2024 December Newsletter

From the Office of the President

2024 has been very challenging and at the same time created new opportunities for growth.

The year started off with a dear friend of mine having what we thought was a fatal stroke and becoming blind. He was told he wasn’t going to make it through the night and he called me in tears. It was in this moment that all his regrets of not living his best came to light for him. We all said prayers for him and I believe he made some deals with God in hopes he could live through this. My friend experienced two miracles: one of life and one of his sight being restored (sight restoration took 6 months). Sadly, he forgot about those deals he made with God and went back to his old ways of treating others poorly, being demanding, lacking patience and being selfish. As his behavior turned toward me as one of his last remaining friends (due to his misbehavior and the behaviors were not a result of the stroke) I had to say goodbye. This was a friendship of 25 years.

Recently my Aunt and Godmother, my mother’s sister, passed away due to the effects of dementia. My Aunt truly embraced and lived life large. It was true when they said that she never met a stranger. I always thought that she had an angel on her shoulder because she would invite people she had just met on her world travels to come visit and stay a while. She has hosted many exchange students, the San Jose Sharks team and

 many others.

My Aunt was the glue of the family. The one who kept in contact with every relative. My Aunt did not reside in Utah, but because she was so connected to others, she often knew what was happening here before I did. My Aunt was 84 but looked at least 20  years younger than that and was essentially carded at the senior center. The effects of dementia were horrible and painful to watch and I reflect on the impact she had on me. She taught me to love, that there is more to life than work and how to enjoy/host a good party. By the way, my Aunt was also a tole painter.

This year has been a year of transition for my work and working 6-to-7-day work weeks for the majority of the year created stress beyond belief as this interfered with my family time, down time and painting schedule. While I managed to be able to attend every paint-in, it wasn’t without personal consequence as I tried to juggle everything and seemed that no matter what I did, I couldn’t be caught up at work, home or in my leisure time. There was no pleasing everyone and there never will be. If I don’t take care of me, I lose out. While I didn’t say goodbye to my job, I am addressing boundaries at work continuously and am navigating the excessive workload.

I was raised to not talk back and not create conflict. As I desire peace, I know that people pleasing and conflict avoidance do not keep or create peace so I said goodbye to people pleasing and swallowing my feelings when faced with disrespect, criticism and maltreatment. It is amazing how many people do not like it when you set boundaries and do not tolerate their poor behaviors.

I’ve also been dealing with chronic pain from accidentally being mistaken for an active shooter. Long story short, you would have been proud of my moves as I slipped out of he handcuffs which angered the officer further as he threatened to do physically harmful things to me. While I never received an apology or compensation, I remain thankful that I wasn’t harmed further as there were attempts to taser me and I realize I could have been shot or killed.

You see, this year has taught me some hard lessons in that people pleasing to keep others peace has cost me my peace and sanity. Being stressed to the brink this year created opportunities that my own sight was eventually restored to be able to see what is important to me and what is not worth expending energy. With some of this new awareness, my peace is slowly returning. I believe that stress can cause physical and emotional harm and when we recognize that stress is causing harm, we need to implement changes or we are destined to stay in the cycle of stress and the problems it creates. This is not to say that stress will not happen, but it is the chronic and unnecessary stress that begins to wear on you and causes you pain.

I am looking forward to putting the trials of 2024 in my back pocket to be able to review as needed since life lessons shouldn’t be forgotten. I am tremendously grateful to be able to take the wisdom of this past year and apply it to 2025 and beyond. I am also extremely grateful for those who supported, did not judge me, didn’t add to my stresses, loved me and gave me grace when I complained, grouched or appeared salty and sassy. Those who did not sit with me when I was in the dark were never in the arena with me but sitting in the stands heckling and adding additional stress but calling it friendship or caring.

I hope that as 2024 concludes, you have created amazing memories and takeaways that will carry you into 2025. I know that GSDP hopes to inspire and connect with you in our 2025 paint-ins and seminars. We still have teaching opportunities open for 2025. To assist our teachers, we have a microphone/speaker system and now a camera and projector. If you are interested in teaching and using any of these helpful aids, please let me know in advance so that I can have it available to use. Some of it is my personal equipment and that is why I need advance notice, to ensure I pack it up for our painting sessions. Don’t forget to renew your membership and if you fall within the 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30+ renewal year, I will have another charm to add to your art doll/art guy. I am excited to see you at our holiday party and I wish you many blessings and prosperity into 2025.

