Summer 2022 Plein Air Outings Slide Show

---

Art & Science  presented  by Richard Lee 

Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 7:00 pm 

View YouTube Recording Here: https://youtu.be/9_j1YXhwxIE  

     On May 11, 2022, in partnership with the Homer Township Public Library, the Lemont Artists Guild is pleased to present, at the library, Richard Lee, who will talk about his artistic images which were created as a result of his career and interest in microscopy, and how this merged with his love of photography to create compelling artwork that draws the viewer into a whole different world of scientific beauty.  Richard has a passion for taking pictures using a microscope and believes his love of photography stems from his father and grandfather who worked in the town that Richard is from, Rochester, NY.  His father and grandfather worked for Eastman Kodak Company, one of the leading photography companies in the United States.  After high school, Richard went to the Milwaukee School of Engineering to study Metallurgy and was introduced to photographing polished metal samples.  After that he was hired by Argonne National Laboratory (Lemont, IL) and he worked on reactor fuel cladding for several years in which he found that using polarized light was a useful method to determine the structure of zirconium fuel cladding which resulted in surprising colors and fine details.  In 1979, he won 2nd place in a photography contest using his new 35 mm Nikon camera and he continued to enter yearly contests, some of which resulted in prize money and even a 2 week paid vacation to the historic Williamsburg, VA and also Washington, D.C.  He had a winning photo in 1990, which was his “Fish” crystal that was made by evaporating a solution onto a glass slide.  His experiences at Argonne led him to learn on a scanning electron microscope (sem) and he even had the opportunity for several trips to visit JEOL in Massachusetts which is a company that is the leading global supplier of electron microscopes, ion beam instruments, mass spectrometers and NMR spectrometers.  A whole new world opened up to him as he worked with specialized materials like making diamond coatings and could study various subjects like pollen, bug eyes, and defects in materials.  After his division at Argonne (Tribology) was ended, he was hired by British Petroleum (BP) in Naperville, IL and he worked in their microscopy labs for nine years.  

     Richard also had an opportunity to help identify pigments to determine historical time lines in Myan Murals.  Richard has photographed many places as well including historic Lemont, Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve (located in DuPage County between Lemont & Darien, IL and also near Argonne), and New Mexico and Montreal (Canada). Richard attributes the importance of using microscopes to Louis Pasteur who was a French chemist and microbiologist and pioneer of using the microscope which led to Pasteur’s findings of many life-saving discoveries only to name a couple here-the process of pasteurization and saving women from disease that caused them to die in childbirth.  Richard says what he enjoys most with microscopes is showing students the discoveries of what is possible with microscopes and how we can all appreciate the potential that microscopes have for scientific discovery.  Richard is a Lemont Artists Guild member and has had several exhibits at the Lemont Center for the Arts and the Lemont Library and he hopes to find a home at Argonne for many of his framed artworks perhaps decorating their halls or meeting rooms someday.  

CARYL YASKO-CHICAGO-LEMONT MURALIST

Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 7:00 pm Via ZOOM 

Recording Link: https://youtu.be/tSFUDe_rZEE

I am Quercus Video - University of California Davis Aboretum-Davis, CA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvBCs8fES34 

The Murals of Caryl Yasko: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oatSTNQD6LU

• On April 13, 2022, in partnership with the Homer Township Public Library, the Lemont Artists Guild presented, via Zoom, Caryl Yasko, who will talk about her career and life as a Mural Artist in Lemont, Chicago, and  beyond. Among other murals, Caryl will discuss “Lemont Quarry Workers” mural in downtown Lemont. It was  completed in 1975 and refurbished again (for a third time) in 2021. In developing this mural, she worked with the  community to honor Lemont’s history of limestone cutting.  
• Caryl was one of the nation's first female public  muralists and was at the forefront of an art movement that produced hundreds of large-scale works in the United  States and Europe. Caryl graduated from Dominican College with a bachelor's degree in art in 1963. When her  husband was awarded a Fullbright scholarship in 1968, the couple moved to Japan with their three young sons. She  continued to develop as an artist and was influenced by the Japanese brush and ink technique, which she  incorporated into her trademark style. The family moved to Chicago's south side in 1970 where she met and started  working with her mentor, community artist William Walker. She was a founding artist in the Chicago Mural Group  and taught public mural techniques at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and many colleges and universities,  mostly in the Midwest.   
• Caryl is a classically trained artist who also works in cement, metal, fresco and wood. She developed a  concrete fresco technique and a line-drawing system for public participation that follows her passion that art should  be for the people:   
• "We started the mural movement because we believed that art should be available to everyone. We broke  the barrier between the artist and the viewer and collaborated with people on the street and in  communities to reflect what they wanted to say about what was important to them at the moment."  – Caryl Yasko  
• Caryl worked with communities to help them express their voices which often led to exploring themes such as  health care and immigration that are highly relevant topics today. Her emotionally compelling work is praised for its  strong compositions and breathtaking use of color. She has won numerous awards and is published internationally in  books and featured in films. She has held over 50 artist-in-residence positions. Above all else, Caryl Yasko has  inspired countless individuals to develop their ideas and express their voices. You can view her website at  https://sites.google.com/site/carylyaskoartist/home 
• We hope you can attend this program which is free and open to the public! 

