Dues are Due!

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It’s time again to pay our dues.  We hope you’ll agree though, that all the exhibits, the paint-outs, the exceptional programs, the Quarterly, the workshops, the door prizes, the TREATS, the fun, the camaraderie, the shared knowledge, the advice, the help, the encouragement and most importantly, the opportunity to meet so many wonderful fellow artists, make them seem like a bargain!

Please mail your check payable to the Nature Artists’ Guild, to Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum, c/o Suzanne Wegener, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL  60532.

If you are considering becoming a new member, now is a great time to do it!  We think you’ll find that the Nature Artists’ Guild is a friendly, supportive, non-competitive group that offers many opportunities to its members.  Please download and mail in the membership form you can find by clicking here or on the tab above.

Downers Grove Library Exhibit

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Things will have quieted down from the holidays, and it may be tempting to stay inside a while by the fire in your robe and slippers.  You probably already have artwork framed and ready from the NAG holiday show, though, so consider making it one of your New Year’s Resolutions to show your work more often and then get your boots on and head over to the Downers Grove Library! 

The Downers Grove Library has an exceptional gallery space that nicely highlights your artwork, and the Nature Artists’ Guild is known for their beautiful annual exhibit there!  It really is worth the effort to participate. 

Artwork drop-off is on Saturday, January 8 from 10- to 11 am, and the pick-up is Saturday, February 5 from 10 to 11 am.  Our Special Events Coordinator, Paula, has e-mailed or mailed your prospectus (which must be returned to her postmarked by December 17, 2010) and also reminds us that renewal dues must be paid by December 31, 2010 to be eligible for the exhibit.  Please contact Paula for any questions.

Invite your Friends and Family!

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Please take a moment to invite your friends and family to the 2010 Holiday Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum, November 12th through 14th.  All the artists, as well as the coordinators of the show, have worked hard to ensure that this exhibition continues to meet the high standards everyone has come to expect from our group.  We always have excellent attendance, but with the record number of artists exhibiting this time, we’d also love to have a record turnout!

The below link, which you can copy and paste onto an e-mail, leads directly to the article about the show or you can click on one of the “Share” buttons at the end of that article and follow the instructions that appear.

https://natureartistsguild.wordpress.com/2010/10/15/2010-annual-holiday-exhibition/

Exciting New Gallery Opportunity for Members

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Our Outside Exhibition Chair, Paulette McDermott announces the following exciting news!

The Nature Artists Guild of the Morton Arboretum gallery at the Canterbury Shoppe

We have been given a wonderful opportunity for our members to exhibit and sell their work at the Canterbury Shoppe in Naperville.  The exhibits are rotated on a seasonal basis.  The first exhibit, Autumn, is up right now through November.  The Winter exhibit, which is open to all of our members, will open December 1st.  We will also have a “Meet the Artist” reception for each rotation.

Remember to get your prospectus for the Winter Exhibit to Paulette McDermott postmarked by November 19, 2010.

If you are looking for an interesting way to spend a beautiful Autumn Sunday, please join us for an afternoon tea and bring your friends and family

        “Meet the Artist” Tea to celebrate the Autumn Exhibit

        Canterbury Shoppe
        43 E. Jefferson
        Naperville, IL

        Sunday, November 7
        2 pm – 5 pm

Note:  Members should have received their prospectus and exhibition details by mail or e-mail on October 16, and revisions on October 28.  If you cannot locate your copy or have any questions, please contact Paulette.

Just enough rain to make the colors sing

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The rain kept the usual Autumn Arboretum crowds away, but a handful of dedicated artists braved the weather Saturday morning and for their effort were warmly welcomed by Librarian Michael Stieber and the gorgeous views outside the library windows.

 The library is so fascinating, both in design and content, that it was tempting to just spend the morning browsing the collections (see link to the lower right to access the Sterling Morton Library blog).   However, each and every window framed a wonderful scene just calling out to be captured, and the gentle rain was just enough to saturate the colors and make them “sing”. 

 After some Whole Foods muffins for energy, the artists got busy, and the results were some beautiful works in watercolor, pastel and colored pencil.

(If you were there, we’d love to add your artwork to this post!)

2010 Holiday Exhibition Coming Soon!

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The Guild’s 2010 Holiday Exhibition is only a month away! The Artists’ Reception – open to Guild and Arboretum members and their guests – is Friday, November 12 from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm. The Exhibition is open to the public November 13-14, from noon to 5:00 p.m.

Over fifty Guild members have submitted 175 pieces of artwork, making this one of our larger exhibitions.

