2025 October Newsletter

From the Office of the President

As artists, no matter how many years we’ve been painting, our growth is built on the strength of our foundation. That’s why for 2026, we’re taking a step back—back to the basics that give us the skills, confidence, and freedom to create anything we imagine.

Why revisit foundational skills? Over time, it’s easy to skip steps or develop habits that keep us from reaching our full potential. By refreshing our stroke work, floating, shading, and finishing skills, we sharpen our techniques, strengthen muscle memory, and build the precision that makes advanced projects shine. Even experienced artists benefit from returning to the fundamentals—it’s like tuning an instrument to bring out its best sound.

We’re planning a lineup of seminars focused on realistic textures and detail work. The goal is to bring in teachers who have skills that challenge even the most seasoned painters and open up a world of expressive, lifelike projects. Travel teachers are limited right now, but more opportunities will be announced as we secure instructors. Stay tuned!

Our monthly paint-ins will spotlight essential techniques with creative twists:

 Wood burning on gourds

 Refreshing stroke work and floating

 Faux finishes and texture play

 Mudding and stenciling

 And more to come!

If you’re skilled in any of these or other areas, we’d love to see you on our teaching team. Sharing knowledge not only strengthens our group but keeps our art community thriving.

2026 is shaping up to be a year of growth, learning, and rediscovery. Let’s build on our foundation together and continue creating with confidence and joy.

Bringing back the basics,

LeeAnn Washatka, President

2025 Seminars and Paint-ins

October 18th (Saturday)             – Tirzah Probasco - Rosemaling Pumpkin

November 15th (Saturday)         – Rosina Lettre - Water color pen and ink

December 13th (Saturday)         – Christmas Party - Wingers

2026 Paint-ins

January 17^th (Saturday)             – Nan – Woodburning on Gourds

If you have suggestions for projects for 2026, please let the Board know.

Chapter Dues

It's time to pay 2026 GSDP dues ($15). Checks can be made out to Golden Spike Decorative Painters and mailed to the GSDP care of Pat Reeder at 470 W 4900 S, Washington Terrace, UT 84405.

Christmas Raffles

This year at our Christmas Party we will again be having a special raffle. Scottie Foster has donated a lovely Bavarian Folk art painted tray to GSDP. Scottie's painted pieces are sought after by collectors and she has several pieces in the Smithsonian's collection of painted Christmas ornaments. In 2000 Scottie was voted one of the "10 Top Talents in 2000" by the readers of Decorative Artist's Workbook Magazine! This list of 10 all-time favorite artists "celebrates 10 of the many influential, inspiring and accomplished decorative painters in the field today." 

Tickets will be on sale from now until the drawing at the party. The cost is $1.00 per ticket. You do NOT have to be present to win.

October

Harvest Tidings by JO Sonja

Teacher:         Tirzah Probasco

Cost:                $7.50

Surface:           Pumpkin – 9”x4” or surface of your choice. 

                           If you need a surface, contact Pat (801-476-9366) 

Date:                 October 18^th 10am - 2:30pm

Palette: Jo Sonja

Tiger Lily               Red Earth

Yellow Orange      Indian Red Oxide

Yellow Oxide         Raw Sienna

Moss Green          Olive Green

Burnt Umber         Russet

Unbleached Titanium

Prep:

Sand surface, wipe clean and then basecoat with Russet mixed with sealer. Dry completely and then transfer the pattern.

The Paint-in will be held at the Westwood Village Clubhouse 1111 N. 2000 W., Farr West, UT).Take I-15 #346 and go north on 2000 W/UT-126 0.6 of mile. The Clubhouse is on the west side of the street with parking on the west side of the building.

November

Water Color Pen and Ink

Teacher:             Rosina Lettre

Cost:                    $7.50  

Surface:               Will be provided

Date:                   November 15^th 10am – 2:30pm

Supplies:

Water color paints - primary colors

Various sized bottle caps

Plastic paint palette

        (see below)

Paper towels

Brushes

Ink pen

Prep:

No Prep

The Paint-in will be held at the Westwood Village Clubhouse 1111 N. 2000 W., Farr West, UT).Take I-15 #346 and go north on 2000 W/UT-126 0.6 of mile. The Clubhouse is on the west side of the street with parking on the west side of the building.