WOODBLOCK RELIEF PRINT DEMO WITH BENJAMIN F. CALVERT III

Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at 7:00 pm 

Link for Recorded Program: https://youtu.be/ML8vRuB0SAc 

On March 9, 2022, in partnership with the Homer Township Public Library, the Lemont Artists Guild is pleased to present, via Zoom, Artist Benjamin F. Calvert III who will demonstrate ”Woodblock Relief Printmaking” and go over techniques used while carving on a wood block.  He started wood block printing by taking an independent study course at Knox College and his first print, “Invasions” was published in Catch, Knox’s literary magazine. This medium became a sustaining passion for him. He has a strong feeling for nature and the wood compliments his images. He prints on Japanese Kozuke and French Rives papers using oil based inks. 

     Recently he has expanded his relief printing onto tinted canvas with oil paint. He has exhibited his works in solo, juried, and group exhibitions and is an instructor at the Elmhurst Art Museum and DuPage Art League. In the summer of 2021, he took part in a public exhibition with the Illinois State Museum called “Lockport Ducks” in which he decorated a 3 foot tall fiberglass duck and they were on display throughout downtown Lockport (his was outside of the Vegan Café, to view, visit www.lockportducks.com). He has won awards for his artwork and currently, thru March 18, 2022, Benjamin has 63 prints at the Wadsworth Family Gallery at Lewis University (One University Parkway, Romeoville, IL 60446). You can view his website at www.benjamincalvert.com. We hope you can attend this program which is free and open to the public!

ILLUSTRATION/COMIC ART WITH MARK A. NELSON 

Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 7:00 pm

Link for Recorded Program: https://youtu.be/H8oCo1XLC2E     

     On February 9, 2022, in partnership with the Homer Township Public Library, the Lemont Artists Guild is pleased to present, via Zoom, Illustration Artist Mark A. Nelson who will talk about his life in the field of Illustration and Comics and he will demonstrate sketching, drawing, and inking. A lot of his artwork leans on the fantastic side, in which he enjoys designing new worlds and new creatures and telling stories with his art. Mark holds a Masters in Fine Art in Printmaking (1978) from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) and a Bachelors in Fine Art in Drawing (1976) from the Cleveland Institute of Art (Cleveland, OH). He loves printmaking and says that his experience in lithography, etchings, and wood engravings has helped him in his career define how he uses strokes and marks in his drawings and inks of his comics and illustrations.      

     Throughout his career, Mark has held many hats in the illustration, comic book and video game industry including also being a Professor of Art from Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL). After he retired from N.I.U. he worked for Raven Software (Madison, WI) as a Senior Artist and some of his responsibilities included concept drawings of characters, world scenes, perspective drawings of environments, painting character skins and their variations and models of machines and world objects. He went on to be the Lead Teacher in the Animation Department at Madison Area Technical College and then moved to Texas to work for Pi Studios as their Art Director/Lead Concept Artist. During his career he has also undertook many other projects collaborating with authors and other artists including the following: Fantasy World Building (Dover Publications), Innsmouth-The Lost Drawings of Mannish Sycovia (Alaxis Press), Blood and Shadows-four issue mini-series (DC Comics), Feud-four issue mini-series (commissioned by Epic Comics [Marvel]), Nightbreed and Hellraiser-various stories and comics for Marvel, Aliens(Dark Horse Comics) #1-6 with 24 pages of artwork, pencils and inks. He has been an Inker on various projects at Marvel, DC Comics, First, Just Imagine Comics, and Eclipse Comics, and worked on comics for Tonka Toys: Rock Lords and Steel Monsters. 

     He has been a Juror for Spectrum 20: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art and also has qualified to have his artwork printed in various years of Spectrum: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art. He also was in two different exhibitions for the Best of Spectrum show at the Society of Illustrators in New York City.      Other accolades for Mark include from Pencils to Inks, a monthly article on drawing comics 24 chapters, (Hero Magazine), Aphrodisia, the Art of the Female Form (#1 won Gold Fine Art Award and #2 cover), covers and interior art for Dungeonsand Dragons Magazine, covers for books and interior art with Cemetery Dance Publications and Subterranean Press, Wizards of the Coast, World of Warcraft, Three Rings Publications game cards, TSR and Wizards of the Coast game module, monster and creature design, and book interior art, and his own created books: From Pencils to Inks and Visual Dialogues. He has had various exhibitions of his artwork both in solo and group exhibitions. You can view his website at https://www.grazingdinosaurpress.com/   

Wednesday, January, 12, 2022 at 7:00 pm Via ZOOM          

ANNNUAL SHOW AND TELL MEETING 

 Presented by LAG Members and Guests (feel free to join us even if you are not a member!)

On January 12, 2022, in partnership with the Homer Township Public Library, the Lemont Artists Guild presents, via Zoom, the annual “Show & Tell” meeting of the Lemont Artists Guild! This is the LAG program topic every January and it is always an insightful and popular one. All attendees at this meeting will have an opportunity to share their creative endeavors. Whether it is a type of art you are working on such as painting, drawing, photography, jewelry making, fiber/textiles, sculpture, ceramics, and so forth or a musical or writing or performing art talent, or craft or hobby, etc., this is a great opportunity to talk about it, get some new ideas, constructive suggestions, and/or share about your plans for the future. It can also help you get to know your fellow LAG Members and Guests! Meetings are open to all; you do not have to be a LAG member or a Homer Library patron to attend. If you are not comfortable speaking, you can also just join in and watch to see what others are up to in their art worlds.           This meeting is always a great kick-off to the new year for all to be inspired to achieve their goals and aspirations!

Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, 7 pm
ONLINE Art MARKETING WITH FASO presented by Margaret Park Via ZOOM

PLEASE NOTE: If you wish to see a recording of this, please send a message through our Contact Page by clicking HERE.             

