April's Meeting and more

 

Dear MCS Members,

Hope you are all doing well and enjoying the longer daylight hours.  It's nice to be able to go for a walk after dinner.

A big Thank You to April Schabes for sharing her amazing journaling techniques with us.  So nice to see how we can incorporate them in our collages.

Laura Lein Svencner will be presenting at our April 7th meeting.  This should be a very informative meeting.  Details are in the Meetings section.

Be sure to check out the MCS Exhibit, Chromatic Alchemy, at the Downers Grove Library.  The Artists reception will be held on April 12 from 6pm to 8pm.  Chris Jacobson will be looking for volunteers to bring refreshments.  Please send her an email to let her know what you will be bringing.

It's time to elect a new 24/25 MCS Board however in this case, it's the same MCS Board.  Please think about volunteering for the Board in the coming year, as many of us have held these positions for years and we need new people to represent our organization to keep it viable.  The election will be held at the April 7 meeting.

President--Nancy Castner  

Vice President--Tania Blanco   

Treasurer--Andrea Fox  

Communications--Joan Lucht    

Membership--Cherie Denton  

Exhibits-- Chris Jacobson 

Creative Retreat--Margi Hafer  

Education--Nancy Swingle 

Take care,

Nancy Castner

MEMBERSHIP

2024-25 membership renewals are due April 1st. Mail them to Cherie or bring them to the April meeting. The membership form is attached.

Cherie Denton
1789 35th Street, Apt 6313
Oak Brook, IL 60523

MEETINGS 

April 7 - 12:00-2:30 -  Laura Lein-Svencner will present a demonstration on Image transfers, sharing three different techniques:

Clear packing tape for art journaling ,wet to dry acrylic medium with laser copies and the tack iron method with gloss medium. Samples will be available to see how they can be used for your mixed media and collage art. A few samples will be able to be tested out by everyone who would like to try.  Please bring:

• a pair of scissors 
• medium size brush for use with acrylic mediums
• table covering like newspaper or dollar store plastic table cloth
• 1 large water container
Other supplies will be provided

May 5 - 12:00-2:30 - Sandy Bacon from Golden will present a demo of their wonderful products. She will emphasize using modifiers and mediums geared to collage, also acrylic paints and color, and modern vs. mineral colors.  All participants receive a wonderful box of Golden samples in the mail.

June 2 - 12:00-2:30 - Marge Boyd - TBA

July - NO MEETING

EXHIBITS

Chromatic Alchemy at the Downers Grove Library

March 30 - May 4  

The artist reception for our show at The Downers Grove Library is on Friday, April 12th from 6 to 8 in the Café area.  If you can supply some treats for the reception, please email Chris Jacobson at achristy0901@gmail.com or text at 303-517-8165 with what you will be bringing to make sure we get a variety for things. I hope to see everyone there.

Artist Reception:  Friday,  April 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 

Pick up:  Saturday,  May 4 from 10:00 to 1:00

WORLD COLLAGE DAY

MAY 11, 2024 

FALL 2024 CREATIVE ARTISTS RETREAT

Save the date September 25-29 for our special retreat at Camp Alexander Mack.
Margi Hafer will be at the April 7th MCS meeting to answer any questions you may have regarding the upcoming September retreat. She will have information sheets and registration forms available at the meeting.
You may also download and print the attached information and Registration form from this email.

          

MEMBERS

Cherylyn Gnadt has a "feature wall' in the Elmhurst Artists' Guild Spring Members’ Show with over 50 artists represented. Cherylyn is showing some familiar favorites, new takes on recurring themes and storybook scenes about a girl.

April 15 - May 31
Reception : April 19 | 7-9pm

March and so much more

 

Dear MCS Members,

With the 60 degree weather we had last week, I was hit with a bit of Spring Fever and the awareness that Spring isn't too far away.  Of course the snow and temps in the 20s two days later was a definite realization that Winter is here for a bit longer.  A good time to stay in and let your creative juices flow.

Congratulations to Joan Lucht for your Honorable Mention Award at the Best of the Best show.  It really was an amazing exhibit of  talented artists.

Hope you all have had the opportunity to get to the Woodridge Library for our delightful exhibit. February 29th is the date for picking up your art from 10-1pm.