Christmas Party

Date:        December 13^th (Saturday)

Cost: GSDP will give everyone who attends $10 in cash toward their meal, you will be responsible for the balance.

The Party will be held at the December 13^th (Saturday)at  Wingers (743 N Main Street, Clearfield, UT).

Meal Choices:

Your choice is from the menu which includes a large variety of appetizers, sandwiches, salads and full meals.

We have a lovely Bavarian Folk art tray by Scottie Foster that was donated as our Christmas drawing, as well as the 'Looser' raffle drawing and door prizes for those in attendance. This year we will again have a "White Elephant" exchange. So mark you calendars and plan on coming to enjoy good friends and good food

If you plan on attending please RSVP to LeeAnn at 801-391-3556 by November 24^th.

More Painting Opportunities – Idaho Heritage Retreat

 GSDP 's mission is to educate the community on the traditions of decorative folk art painting and to preserve these cultural legacies for future generations. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive space to connect, create and inspire one another while fostering a vibrant community.

  

2025 September Newsletter

From the Office of the President

Tips, Tricks & a Touch of Magic

Hello creative friends!

As the seasons shift and we gather our paints, brushes, and inspiration, I thought it’d be the perfect time to share a few favorite decorative painting tips and tricks to keep your art (and your workspace!) as joyful and efficient as possible:

Turn Your Brush Around- Use the handle end of your brush for perfect dots and berries. No more searching for that elusive stylus!

Baby Wipes are Your Best Friend- Great for quick clean-ups and gentle paint removal when things go off track.

Prep Like a Pro- Lightly sand between coats to keep your surface smooth and professional. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.

Mix Your Mediums- A little floating medium can make blending shades feel like a dream. Try it with your next flower petal!

Gesso your Stripes- When using tape for things like stripes, first paint with gesso to prevent bleeding.

Protect from Splatter- Use transparent post-it notes to protect the area when splattering for snow effect.

Use a Tooth Pick- Toothpicks create the smallest dots.

Mascara Wand- Use an old and dented mascara wand to assist in assist in getting stuck and dried on paint out of you brushes.

Use your Saran Wrap- When having to step away from painting, take a small piece of moistened shop towel on place loosely around paint brush and then wrap the tip loosely in saran wrap to keep your brush wet and prevent the paint from ruining your brush.

Organize with Style- Re-purpose mason jars, spice racks, or lazy Susan for a studio space that’s both charming and practical.

These little gems have been passed around our community over the years—often whispered between paint strokes or shared at the back table of a workshop. And that brings us to a new season of sharing…

It’s Time for New Board Elections!

Just like in painting, leadership in our chapter thrives when we pass along the right tools and techniques. As we prepare for our upcoming board elections, we invite YOU to consider taking on a role that helps our painting community shine.

Don’t worry, you won’t be starting from scratch!

Our past board members possess a wealth of knowledge and are more than happy to share all the tips, tricks, templates, and time-saving wisdom they’ve gathered during their service. From how to run a meeting smoothly to the best way to organize an event, there’s no need to reinvent the color wheel!

Whether you’re a natural-born organizer, a creative cheerleader, or someone with a heart for community, there’s a place for your talents on the board. It’s a rewarding way to give back, make connections, and help keep the traditions of decorative painting alive and well.

Interested in a Position?

Stay tuned for more details on the nomination process in the coming months—or reach out to a current board member if you’re curious now. We’d love to paint the future of this chapter with you

Until next time, keep your brushes moving and your hearts inspired.

LeeAnn Washatka, President

2025 Seminars and Paint-ins

September 19th-20th (Fri- Sat)   – Seminar canceled - teacher unavalable

October 18th (Saturday)             – Tirzah Probasco - Rosemaling Pumpkin

November 15th (Saturday)         – Rosina Lettre - Water color pen and ink

December                                   – Christmas Party

If you have suggestions for projects for 2026, please let the Board know.