Throughout the weekend, Guild members will be demonstrating various media and techniques, including watercolor, colored pencil, and carbon dust.

The Artisan Shop will be selling artist-made art and craft items, including holiday decorations and ornaments. We also will sell raffle tickets for three Winsor Newton portable watercolor sets, a Gamblin oil paint set,  a Golden $50 gift certificate, and a framed digital nature print. Also available for purchase will be the Guild’s 2011 Calendar, featuring the work of Guild artists. All proceeds go to support Guild programs and activities.

Admission to the show is free; however, non-Arboretum members must still pay admission to the Arboretum.

Morton Fall Color Paint-Out, Saturday, October 23 at 9 am

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When you think of Autumn, you think of colorful leaves, and when you think of colorful leaves, what better place to find them than at The Morton Arboretum?    What a great opportunity for gaining inspiration and material for your autumn landscapes or just for being outdoors on what we assume will be a gorgeous autumn day!  Try a new medium or even loosen up a little – it’s all about the color at this time of the year! 

We will be meeting at the Thornhill parking lot at 9 am on Saturday, October 23,  and can choose our painting and sketching locations away from (or if you’re feeling bold, right in the midst of) the crowds.  We are extending an invitation to other art leagues and guests to join us at this paint-out (although non-Arboretum members will still have to pay the gate fee), so bring a friend, and it may also be a good opportunity to meet some new people and see what kinds of creative things they’re up to!

No need to RSVP – there’s room for everyone.  Paint-out date is rain or shine.  (If it’s raining, we’ll meet in the library). Bring your own thermos of coffee or tea, and we’ll supply the muffins.

Thoroughly Enjoyable Evening!

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We got a little muddy, we experienced a little Zen, and we had a great time at the program last night! 

Nancy Hart led us through the history of clay, inspired us with her beautiful work, and even walked us all through the tactile experience of silently molding clay with our eyes closed.  As always, Nancy was so fun, interesting and informative.  Thank you Nancy, for a thoroughly enjoyable evening!

Our 2010 Holiday Exhibition Featured Artist

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Our new blog header features the artwork of Susan Vogel, the featured artist for the Guild’s 2010 Holiday Exhibition at Thornhill Auditorium.

The Exhibition, showcasing the artwork of over fifty Guild members, opens Friday, November 12 with a reception from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm for Arboretum members, Guild members and their guests. The exhibition is open to the public  November 13-14 from Noon to 5:00 p.m.

There is no admission fee for the exhibition; however, non-Arboretum members will need to pay admission to the Arboretum.

About Susan: Following is an article that Susan wrote for the Fall issue of The Nature Artists’ Quarterly:

I grew up in Lisle, IL. I have fond memories of past winters including ice skating on Lake Marmo in the Morton Arboretum and walks through that  snowy wonderland. I was constantly aware of nature. Wild plants and animals were everywhere when I went on outings with my family. When I came home, I would sit by my desk and make pencil drawings of some of the sights I experienced. My mother was an artist and I loved her work. It inspired me. I wanted to be just like her.

It was the comic books and movies by Walt Disney that were my next inspiration. “Bambi” and “Alice in Wonderland were my favorites. I guess I was an ambitious little kid because at the age of eleven I sent Walt Disney a letter and some of my drawings and asked him for a job. Someone very kind answered my letter and suggested that I go to college first.

Art classes weren’t offered at my schools when I was growing up. So when I was of high school age, I rode the train each summer to attend art classes at Lyons Township High School in LaGrange. Later, I attended Northern Illinois University, majoring in art.

Then along came marriage and children with no time for artwork. After a gap of 30+ years, I started classes at College of Dupage, as a beginning art student once more. Their catalog offered botanical art classes at The Morton Arboretum. I love the classes here at the Arboretum, with teachers who actually teach techniques and students who are helpful and supportive. I got my Botanical Art Certificate and when the Master program was offered; I was the first to receive the Botanical Art and Illustration Master’s Studio Certificate.

I prefer working with live specimens of fauna and flora in front of me., but sometimes a photograph has more advantages. I always carry my little digital camera with me and take snapshots of moving subjects, like birds, bugs and other animals.  Originally, I was strictly a botanical artist but I’m branching out in different directions. Maybe I’ll try painting birds. After all, my last name “Vogel” means bird in German.

I joined the Nature Artists’ Guild (NAG) in 2001 and have met many wonderful artists who inspire and challenge my abilities. Thank you all for your support and believing in me.