Remember, the Downers Grove Exhibit "Chromatic Alchemy" March 30-May 4, requires the Perspective be sent to Chris Jacobson by Mid-March.

We still have two positions to fill on the Board beginning in April.  Please help continue our organization by volunteering your services.

Take care,

Nancy Castner

MEETINGS 

March 3 - 11:30-2:30 - April Schabes will show us her wonderful art journaling with some instruction on incorporating lettering in collage.  Please bring a fine-point Sharpie or Micron pen, small scissors and glue stick.

April 7 - 11:30-2:30 -  Laura Lein-Svencner will present a demonstration on Image transfers. Sharing three different techniques:

Clear packing tape for art journaling ,wet to dry acrylic medium with laser copies and the tack iron method with gloss medium. Samples will be available to see how they can be used for your mixed media and collage art. A few samples will be able to be tested out by everyone who would like to try.  Supplies will be provided.

May 5 - 11:30-2:30 - Sandy Bacon from Golden will present a demo of their wonderful products.  She will emphasize using modifiers and mediums geared to collage, also acrylic paints and color, and modern vs. mineral colors.  All participants receive a wonderful box of Golden samples in the mail.

EXHIBITS

Connections at the Woodridge Library

Pickup! - This Thursday, February 29 from 10am to 1pm.

Chromatic Alchemy at the Downers Grove Library

March 30 - May 4 

Don’t forget about our show in April at the Downers Grove Library. 

Drop off: Saturday,  March23 from 10:00 to 1:00
Pick up:  Saturday,  May 4 from 10:00 to 1:00
Artist Reception:  Friday,  April 12 from 6:00 to 8:00

Prospectus attached.  We will also have a little space in the display case for 3D pieces. If you made a log book at camp we can display those as well.  

Prospectus is due to Chris by March 20.

 FALL 2024 CREATIVE ARTISTS RETREAT

Save the date September 25-29 for our special retreat at Camp Alexander Mack.
Camp information and registration form is attached to this March newsletter. All 2023 Creative Artists Camp participants will receive an email as well. Facilities will basically be the same as last year and the elevator is now in working order too!
Anyone who may be interested in giving a demonstration or workshop during the retreat please email Margi at: margihafer@yahoo.com or call her at 815-370-3345. Workshop presenters will receive reimbursement for their supplies.
Why go to a Creative Artist Retreat? This is a unique opportunity for visual artists, writers, musicians to be together and share their passion for the arts and enjoy the atmosphere of Camp Alexander Mack. Learn new techniques from fellow artists, share ideas and supplies, experiment, and dedicate five days to your creative endeavors. You do not have to be a MCS member, or a collage artist, to register for this retreat. All artists are welcome.
Check out the attachment and the "Early Bird" Registration date

MEMBERS

Laura Lein-Svencner has classes starting soon:  
Micro Minis Nature Collage a six week class 9:30-12 noon on Tuesday mornings at Mayslake Peabody Estate, in Oak Brook. Art space is on the ground floor and just roll right in with your supplies for this class.  Looking forward to seeing you there.

 Art Journaling class on Monday afternoons, starts March 4th, at 1:00 to 3:30, 6 weeks at Darien Park District, on Fairview Ave.  easy to get to and on the first floor too.

Februarys MCS Newsletter-Meetings and Beyond

 

Dear MCS Members,

We survived the below zero weather and with luck that will be the end of it for the season.  I have to admit that since I was not tempted to go outdoors at all, I spent uninterrupted time making art.  That made my spirits soar, so all in all, that was a joyous, productive time.  Our meeting on February 4th is a Work Day from 9:00 to 2:30 pm.  Bring a project to work on and share the camaraderie of fellow artists.  

February 4th is also the reception for the Alliance of Fine Arts final Best of the Best show.  MCS has five artists represented in the show, Chris Jacobson, Laura Lein-Svencner, Joan Lucht, Nancy Swingle and Nancy Castner.  We could create a caravan to attend the reception leaving from our MCS meeting on Sunday. Just a thought.   If you can't make the reception, try to get to the DuPage Art League to view the exhibit.  There are so many amazing, diverse artists represented.    Details are below under Exhibits and the Postcard is attached.