On November 10, 2021, in partnership with the Homer Township Public Library, the Lemont Artists Guild presents, via Zoom, Artist Margaret Park who will talk about how she uses FASO (Fine Art Studio Online), an online platform, to market her artwork.  She will introduce Dave Gaeda who is the CMO at FASO and BoldBrush.  While artists are always intrigued in watching other artists explain their artistic techniques and see how they work, there are very few resources to explain, how, once created, artists can show their artwork online.  As the world navigates during a pandemic and cannot be together like we once were, having a window to understanding one of the many art marketing platforms is such a necessity these days to help artists make the right choices when showing and marketing their artwork online.              

Margaret is an experienced artist and works with a variety of media.  Margaret’s love of painting was first fostered by the compliments and encouragement of her high school art teacher. A difficult childhood had left her feeling worthless and those kind words were the kernel of self worth that grew over the years. Her painting not only gave her life meaning but she found that it quieted and centered her soul.  Her after high school art studies were sporadic and diverse and included time at the American Academy of Art, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Park District Field Houses, the Hyde Park Art Center and finally private classes with Rebecca George who owns The Art House and has a master’s degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.  

While her studio is currently the second floor of her home in Chattanooga, TN, her art marketing is done mostly on a laptop on her screen porch where she can listen to the splashing of her small waterfall, the sweet song birds and watch her garden grow. Her son is currently living with her, much to her delight, as well as a large tabby cat named Walter, three goldfish that keep outgrowing their home and a blue and red betta fish named Finny-gyn who shares space with a large gathering of snails. Margaret has 3 children, 6 step-children, and eleven grandchildren.                

As a result of her hard work and perseverance, Margaret has exhibited in many shows in Chicago and suburbs and the Chattanooga, Tennessee area.  She is able to primarily sell her artwork on the internet and has sold her artwork both nationally and internationally. In her quest to show and sell her artwork online, she found FASO, the company that she will speak about that not only offers templates for professional looking websites specifically for artists but they also have a marketing program that works.  

She is excited to introduce Dave Geada, who is the CMO of BoldBrush and FASO.  In his almost decade with FASO, he has spoken with thousands of visual artists.  He has helped many of them grow their art sales by developing and applying the best practices that he developed from working with these artists.  He has turned all this know-how into a proven and personalized step-by-step guide to art marketing called The Art Marketing Playbook Formula. It teaches you what you need to do to grow your art sales yourself in as little time as possible based on you and where you are in your art career. He has also developed a complementary program called The Art Marketing Playbook Program that teaches artists the best way to put each step in their roadmap into action so they get results faster.  For more information on Margaret and Dave visit www.margaretpark.net, www.faso.com, www.boldbrush.com

WED., October 13, 2021, 7:00 PM VIA ZOOM

Oil Painting Demonstration-Making Use of Color and Light presented by Mary Dorrell

Note: For photo reference and other resources for this demonstration, visit Oil Demo 10-13-21 page.

CLICK  THE BELOW LINK TO View the RECORDING OF THE MEETING:  

https://youtu.be/iT2uIdyVvtw
    On October 13, 2021, in partnership with the Homer Township Public Library, the Lemont Artists Guild presents, via Zoom, Artist Mary Dorrell, who will give an oil painting demonstration making use of color and light.  Are you always wondering what to do with warm and cool colors?   Mary will help you to stop struggling with color schemes and learn to generate harmony that elevates the quality of your paintings.  Mary will review oil painting materials, choice of composition, and the basics of the color wheel, emphasizing color temperature. She will present a small still-life demonstration, stressing the use of cool and warm color.     Mary’s education and experience includes The Art House, Chicago, IL and Petrified Forest National Park (both Artist in Residence), School of the Art Institute of Chicago (Certificate in Painting), The Art House, (Certificate in Fine Arts), North Central College, Naperville, IL (Master of Arts), National-Louis University, Evanston, IL (Bachelor of Arts), Triton College, River Grove, IL (Associate of Arts), Art Instruction Schools, Minneapolis, MN (Certificate in Art and Certificate in Commercial Art).  She is a member of The Art House, Chicago, Oil Painters of America, and DuPage Art League and has shown in many exhibits over the years.      As an artist, Mary is dedicated to challenging herself. She paints and creates daily and is partial to using thick, juicy paint. She works with bright colors and strong contrast. She seeks to make her subjects recognizable but relaxed and suggestive, making the paintings more than a copied image. Of course, there is line, value, shape, and composition, but she has found that after all that, when she focuses on simply painting in the moment, she is most authentic.       Threads of adventure travel, as well as friends and family runs through her work to speak to our shared experiences in life and in nature. When you become engaged in an aspect of what she found to be so spectacular about the setting or the experience then she says: ‘"we are in communion." Yet, capturing a feeling is elusive and her ongoing quest remains; to have the paintings communicate the feelings and reflect the moment so that you the viewer have an opportunity to engage and tap into your own responses.  To find out more about Mary, visit her website at www.marydorrell.com.  

