Nature Artists' Guild

It All Came Together in a Wonderful Way

Published on April 10, 2017 by Denise4 Comments

The weather could hardly have been nicer, the grounds were in glorious bloom, the exhibit was beautiful, and the visitors were plentiful. The 2017 Spring Exhibition of Natural History Art at The Morton Arboretum last weekend was, by all accounts, an outstanding success.

So much effort went into every detail that isn’t surprising that it all came together in such a wonderful way. Congratulations and thank you to all who contributed in so many ways, both large and small.

Congratulations also to Featured Artist Nancy Wu, whose display of work was breathtaking, and to Luciana Peters, whose special exhibit on Friday evening was such an added joy.

Finally, congratulations to whoever convinced that happy little unseen but tirelessly exuberant bird to welcome visitors at the beginning of the walkway. (Thanks to the finely-tuned birding ear of Carol Cooley for identifying our tiny greeter as a White-throated Sparrow.)

Please click on any of the highlighted links for more information, and please feel free to leave a comment.

2017 Nature Artists’ Guild Spring Exhibit Featured Artist Nancy Wu

2017 Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit Co-Chairpersons Patty Koenigsaecker and Mary Sinclair

An Added Bonus for Members and Guests

Published on March 28, 2017 by DeniseLeave a comment

For members of The Morton Arboretum and guests of Nature Artists’ Guild members, the Artists’ Reception for the Spring Exhibit of Natural History Art on Friday evening, April 7, from 5 until 9 pm will include a bonus exhibition of the work of and an opportunity to meet Luciana Peters in the Sterling Morton Library, located next to the Cudahy Auditorium in the Administration & Research Center.

Painting of birds, copyright Luciana Peters

Luciana Peters has been an active and influential member of the Nature Artists’ Guild for 30 years, and an illustrator and artist for almost 80! At the age of 97 1/2, Luciana has a long list of accomplishments to be proud of, and is still working on more.

Luciana began her career as a commercial illustrator at the age of 18 in the late 1930’s, and has contributed to Vogue, Parade and Harper’s Magazines. As comfortable in nature as in the big city, Luciana is also an award-winning children’s book illustrator, an accomplished botanical artist, portrait artist, and naturalist. Her art is widely loved and collected and the Nature Artists’ Guild is honored to have her as a member.

Portrait of Wason (naturalist and educator Richard R. Wason), copyright Luciana Peters

Nature Artists’ Guild members can read more about Luciana in an article by Gail Diedrichsen for the Spring edition of The Nature Artists’ Quarterly.

Preparations for Next Week’s 2017 Spring Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit Are Almost Complete

Published on March 28, 2017March 28, 2017 by Denise6 Comments

The food is being ordered, the rooms are being prepared, the flowers are being planned, and the exhibiting artists of the Nature Artists’ Guild are busy finishing up details or picking up their work from the framer.

Copyright Nancy Wu, featured artist of the Spring 2017 Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibition

Artwork drop-off (more officially known as Referee Night) is next Wednesday, April 5, 2017 between 6 and 8 pm in the Cudahy Auditorium, located in the Administration & Research Center of The Morton Arboretum.

The opening of the exhibit and Artists’ Reception takes place on Friday, April 7, 2017 from 5 until 9 pm in the historic Sterling Morton Library, also located in the Administration & Research Center. Refreshments will be available and all members of The Morton Arboretum as well as guests of the artists are invited. Guests can let the gate attendant know they are there for the exhibit and they will admitted free-of-charge and directed to the location.

The exhibit will continue throughout the weekend of April 8 and April 9, 2017 between 10 am and 4 pm and is open to all Arboretum visitors. The Cudahy Auditorium is just a short and scenic walk from the Visitor Center.

Artwork pickup will be on Sunday, April 9, 2017 between 4:15 and 4:45 pm.