May you be able to turn those challenges into opportunities,

LeeAnn Washatka, President

2024 Seminars and Paint-ins 

December 14th (Saturday)             – Christmas Party - Hug Hes (Syracuse)

2025 Seminars and Paint-ins

Some things to look forward to ---- (some dates yet to be determined)

January                                       – Calendar Cover

February                                     – One Srtroke Painting

May 15th-17th                             – Lois Mueller Seminar - Rosemaling Violin

September 19th-20th                  – Rynna Polson Seminar - Ukrainian Art Eggs

December                                   – Christmas Party

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

Christmas Raffles

This year at our Christmas Party we will again be having a very special raffle. It is a beautiful box painted by Gayle Oram. Gayle is internationally recognized as a rosemaling painter and has been awarded a Gold Medal in Rosemaling from Vestereim. Her works are highly prized by all lovers of Norwegian Rosemaling and are today's and tomorrow's collectables.

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.

December

Christmas Party

Date:        December 14^th (Saturday) 1:00 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 14^th (Saturday) Hug Hes Cafe (2432 W 1700 S B6, Syracuse, UT).

Meal Choices:

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

We will have the a beautiful box painted by Gayle Oram for 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 Lori Jennings at 623-451-8456 or LeeAnn at 801-391-3556.

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.

  2024 November Newsletter

From the Office of the President

Throughout the year I’ve had several conversations with many of you inquiring what do I do when someone is criticizing me or putting down me or my efforts? This seems to be an appropriate topic as the holidays approach and stresses increase.

In my early days of my career (for those who are unaware I am a licensed mental health therapist of almost 30 years), I would address a graduated sort of approach of started with ignoring the negative behavior, assuming positive intent of the offender, asking for clarification, stating how their actions made you feel and question if it was their intent to be unkind and then onto setting various types of boundaries. I still agree that these are good approaches with people whose intent was not to harm you, unaware of your boundaries or triggers, are willing to respect you and your needs or people you would likely encounter on few occasions.

I have changed my advice and tactics as I have grown older and have run into repeat offenders who continuously demonstrate lack of regard for others well being, those who gaslight and manipulate, those who attempt to control others, those who are unwilling to accept boundaries or the ones who apologize but their harmful behavior continues.

Some of my change in advice stems from how caustic behavior is and recognizing that a lot of put downs come from those who have never stepped in or excelled in the arena thus awakening their insecurities and jealousy.

Theodore Roosevelt gave a very impassioned speech which later became known as “The Man in the Arena” which puts these critical behaviors into perspective.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles

or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man

who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who 

strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort

without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows

great enthusiasm, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at

the best knows the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he

fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold

and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat”

When the critics come rushing in to highlight all of your “fails” know that you are in the arena and that they are in the stadium filled with envy, judgment and insecurity. I no longer “people please" to sacrifice my well-being. I no longer make excuses for others behavior and make apologies on their behalf. I speak in truths with boundaries and fact. The boundaries have changed and those critics no longer receive an invite to the stadium to cast judgment. If I have to tolerate the critics for the sake of a family event or what have you, they receive my stoic distance. I will practice Covid social distancingmeasures with those who have not earned the right to hear my sorrows, my joys and my dreams.

I hope that your dreams come true this Thanksgiving holiday and that you receive many blessings many that fill you with gratitude. If you are in the arena and can hear the hecklers in arena can’t do.

Happy Thanksgiving and wishing you beautiful blessings because you deserve to be treated with kindness and love,

LeeAnn Washatka, President

2024 Seminars and Paint-ins 

Due to conflicts with Westwood Village needs, 

GSDP Paint-ins will now be the third Saturday of the month. 