WED., SEPTEMBER 8, 2021, 7:00 PM VIA ZOOM (ends before 9 pm) 

Art Journal Making presented by Kristin Peterson

CLICK  THE BELOW LINK TO View the RECORDING OF THE MEETING: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdG20SBax9c

 On September 8, 2021, the Homer Township Public Library and the Lemont Artists Guild present Artist Kristin Peterson, who will give a presentation on Art Journal Making.  Kristin is a third generation artist, originally from South Dakota.  She is always exploring and expanding the creative depths of journal making.  She is passionate about vintage collage and mixed media.  Kristin loves color and things that have a love-worn comfortable feeling.  Her journals contain a vibrance mixed with a little funk, and sprinkled with sensibility.   Kristin Peterson grew up in a creative home and had the privilege of doing anything that was artistic. Painting, clay, sewing.... When she was younger, the thought of being a professional artist had the stigma of a "starving artist" and so she took a "safer" route and has a medical background working in a hospital setting for almost 30 years.   She remained interested in anything creative and fell in love with scrapbooking and card making, which sparked the artsy interest again for her. Once she moved to Minnesota in May of 2000, and was closer to her mom and gramma, she started attending week-long painting classes with the two of them. Her art career has simply grown from there. She continues to try and take one class a year from a skilled artist to push her own knowledge, skill level, and comfort zone. She has used art journaling as a way to hone her artistic skills and to practice using and mixing products to see how things react together before moving to canvas or paper. She has been teaching mostly in-person classes for about 8 years; until this last year when she was pushed to learn the online format and tackle technology. Without this change, she would still be avoiding pulling together online classes, but having this option has been well received and has allowed people that wouldn't otherwise be able to attend an in-person class to have some choices. Visit her website at www.alteredstatesstudio.com.  PHOTO TECHNIQUES FOR MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY, DEPTH OF FIELD, AND SOFT FOCUS PHOTOGRAPHY  PRESENTED BY LAURIE PITONWED., MAY 12, 2021, 7:00 PM (will end before 9 pm) CLICK  THE BELOW LINK TO View the RECORDING OF THE MEETING:https://youtu.be/kD811YI15OQ
         On May 12, 2021, the Homer Township Public Library and the Lemont Artists Guild present  Photographer and Instructor, Laurie Piton who will give an open discussion/lecture on Macro Photography, Depth of Field and Soft Focus Photography.  In discussion of Macro Photography, she will discuss the different types of macro lenses and macro filters on the market, focusing for macro, and lens opening techniques. In discussion of Depth of Field, she will discuss what depth of field is, how to control it, how to expand it, and how to use it creatively.  In discussion of Soft Focus Photography, she will discuss image editing techniques and filters on the market.  You will have the opportunity to ask questions while discussing these topics.  This is a great opportunity to learn about some very useful, creative, and fun photo techniques from an experienced photographer!           Laurie’s photography instruction, called Creative Imagery, Inc., since 1991, has been offering photography programs to students in a friendly, casual atmosphere. Her classes have equal part instruction and hands-on experience utilizing her experience of on-location assignments to aid students in real life photographic situations. Her courses include: Digital Photography, Digital Photography and Using the Computer, Advanced Digital SLR Photography, and Composition. Visit her website at http://photog-class.com/ to find out more about her classes and find her on Facebook under her name, Laurie Piton.

WED. APRIL 14, 2021, 7 PM TO 8:30 PM

AUTHENTICITY AND BEYOND: FORENSIC ART ANALYSIS WITH JOSEPH BARABE
          On April 14, 2021, the Homer Township Public Library and the Lemont Artists Guild present Research Microscopist Joseph Barabe who will discuss the ongoing question in the art and historical world of “It looks convincing, but is it?” which is often asked when artworks, ancient documents, and other historical objects are offered for sale or put on display.  Joseph will explain how science can offer many ways to identify fraudulent works such as specialized imaging, microscopical observation and analysis, and other high-tech methods will be described, along with numerous interesting case studies of both non-authentic works and several that strongly suggest authenticity. He will also talk about a project he worked on for the FBI, suggested forgeries of folk artist Clementine Hunter, and an Alfred Sisley (who was a French Painter) case, with a number of factors suggesting authenticity.  Hope you can register and attend this program to find out more about this interesting topic that intersects with the world of art and history!                                                           

Joseph Barabe is a Research Microscopist at Barabe & Associates LLC in Oak Park, IL.  He retired seven years ago from McCrone Associates Inc. in Westmont, IL, a microscopy and microanalytical consulting firm, where he served for 24 years as Director of Scientific Imaging and Senior Research Microscopist.  His more well-known projects include the photomicrography (photography of objects under a microscope) of the Zapruder film of the JFK assassination, the analysis of the ink on the Gospel of Judas for National Geographic, the Clementine Hunter forgery case for the FBI, the Archaic Mark forgery for the University of Chicago, and the mysterious Voynich Manuscript analysis for Yale’s Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library.  He will leave time also for follow up questions and discussion.  You can find out more about Joseph at www.JBarabe.Academia.edu and www.JoeBarabePhotography.com. 

WED. MAR. 10, 2021, 7 PM TO 8:30 PM

FLOWER PASTEL DEMONSTRATION WITH WATERCOLOUR UNDERPAINTING
         On March 10, 2021, the Homer Township Public Library and the Lemont Artists Guild present artist, Kathleen Newman, who will provide a flower painting demonstration by starting with a watercolor underpainting which will then be followed by layers of pastel.  She will discuss the use and planning of the artwork by creating a black and white sketch (notan) beforehand.  She says that she loves drawing and pastel provides the “tactile” experience of drawing and mixing color on the paper right before one’s own eyes.  It is a very intuitive way to work as one responds to the painting and the painting responds back to the artist.  A set of pastels is like a visual candy store of color and all one has to do is pick up a stick and try it out.  Patience to let the pastel build slowly for layering effects is important in the way she works.  She also works in other mediums and says that each medium has specific methods that need to be mastered.  For pastels, it is important to develop the “touch” and the pressure sensitivity to glaze, layer, and the decision of when and when not to use bold strokes.                    