All Artists Welcome on Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8, 2017

Published on March 25, 2017January 20, 2018 by DeniseLeave a comment

Whether you are a Nature Artists’ Guild member who has been working diligently to prepare your artwork for the upcoming Spring Exhibit and need a fun and educational break, or not a member, but still an artist who wants to improve your artwork, The Morton Arboretum’s Visiting Artist Series may have just what you were looking for –

Visiting Artist Series: Value and Color in Landscapes with Laverne Bohlin

Learn why value is essential to accurately capturing a landscape in your art. In this two-day pastel workshop, visiting artist Laverne Bohlin will show you how to use the correct value and to notice the subtle shifts of value that exist in the landscape. Develop your sensitivity to a color’s value so you are better able to separate it from its hue. During the one-hour lunch break on Saturday, visit the Nature Artists’ Guild Spring Exhibit in nearby Cudahy Auditorium for some inspiration.

Copyright Laverne Bohlin

Note – Basic drawing skills and some pastel experience required. Limit 15.

Supplies – Rembrandt Pastels, half stick of 15 colors, 3-4 sheets of Canson Mi-teintes paper, 8 1/2″ x 11″, color white, ivory or eggshell, 1″ foam brush and kneaded eraser, 11″ x 14″ foam core board, any additional pastels you may already have.

Schedule and Location – Friday, April 7, and Saturday, April 8, 2017, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Herbarium Conference Room of The Morton Arboretum.

Fees and Admission – Fees include admission to the Arboretum and are $138.00 for members, and $162.00 for non-members.

Registration Information – Course number A149, online – Register, call 630-719-2468, or in person at The Morton Arboretum at the Visitor Center during open hours.

Peggy Macnamara’s Invitation to The Field Museum in April 2017

Published on March 14, 2017April 19, 2017 by DeniseLeave a comment

“Inspiring curiosity about life on earth for more than a century”

Artist-in-Residence Peggy Macnamara has generously invited the Nature Artists’ Guild to a day at the museum, that is The Field Museum, the world-famous museum of natural history on Chicago’s spectacular lakefront.

The Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois. Photo credit www.fieldmuseum.org.

On Thursday, April 20, 2017, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, after a brief but exciting behind-the scenes tour with Peggy, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will be able to sketch, draw, paint and photograph among the vast collections.

Please click on this link for a fascinating and inspiring article on the museum’s website about Peggy and her work.

Artwork by Peggy Macnamara at The Field Museum. All artwork copyrighted by the artist. Photo credit www.fieldmuseum.org.

Interested members must contact Jane Kellenberger to RSVP for this special event, since Peggy will be providing admission passes to attendees who are not museum members, as well as seating. Jane’s contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook. Further information about parking and the meeting location for entrance will be also be provided. Directions to the museum and parking instructions can be found by clicking on this link to The Field Museum’s website.

This event is limited to members of the Nature Artists’ Guild. Please read more about becoming a member by clicking on the Membership Brochure tab above.

The Field Museum Ronald and Christina Gidwitz Hall of Birds. Photo credit www.fieldmuseum.org.

The Nature Artists’ Guild Spring 2017 Exhibition

Published on March 4, 2017April 10, 2017 by DeniseLeave a comment

Congratulations to Nancy Wu, the featured artist for the Nature Artists’ Guild Spring Exhibit of Natural History Art. Nancy and nearly 50 other members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL will be exhibiting more than 150 stunning works of nature art in a variety of media. The exhibition is open to all and admission is free, although a fee will be required (except for members) for entry into The Morton Arboretum.

nature-artists-guild-spring-2017-exhibition-poster — Artwork copyright by Nancy Wu. Poster design by Evelyn Grala.

An artists’ reception is scheduled for the evening of Friday, April 7, 2017 for members of The Morton Arboretum as well as guests of the artists. Nature Artists’ Guild members will receive a copy of the postcard with all the details by e-mail, which they can forward to their friends and family.

Copies of exhibit posters and postcards are available at the Thornhill office, or by contacting Evelyn Grala or exhibit co-chairpersons Patty Koenigsaecker or Mary Sinclair. Members can find contact information in their Yearbook.

Please click on this website’s Featured Artist page for more artwork by Nancy Wu .

Surely It Was Too Early For Spring to Have Sprung!

Published on February 25, 2017February 25, 2017 by DeniseLeave a comment

The snowflakes outside remind us that yes, we were fooled once again this year by the recent gorgeous weather. We weren’t the only ones, though. Birds, mammals, bugs and even reptiles have also been out soaking up the sunshine and warm temperatures in the last few days.