Chapter Dues

It's time to pay 2025 GSDP dues ($15). Checks can be made out to Golden Spike Decorative Painters and mailed to the GSDP care of Pat Reeder at 470 W 4900 S, Washington Terrace, UT 84405.

Christmas Raffles

This year at our Christmas Party we will again be having a special raffle. Scottie Foster has donated a lovely Bavarian Folk art painted tray to GSDP. Scottie's painted pieces are sought after by collectors and she has several pieces in the Smithsonian's collection of painted Christmas ornaments. In 2000 Scottie was voted one of the "10 Top Talents in 2000" by the readers of Decorative Artist's Workbook Magazine! This list of 10 all-time favorite artists "celebrates 10 of the many influential, inspiring and accomplished decorative painters in the field today." 

Tickets will be on sale from now until the drawing at the party. The cost is $1.00 per ticket. You do NOT have to be present to win.

October

Harvest Tidings by JO Sonja

Teacher:         Tirzah Probasco

Cost:                $7.50

Surface:           Pumpkin – 9”x4” or surface of your choice. 

                           If you need a surface, contact Pat (801-476-9366) 

Date:                 October 18^th 10am - 3pm

Palette: Jo Sonja

Tiger Lily               Red Earth

Yellow Orange      Indian Red Oxide

Yellow Oxide         Raw Sienna

Moss Green          Olive Green

Burnt Umber          Russet

Unbleached Titanium

Prep:

Sand surface, wipe clean and then basecoat with Russet mixed with sealer. Dry completely and then transfer the pattern.

The Paint-in will be held at the Westwood Village Clubhouse 1111 N. 2000 W., Farr West, UT).Take I-15 #346 and go north on 2000 W/UT-126 0.6 of mile. The Clubhouse is on the west side of the street with parking on the west side of the building.

November

Water Color Pen and Ink

Teacher:             Rosina Lettre

Cost:                    $7.50  

Surface:               Will be provided

Date:                   November 15^th 10am – 3pm

Supplies:

Water color paints - primary colors

Various sized bottle caps

Plastic paint palette

        (see below)

Paper towels

Brushes

Ink pen

Prep:

No Prep

The Paint-in will be held at the Westwood Village Clubhouse 1111 N. 2000 W., Farr West, UT).Take I-15 #346 and go north on 2000 W/UT-126 0.6 of mile. The Clubhouse is on the west side of the street with parking on the west side of the building.

Gourds

LeeAnn has found a local lady who has gourds for sale. Her name is Nan and she is in West Haven. If you are interested, you need to call her at 801-726-5816 and leave a message and she will call back as she doesn't answer unknown calls. Below are some pictures of the gourds she has.

More Painting Opportunities – Idaho Heritage Retreat

 GSDP 's mission is to educate the community on the traditions of decorative folk art painting and to preserve these cultural legacies for future generations. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive space to connect, create and inspire one another while fostering a vibrant community.

 

 2025 August Newsletter

From the Office of the President

Hello Artists,

As we step into August, we find ourselves in a beautiful transition—a shift towards the back-to-school season and the gradual change of leaves that herald autumn. This month is not just about preparing for the new school year; it is also a wonderful opportunity to start thinking about our fall and Christmas projects.

As the air cools and the days shorten, let’s channel this transition into our artwork. August is the perfect time to begin planning those cozy fall scenes and festive holiday pieces. Whether it’s painting vibrant autumn landscapes or painting jolly ole St. Nick, now is the time to let your creativity flow and prepare for the upcoming festivities.

We also want to take a moment to reflect on the lovely tea party we held last month. It was a heartwarming gathering filled with great food, laughter, and a spirit of community. We engaged in our random acts of kindness activity by creating pins that we can wear proudly or give away to brighten someone’s day, spreading kindness wherever we go. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the event a success and for welcoming our newest member, Lyda, into our group. It was a joy to reconnect and strengthen our bonds as a community of artists.

As we embrace this month of transition, let’s inspire one another with our upcoming projects. In August, Terry will be teaching fall flowers with a bee on a gourd, October, Tirzah will be teaching a pumpkin design and Novembers class is still to be determined. December is our annual Christmas party.

