First Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit of 2016 Opens February 5 at Gallery 200

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Airborne, copyright Sharon Malec
Airborne, copyright Sharon Malec

Just a few weeks from now, the first exhibit of 2016 for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum will be opening at Gallery 200, 200 Main Street, West Chicago IL, with an artists’ reception on Friday, February 5, 2016 from 6 until 9 pm at the gallery. All members, friends, family, and art lovers are invited to attend! The exhibit will continue until March 3, 2016, and gallery hours are Thursdays and Fridays from noon until 8 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 4 pm.

Sunset, copyright Patty Koenigsaecker
Sunset, copyright Patty Koenigsaecker

Gallery 200 is an artists’ collective, a division of People Made Visible, Inc., which features locally created artwork in numerous media.  The Nature Artists’ Guild is pleased to be invited to the gallery for this special exhibit of nature art.

For more information or to view works by Gallery 200 artists, please click on this link to the Gallery 200 website, or on this link to the Gallery 200 Facebook page.

February’s Best

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There are so many reasons to celebrate in February!  Some of our greatest presidents had birthdays in February, and St. Valentines day is celebrated in February. Outdoors  in February, high up in the trees, cute little balls of feathers that will grow up to be Great Horned Owls are hatching, and down on the ground, the first flowers of spring, skunk cabbage, (whose flowers give off enough heat to be able to melt the snow immediately around themselves) will be blooming.

One more reason to celebrate February is that it is the month of the annual Nature Artists’ Guild paint-out at Orchids by Hausermann in Villa Park, IL.  This year, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will meet from 8 am until 11 am on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 to sketch, draw, paint and photograph some of the thousands of orchids that will be blooming in February in the vast greenhouse of Orchids by Hausermann, the oldest and largest orchid grower in the Midwest.  Apart from booking a trip to some exotic location, it may be the best opportunity in the Chicagoland area this February to spend a relaxing morning in a warm, tropical environment, surrounded by gorgeous orchids.

Photo credit Orchids by Hausermann
Photo credit Orchids by Hausermann

Nature Artists’ Guild members should contact Jane Kellenberger (whose contact information can be found in their Yearbook) to reserve a spot at this popular event, since space is very limited.  Please click on this link to Orchids by Hausermann’s website for directions, and to view an online catalog of stunning orchids.

Who knew February had so much to offer?

JoAnne Laudolff Presents Oil and Cold Wax Techniques on Thursday, February 4, 2016

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Oil and Cold Wax, copyright JoAnne Laudolff
Oil and Cold Wax work, copyright JoAnne Laudolff.   Used with permission.

JoAnne Laudolff has been creating artwork inspired by nature throughout her adult life, and after graduating from Columbia College in Chicago, IL, began to specialize in and teach Papermaking and Botanical Printing.  JoAnne’s most recent passion is for mixed media, specifically, the Oil and Cold Wax technique, and members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, as well as their guests and visitors, will have the chance to learn more about JoAnne’s work with this technique on Thursday, February 4, 2016 from 7 until 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.

” I like the peaceful landscape qualities that the medium conveys. I always incorporate nature into my art work. It is a way to take a little of that simplicity with me.”

Learn more about JoAnne Laudolff and her work at www.joannespaperbarn.com.  While there, please be sure to click through all four of the galleries to view her beautiful work in various media!

As always, visitors and guests are welcome to attend this presentation sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild.  There is no charge for attendance or parking, and visitors can just let the gate attendant at The Morton Arboretum know they are there for the program.

JoAnne Laudloff with one of her Oil and Cold Wax works
JoAnne Laudolff with one of her Oil and Cold Wax works inspired by nature.

New Year, New Wonderful Experiences!

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The Nature Artists’ Guild Executive Board members and Committee Chairs will be meeting this Thursday to discuss upcoming programs, paint-outs, presentations, exhibits, workshops, field trips and social gatherings, and we look forward to the schedule for 2016.  Nature Artists’ Guild members are always welcome to forward their ideas to any board or committee members, as events are added throughout the year.

Our busy new Program Coordinator (and Vice President), Sharon Malec, has already scheduled February and March, 2016 programs featuring artists JoAnne Laudolff and Rhonda Nass, and our new Outside Exhibits Chair, Gary Chipman,will be coordinating a Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit for February, 2016 at Gallery 200 in West Chicago, IL (members should have received a prospectus in December 2015).

Check back soon for more details!