After studying at the American Academy of Art, Kathleen began an illustration and design business, Queen of Arts Studios, Inc.  After the arrival of her children, she put aside the illustration work and began painting full time.  She creates artwork inspired by her love of the outdoors and the many moods of light and shadow that occur across the landscape and in particular, over water.  She has been awarded the Master’s Circle Gold Medal by the International Association of Pastel Societies (https://www.iapspastel.org/) and also signature letters in the Pastel Society of America, the American Impressionist Society, Chicago Pastel Painters and the American Transparent Watercolor Society.   Kathleen teaches weekly in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood and workshops across the country. She also recently began teaching online.  You can see her works and learn more about her at www.kathleennewman.com.  

WED. FEB. 10, 2021-7:00-8:30 PM

FREE-HAND TEXTURED PAINT DEMONSTRATION with  BALA THIAGARAJAN
   On Feb. 10, 2021, the Homer Township Public Library and the Lemont Artists Guild present artist, Bala Thiagarajan.  Bala will demonstrate how she paints her free-hand textured acrylic paintings and her incorporation of Indian folk art forms.  She has been painting in the style of henna body art by piping acrylic paint using piping bags and squeeze bottles for more than 10 years.  More recently, she has been working on Gond paintings - a form of tribal folk art from India that she does with her textured painting technique. These paintings are done with precise patterns that are repeated consistently to create signature motifs influenced by nature & culture. Her demonstration will include how she brings her own style to these paintings.                  

Bala is a self-taught artist with a PhD in Biology.  After spending 10 years in academia, she started her art career and has now sold more than 700 original paintings to collectors in the past 9 years. She participates in 20 or so juried art fairs in the United States every year and has won awards for her work both at juried shows and local art guilds, including the Elmhurst Artists Guild.  She is excited for new inspiration in her new home, now living in Texas.  You can see her works and learn more about her at www.artbybala.com. 

WED. JAN. 13, 2021-7:00-8:30 PM

"SHOW AND TELL" 

On January 13, 2021, the Homer Township Public Library and the Lemont Artists Guild (LAG) present via ZOOM, "Show and Tell.”  All attendees at this meeting will have an opportunity to share their artwork or talk about the type of artwork or craft they do and discuss it with the group.  This is a great opportunity to get some constructive suggestions or just show and talk about what you are currently working on or about your plans for the future. This is the LAG program topic every January and it is always an insightful and popular one.  It can also help you get to know your fellow LAG Members and Guests!  You do not have to be a Lemont Artists Guild member to be a part of this, we welcome anyone whether you are a 2D or 3D artist, photographer, performing artist, writer, poet, or art appreciator, etc.  If you are not comfortable speaking, you can also just join in and watch to see what others are up to in their art worlds.  This meeting is always a great kick-off to be inspired to achieve your goals and aspirations in the New Year!  Hope you can join us in 2021!   

WED. DEC. 9, 2020-7:00-8:30 PM 

ACRYLIC WINTER SCENE PAINTING TIPS AND TRICKS WITH LIZ CONNELLY
Click here for link to handout page and finished piece!
Homer Township Public Library and the Lemont Artists Guild present “Acrylic Winter Scene Painting Tips and Tricks” with artist and president of the Lemont Artists Guild, Liz Connelly.  Liz will give an overview of acrylic painting and demonstrate tips and tricks to painting a winter landscape.  Liz will give references during her demonstration including the types of brushes and paints she uses.  Have fun watching and learning about painting with acrylic paints!    You must register at the link above to participate.In her personal art, Liz feels that artwork can convey feelings and emotions that words can't always convey.   When she is creating, she doesn’t always start with a specific idea, instead, starts the work and looks at it to "hear" what it is saying to her.   She likes to create imagery that is symbolic and expressive of life experiences.  Besides being president of the Lemont Artists Guild since 2011, she is also the secretary of the Alliance of Fine Art, (www.allianceoffineart.org) and a member of an online group called Art Next Level (www.ArtNxtLevel.com). She studied Illustration and received a Bachelors in Fine Art from Northern Illinois University in 1998 and a Masters in Painting n 2004 from Governors State University.   Her website is www.lizartspace.com. 

WED. NOV. 11, 20207:00-8:30 PM 

WATERCOLOR POSTCARD Q&A WITH LYNNE BAUR, DRAGONFLY SPIRIT STUDIO 

DESCRIPTION: The Homer Township Public Library and the Lemont Artists Guild present artist Lynne Baur (Dragonfly Spirit Studio). Lynne will talk about the creation of her YouTube “Postcard Paint-Along” videos and give us a look into her life as an artist living on the Oregon coast and (until Covid-19) traveling around the country working and living in a camper van. She will reserve time in her presentation to take your questions about the postcard videos and life as an artist on the Oregon coast and on the road.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A "PAINT-ALONG", BUT WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO TRY OUT ONE OF HER VIDEOS BEFOREHAND.  NOT A REQUIREMENT THOUGH, YOU CAN JUST WATCH THE PROGRAM AND LEARN ABOUT LYNNE AND HER LIFE AS AN ARTIST AND ABOUT HER VIDEOS.
Lynne “believes each of us has the soul of an artist. The creative spirit emerges in different ways at different times in our lives, and some of us are lucky enough to be called upon to express that spirit in visual art.”
Before the Zoom Meeting: We SUGGEST that you might want to watch—or even try!—one of her postcard videos before the presentation (not a requirement, you can also just watch the program). Lynne will answer questions about the postcard projects you’ve tried (or plan to try) as time permits. This Zoom presentation will be interactive. You may ask a question at any time, but we ask you to mute your microphone the rest of the time. You can turn off your video if you do not want to be seen at all.
Note: If you want to show Lynne something during the presentation that you have a question about, it works much better if you snap a quick photo and email it to Lynne before asking your question. Lynne will explain more about this (and give the email address to use), but we wanted to let you know you might want your phone or camera handy. (You can also hold your picture up to your webcam if that is your only option, but it’s often difficult to see much detail that way.)Here are some suggested postcard videos to try (not a requirement, you can also just watch the program):