February 10th will be the reception for the MCS Exhibit, "Connections" at the Woodridge Library. 3 Plaza Drive, Woodridge, IL  Exhibit will be held February 3-29 (It is Leap Year)  Details are below.  

At the March 3rd meeting, Laura Lein-Svencner will present a demonstration that we can use in our collages.  Details are below.

We have two positions to fill on the Board beginning in April.  Please help our organization to continue by volunteering your services.  WE NEED YOU!

Take care,

Nancy Castner

President

MEETINGS 

February 4 - 930-230  Workday Bring lunch and project to work on.

March 3 - 11:30-2:30 - April Schabes will show us her wonderful art journaling with some instruction on incorporating lettering in collage.  Please bring a fine-point Sharpie or Micron pen, small scissors and glue stick.

April 7 - 11:30-2:30 -  Laura Lein-Svencner will present a demonstration on Image transfers. Sharing three different techniques:

Clear packing tape for art journaling ,wet to dry acrylic medium with laser copies and the tack iron method with gloss medium. Samples will be available to see how they can be used for your mixed media and collage art. A few samples will be able to be tested out by everyone who would like to try.  Supplies will be provided.

May 5 - 11:30-2:30 - Sandy Bacon from Golden will present a demo of their wonderful products.  She will emphasize using modifiers and mediums geared to collage, also acrylic paints and color, and modern vs. mineral colors.  All participants receive a wonderful box of Golden samples in the mail.

EXHIBITS

Connections at the Woodridge Library

Remember our February show at the Woodridge Library at 3 Plaza Dr., Woodridge.  

The show opens February 4th and runs to the 29th.  We can still fit in a couple pieces if anyone has a last-minute entry, you can text Chris (303-517-8165) the information (Title, Size and Price) and still get it in!  

The reception will be from 2-4 on February 10. 

Food donations for the reception would be most appreciated. Just let Chris know what you plan to bring so we don’t have any duplicates.

 

Downers Grove Library

Coming up is our annual show at the Downers Grove Library in April.  If anyone has a suggestion for a title, Chris is all ears!  There is plenty of time for each of you to get at least one piece done to enter.  The last show  for the year won’t be until August when we will be showing again at the Crete Gallery and this show will be judged.

2024 Best of the Best Fine Art Exhibit
February 3 - 27, 2024
Reception: February 4, 2-4pm
DuPage Art League and Gallery
218 W. Front Street, Wheaton, IL 60187

FALL 2024 CREATIVE ARTISTS RETREAT

Save the date September 25-29 for our special retreat at Camp Alexander Mack.
Camp information and registration form will be attached to the MCS March newsletter, and past camp participants will all receive an email.
Anyone who may be interested in giving a demonstration or workshop during the retreat please email me at: margihafer@yahoo.com.

MEMBERS

Laura Lein-Svencner will be teaching  Micro Mini Nature Collage at Mayslake Peabody Estates, in Oak Brook IL starting Tuesday March 19th 9:30 am to 12 noon.  

Monday Mornings- Art/Altered books/Art Journaling/Art Healing
Second session starts March 4th Darien Park District Adult Programs

Laura also won a Honorable Mention at the Norris Gallery in St. Charles IL  in the Exhibit "At Home" for Moth in the House 24 x 24 Collage on Canvas and a Merit Award at Naperville Fine Art Center and Gallery for T

Happy New Year 2024

Dear MCS Members,

Happy New Year!  2024 offers us new opportunities to shine through our creativity.  Several venues are planned to exhibit our works of art.  

Thank you to Nancy Swingle for organizing our Holiday Party at The Patio.  It was a delightful celebration with good food, our wonderful grab bag of handmade/ purchased gifts and the opportunity to be together in a social setting.

Remember, we won't have a meeting in January.

February will be a work day from 9 am to 3pm.  Plan to bring a project to work on and if you need assistance from fellow artists to critique your work to help you proceed to complete it, bring that too.

Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!  It's always a good time to let your creative juices flow, flow, flow.

Take care,

Nancy Castner

President

MEETINGS 

Nancy Swingle is asking if anyone would like to show us a new technique or new twist on an old one.  Please let her know if you would be willing to give a demo at one of our meetings. nancyswingle@yahoo.com. Thank you.

