Golden Spike Decorative Painters

 2025 November Newsletter

From the Office of the President

The leaves are barely hitting the ground, yet the holiday spirit is already pushing its way to center stage. This season reminds us how good it feels to be together. We spend all year learning from each other, cheering on new skills, laughing through creative chaos, and celebrating every brushstroke. That feels worth honoring in a big way.

So here is to us and the creative community we have built. The upcoming holidays give us the perfect excuse to take a few hours to enjoy the company of the folks who understand the thrill of a perfect highlight and the awful taste of paint water.

In November Rosina Lettre will be teaching Water color pen and ink projects that you won't want to miss.

December is quickly approaching and with that comes our annual holiday celebration, a little food and a lot of friendship. Plus a few things that guarantee mischief. This year, the party will take place at Wingers in Clearfield on Saturday, December 13^th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

We will keep the festivities classic with our White Elephant gift exchange (bring something wrapped that’s fun, artistic, quirky, or delightfully random) along with some raffles featuring goodies that will make any artist smile.

We will also take a little time to huddle together over exciting ideas for the 2026 paint lineup, because dreaming up new projects is practically a hobby all on its own.

No painting supplies are needed. Just bring your holiday cheer, your sense of humor, and maybe a gift that’s so weird it becomes legendary.

A quick RSVP would be wonderful so we can save you a seat and make sure the restaurant is ready for our creative crew. Contact me or Terry. The first 20 to RSVP will receive a special gift from the Paint Elf. Please RSVP by November 30, 2025.

Let’s wrap up the year the way artists should: surrounded by color, laughter, and the people who make our world feel a whole lot brighter.

Bring on the festivities,

LeeAnn Washatka, President

2025 Seminars and Paint-ins

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

December 13th (Saturday)         – Christmas Party - Wingers

2026 Seminars and Paint-ins

January 17th  (Saturday)            – Jana Poulsen – Woodburning on Gourds

February 21st (Saturday)            – Maxine Thomas  –  TBA

October 15th-17th (Thur-Sat)      –  Pat Lentine – TBA

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

2026 Elections

GSDP needs to vote on new officers this fall!!!

If Golden Spike Decorative Painters is to continue, we need your help. Please consider running for the Board for 2026. The offices of President, 1^st and 2^nd Vice Presidents, Treasurer, and Secretary are all open. We need our members help to determining the direction of GSDP for the upcoming year. If you are willing to run, please contact any Board member.

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 Raffle

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.

November

Water Color Pen and Ink

Teacher:             Rosina Lettre

Cost:                    $7.50  

Surface:               Will be provided

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

Supplies:  (see below)

Water color paints - primary colors - teacher will not provide paint

Bring various sized bottle caps - some will be available for your use

Plastic paint palette

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)

                    1:00 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 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 or Terry at 801-395-4287 by November 30th.  The first 20 to RSVP will receive a special gift from the Paint Elf.

January

Woodburning on Gourds

Teacher:             Jana Poulsen

Cost:                        $7.50

Surface:                   Gourd of your choice

Date:                        January17^th 10am – 2:30pm

Supplies:

Wood burner with three tips if possible - skew or knife, shader and a writing nib. These are not required but they are what I use most. If you have a solid type of burner it will work too, it is just a little harder to finesse. (See Below)

Note: This is a not a painting class!!

We will be learning the wood burning only. The picture only shows how the piece can be finished.

Prep:

Lightly sand the gourd. It makes for a cleaner burn.

Transfer pattern to gourd before class . Butterfly and humming bird patterns will be provided and you may choose either one to burn. (Enlarge or shrunk pattern to fit your gourd.)

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.

 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.