2026 September Newsletter
From the President’s Paintbrush
Dear Golden Spike Decorative Painters,
Decorative painting is more than paint on a surface. It is creativity, tradition, learning, friendship, and connection. For many of us, painting provides stress relief, purpose, and a place where we belong. However, we also need to have an honest conversation about the challenges facing our hobby and our club.
Decorative painting is struggling to remain visible and accessible. Local supplies are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Hobby Lobby has discontinued carrying DecoArt Americana paints in many locations, while Michael's carries only a limited in-store selection. Although additional colors may be available online, ordering paint individually can mean added shipping costs and delays. These changes make it harder for both experienced painters and beginners to obtain the supplies needed for classes and projects.
There is some encouraging news. DecoArt continues to support decorative painters, and
Michael's currently lists approximately 100 color options for its standard two-ounce Americana Acrylic paint; however, availability varies, and many additional DecoArt colors and specialty products are listed as online-only or sold directly through DecoArt.
Our club works very hard to bring talented teachers and meaningful learning opportunities to our members. Planning a seminar requires finding an available instructor, coordinating dates, securing a location, selecting projects, ordering supplies, communicating with participants, and making a financial commitment, often months to a year in advance.
It can be frustrating and discouraging when participation is limited after so much preparation. We understand that every project will not appeal to every person. We each have different styles, interests, color preferences, skill levels, and budgets. At the same time, the number of available decorative painting teachers is becoming more limited. We cannot always offer the exact artist, project, medium, or painting style each member might prefer.
Sometimes the greatest value of a seminar is not only the finished project. It may be learning a new technique, improving brush control, gaining confidence, trying an unfamiliar medium, or discovering how an artist approaches color and design. Skills learned from one project can often be carried into many future pieces even when that particular project would not have been our first choice.
We have an amazing lineup planned for next year, including exciting seminars and a variety of opportunities to paint, learn, and connect. Our board is working hard to offer experiences that include different styles, techniques, surfaces, skill levels, and teachers whenever possible.
However, these opportunities can continue only if there is enough participation to make them financially and practically sustainable. We sincerely hope to see renewed interest in our seminars, paint-ins, and club activities. Consider attending even when a project is a little outside your usual style. You may learn something unexpected, meet someone new, or discover a technique you truly enjoy.
Please also invite a friend, family member, neighbor, or younger artist to join us. Beginners are welcome. We want people to know that they do not need to be accomplished painters to belong, they only need an interest in creating and learning.
Our message is not one of discouragement. It is an invitation. If we want decorative painting and our club to remain strong, each of us has a role in supporting the club. Participation, encouragement, flexibility, and willingness to try something new can make a tremendous difference.
Thank you to every member who attends, teaches, volunteers, brings refreshments, shares ideas, invites others, helps set up, or simply offers encouragement. You are the heart of Golden Spike Decorative Painters.
Together, we can preserve this beautiful art form while continuing to create, learn, connect, and thrive.
With appreciation and hope,
LeeAnn
2026 Seminars and Paint-ins
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.
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.
Teacher: Laura Clegg
Canceled due to Lack of Participation
Teacher: LeeAnn Washatka
Palette: DecoArt Americana
Paint Adhesion (This is no longer available for retail purchase. LeeAnn has bottles available for $2.00 each).
Prep:
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.
