Signs of Autumn

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment

There’s a new header on our website, which can only mean that-

  • Autumn is here
  • The annual Holiday (Autumn) exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild, featuring approximately 150 works of art by 50 artists is coming soon
  • We have a new Featured Artist, Evalyn Holy, whose work will be highlighted at the upcoming exhibit (Congratulations Eva!)
Owl, copyright Evalyn Holy
Owl, copyright Evalyn Holy

Please read more about Evalyn, and see some of her wonderful drawings and paintings by clicking here or on the Featured Artist tab at the top of the Nature Artists’ Guild website.

Click here to read more about the upcoming exhibit in our new location, Cudahy Auditorium.

Annual Danada Nature Art and Photo Exhibit October 8 and 9, 2016

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment

The Friends of Danada are proud to present their annual Nature Art and Photo exhibit on the weekend of October 8 and 9, 2016 between 11 am and 5 pm. Nature artists and photographers throughout the Chicagoland area are invited to participate in this juried exhibit located inside Danada House, the beautiful and historic former home of Dan and Ada Rice, at 3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton, IL.

Danada House entrance. Photo credit danadahouse.com
Danada House entrance. Photo credit http://www.danadahouse.com

The Friends of Danada Nature Art and Photo Exhibit is held in conjunction with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s largest event of the year, the annual Danada Fall Festival. This popular festival is held on Sunday at the Danada Equestrian Center, on the grounds of Danada House, and attracts over 10,000 visitors each year.  Parking and admission to the event are free-of-charge.

An artists and photographers reception will be held at Danada House on Friday, October 7, 2016 from 7 to 9 pm. Winners in the various categories will be announced at that time.

For more information about participating in the Friends of Danada Nature Art and Photo Exhibit, please click here for Friends of Danada contact information.

Update:  Susan Bartlett’s Paper, pictured below, was awarded a first place ribbon at the Danada Nature Art and Photo Exhibit.  This stunning work is “colored pencil on five different papers and is titled Paper in reference to the paper birch, paper kite butterfly, paper wasp and paper whites”. Congratulations to Susan and all of the other Nature Artists’ Guild members who participated, some of whom were awarded “Honorable Mention” ribbons.

"Paper" copyright Susan Bartlett
“Paper” copyright Susan Bartlett

Nature Artists’ Guild Presents Pastel Artist Gary Wick at October Program

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment

Anyone who has seen a sky by Gary Wick in his favored medium of soft pastel doesn’t soon forget it!  Attendees of the Thursday, October 6th program sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center will have the opportunity to watch Gary in the process of creating one of his glowing landscapes.

Gary Wick, a widely collected and admired artist from the Chicagoland area, is also an accomplished instructor in painting with pastels and is currently teaching at the McCord Gallery and Cultural Center in Palos Park, IL.

Gary has been featured in the Pastel Journal as a finalist in their Annual Pastel 100 Awards, and his work has been published in American Artist magazine and in Best of American Pastel Artists, Vol. II.  Gary’s work is also included in the permanent collection of the National Veterans Art Museum.

Crooked Creek, copyright Gary Wick
Crooked Creek, copyright Gary Wick

Guests and visitors are welcome to attend this presentation.  Non-members of The Morton Arboretum are asked to let the gate attendant know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program, and they will be directed to the Thornhill Education Center.  Parking, admission to the Arboretum and to the program are free-of-charge for this event. Please click here for directions to The Morton Arboretum.

The October meeting will also feature examples of Nature Artists’ Guild member sketchbooks completed during the first Great Sketchbook Encounter. Any members who wish to share should bring theirs along!

Willowbrook Wildlife Center Paint-Out September 22, 2016

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment

There will be something for every nature artist at the Willowbrook Wildlife Center, the location for the Nature Artists’ Guild’s next paint-out on Thursday, September 22, 2016 between 9:30 am and noon.

Willowbrook Wildlife Center, one of the nation’s oldest and largest wildlife rehabilitation facilities and education centers, is located on a 50-acre preserve at 525 South Park Boulevard, Glen Ellyn, IL.  An indoor exhibit area and outdoor enclosures house native Illinois wildlife not able to be released back into the wild. Songbirds, cranes, raptors, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals such as fox, raccoon and bobcat make up some of the 80 residents of the center.

Willowbrook Wildlife Center's Dr. Jennifer Nevis performing examination on resident bobcat
Willowbrook Wildlife Center’s Dr. Jennifer Nevis performing examination on resident bobcat. Photo credit Willowbrook Wildlife Center Facebook page

Artists who prefer their subject to be a bit more tame will be able to explore the butterfly garden and pond as well as the flowers, grasses and trees along nature trails leading through 40 acres of forest, savannah, prairie and wetland ecosystems.

Participants are encouraged to contact Jane Kellenberger to RSVP, but last-minute drop-ins are absolutely welcome.  Jane’s contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook. A folding chair will be useful for drawing outdoors, but some benches are available in the indoor exhibit area. Wildlife currently undergoing rehabilitation are treated in a separate building at the center and will not be available for viewing.

Please click on this link to the Willowbrook Wildlife Center’s website, or this link to their Facebook page to read more about the center and their wonderful and vital mission.  Short videos of many of the residents are available to view on the website.