November 16th (Saturday)             – Pat Reeder - Scissor Holder 

December 14th (Saturday)             – Christmas Party - Hug Hes (Syracuse)

2025 Seminars and Paint-ins

Some things to look forward to ---- (some dates yet to be determined)

January                                       – Calendar Cover

February                                     – One Srtroke Painting

May 15th-17th                             – Lois Mueller Seminar - Rosemaling Violin

September 19th-20th                  – Rynna Polson Seminar - Ukrainian Art Eggs

December                                   – Christmas Party

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

Christmas Raffles

This year at our Christmas Party we will again be having a very special raffle. It is a beautiful box painted by Gayle Oram. Gayle is internationally recognized as a rosemaling painter and has been awarded a Gold Medal in Rosemaling from Vestereim. Her works are highly prized by all lovers of Norwegian Rosemaling and are today's and tomorrow's collectables.

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.

Santa Spindle

The Santa Spindle class that was canceled because of injuries that Betty received will be rescheduled when she able to teach again. That will probably be sometime after the first of the new year. We know you are all dissapointed and so was Betty. We will let everyone know as soon as we have a date.

November

Scissor Holder

Teacher: Pat Reeder

Cost:          $7.50 (class fee)

Surface:     $10.00 sissor holder

(If you want a sissor holder, contact Pat at 801-725-5083.

Date: November 16^th 10:00 am

(setup and chat time 9:30-10:00)

Palette: Americana Colors

White

Black
Light Hauser Green            

Med Hauser Green
Dark Hauser Green
Ocean Blue or medium blue (Thread Color)
Diox Purple (Thread Color)
Boysenberry Pink (Thread Color)
Spiced Pumpkin or medium orange
Empire Gold (Delta) or Antique Gold
Deep Burgundy

Prep:

Sand, seal, and basecoat. You can mix clear glaze or all purpose sealer with

1st coat of paint. (I used Delta Black Green or any other dark color.)

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.

December

Christmas Party

Date:        December 14^th (Saturday) 1:00 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 14^th (Saturday) Hug Hes Cafe (2432 W 1700 S B6, Syracuse, UT).

Meal Choices:

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

We will have the a beautiful box painted by Gayle Oram for 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 Lori Jennings at 623-451-8456 or LeeAnn at 801-391-3556 by November 24^th.

Painting Note:

Chroma has Discontinued the following 6 oz. Jo Sonja Background Colors

Color Color Mix

3457 - Deep Plum              India Red Oxide/Pthalo Blue/Napthol Crimson 10/1/1

3464 - Desert Dawn           Claret Rose/Geranium/Titanium White 4:2:1

3576 – Cobblestone           Raw Umber/Brown Earth 1:1 touch of Mustard Seed then Opal

3663 – Grasshopper           Naples Yellow Hue + Olive Green 2:1

3461 – Lilac Red               Violet/Skin Tone Base 1:2

3665 – Nectar                    Juane Brilliant + Norwegian Orange 2:1

3666 - Nut Brown              Burnt Sienna + Yellow Oxide + Titanium White 1:1:touch

3580 - Olive Branch          Mustard Seed/Raw Umber 1:1

3667 - Purple Shadow       Brilliant Violet + Red Violet + Raw Sienna + Titanium White 1:1:1:1

3475 - Wood Violet           Paynes Grey/Diox Purple/Wild Grape 1:1:1

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. 

 2024 October Newsletter

From the Office of the President

September’s seminar was a seminar to remember. We hosted Lise Lorentzen who recently earned her gold medal in Rosemaling from Vesterheim. I have never rosemaled before and had a lot of anxiety about struggling or not being able to finish my projects and if I did finish what would they look like?

Lise is very personable and has a background in teaching students who have learning challenges. Lise used her skills of being able to break down instructions into manageable pieces. I truly enjoyed the seminar and my anxiety very quickly went away. Lise made rosemaling easy. She was a delight and there was zero stress. One of her mottos is “it’s just paint”.

Everyone enjoyed the seminar and had voiced requests for Lise to return. It was exciting to see that even those who have had many years of rosemaling gained new insights and techniques. You can check Lise out on her You Tube channel “Art of Lise” where you can learn basic strokes and more. You can also take part in one of her zoom classes on Rosemaling.com or through the Vesterheim museum. Additionally, rosemaling.com has a section of recorded classes that are free.

