and a camera.
Gardens at Cantigny Park Paint-Out Rescheduled for Thursday, May 25, 2017
With rain expected tomorrow, the Nature Artists’ Guild paint-out at the Gardens at Cantigny Park has been rescheduled to the rain date, Thursday, May 25, 2017. Participants can meet at the Visitors Center at 9 am, or join the group in the gardens any time before noon.
Please click on the above highlighted link for more information about the paint-out.
Marge Hall’s Spectacular Floral Portraits on Thursday, June 1, 2017
There has been a slight scheduling change, and the Nature Artists’ Guild now welcomes nationally recognized artist Marge Hall to Thornhill almost a year earlier than originally planned. On Thursday, June 1, 2017, from 7 until 9 pm, Marge Hall will share some of her inspirations, methods, and tips for creating her spectacular floral portraits in oil. Since Marge’s personality is as wonderfully sparkling and colorful as her paintings, it promises to be an enjoyable as well as educational evening.
As always, guests and visitors are welcome to attend this Nature Artists’ Guild sponsored program at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. There is no charge for parking or admission to the Arboretum for this event, and visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program to be directed to Thornhill.
Please click on one of the photos or highlighted links to learn more about Marge, to see more of her award-winning artwork, or to watch a time-lapse video of her at work.
A Few Reminders For Nature Artists’ Guild Members
- The paint-out at The Gardens at Cantigny Park has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 25, 2017 (originally scheduled for Tuesday, May 23, but changed due to weather concerns). Please contact Jane Kellenberger if there are any questions. You can also click on this link for more information.
- Prospectuses (which were e-mailed in late April) for this summer’s Nature Artists’ Guild Special Exhibit, Impressions of Nature, at A Gallery of Nature at Wasco Nursery and Garden Center in St. Charles, IL are due on Saturday, May 27, 2017. Please contact Gary Chipman if there are any questions.
- The Summer Encounter begins on June 1, 2017. 30 Nature Artists’ Guild members have already agreed to try to get outdoors this summer to create a Nature Artist’s Journal. Check your e-mail for details and contact Evelyn Grala if there are any questions.
- On the evening of June 1, 2017, the Nature Artists’ Guild welcomes Marge Hall and her Floral Portraits to the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. Guests and visitors are also welcome to attend this free presentation. Please click on this link for more details.
Nature Artists’ Guild members will find contact information for Jane, Gary, and Evelyn in their Yearbook.
Lori Stralow Harris and Butterflies on June 1, 2017
Update – We apologize, but due to a scheduling concern, Lori will not be presenting the June 2017 program. Please join us instead for a presentation by Marge Hall on June 1, 2017 from 7 until 9 pm.
Artist and educator Lori Stralow Harris opened the Salt Creek Butterfly Farm in 2012 in an effort to provide a “wide variety of opportunities for children and adults to slow down, observe, and appreciate the quiet but spectacular presence of butterflies in our world.”
On Thursday, June 1, 2017 from 7 until 9 pm, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, guests, and visitors will have the chance to experience one of these opportunities as Lori brings her talents as well as some live butterflies to the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their camera and sketchbooks to this unique presentation! As always, guests and visitors are welcome to attend this Nature Artists’ Guild sponsored program, and there is no charge for admission or parking. Visitors should let the gate attendant know they are there for the program in order to be admitted free-of-charge and directed to Thornhill.
Please click on this link for the Salt Creek Butterfly Farm or the photo below to read much more about Lori and her fascinating mission.
Going Back for More at the Gardens at Cantigny Park
Update – due to weather concerns, the paint-out has been rescheduled to the rain date of Thursday, May 25, 2017.
Some paint-out locations are just so enjoyable that we can’t wait to go back for more!
On Tuesday, May 23, 2017, Nature Artists’ Guild members are invited to attend a paint-out at the wonderful Gardens at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton, IL between 9 am and noon. As you can see from the photos from last year’s paint-out, there will be plenty of room and plenty to paint (or draw, or sketch, or photograph). Bring a stool or chair (the bright yellow wingback will probably already be taken), your painting or drawing supplies, some water and a camera.
There is no fee for admission, but parking is $5. Afterwards, feel free to spend some time wandering the Visitors Center and museums, visiting the Cantigny Shop, or having lunch at the popular Le Jardin. The rain date will be Thursday, May 25, 2017 from 9 am until noon. There is no need to RSVP, but please feel free to contact Jane Kellenberger with any questions. (Nature Artists’ Guild members will find Jane’s contact information in their Yearbook or the Spring edition of The Nature Artists’ Quarterly.)
Please click on any of the highlighted links to learn more about Cantigny Park. Thanks to Jane Kellenberger for the photos from last year’s event.
Nature Artists' Guild 