Spring will have sprung before we know it, though, and Nature Artists’ Guild members have plenty to keep them busy until it arrives-

Prospectuses for the Spring Exhibition of Natural History Art at The Morton Arboretum are due on Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Peggy Macnamara will be the featured speaker at the next Nature Artists’ Guild program from 7 until 9 pm on Thursday, March 2, 2017
Goldfinch © 2013 Peggy Macnamara
The Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum paint-out will be happening from 1 until 4 on Friday, March 10, 2017
Openings are available for upcoming art classes offered by The Morton Arboretum
The Spring Exhibition of Natural History Art will be held on the weekend of April 8th and April 9th, 2017 at The Morton Arboretum, with a special artists’ reception for Arboretum members and guests of the artists on Friday, April 7, 2017. Check back soon for more about this event and the exhibition’s Featured Artist, Nancy Wu.
2017 Spring Exhibition Featured Artist Nancy Wu at Nature Artists’ Guild paint-out at Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum, 2015

Please click on any of the highlighted links to read more. Some events are open to the public, while others are reserved for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild.

Jurica-Suchy Expedition on March 10, 2017

Published on February 14, 2017February 14, 2017 by DeniseLeave a comment

Each Spring, a group of intrepid explorers make their yearly trek through forests, jungles and tundra in search of bears, lions, and leopards, armed only with sketchbooks, pencils, erasers, brushes and paint. nature-artists-guild-at-jurica-suchy-2016-1

On Friday, March 10, 2017, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited to attend the annual paint-out at the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL, between the hours of 1 and 4 pm. Since classes will be in session during this paint-out, interested members are encouraged to RSVP to Jane Kellenberger, who can assist with parking directions and distribute parking passes. Jane’s contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook. Please click on this link for driving directions and a campus map. nature-artists-guild-at-jurica-suchy-2016-3

With over 3500 specimens currently on display, the award-winning Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum offers artists a rare opportunity to get a close-up look at some of the world’s most fascinating creatures. Please click on the above link to read more about the history of the museum, and view photos, or click here for a searchable Online Specimen Catalog.

nature-artists-guild-at-jurica-suchy-2016

Grab your gear, and we’ll see you there! Thank you to Jane Kellenberger and Evelyn Grala for these photos from last year’s expedition.

The Always Delightful Peggy Macnamara on Thursday, March 2, 2017

Published on February 9, 2017January 23, 2020 by DeniseLeave a comment

The good news is that the talented and beloved artist, writer, instructor, and speaker Peggy Macnamara has just finished illustrating a new book.

Mary Hennen and Peggy Macnamara’s *The Peregrine Returns*

The great news is that Peggy will be teaching a one-day workshop as part of The Morton Arboretum’s Visiting Artist Series on Saturday, March 4, 2017, titled Use the Layering Method in Watercolor with Peggy Macnamara (please click on the highlighted link to check for available spots or to be placed on the wait-list).

The fantastic news is that Peggy will be sharing some of her experiences, as well as a close-up look at her artwork, with members of the Nature Artists Guild, guests, and visitors on the evening of Thursday, March 2, 2017 from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.

Peggy Macnamara is the Artist-in-Residence at the world renowned Field Museum in Chicago, IL, a professor at the School of the Art Institute, the author and illustrator of numerous scientific and children’s books, and an all-around delightful person!

As always, Nature Artists’ Guild programs are open to all and are free-of-charge for admission and parking. Guests and visitors who are not members of The Morton Arboretum can let the gate attendant know that they are there for the program, and they will be directed to the Thornhill Education Center.

The Winter Encounter is Underway

Published on February 4, 2017February 4, 2017 by Denise1 Comment

The Winter Encounter has begun. Member Evelyn Grala, who brought us the wildly popular Sketchbook Encounter last summer, has inspired us again with the Winter Encounter, a challenge to fellow bodacious (check out that list of synonyms) Nature Artists’ Guild members to create a new work of art per week, yes every week, until Spring!

The weekly results of this challenge can be seen on the Winter Encounter Gallery page of this website, and will also be included in the upcoming Quarterly.