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

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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

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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.

Giraffe, copyright Alice Wych
Giraffe, copyright Alice Wych

Bravo, Winter Encounter participants!

An Opportunity to Liven Up Your Winter!

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A great way to liven up these last few weeks of winter is with a class at The Morton Arboretum. There are still a few spots left in the following classes or workshops –

Pen and Ink drawing, copyright Nancy Thyfault
Pen and Ink drawing, copyright Nancy Thyfault

Linoleum Block Printing Workshop with Carrie Carlson – Begins next Saturday, February 11, 2017

Botanical Art with Pen and Ink with Nancy Thyfault – Begins Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Under the Microscope – Draw Butterflies and Moths with Karen Johnson – Thursday, February 23, 2017 or Saturday, February 25, 2017

Visiting Artist Series – Using the Layering Method with Watercolor with Peggy Macnamara –  Saturday, March 4, 2017

Begin to Draw Nature with Kathy Steere – Begins Saturday, March 11, 2017

Color Theory, Colored Pencil with Kimberly Mullarkey – Begins Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Create an Altered Book with JoAnne Laudollf – Sunday, March 19, 2017

If the names of many of these instructors sound familiar, it’s because they are some of the best artists and instructors in the Chicagoland area, Most are current or former fellow members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, and all offer kindness, patience and fun along with their expertise. Please click on this link to The Morton Arboretum’s Nature Art and Photography Class Listings for more information, or to enroll.

Classes are open to all, and membership in the Nature Artists’ Guild or The Morton Arboretum is not required to enroll.

Julie Sutter-Blair Comes to Thornhill on Thursday, February 2, 2017

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Julie Sutter-Blair is a superbly talented artist whose intaglio prints and colored pencil drawings are inspired by nature.  The Nature Artists’ Guild is honored to host a presentation by Julie on Thursday, February 2, 2017 from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum, in Lisle, IL.

Julie will also participate in the Visiting Artist Series of The Morton Arboretum’s education program with her workshop Drawing Nests With Julie Sutter-Blair, which will be held the following Friday and Saturday, February 3rd and 4th, 2017.  Please click on the above link to register.

Both the Nature Artists’ Guild program and the workshop are open to all, not just members of the Nature Artists’ Guild or The Morton Arboretum.  There is a fee and a registration requirement for the workshop, but Thursday evening’s program is free-of-charge for both admission and parking. Visitors should let the gate attendant know that they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program and they will be directed to the Thornhill Education Center.

Copyright Julie Sutter-Blair
Copyright Julie Sutter-Blair

It’s Back to the Tropics for the Nature Artists’ Guild

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Copyright Nancy Kolar
Copyright Jane Kellenberger

Wind, snow, and bitter cold are all possibilities for Chicagoland on Thursday, February 9, 2017, but some members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will hardly notice, because they will be spending the morning in the tropics instead!

Sorry, this isn’t a give-away for a trip to Hawaii, but it is the chance to spend a morning, between 7 and 11 am, sketching, drawing, painting, and photographing in the tropical greenhouse of one of the nation’s oldest and largest orchid growers, Orchids by Hausermann, at 2N134 Addison Road in Villa Park, IL.  One lucky participant will be awarded a gift certificate to spend as they choose at the greenhouse.  Please click on this link to see the beautiful blooms in Hausermann’s catalog, including orchids that are in bud right now!

Space is limited for this popular event, so interested Nature Artists’ Guild members should contact Jane Kellenberger as soon as possible to reserve a spot. Jane’s contact information can be found in the Yearbook.  Participants should bring their camera, art supplies, and possibly a small folding chair, as seating is limited.

First Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit of 2017 Opens Tomorrow

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The first Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit of the new year opens tomorrow, January 4, 2017 at the Downers Grove Library,  1050 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, IL. The exhibit will be open during normal library hours, 9 am to 9 pm on weekdays, 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays, and 1 pm to 5 pm on Sundays.

The Downers Grove Library has a wonderful gallery space featuring rotating displays, and even has its own collection of art.  The exhibit of select works by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum runs through February 1, 2017.

Come for the Scenery, Stay for the Fun

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Both inside and out, there won’t be a prettier place in the suburbs than the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum this Thursday, December 8, 2016, for the annual Nature Artists’ Guild Holiday Party.

Yes, The Morton Arboretum is always quite pretty, but with the holiday decorations in place and a bit of moonlit snow on the ground, it is sure to be breathtaking!

The Morton Arboretum Thornhill Education Center. Photo credit www.mortonarb.org
The Morton Arboretum Thornhill Education Center. Photo credit http://www.mortonarb.org

Inside, the Nature Artists’ Guild party team, led by Gail Diedrichsen and Susan Bartlett, will be busy all afternoon preparing and decorating, making the historic Founder’s Room and Arbor Room even more festive for the occasion.

The fun starts at 6 pm, with live music, food, raffles and a few 30th Anniversary surprises.

This special event is limited to Nature Artists’ Guild members and their guests. Please click on this invitation for details.

Before You Begin Shopping

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Whew! The cooking, cleaning and dishes are done and the guests have left.

This might be a great time to take a minute for yourself, and renew your Nature Artists’ Guild membership for 2017!  The Nature Artists’ Guild accepts renewals and new members any day of the year, but memberships are for the calendar year, so renewing (or joining) now will ensure that you receive all of the benefits that your membership brings.

Current members can pay their 2017 dues by mailing a check to our Treasurer, Nancy Wu (her address will be in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook).  Nancy will also be accepting renewal dues at the Holiday Party.  New members are asked to mail a check to the address printed on the membership brochure (click here or on the tab at the top of the website to download or print a copy).

Nature Artists' Guild Membership Brochure Page 1

Nature Artists' Guild Membership Brochure Page 2

A Few More Things We Are Thankful For

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It’s the time of the year when many reflect on all they are grateful for, and the Nature Artists’ Guild would like to add a few items for consideration –

  • The friends and family who support our artistic endeavors
  • The time (however little) and space (however small) for creating
  • The support and encouragement of other artists who understand the unique challenges involved
  • The time and effort of all the volunteers who have kept the Nature Artists’ Guild running so smoothly for so many years
  • The Morton Arboretum, for its inspiring natural beauty as well as for providing historic and lovely meeting and exhibit spaces and a quality learning environment

Please feel free to add to the list in the comments below.

Happy Thanksgiving, and don’t forget to give your turkey a nod of respect!

Detail of Wild Turkey, copyright D. Fisk
Detail of Wild Turkey, copyright D. Fisk (this is for you, Gail)

The 2016 Autumn (Holiday) Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum

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We are proud to present the official exhibit poster of the 2016 Holiday Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum.  The poster artwork was created by our Featured Artist, Eva Holy (read more by clicking here), and as usual, member Evelyn Grala has done a wonderful job with the graphic design!

2016 Nature Artists' Guild Exhibit Poster. Artwork copyrighted by Evalyn Holy, poster design by Evelyn Grala.
2016 Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit Poster. Artwork copyrighted by Evalyn Holy, poster design by Evelyn Grala.