“Paint-In” at the Meyer Science Center at Wheaton College, January 24, 2015

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Our thanks go out to Nature Artists’ Guild member, Marilyn Peretti, who has kindly arranged for us the first paint-out (or paint-in) of 2015!

Perry Mastodon Jaw Bone, copyright Marilyn Peretti. Collection of Wheaton College.
Perry Mastodon Jaw Bone, copyright Marilyn Peretti. Collection of Wheaton College.

On Saturday, January 24, 2015, from 9 am until noon (with an alternate date of January 31, 2015, 9 am until noon, in case of difficult driving conditions on the 24th), Nature Artists’ Guild members will have the opportunity to visit the collections of the Meyer Science Center at Wheaton College, 501 College Avenue, Wheaton, Illinois.

After a brief tour and lecture by Dr. Stephen Moshier, members will spend the remainder of the morning drawing, painting, sketching or photographing items from the collection, including the Perry Mastodon, unearthed in 1963 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois!  Other large animal specimens, as well as a geological display of rocks and gems are included in this stunning two-floor science center.  Please click on this link to the Wheaton College website for more information.

Members who are interested in attending should contact Marilyn Peretti to reserve a spot, as space is limited.   Marilyn’s contact information can be found in the Nature Artists’ Guild Yearbook.  The designated parking lot that participants need to use is not the lot nearest the building, but the one on College Avenue, which can be entered on Howard Street, north of the athletic field.  The Meyer Science Center is on Howard Street at the corner of University Place.  Please click on this link for driving directions and a map of the campus.  Artists should also plan to bring their own stool or small folding chair.

The 2015 Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit at Mayslake Peabody Estate

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The Adventure Begins, copyright Patty Koenigsaecker
The Adventure Begins, copyright Patty Koenigsaecker

Please join in celebrating the first exhibit of the year 2015 for the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum with an artists’ reception on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 from 6 until 8 pm at the stately Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, Illinois.

More than 35 artists will be participating in this exhibit of approximately 70 pieces of botanical and nature art, showcasing a wide range of styles and media.  Visitors will be able to view the artwork between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm Mondays through Fridays, and 9 am and 1 pm on Saturdays, from January 13 through February 28, 2015.  There is no charge for the exhibit.

Please click on this link to visit the Mayslake Peabody Estate website, where you will find directions, as well as much fascinating information about this historic site.

A Sneak Peek at the 2015 Nature Artists’ Guild Winter and Spring Events

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Nature Artists’ Guild members may want to get out their calendar and highlight the following dates for 2015 –

  • From January 14 through February 28, 2015, the Nature Artists’ Guild will be exhibiting at Mayslake Peabody Estate, with an artists’ reception on January 14, 2015 from 6 until 8 pm.
  • On January 24, 2015, Dr. Stephen Moshier of the Meyer Science Center at Wheaton College will give Nature Artists’ Guild members a brief tour of their collections, from which members will then be invited to sketch, draw, or paint.
  • On February 5, the Nature Artists’ Guild welcomes scientific illustrator Carrie Carlson, presenting linoleum block printing depicting nature.
  • On February 10, 2015, a small dose of the tropics, as members enjoy the much-anticipated paint-out at Orchids by Hausermann.
  • On March 5,  2015  fiber artist Barbara Schneider will present her methods of portraying leaves, water and tree rings, influenced by the Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi.
  • On March 17, 2015, Nature Artists’ Guild members can participate in the fun annual paint-out at Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum.

More details will be forthcoming as the dates approach, but please feel free to click on any of the links above (in bold) for more information about the artists or locations.

The New Sylva

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In memory of long-time and much-loved Nature Artists’ Guild member, Barbara Papamarcos, the Nature Artists’ Guild has donated a copy of the wonderful book, The New Sylva, to the Sterling Morton Library at The Morton Arboretum.

According to Nature Artists’ Guild member and Art Collection Assistant of the Sterling Morton Library, Arlene Widrevitz,

The New Sylva was written in part to commemorate the 350th Anniversary of the first Sylva published in 1664 by John Evelyn for the Royal Horticultural Society of London. Gabriel Hemery’s modern version describes trees of Britain and their care and maintenance while looking to a future that still values trees and forests.

Most exciting for members of the Nature Artists’s Guild are the magnificent illustrations  of individual tree landscapes and botanical details of trees by Sarah Simblet .  Simblet was also the author and illustrator of Botany for the Artist. 

This new Sylva is beautifully bound and organized. It is a feast for the eyes and a wonderful argument for the protection and planting of trees. It is a perfect addition to the collections of the Sterling Morton Library.

