Golden Spike Decorative Painters

 2026 November Newsletter

From the Office of the President,

As November arrives and we begin preparing for the holiday season, I find myself reflecting on the many things for which I am grateful. Among them is the wonderful community of painters who make Golden Spike Decorative Painters such a special organization.

There is something remarkable about a group of people who gather with brushes, paint, and a shared desire to create. We come from different backgrounds, have different levels of experience, and bring our own unique styles to the painting table. Yet we share something special: a love of creativity and a willingness to learn from one another.

Decorative painting is an art form that has been passed from one generation to another. Every technique we learn, every pattern we share, and every helping hand we extend contributes to keeping this beautiful tradition alive.

I often think that some of the best things we take home from a painting gathering aren’t necessarily the finished projects. Sometimes it’s a new friendship, a helpful tip, a good laugh, or simply the satisfaction of spending time doing something we love.

And let’s not forget that painting teaches us patience, flexibility, and occasionally how to turn an unexpected blob of paint into a strategically placed leaf!

As we enter this season of gratitude, I encourage each of you to reflect on the people who have inspired your creativity. Perhaps it’s the person who first placed a paintbrush in your hand, the teacher who encouraged you to try something difficult, or the fellow painter who reminds you that mistakes are simply opportunities for creativity.

November Brushstroke Challenge: Share a Little Gratitude!

This month, I challenge each of you to spread a little gratitude through the art of painting.

    . Thank a fellow painter. Reach out to someone who has taught you a technique, encouraged your creativity, or simply made your painting journey more enjoyable.

    . Share a brushstroke. Teach someone a technique, offer a helpful tip, or encourage someone who is just beginning their painting journey.

    . Make someone’s day brighter. Surprise someone with a small hand-painted gift, a thoughtful note, or a few words of encouragement.

Remember, you don’t have to create a masterpiece to make a difference. Sometimes the smallest gestures leave the most beautiful impressions.

And if you participate in the challenge, we’d love to hear about it at our next gathering! Let’s celebrate not only what we create, but also the kindness and friendships we share along the way.

Thank you for being part of Golden Spike Decorative Painters and for helping make our club a welcoming place where creativity and friendship flourish.

May your November be filled with gratitude, laughter, friendship, and just enough paint on your hands to remind you that you’ve been doing something wonderful.

Happy Painting!

LeeAnn 

President, Golden Spike Decorative Painters

2026 Seminars and Paint-ins

November 21th (Saturday)              – LeeAnn Washatka – Record Elf

December 5th (Saturday)                – Christmas Party at Wingers – 12:00-4:00

2027 Seminars and Paint-ins

January 16th (Saturday)                  – LeeAnn Washatka – Painted Bag

February 20th (Saturday)                – Pat Reeder – Beehive and Sunflowers

March 2th (Saturday)                      – Rosina Lettre – Watercolor Rose

April 17th (Saturday)                       – Terry Pulver – Bird Table Runner

May 20th - 22nd (Thur-Sat)              – Spring Seminar – Shara Reiner --- Save the Date

June 19th (Saturday)                       – LeeAnn Washatka – Rosemary West table

July 17th (Saturday)                        – Picnic Make-and-take

August 19th - 21st (Thur-Sat)          – Fall Seminar – Maxine Thomas --- Save the Date

September 18th (Saturday)             – LeeAnn Washatka – Snowman Bird Feeder

October 16th (Saturday)                  – Maridene Alexander – BooCrew Halloween

November 20th (Saturday)              – Laura Clegg – Partridge in a Pear Tree

Christmas Party

Christmas Raffles

This year at our Christmas Party we will again be having a special raffle. It will be large wooden bucket filled with lots of goodies, including paper towels, graphite paper, tracing paper, JoSonja paint set, paint mediums, brushes, tools, several Christmas patterns, some with the wood included and more.

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.

More Opportunities to Share

Bring a completed Project to show off during our monthly Paint-in. You will receive a raffle ticket (1 per Paint-in) to be eligible to win a special prize at the end of the year. The project must have a completed date of 2026.

Even if you are not attending the regular class, bring any UFO (unfinished object) you might have and paint it during our regular Paint-in.

We would love to have you in our community and connected with creativity.

Chapter Dues

It's time to pay 2027 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.

November

Record Elf

Teacher:           LeeAnn Washatka 

Cost:                 $7.50        

Surface:           Old 78 record– Don't have a record? Contact Leann (801 391-3556) or Terry (801 395-4287). We have records you can have.

Date:                 November 21st  10am – 2:30pm

Palette: DecoArt Americana

Titanium White              Warm Beige

Hauser Lt Green           Hauser Med Green

Evergreen                     Planation Pine

Teaberry                       Citron or Margarita

Black Plum                   Deep Burgundy

Country Red                 Neon Fiery Red

Neon Green                  Neon Yellow

Dry Clay                        Burn Umber

Lamp Black                  Williamsburg Blue

Driftwood (or whatever gray you have on hand)

Neutral Gray (or whatever different shade of gray you have on hand)

Paynes Gray                 Silver glitter pain (optional)

Misc Supplies and Brushes:

All Purpose sealer                               Round

Jo Sonja Clear glaze medium             Liner

Paint Adhesion Medium (optional)      Floating brush

Micron black pen for outlining             Mezzaluna or dry brush

Fine point white marker                      Deerfoot stippler (optional)

Splatter tool

Paint Adhesion (This is no longer available for retail purchase. LeeAnn has bottles available for $2.00 each).

Prep:

Wipe record with vinegar and let dry. Paint the record with 3 coats of All Purpose Sealer. Dry well between coats. Mix a small amount of Paint adhesion medium in with the black paint and the paint entire record. This will take 2 to 3 coats. Dry between coats. This will help fill in the grooves on the record.

Slip Slap over the center of the record with Country Red. Dry. 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.

 

 

Christmas Party

Date:        December 5^th (Saturday)

                    12:00 to 4:00 pm.

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 will have our Christmas drawing which is a bucket full of painting supplies, patterns, wood, etc., as well as several other drawings, door prizes, table decorations, and member gifts 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 or Terry at 801-395-4287.

 

January

Painted Bag

Teacher:           LeeAnn Washatka 

Cost:                 $7.50        

Surface:           Will be provided

Date:                January 16^th  10am – 2:30pm

May and August Seminars

     

 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.