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
Americana
Acrylics currently offers more than 200 colors. The company has also
added 12
colors
to its permanent 2026 Americana lineup.
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
President,
Golden Spike Decorative Painters
2026 Seminars and Paint-ins
September 19th (Saturday) – Laura Clegg – Glass Block Snowman
October 15th-17th (Thur-Sat) – Pat Lentine Seminar – Canceled
November 21th (Saturday) – LeeAnn Washatka – Record Elf
December 5th (Saturday) – Christmas Party at Wingers – 12:00-4:00
If you have suggestions for projects and/or teachers for 2027, please let the Board know.
****The Board would like our member's opinion on whether or not they would be willing to attend a Maxine Thomas Seminar Labor Day weekend 2027. She has limited time available and is willing to teach then. Please let us know.*****
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.
Glenna Nielson
If we have missed your birthday, please send your date of birth so we can acknowledging your special Day.
If you have changed your address, phone, or email in the last couple of years or so, please let us know that also so we can update our member information.
September
Glass Block Snowman by Holly Hanley
Teacher: Laura Clegg
Cost: $7.50 plus $4.00 for 2 Holly Hanley patterns
Surface: Glass block 7.5" x 7.5" available for $11.99 at Michael's
Date: September 19th 10am – 2:30pm
Palette: DecoArt
Americana
Admiral
Blue White
Sapphire Deep
Midnight Blue
Antique
Rose Napa Red
Rookwood Hot
Shots Fiery Red
Antique
Gold Jo
Sonja
Pale Gold
Burnt
Orange Moon Yellow
Burnt
Sienna Raw Sienna
Burnt
Umber Black
Olive
Green Hauser Dk Green
Misc Supplies and Brushes:
Black&White
Transfer Paper 10/0 Lineer
All
Purpose Sealer 3 round
Snow
Tex 4, 10 shader
Toothbrush 1/8”,
1/4”, 3/8” deerfoot stippler
1/2”
angular shader
1/2”
oval mop
Prep:
Transfer
outline of pattern onto the block with white graphite. Coat all areas
to be painted with All Purpose Sealer. Let dry. Transfer details of
pattern with dark transfer paper.
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 Pat Lentine Seminar
Canceled due to Lack of Participation
October 15th-17th
Contact Leann (801 391-3556 ) if you have any questions about the seminar cancellation.
November
Teacher: LeeAnn Washatka
Cost: $7.50
Surface: Old 78 record
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.
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.
From the Office of the President,
Christmas Raffles
