Paper and Collage with Laura Lein-Svencner, March 1, 2012

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Please join us at our next Nature Artists’ Guild formal meeting, on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at Thornhill from 7 to 9 pm, as renowned collage artist Laura Lein-Svencner shares her passion for paper!

Laura Lein-Svencner’s love of paper has led her to pursue studies in drawing, printmaking, sculpture, papermaking and collage, and has motivated her not only to co-found the Midwest Collage Society, but also to teach and exhibit in various venues throughout the Midwest.

Shoreline 4 © Laura Lein-Svencner

Laura’s website describes her collage work as beginning with paper, “from handmade with the plants from her backyard to found papers that are crinkled, sanded and repurposed. Textures are formed with gesso and molding pastes. Layers of gloss medium are added to the papers surfaces for added strength and protection. In creating the collages Laura uses a technique where each side of the paper is coated in a polymer medium and after they are dry, fusing is done with a tack iron to hold each piece in place. She delights in exposed raw edges of torn paper, and visual entries flow out of self discovery.”

You can read more about and view images of Laura’s fascinating work by following these links – website, blog.

Nature Artists’ Guild to Visit Hausermann’s Orchids February 6, 2012

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In just a few weeks, during the cold, dreary month of February, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will once again be taking a trip to the most tropical place in the area, Hausermann’s Orchids, the showroom and greenhouse of the largest orchid grower in the Midwest!

The paint-out will take place on Monday, February 6, from 9 am until noon. This is one of our most popular paint-outs of the year, and Hausermann’s can accommodate only 15 artists, so please be sure to RSVP to Kathyrn Wagner-Selbach (you can find her e-mail address in your Yearbook) to save your spot.

You can read more about Hausermann’s, get directions, and view some of their thousands of stunning orchids at their website,  www.orchidsbyhausermann.com.

Colored Pencil Artist Cynthia Hellyer-Heinz, February 2, 2012

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Cynthia Hellyer–Heinz is an accomplished colored pencil artist whose work defies any simple description and truly must be seen to be appreciated!  On her website, www.cynthiahellyerheinz.com, Cynthia explains that “These pencil drawings are visual surrealist narratives. The intention is that they not hang passively on the wall but stimulate a dialogue. They are meant to provoke questions.”

 A widely respected artist and the recipient of numerous awards, Cynthia will join us on Thursday evening, February 2,  from 7 to 9 pm at Thornhill for what promises to be a fascinating look into her process and inspirations.  You can view Cynthia’s artist statement and biography by clicking here.

Wheaton College Paint-Out, Saturday, January 14, 2012, 9 am – Noon

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Nature Artists’ Guild member Marilyn Peretti has arranged a wonderful new opportunity for our first paint out of 2012!

According to Marilyn, the new Science Center at Wheaton College features the Perry Mastodon, which was unearthed in 1963 in Judge Perry’s backyard pond in Glen Ellyn.   Several other large animal specimens, as well as  a geological display of rocks and gems are also in included in what Marilyn describes as a “gorgeous, classy display area on two floors”.

Wheaton College has asked us to limit the number of participants to 12, so please RSVP to Ku-mie Kim to reserve your spot.  You will also need to bring your own folding chair or stool.

Please click here to see more about the mastodon and the Science Center!

Welcoming 2012!

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The Nature Artists’ Guild schedule next year will include some new paint-out locations (the first being Wheaton College’s Science building in January), some old favorites (Hausermann’s Orchids in February) and as always, some of the best artist presentations in the area (renowned colored pencil artist Cynthia Hellyer-Heinz will be featured at our February meeting).   Details will be posted soon, or you can check  your Winter Quarterly for the dates and times.

Although the Nature Artists’ Guild accepts membership dues at any time of the year, if you want to ensure that you are included in our Yearbook and that you won’t miss any issues of The Quarterly, please renew your membership by sending in your check and the renewal coupon from your latest Quarterly by December 31, 2011.  

Join Us at Our Annual Holiday Party and Election of Officers on December 1, 2011

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It’s been a wonderful year for the Nature Artists’ Guild, and what better way to celebrate than with a holiday party?

On Thursday evening, December 1, from 6:30 to 9, members and their guests are invited to join us in the beautiful Founders’ Room at Thornhill for good food, lots of laughs and even some raffle prizes, (as well as our annual board elections).

If you’re interested, you’ll also have the opportunity to purchase Nature Artists’ Guild 2012 desk calendars, or our Nature Artists’ Guild t-shirts, featuring the artwork of our current featured artist, Ku-mie Kim.

Please join us for a good time and a great way to meet or catch up with your fellow Nature Artists’ Guild members!  Bring a dish to pass if you can, and if you would like to contribute a book, print or other item to the raffle, it would certainly be appreciated (but definitely not required).  If you’re a new member, we’d love to see you there and will do our best to make sure you feel welcome!

Two Important Arrivals – Our First Frost and The Morton Arboretum Education Program Winter Schedule!

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Waking up to our first frost last week has many of us thinking about the upcoming winter!    Instead of dreading the cold, the snow, the ice and the slush, why not think of winter as a wonderful time for learning something new?   After all, the gardening and yardwork are done, summer vacations are over, and the kids or grandkids are back in school – now it’s time for you!

Whether you prefer to spend the cold months all warm and toasty indoors, or outdoors exploring the magical beauty that only snow and ice can provide, the new winter schedule for The Morton Arboretum Education Program has something for you. 

After choosing your winter art classes, don’t forget to check out some of the other areas of interest –Natural History, Nature Photography, Ornithology, Horticulture and Gardening and Woodland Stewardship.   Learning something completely new and different is a great way to enrich those winter months!

 Click here for The Morton Arboretum Education Program schedules.

Georgeous Weather and Color Expected for Tomorrow’s Paint-Out

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If you’re still undecided about attending tomorrow’s Nature Artists’ Guild paint-out at The Morton Arboretum, please click here to see their latest “Autumn Color Report”!

With nice weather expected (mostly sunny, 65 degrees), it’s likely the Arboretum will be the place to be this weekend, so although we’ll meet at 9:30 in front of Thornhill, it probably wouldn’t hurt to come a little early to beat the crowd.  The gates will open at 7 am!

Sterling Pond, © Marilyn Peretti

Update – Enjoy this “start” of  a mixed media painting of Sterling Pond, created by Marilyn Peretti using cold wax and oil, painted with a palette knife!