• Backlit Clouds Variations: https://youtu.be/ZLbKOHbYO9o
• Sunrise Joy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54Nx8gKgZ7g
• Crazy Colorful Pears: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwOZH07NYhc
• Full Moon Above the Forest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg6lud8TJbI&t=240s
• Sunset Variations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZFpFm-MA4k
• Or, you can also find the all her postcard video paint-alongs in one place by going to:https://www.dragonflyspiritstudio.com/learn/postcard-paintalongs/

Suggested Basic List of Materials (NOT supplied) IF YOU DECIDE TO create a postcard (but each video is unique, so if you are creating a postcard ahead of time, double-check the video first to see if you need anything else):

• 4 x 6 inch watercolor paper or cardstock or heavy paper (several pieces cut this size), 
• Practice/scratch paper 
• Watercolors-use ones from art store or can even use the kids watercolor palettes you see at stores if you just are starting out, 
• Cup of water 
• Brushes
• Masking tape
• Spray Bottle 
• Some type of Board to tape paper onto (could be cardboard) that is larger than the paper you are using.
• Miscellaneous items such as a coin (check video to see any other things you may need)

WED. OCT. 14, 2020-7 PM TO 8:30 PM

PEN AND INK DEMONSTRATION PRESENTED BY DAN LAIB

CLICK HERE TO SEE SOME OF THE DRAWINGS THAT WERE CREATED DURING THIS PROGRAM!

Dan Laib will be presenting a pen and ink demonstration that makes use of a fine point Sharpie marker and will show how to draw with the pen, techniques for shading, and giving texture with the pen.  It's a lot of fun and it's amazing what incredible artwork you can come up with just ink and paper!  The ink drawing can be colored with watercolor, marker, digitally, or just left the way it is.  Join the presentation and be prepared to draw along!  All you will need is a fine point marker, regular permanent marker, or even a ball point pen and something to draw on, card stock or even regular copy paper will do.  To see some of Dan’s artwork, check out his website: www.DanGogh.art or go to his YouTube page:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJkp6WLcyc1gHUai-kd2fmg

Biography of Dan Laib:Dan Laib got his start as an artist drawing Sesame Street characters with his crayons at the age of 5.  He loved to draw and create things all throughout his childhood.  Dan studied painting at Joliet Junior College and Governors State University.  Dan started selling his paintings on canvas and wood at city festivals, and before long he was selling caricatures too.  Soon Dan was being hired to draw caricatures for families and businesses all over Chicagoland.  Dan has entertained at the United Center, Soldier Field, and Navy Pier.  In recent years Dan has tapped into his passion for teaching art and has led workshops and school assemblies in libraries and schools all over Chicagoland.  Dan is currently working toward writing and illustrating his own children’s books.  He loves to create art that is beautiful, enchanting, and humorous. His favorite mediums to work with are acrylic paints, watercolors, and colored pencils.  He currently lives in Joliet, Illinois with his beautiful wife and two small children who like to create abstract artwork all over the house!

WED. SEPT. 9, 2020-7 PM 

So you think you know Color Theory? presented by Betty Burian Kirk

Recording Link: https://youtu.be/Uar5He_gBBY

Colors can be more than warm or cool. How to obtain the correct color is part practice and part theory. Color theory history and terminology will be explored and you will see how to use it in your art or how you already use it but can now explain why. Betty studied art at Northern Illinois University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. She taught 13 years as an elementary school art teacher and three semesters as a college weaving instructor. She now teaches at regional and national fiber conferences and sells her handmade wearable fiber art at art shows in Illinois.  Her website is www.bbkirk.com and she is a long time member and the Publicity/Newsletter Editor for the Lemont Artists Guild.  

January 15, 2020

ANNUAL SHOW AND TELL

All attendees at this meeting will have an opportunity to bring their artwork and discuss it with the group. This is a great opportunity to get some constructive suggestions or just show and talk about what you are currently working on or about your plans for the future. This is always an insightful and popular meeting to attend that will help you get to know your fellow LAG Members and Guests! 

February 19, 2020

GLASS MOSAICS

Deana "Dee" Everson will demonstrate and discuss glass cutting techniques and tools, glues and mortar, grouting, substrates, mosaic applications and how she does her 3D glass mosaic artwork. Dee’s mosaics evolve out of her love and passion to experiment with a variety of textures, colors and sizes. She currently resides in Orland Park, IL and holds a degree in Graphic Design from the American Academy of Art (Chicago) and studied at the Chicago School of Mosaics. The beauty of the glass along with its different textures, transparent qualities and intense colors that are released when light pours through the glass excites Dee as she sees her mosaics come alive with beauty. Dee is also an art instructor for children and adults and explores all kinds of mediums, but is most enamored by colored glass.