January - NO MEETING

Feb 4th  -  All day workday

Mar 3rd -  Laura Lein-Svencner will present a demonstration on Image transfers. Sharing three different techniques: 

Clear packing tape for art journaling

Wet to dry acrylic medium with laser copies and the tack iron method with gloss medium. Samples will be available to see how they can be used for your mixed media and collage art.

Apr 7th -  April Schabes will be doing a demo on her fabulous journaling.

EXHIBITS

Connections

Woodridge Library, February 3 - 29

The space is not very large so there will be a limit of one piece per member.  The reception will be on the 10th.  I hope everyone will submit a piece and kick off the new year with renewed creative energy and show our audience how truly exceptional we are! Attached prospectus is due January 15. Please send to Chris Jacobson achristy0901@gmail.com

Or print and mail it to Chris Jacobson 717 Four Seasons Blvd., Aurora, IL 60504

MEMBERS

Laura Lein-Svencner's 2024 Class Line-up

Monday Mornings- Art/Altered books/Art Journaling/Art Healing
 Darien Park District Adult Programs

Mayslake Peabody Estate-Oak Brook IL
Class 1-Collage, Nature, Images Transfers
             Tuesday Mornings Start Jan 23rd
              9:30-12:00
Class 2 -Micro Minis Nature Collages
              Tuesday Mornings Start March 19th
               9:30-12:00
 

Friday Afternoons
Naperville Art League, Naperville IL
Call to register 630-355-2530 or Scroll down
   on the link Here  
Gallery Hours:
Tues.-Friday 10 am-5pm  |  Sat. 10 am-4 pm

Naperville Art League
Series of Classes for beginners and advanced who would like a refresh in

. Basic Design in Collage January 25-February 15

    (1:30-3:30pm), 4 Thursdays

2. Strengthen your Design in Collage, February 29-March 28 (1:30-3:30pm), 5 Thursdays

3. Collage-Paper, Tacking Down, April 4-May 9

    (1:30-3:30pm), 6 Thursdays

December Holiday Party and More~

 
Hi MCS Members,

Hope you all had a delicious Thanksgiving and now look forward to the remaining Holiday Season with great anticipation.  The Holiday Party will be held at The Patio, 7440 Kingery Hwy in Darien.  Please read the details below from Nancy Swingle regarding the specifics including the gift exchange.

Many thanks to Margi Hafer for sharing how to incorporate watercolor into our collages.  It was very enlightening and a fun experience at our November meeting.

Cherie Denton has decided to step down from the Membership Chair  effective in April 2024.  Many thanks and much appreciation to Cherie for keeping us on track over these many years. We need someone to step up and fill this position.  Please contact any Board member if you are willing to take on this role.   Contact information is at the bottom of this email.  

Wishing you all the best Holiday Season, a safe and healthy New Year with many moments of creative joy.

Take care,

Nancy Castner

President

MEETINGS 

December 3rd  Holiday Party 11:30 -3:00

at The Patio restaurant on the corner of Route 83 and Plainfield Rd. 

The earlier start time is so we can order our food first, since we experienced long lines last year. We will again have our “grab bag” gift exchange of a handmade gift of approximate $20.00 value, if you care to participate.  It’s always fun to see our beautiful creations.  

Nancy Swingle would appreciate your RSVP as soon as possible at  nancyswingle@yahoo.com, to let her know you are coming.

Hope to see you all there for a lovely afternoon.

EXHIBITS

 

Connections is the theme for the February Show in the Woodridge Library. Because the space is limited there is a limit of 1 large piece or 2 small (12”x 12” or less) pieces.  This is not a juried show so there will be no awards. Look for more details and prospectus in the January newsletter.

MEMBERS

Laura Lein-Svencner has 50% off on all her online classes on her teachable site, LonecrowStudio. You will need a Code for the 50% off, Type in PRECABINFEVER and that will take the percentage off.  
National Vision Board Day is Jan 13th if you're a Indian Prairie Public Library hold you get first dibs on registration.  Information here Vision Board Day.

November's MCS Meeting

 Dear MCS Members,

Everywhere I've been lately the fall colors have been absolutely glorious.  Hope you have been able to get out and enjoy the delights of Autumn.