For those of you who remember Candice Breen, a one time member of GSDP, we wanted to let you know that she pass away this week. Our condolence to her family.

Sadly, we had to cancel the September pysanka (egg) seminar due to the teacher being unavailable and thus there will not be a paint-in for September.

I will take advantage of September to complete some unfinished projects.

LeeAnn Washatka, President

2025 Seminars and Paint-ins

August 16th (Saturday)              – Terry Pulver - Bee Gourd

September 19th-20th (Fri- Sat)   – Seminar canceled - teacher unavalable

October 18th (Saturday)             – Tirzah Probasco - Rosemaling Pumpkin

November 15th (Saturday)         – Rosina Lettre - Water color pen and ink

December                                   – Christmas Party

If you have suggestions for projects for 2025, please let the Board know.

Chapter Dues

It's time to pay 2025 GSDP dues ($15). Checks can be made out to Golden Spike Decorative Painters and mailed to the GSDP care of Pat Reeder at 470 W 4900 S, Washington Terrace, UT 84405.

Christmas Raffles

This year at our Christmas Party we will again be having a special raffle. Scottie Foster has donated a lovely Bavarian Folk art painted tray to GSDP. Scottie's painted pieces are sought after by collectors and she has several pieces in the Smithsonian's collection of painted Christmas ornaments. In 2000 Scottie was voted one of the "10 Top Talents in 2000" by the readers of Decorative Artist's Workbook Magazine! This list of 10 all-time favorite artists "celebrates 10 of the many influential, inspiring and accomplished decorative painters in the field today." 

Tickets will be on sale from now until the drawing at the party. The cost is $1.00 per ticket. You do NOT have to be present to win.

August

Bee and Sunflower

Teacher            Terry Pulver

Cost:                $7.50

Surface:           Gourd or whatever you want to paint on. 

The Surface needs to be large enough to accommodate a 10''x7" pattern.

Date:                August 16^th 10am - 3pm

Palette: Déco Art

Black                             Cool Neutral

Hauser Green Dark       Cad Yellow  

Hauser Green Medium  Marigold  

Hauser Green Light       Golden Straw  

Burnt Umber                  Burnt Sienna

Titanium White

Honey Brown (or Delta Golden Brown)

Pineapple (or Delta Sunbright Yellow)

Prep:

Lightly sand surface, wipe clean and then basecoat with Honey Brown (or Golden Brown) mixed with sealer. When dry basecoat again with Honey Brown (or Golden Brown). If it does not totally cover, don't worry.  Imperfections add to the interest of the gourd. When totally dry, lightly coat with glazing medium to seal and protect the background. Dry completely and then transfer the pattern except the Bee's wings. If you have time basecoat leaves with Hauser Green Dark.

The Paint-in will be held at the Westwood Village Clubhouse 1111 N. 2000 W., Farr West, UT).Take I-15 #346 and go north on 2000 W/UT-126 0.6 of mile. The Clubhouse is on the west side of the street with parking on the west side of the building.

October

Harvest Tidings by JO Sonja

Teacher          Tirzah Probasco

Cost:                $7.50

Surface:           Pumpkin – 9”x4” or surface of your choice. 

                           If you need a surface, contact Pat (801-476-9366) 

Date:                 October 18^th 10:30am - 3pm

Palette: Jo Sonja

Tiger Lily               Red Earth

Yellow Orange      Indian Red Oxide

Yellow Oxide         Raw Sienna

Moss Green          Olive Green

Burnt Umber          Russet

Unbleached Titanium

Prep:

Sand surface, wipe clean and then basecoat with Russet mixed with sealer. Dry completely and then transfer the pattern.

The Paint-in will be held at the Westwood Village Clubhouse 1111 N. 2000 W., Farr West, UT).Take I-15 #346 and go north on 2000 W/UT-126 0.6 of mile. The Clubhouse is on the west side of the street with parking on the west side of the building.

More Painting Opportunities – Idaho Heritage Retreat

 GSDP 's mission is to educate the community on the traditions of decorative folk art painting and to preserve these cultural legacies for future generations. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive space to connect, create and inspire one another while fostering a vibrant community.