Visit her website at www.artclassesbydee.com

CANCELLED: March 25, 2020* (4th Wednesday)-CANCELLED

DISCOVERING ART FRAUD WITH MICROSCOPY

Joseph Barabe will discuss the compelling and intriguing topic of identifying art fraud and forgery with the use of the microscope. He gained his experience in this topic as a Senior Research Microscopist and Director of Scientific Imaging for 24 years at McCrone Associates, Inc. (Westmont, IL). While working there, he mentored under the tutelage of Dr. Walter C. McCrone where he learned the special skills necessary to examine and analyze the materials constituting historical and contemporary works of art, historical objects, and documents. His analytical duties included the analysis of art objects such as paintings and prints, ancient documents and historical and archeological artifacts using a variety of analytical tools including polarized light microscopy, SEM with x-ray spectrometry, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and other analytical methods as appropriate. He has performed forensic document examinations including forged and altered documents; paper, ink and toner comparisons, writing sequence determinations, and printing process identification. His scientific imaging specialties include photomacrography, photomicrography and invisible radiation photography. His famous projects include: analysis of the ink on the Gospel of Judas, the Archaic Mark forgery, the Voynich Manuscript analysis and the Zapruder film imaging project. Prior to joining McCrone, Joe was senior scientific photographer at the University of Chicago. He currently continues his work in this interesting field of art fraud as a Director and Senior Research Microscopist at Barabe & Associates LLC. 

Visit his profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-barabe-17130415

CANCELLED: April 15, 2020-CANCELLED

FIGURE DRAWING

Ellen Rottsolk (back by popular demand!) will spend the evening exploring the relationships DaVinci and other artists used to draw the human figure. Please bring paper that is 81/2”x 11”or larger, pencils and an eraser to be able to follow Ellen as she demonstrates figure drawing techniques. Ellen received both a Bachelor of Science in Art Education and a Master of Arts from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. She has taught art at the high school and junior college levels and also has taught numerous classes for DuPage Art League including beginning & advanced drawing, perspective, portraits and pastel painting. She is a winner of numerous awards and has exhibited in shows throughout the area.

CANCELLED: May 20, 2020-CANCELLED

ART JOURNALING

April Schabeswill demonstrate how Art Journaling gives importance to the wonderful little moments in life that would pass us by if we did not take the time to mark them down. She will show us that just by jotting a few words, sketches, collage or doodles on the pages of your journal, you will give importance to these little moments in life. Our lives have become so busy that days and weeks go by and we don’t even know what happened along the way. Art journaling is a fun and creative way to record and cherish these moments. In looking back, these moments may actually be big moments that sparked creativity and peace in our own being. Such a simple thing, an art journal, to guide and record our creative journey! April resides in Orland Park, IL and currently teaches Creative Art Journaling at The Center in Palos Park, IL.

 Fall 2019 Past Programs

August 2019

*Lemont Artists Guild End of Summer Social-THIS EVENT IS NOT AT THE LIBRARY

When: Wed. Aug. 28, 2019

Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

WHERE:  Lemont Center for the Arts  (https://lemontcenterforthearts.wordpress.com/)

1243 State St., Suite 101

Lemont, Illinois 60439

Bring a Friend too!! Light refreshments will be served.  Just a gathering to share with each other, talk about our summers, about ourselves, and what will be happening with LAG for 2019-20!   We will also get the chance to view the current exhibition there, which is an exhibit of the late William Uznanski’s Photography.  (Note: There will be more details announced on the reception for this exhibit, that will take place on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019)

THE REST OF THE FOLLOWING TAKE PLACE AT THE HOMER TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY:

September 18, 2019

PAINTING WATERCOLOR EFFECTS WITH ACRYLICS

David R. Becker will focus on demonstrating watercolor effects using acrylic paint instead of watercolor paint. His expertise will guide you to new heights with acrylic paint that you may not have known was possible. David is a signature member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, an illustrator, and an art instructor. He has won many awards in watercolor societies throughout the country. He also has written two books, “Watercolor Composition Made Easy,” and “How to Sketch with Watercolor.” His personal goal is to teach as many people to draw and paint as possible through his workshops, art gallery and weekly newsletters. He studied at the American Academy of Art in Chicago and worked at two major advertising agencies in Chicago as an illustrator. He is also an art instructor and now he teaches all over the country. He is particularily recognized for his watercolor scenes of his beloved city, Chicago. He is now focusing on his newly formed business BeckerArtLLC. Visit his website at www.beckerart.net

October 16, 2019

ALCOHOL INKS

Deborah Spertus will demonstrate working with the fascinating medium of alcohol inks. She will have alcohol ink and small pieces of paper for participants to experiment with and try out the medium. She is an accomplished abstract surrealist artist and has her BFA in Art History, an MA in French and did an internship at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.She has studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, Lill Street Gallery, the Evanston Art Center and also learned from working with artists in their studios. She had a ten-year career as a muralist and decorative artist where she needed to learn multiple styles, techniques and materials. She likes "creating pieces that have enough complexity and interest that the viewer continues to discover something new about them over time." 

Visit her website at www.spertusstudios.com

November 20, 2019

FLOWER COLLAGE USING WATERCOLOR EFFECTS 

Elizabeth Waddington will have you thinking “outside the box” as she demonstrates Brusho crystal color pigments and art tissue. She will have a lot of examples that show the progression of this amazing collage process using watercolor effects. She lives, gardens, and paints in McHenry, IL where her garden "never fails to amaze her with surprises like a hidden blossom, a posed praying mantis or a plant thought dead comes back to life." She is very dedicated to the naturalness of her subject matter, as she has grown every flower she has painted and admires everything about them including their shape, luminescence and color in which she hopes she captures their soft aura and sprightly compositions. She majored in art at the University of Illinois, and has worked at Crate and Barrel doing store design and window displays for ten years. She exhibits her artwork at many art and garden fairs and festivals throughout the summer.