The Annual Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibition of Natural History Art in New Location this Autumn

Published on by Denise2 Comments
Cudahy Auditorium, The Morton Arboretum
Cudahy Auditorium, The Morton Arboretum

The annual Nature Artists’ Guild Holiday Exhibit of natural history art has been scheduled for Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13, 2016. Friends, family and guests of Nature Artists’ Guild members, as well as members of The Morton Arboretum are also invited to attend the opening reception on the evening of Friday, November 11, 2016.

It’s important to note that this autumn’s exhibit will take place in the newly renovated Cudahy Auditorium at The Morton Arboretum. This wonderful, well-lit space is located in The Morton Arboretum Administration and Research Center, which also houses the distinctive Sterling Morton Library.  Just a short walk down a peaceful path will bring visitors from the busy Visitor Center and Ginkgo Restaurant and Cafe to the exhibit.

Check back soon for more details, including words and artwork from the exhibit’s featured artist, Eva Holy.

Lovely Weather Predicted for Paint-Out Tomorrow!

Published on by Denise2 Comments

Will it be the wonderful weather forecast, or the promise of an acre of mature trees, shrubs and flowers that will convince you to drop what you are doing tomorrow morning to join fellow Nature Artists’ Guild members for the last paint-out of the summer at Sharon Malec’s home?Sharon Malec's garden, tulip trees

There is plenty of room, so members are absolutely welcome to drop-in tomorrow, Tuesday, August 23, 2016, any time between 9:30 am and noon.  Bring your art supplies, camera, and a small stool or folding chair.  Sharon’s address can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook.

Please scroll down or click here for more information and a few photos of Sharon’s landscape. This paint-out is limited to Nature Artists’ Guild members and their guests only, please.

A Morning in the Country

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment

Sharon Malec’s charming acre in West Chicago couldn’t be more picturesque and brings to mind a morning in the countryside.  Sharon humbly states that her garden is “just the normal stuff”, but where else could you sit in the dappled shade of huge tulip trees, sketch a bamboo patch or hydrangea and sneak a ripe blackberry fresh from the vine, all in one place?

On the morning of Tuesday, August 23, 2016, from 9:30 am until noon, Sharon will share her wonderful yard and garden for a paint-out with fellow Nature Artists’ Guild members.  Interested members are encouraged to RSVP to Paint-Outs Coordinator Jane Kellenberger, but there is plenty of room for last-minute participants as well.   Jane’s contact information, as well as Sharon Malec’s address and contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook.

Three Nature Artists at The Morton Arboretum on Thursday, August 4, 2016

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment

Nature Artists’ Guild members, non-member artists, those fascinated by the process of creating art, or those just curious or looking for an interesting and enjoyable way to spend an evening – all are invited to attend and none will leave disappointed!

On the evening of Thursday, August 4, 2016 from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL, the Nature Artists’ Guild will proudly present three talented members who will share their art, inspirations and techniques with attendees.

Carol Cooley’s print using “shinkolei” process
Susan Bartlett’s collage from hand-painted paper
Sharon Malec’s fiber art created with her hand-made silk paper

Please click on this link to a previous post to read more about artists Susan Bartlett, Carol Cooley and Sharon Malec, who will presenting this year’s edition of this popular annual program.  There is no charge for entry to The Morton Arboretum, the program, or parking, and light refreshments will be provided.  Visitors should let the gate attendant at the Arboretum know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild presentation, and they will be directed to Thornhill.

One of the World’s Largest Botanical Libraries is Now Online

Published on by DeniseLeave a comment
New York Botanical Garden, A digital selection from the Mertz Library collections, chosen by the head of special collections, research and archives, Stephen Sinon

Nature Artists’ Guild member Marilyn Peretti would like to share an article she recently discovered. One of the world’s largest botanical libraries, the LuEsther T. Mertz Library at the New York Botanical Garden, is being digitized and the article contains numerous photos and links that nature artists may find useful and fascinating!

Please click on this link to the article for more information about the Mertz Library or on the highlighted link above for the library website page.

Thanks for sharing, Marilyn!

 

The Popular “Nature Artist Trio” is Back, Thursday, August 4, 2016

Published on by Denise2 Comments

No, it’s not a new musical group!  Even better, each year the Nature Artists’ Guild invites three artist members to share their tips, techniques, materials and inspirations in a fun, informal and informative presentation.  The program will be held at the Thornhill Education Center, The Morton Arboretum, on August 4, 2016 from 7 until 9 pm.  

This year, all three artists will be working on or with paper, but in interesting new ways.  

Carol Cooley will share her methods for using watercolor and the “shinkolei” process to add new elements to her wonderful block prints.

Carol Cooley’s block print with applied watercolor
Carol Cooley applying watercolor to block print
Carol Cooley’s print using “shinkolei” process

Sharon Malec uses her hand-made silk papers to create shimmering fabric art.

Silk fibers used by Sharon Malec to create silk paper
Detail of Sharon Malec’s art featuring her hand-made silk paper
Sharon Malec’s fiber art created with her hand-made silk paper

Susan Bartlett’s stunning collages are made with paper that she has hand-painted.

Susan Bartlett’s hand-painted paper drying in studio
Susan Bartlett’s hand-painted paper being prepared for collage
Susan Bartlett’s collage from hand-painted paper

Members, non-members, visitors, friends, family – all are welcome at this popular program!  Both the program and parking are free-of-charge.  Non-members of The Morton Arboretum should let the gate attendant know that they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program and they will be directed to Thornhill.

All artwork images above are copyrighted and may not be used without permission of the artist.