This is a letter filled with Gratitude:

A huge THANK YOU to Margi Hafer for all of her efforts to make the 2023 Creative Artists Retreat a roaring success.  It was an absolutely wonderful experience allowing us to  learn new techniques, break bread (three times a day) and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow artists.  Oh yes, and spend as much time as we wanted creating.   If we could bottle the joys, we'd be selling it by the case. 

Thanks to Nancy Staszak (gelli printing) and Bonnie Jaswith (Book on a log) who shared their knowledge and provided mini workshops for us. 

Thanks to all MCS artists that participated in the judged exhibition, 'Congruent Fragments' at the Tall Grass Gallery in Park Forest.  The art was displayed beautifully and its diversity was simply amazing.  Kudos to each of you and to the winners announced later in the newsletter.  Thanks to Chris Jacobson whose great organization skills made the exhibition possible. 

IMPORTANT: We will begin the MCS meeting on November 5th at 12 noon.  Margi Hafer will be sharing how to incorporate water color painting in our collages.  This early start will allow the necessary drying time for our artwork.  During the time the artwork is drying we will hold a brief Board Meeting so hopefully all Board Members will be present.

Remember, the Holiday Party will be held on December 3rd.

Take care,

Nancy Castner

President

MEETINGS 

REMINDER:   "Daylight Savings Time"  is Sunday, November 5th. Set your clocks BACK an hour on Saturday night.

November 5th - 12:00-3:00 - Creating Mixed Media Watercolors with Collage presenter, Margi Hafer

Margi will demonstrate the process for two different ways for combining watercolor with collage.  She will supply 2 small pieces of Arches 140lb cold press watercolor paper, and 1 piece of Yupo paper. She will share an assortment of tube watercolor paints and watercolor brushes, masking fluid, tape, contact paper, fiber papers and other collage papers, stencils, and stamps ($5 supply fee)
This will be an experiment in serendipity and playfulness with mixed media.
Participants should bring:

1. Plastic table cover
2. Scissors
3. Pencil
4. Glue of choice (YES glue, PVC glue, or mat medium -  NO glue sticks) 
5. Small brush for gluing
6. White plastic plate for pallet
7. Container for water 
8. Your imagination. No reference photos are needed.

December 3rd - Holiday Party 12:00 -3:00   Information at the November meeting and in the next newsletter

EXHIBITS

Congruent Fragments

Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery

Ends November 4, 2023

Congratulations to our winners of the Congruent Fragment Show:  

!st - Joan Lucht

2nd - Nancy Swingle

3rd - Laura Lein-Svencner

Honorable Mentions - Andrea Fox, Nancy Castner, and Nancy Staszak.  

The judge commented that our show was “Professionally and technically exquisite”. 

Please remember to schedule your appointment to pick up your work with the gallery sometime between Sunday November 5, Monday, November 6, Tuesday the 7th or at the latest, Wednesday November 8th.  The gallery hours are from 10am to 3:30pm.  

We can all congratulate ourselves for showing that collage is a fine art that creates a unique and unexpected world. Thanks to all those who entered!  Chris is working on a possible show for February and hopes everyone is working on additional pieces to illustrate the many unique, and wonderful sides of collage.  We will have another judged show next summer at the Crete Gallery for entries as well.

MEMBERS

Margi Hafer has a solo exhibit at the Frankfort Village Hall through December 8th

Beth Gollan has some of her pique assiette mosaic art accepted into the 2023 McCord Gallery "Holiday Shoppe" . The open house will be on Friday November 17th, from 6-8 p.m.

McCord Gallery & Cultural Center
9602 W. Creek Rd.
Palos Park, IL 60464
M-F 10am - 4pm | Sat 11am - 4pm | Sun CLOSED
708-671-0648
www.mccordgallery.org

Laura Lein-Svencner  is offering 50% off her Online Classes on her Teachable site, Lonecrow Studio  Enter Code PRECABINFEVER to get your 50% off. Classes for beginners in collage to advanced, book arts and some fun free classes too.
On the Horizon for 2024 Laura will be teaching in person at Mayslake Peabody Estate, Darien Park District and Naperville Art League.