Information about the book, including photos, information about the authors, reviews and a digital sampler is available by clicking on the following link to the website www.newsylva.com or on the photo below.

The New Sylva
Photo credit http://www.newsylva.com

The 2014 Annual Holiday Party of the Nature Artists’ Guild

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Our last event for the Nature Artists’ Guild this year involves no framing, no matting, no paper, no sketching or painting.  On Thursday, December 4, 2014, from 6 pm until 9 pm, all members (and their guests) are invited to share the music, food and fun at our annual Holiday Party at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.  All that is asked is that you bring a dish to share, an item for the raffle if you can, and yourself!

Nature Artists’ Guild members can check their e-mail from our president Susan Bartlett, sent in mid-November, for all the details about the party, including what to bring, 

The Morton Arboretum Thornhill Education Center. Photo credit http://www.mortonarb.org
The Morton Arboretum Founder’s Room. Photo credit http://www.mortonarb.org
The Morton Arboretum Arbor Room. Photo credit http://www.mortonarb.org

 

Gratitude

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At the time of the year when so many are taking time to reflect on gratitude, we at the Nature Artists’ Guild are reminded that we have much to be grateful for–

  • We are grateful to all the volunteers who work so hard to ensure that our exhibits, paint-outs, field-trips, programs and publications are enjoyable and successful.
  • We are grateful to our artist members who contribute such wonderful artwork to our exhibits and offer so much inspiration and encouragement to their fellow artists.
  • We are grateful to the artists’ friends and family members for their help with everything from delivering artwork to exhibits to giving up the spare bedroom for studio space.
  • We are grateful to The Morton Arboretum for providing us with the most elegant exhibit and meeting space that we know of,  for the inspiration of the gorgeous grounds, for the excellent instructors in the Education Program, and for the friendly staff who help with everything from holding doors and setting up our meeting space, to promoting our exhibits and programs.
  • We are grateful to all of the art and nature lovers who take time out of their busy schedules to attend our exhibits and encourage our artists with their interest and their kind words.

It’s That Time of the Year!

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It’s the time of the year for Nature Artists’ Guild members to renew their membership for 2015.  Members can scroll back through previous posts on this blog to get a glimpse of all that membership brings you – programs, paint-outs, exhibit opportunities, publications, fun events, friendship, encouragement and inspiration!  As an added bonus for renewing before December 31, 2014, returning previously-exhibiting members will be eligible to participate in the first exhibit of 2015 at the stately Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, IL.

Current members can send their dues to our Treasurer, Nancy Wu, whose address can be found in their Yearbook, or can give their dues to Nancy or one of the other Nature Artists’ Guild board members at our upcoming Holiday Exhibit.

New members are always welcome and can click on the tab at the top of the page to access a membership form for more information.

Presenting Crow-na Lisa

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Here she is!  The next time you visit The Morton Arboretum, please be sure to swing by Meadow Lake, near the Visitor’s Center, to check out the 2014 Nature Artists’ Guild’s contribution to the annual Scarecrow Trail.

The Crow-na Lisa is our slightly scary, slightly humorous take on a painting that you may recognize.  Whether or not she fulfills her job of scaring away any crows, though, remains to be seen.

Thank you to all the artists who worked so hard to create Crow-na Lisa, especially Patty Koenigsaecker, who created the design and prepared the “canvas”, both structurally and artistically, and Sharon Malec who had the wonderfully creative idea of painting a scarecrow, rather than constructing an actual scarecrow.  The short slide show below follows construction from start to finish.

Please click on this link to read more about Scarecrow Trail, which will be featured at The Morton Arboretum throughout the month of October.

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Annual Autumn Paint-Out at The Morton Arboretum, Tuesday, October 14, 2014

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There’s no place like The Morton Arboretum in autumn, and members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will be celebrating the season with their annual autumn paint-out on the morning of Tuesday, October 14, 2014 from about 9 am until noon.  Our artists will meet at Lake Marmo, where they will be greeted with gorgeous reflections of changing leaves and possibly a squirrel or two, hard at work.

The trees will be in their full autumn splendor, and we can almost count on a slight nip in the air.  Bring your chair, your warm beverage, your art supplies, and your camera, as you join your fellow Nature Artists’ Guild artists at this wonderful  gathering.   If you don’t feel like drawing or painting, leave your art supplies at home and just come to sit back and enjoy the view as we celebrate autumn!

There is no need to RSVP, but please feel free to contact Carol Jean Rogalski if you have any questions.  Nature Artists’ Guild members will find Carol Jean’s contact information in their Yearbook.