Visit her website at ewaddington1.wixsite.com/lizpaints

Winter/Spring 2019 Past Programs

January 16, 2019

ANNUAL SHOW AND TELL

All attendees at this meeting will have an opportunity to bring their artwork and discuss it with the group. This is a great opportunity to get some constructive suggestions or just show and talk about what you are currently working on or about your plans for the future. This is always an insightful and popular meeting to attend that will help you get to know your fellow LAG Members and Guests! 

February 13, 2019* (2nd Wednesday)

CARICATURES

Dan Laib got his start as an artist drawing Sesame Street characters with his crayons at the age of five years old. He always loved to draw and create and started selling his paintings on canvas and wood at city festivals and before long, he was selling caricatures too. He has entertained with his caricature art at major venues in Chicago, IL and in recent years has tapped into his passion for teaching art and workshops in libraries and schools all over Chicagoland. He will demonstrate how he does his caricature portraits. He will give a short review of facial proportions and talk about where he gets his inspiration and how he exaggerates facial features. His website is www.danlaib.com

March 20, 2019

PAPER FILAGREE, QUILLING

Betty Burian Kirk started her art endeavors as a weaver, but her knowledge and skills have grown to encompass spinning, felting, kumi himo, tassel making, marbling, quilling, and the areas of color theory and design. She is an Illinois Artisan and exhibits her work at art shows throughout the area. She will do an interactive program on Quilling which is an art form that involves the use of narrow strips of paper that are coiled, shaped, and glued together to create decorative designs and images. Participants may purchase a kit for $3 which includes a tool to make a card with a snowflake design, strips and envelope. Her website is www.bbkirk.com

April 17, 2019

DISCOVER WATERCOLOR, BOLD, LOOSE AND FUN

Dan Danielson’s fascination with watercolor began at the American Academy of Art, studying under well renown, Irving Shapiro. After an exciting creative director career in advertising, Dan began painting full-time and teaching. For this program, he will demonstrate his watercolor techniques. In 2018 he won a spot in the prestigious National Transparent Watercolor Show in with his watercolor of a hippopotamus. Currently, Dan teaches at the DuPage Art League and other regional groups. He is a member of the DuPage Art League and the Illinois Watercolor Society. His website is www.dandanielson.com

May 15, 2019

PHOTOGRAPHY-LIGHT TECHNIQUES AND DIGITAL EDITING 

Mike Bessler's passion is to create enhanced photographs on canvas that will capture the awe of nature. He does photography workshops at Starved Rock State Park near Utica, IL and exhibits at the Plainfield Art League Gallery and Naperville Art League Gallery (IL). His works have been sold nationwide to private and corporate customers. His program will be an introduction to what is available from the online ADOBE ® photograph editing programs. This includes ADOBE ® Lightroom on laptop and mobile phone demonstrating basic uses, cataloguing, editing, and free vs. paid features. He also will touch on basic editing in ADOBE ® Photoshop. One of his other favorite topics to be discussed will be composition including the law of thirds, filling the frame, a moving subject, depth of field, flash fill and whatever else he has time to go over. His website is http://www.besphoto.com/

Fall 2018 Past Programs

September 19, 2018

PLEIN AIR LANDSCAPES

Tom Henrichsen believes that working from life teaches an artist how to see and in this belief, plein air painting is critical to his development as an artist. He has a background in the study of fine art and a career as a musician and teacher. In 2005, he devoted himself full time to painting and he displays and sells his work at fine art fairs throughout the Midwest. He is a member of Oil Painters of America. He is represented by The Brigantine Gallery in Downers Grove, IL and Eurekan Art Studio in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He will talk about the use of a secondary limited palette when painting outdoors. When indoors, he uses a full palette and bases his watercolor and oil paintings on his plein air watercolor sketches. His website is http://tomhenrichsen.com/

October 17, 2018

WOODBLOCK RELIEF PRINTMAKING

Ben Calvert, a winner in the 2018 Alliance of Fine Art’s Annual Best of the Best Exhibit, will demonstrate woodblock relief printmaking. He started wood block printing by taking an independent study course at Knox College and his first print, “Invasions” was published in Catch, Knox’s literary magazine. This medium became a sustaining passion for him. He has a strong feeling for nature and the wood compliments his images. He also uses linoleum blocks and prints on Japanese Kozuki paper using oil based inks. He has exhibited his works in solo, juried, and group exhibitions and is an instructor at the Elmhurst Art Museum (IL). He will go over techniques used while carving on a wood block. He will also cover registration in multiple color works. His website is www.benjamincalvert.com

November 14, 2018* (2nd Wednesday)

GRID PORTRAITS

Samantha DeCarlo is a Chicago-born artist and paints in a wide variety of styles and uses many mediums. Her art focuses on the art of story-telling, creating environments not seen in the real world. She is captivated by science fiction and fantastical novels, in which her work reflects all inner thoughts of transportation to somewhere a little more spectacular. She will show us how she does her popular portraits using a grid with creativity. She will discuss grout, gels, modeling gel, found objects and tissue paper among other media. Including creating art, she also is an art instructor, a muralist, a graphic designer and illustrator. Her website is www.samanthadecarlo.com

December, 2018

LAG Holiday Party, Location and Details TBA (no meeting at the library)