(More Than) A Few of our Favorite Things! Peggy Macnamara on June 6, 2013 at Thornhill

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Wonderful, talented and fun artist and teacher Peggy Macnamara, will be joining us for a demonstration, a discussion, and a book-signing on June 6, 2013 from 7 until 9 pm.   Peggy’s latest book,  The Art of Migration:  Birds, Insects and the Changing Seasons in Chicagoland  is not scheduled for release until early July,  but if you already have any of her other three books, please bring your copy to the meeting for Peggy’s signature.

The Art of Migration by Peggy Macnamara

Peggy is the Artist in Residence and has eighteen of her works on permanent display at the Field Museum, is a Professor at the Chicago Art Institute, and is the author of four books.  Many members of the Nature Artists’ Guild know Peggy as a favorite instructor in the Botanical Illustration program at The Morton Arboretum, as well as a wonderful  source of inspiration.

This would also be a great opportunity to invite friends and fellow artists who are not currently members of the Nature Artists’ Guild to one of our programs.  We know they’ll enjoy it!

Please visit Peggy’s website at www.peggymacnamara.com to learn more about Peggy, as well as to view photos and videos of Peggy and her artwork.

Goldfinch © Peggy Macnamara 2013. Image used with permission of the artist.
Goldfinch © Peggy Macnamara 2013. Image used with permission of the artist.

A Beautiful Day at a Beautiful Location!

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We couldn’t have asked for better weather for the Mayslake-Peabody Estate paint-out last week.  As you can see above, the estate and grounds were breathtaking, the sky was blue, the grass was green, and our Nature Artists’ Guild members took full advantage of all of that beauty!

Once again, we have our photographer, Kathy Wagner, to thank for the beautiful photographs.

The Beard Garden Paint-Out June 4, 2013

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Last year’s paint-out at the gorgeous gardens of Susan and Kenneth Beard was a huge success, but became a bit crowded with both artists and photographers attending.  This year, on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, the photographers of the Morton Arboretum Photographic Society will be attending from 7:30 until 9:30 am, and the Nature Artists’ Guild members will have the garden to themselves from 9:30 am until 12:00 noon.

The Beard garden has been featured in Chicagoland Gardening magazine, in recent features in the  Sunday Magazine of the Chicago Tribune, and Crain’s Chicago Business  and is included in the Garden Conservancy’s “most beautiful gardens in America”.

The peonies are scheduled to bloom for us, and the Beard’s collection of hosta is legendary, so RSVP early to ensure your spot, as attendance will be limited to 12 in each group.  Please RSVP to Carol Jean Rogalski if you would like to attend.  You can find her contact information in your Yearbook.

The Beard’s 3-acre garden, featuring over 300 varieties of hosta, as well as annuals, perennials, a woodland, shrubs and groundcovers, is located at 3711 Madison , Oakbrook, IL.

The following photos are from the 2012 paint-out at the Beard garden.  Thank you to Kathy Wagner for the photographs!

New Paint-Out Opportunity – Mayslake Peabody Estate on May 14, 2013

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We have added a new location to our Paint-Out schedule this year.  On May 14, 2013, Nature Artists’ Guild members are invited to enjoy and paint or sketch the grounds of the beautiful and historic Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. , Oak Brook, IL from 9 am until 12:30 pm.  You can view some photographs on their website to get a sense of the striking architecture and gardens you’ll find there.

Please let Carol Jean Rogalski know if you plan to attend.  You can find her contact information in your Yearbook.    Park in the main lot, proceed through the blue door into the estate, and then left to the terrace and lawn.

Spring

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There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter. 

Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

“Brought to Life-Bellwort and Bee” © 2013 Karen A Johnson
“Brought to Life-Bellwort and Bee” © 2013 Karen A Johnson

Workshop and Framing Demonstration this Saturday, March 23, 2013

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This year’s workshop for the Artisan Shop at the Spring Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum will be very special.  Not only will we be creating items for our fundraising table at the upcoming exhibit, (please bring acrylics, brushes and a water container, as well as sketches or reference materials in your choice of subjects from nature), we will also have the chance to learn about framing from professional framer (and member), Evelyn Grala! Picture Framing

From 9:30 until noon, we can work on our handmade items for the exhibit, and then from 1 pm until 3 pm, Evelyn will show fellow Nature Artists’ Guild members – how to choose frames that will enhance your artwork, how to creatively re-use frames, how to choose standard frame sizes for ease and economy, the do’s and don’ts in preparing for an exhibit, and finally, a framing demonstration for the “do-it-yourself” artists!

If you can’t stay for the whole workshop, please stop in any time between 9:30 am and 3 pm, work as little or as much as you like, or even take an item home to work on. The workshop takes place on Saturday, March 23, 2013 in Classroom C at Thornhill.

Update – Please enjoy these photos, thanks to Carol Carls, of the Spring Workshop participants hard at work!

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Our Featured Artist, Linn Eldred

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You have our featured artist for the April 2013 Spring Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum, Linn Eldred to thank for our beautiful new spring header, which features a detail of her painting Tulip Time.  You can see the entire painting, as well as read about Linn and see more of her artwork, by clicking on the Current Featured Artist tab above.  Congratulations, Linn!  We look forward to seeing your artwork at the upcoming exhibit, and appreciate the hint of spring you’ve brought to us through your paintings!

Iris ©Linn Eldred
Iris ©Linn Eldred