On the last day of the seminar, I was able to speak with the seminar group about honoring our heritage and acknowledging our members. Members were presented with an art doll or in Winston’s case an art guy to paint. The dress on the doll or the legs on the guy had drilled holes to hold charms that represent years as a member. The charms consist of paintbrushes, palette knives and paint palettes. See attached photo. We wanted to be able to recognize our members and share the pride of what has been built the last 38 years. Every member will receive a charm for their first year of membership and then a new charm for every 5 years in the club. If you were unable to attend the seminar, I have an art doll and your charms set aside. Come see me at either a paint-in or at the Christmas party.

We want to give a special thank you to Lindsay and Winston Bruns, OnyaTolmasoff, Scotty Foster, and all of those who have supported GSDP with donations of time and items over this and past years. We also want to thank the companies who have supported us this year, Chroma Paints, Silver Brushes, Cupboard Distributing and StudioR12 Stencils. We couldn't do what we do without you. Thanks again!!! (See these and many other web pages on the link page of the newsletter.)

The seminar offered many fellowship opportunities and I had a wonderful time getting to know some of our members more in depth. We are very fortunate to have such amazing people within our club, thank you for being you.

Rosemaling pieces completed,

LeeAnn Washatka, President

2024 Seminars and Paint-ins 

Due to conflicts with Westwood Village needs, 

GSDP Paint-ins will now be the third Saturday of the month. 

October 19th (Saturday)                 – Betty Roberts - Santa Spindle - Caneled - Teacher injured

November 16th (Saturday)             – Pat Reeder - Scissor Holder 

December 14th (Saturday)             – Christmas Party - Hug Hes (Syracuse)

2025 Seminars and Paint-ins

Some things to look forward to ---- (some dates yet to be determined)

January                                       – Calendar Cover

February                                     – One Srtroke Painting

May 15th-17th                             – Lois Mueller Seminar - Rosemaling Violin

September 19th-20th                  – Rynna Polson Seminar - Ukrainian Art Eggs

December                                   – Christmas Party

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

Christmas Raffles

This year at our Christmas Party we will again be having a very special raffle. It is a beautiful box painted by Gayle Oram. Gayle is internationally recognized as a rosemaling painter and has been awarded a Gold Medal in Rosemaling from Vestereim. Her works are highly prized by all lovers of Norwegian Rosemaling and are today's and tomorrow's collectables.

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         Caneled - Teacher injured

Santa Spindles

Teacher:        Betty Roberts           

Cost:              $7.50 (class fee)

Surface:         $22.00

Date:             October 19^th 10:00 am

(setup and chat time 9:30-10:00)

Palette: JoSonja

Warm White              Titanium White

Burgendy                  Naphtol Crimson

Yellow Deep             Turners Yellow

Red Light                  Yellow light (optional)

Vermillion                  Skintone Base

Rose Pink

Sapphire Storm Blue or Ultramarine

Aqua                         Smoked Pearl

Sea Swirl

Pine Green                Teal Green

Jade                          Yellow Green

Burnt Umber              Burnt Siena

Nimbus Gray             Black or Charcoal

Metalilics:

Rich Gold                  Pale Gold

Silver

Misc:

Snow Tex                   Glitter Snow

Prep:

Glue the Ball & Wheel to top of the spindle with a good wood glue. Seal entire Spindle with waterbased sealer. Be sure to get the sealer in all the crevices. Dry thoroughly (overnight is best). Dry sand until smooth with 100 grrit sandpaper. Wipe with damp cloth.

Follow rest of prep instructions for basecoating. Please try to have all the prep done before class. The rest of the painting instructions and pictures will be handed out in class.       

 

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

Scissor Holder

Teacher: Pat Reeder

Cost:          $7.50 (class fee)

Surface:     $10.00 sissor holder

(If you want a sissor holder, contact Pat at 801-725-5083.

You will be notified when and where to pickup yours.

Date: November 16^th 10:00 am

(setup and chat time 9:30-10:00)

Palette: Americana Colors

White

Black
Light Hauser Green            

Med Hauser Green
Dark Hauser Green
Ocean Blue or medium blue (Thread Color)
Diox Purple (Thread Color)
Boysenberry Pink (Thread Color)
Spiced Pumpkin or medium orange
Empire Gold (Delta) or Antique Gold
Deep Burgundy

Prep:

Sand, seal, and basecoat. You can mix clear glaze or all purpose sealer with

1st coat of paint. (I used Delta Black Green or any other dark color.)

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.

Lise Lorentzen Seminar Class Photo

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.