Komechak Gallery Tour Next Tuesday, December 8, 2015

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Many Nature Artists’ Guild members were able to catch a glimpse of some of the artwork at the Father Michael E. Komechak O.S.B. Art Gallery at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL while dropping off their own artwork for a group exhibit last year.  What many may not have known is the extent of the artwork collection housed at the university or the history behind it!

From the gallery’s website –

Fr. Michael E. Komechak, O.S.B. Art Gallery

The late Fr. Michael Komechak, O.S.B. spent his life collecting and celebrating the works of others. Over time, he amassed one of the finest art and sculpture collections in the Midwest. The collection, approximately 4000 pieces, represents both fine and applied arts, and is engagingly diverse in its scope of subject and media. While a majority of the collection deals with religious themes, it also has a fair representation of contemporary art and work by well-known artists, but, consists mainly of works on paper and fine art prints.The gallery also boasts a collection of ceramics, drawings, paintings, photography, textile, sculpture, mixed media, folk art and kitsch.
Komechak Art Gallery, Benedictine University.
Komechak Art Gallery, Benedictine University.  Photo credit www.ben.edu/komechak-art-gallery

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited to attend a behind-the-scenes gallery tour of the collections on the morning of Tuesday, December 8, 2015 from 10 am until noon. Participants should meet at the gallery located on the fifth floor of Kindlon Hall at Benedictine University, 5700 College Road, Lisle, IL promptly at 10 am.  The elevator to the fifth floor is located near the rear of Kindlon Hall in a short hallway to the right (the main elevator near the front entrance does not go past the second floor). Other buildings on the campus will be part of the tour, so comfortable walking shoes and warm outerwear would be advised.

There is no need to RSVP for this wonderful opportunity to attend the gallery tour. Please click on the highlighted links above to read more about the gallery, the collections, or for maps and directions.

Introducing Maria Requena and Marlyn Ayala This Thursday, December 3, 2015

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The Nature Artists’ Guild is proud to present two talented musicians at our annual holiday celebration this Thursday, December 3, 2015 at Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.

Event coordinators Gail Diedrichsen and Susan Bartlett announce that they will be –

Introducing Maria Requena and Marlyn Ayala, our Rockin’ Stars.  They’ve been practicing holiday music and are ready to rock the house on December 3rd!

Maria Requena and Marlyn Ayala
Maria Requena and Marlyn Ayala

Please scroll down to recent posts to read more about the celebration.

Nature Artists’ Guild Holiday Party, Thursday, December 3, 2015

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Thanksgiving isn’t the only important gathering that always takes place on a Thursday!  Each year, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum meet on the first Thursday of December for a holiday celebration with friends and fellow artists.

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

On Thursday, December 3, 2015, members and their guests will meet between 6 and 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center for appetizers and live music in the historic and elegant Founder’s Room, and entrees, desserts and a raffle in the Arbor Room.

Organizers Gail Diedrichsen and Susan Bartlett always do such a fantastic job of decorating for and organizing this fun and festive event that it is definitely worth setting aside the evening to attend, even during the already busy holiday season!

Members are asked to bring food to share (details were sent via e-mail), and contributions for the raffle are always welcome, but certainly not required.  Gail or Susan would be glad to answer any questions about the event, and their contact information can be found in the Yearbook.

Nature Artists’ Guild 2015 Holiday Exhibit Artists’ Reception Tonight

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All members of The Morton Arboretum, as well as friends, family and guests of Nature Artists’ Guild members are invited to attend the artists’ reception of the 2015 Annual Holiday Exhibit of Natural History Art tonight, November 6, 2015, between 5 and 9 pm at the historic Thornhill Education Center. Light refreshments will be served in the Founders Room, former library of the Morton family mansion. There is no charge for parking, admission, or admission to the Arboretum for this special event.  Visitors can let the gate attendant at The Morton Arboretum know that they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit and they will be directed to Thornhill.

The exhibit will be open to all visitors of The Morton Arboretum on Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8, 2015 from 10 am until 4 pm.   While there is no charge to attend the exhibit, the gate fee will apply to non-members of the Arboretum.

2015 Holiday Exhibit Postcard
Artwork by Featured Artist Mary Ann Jimenez. Postcard design by Evelyn Grala.

Coming this Thursday, October 15, 2015, “Painting Oaks”

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Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa, ©Wendy Brockman. Used with permission.
Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa, ©Wendy Brockman. Used with permission.

Just a reminder that this Thursday, October 15, 2015, from 7 until 9 pm, a special presentation sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum will feature visiting artist Wendy Brockman.

Please click on this link to the previous post for more details.  Guests and visitors are welcome!