Golden Spike Decorative Painters

 2026 June Newsletter

From the Office of the President

As we move into summer, I find myself reflecting on both where our club has been and where we are headed.

For nearly four decades, Golden Spike Decorative Painters has provided a welcoming place for artists to learn, create, and build lasting friendships. This year has been especially meaningful as we remember our founding member, Tirzah Probasco. One of the last conversations many of us shared with Tirzah centered around learning and continuing to grow as artists. Her passion for teaching and encouraging others remains an inspiration to our club.

In that spirit, we continue to explore new opportunities while honoring the decorative painting traditions that brought us together. Although our roots are firmly planted in acrylic and decorative painting, we are expanding our artistic horizons through colored pencil, drawing, mixed media, and other creative pursuits. Growth keeps our art fresh, challenges us to learn new skills, and opens doors for members who may be trying something new for the very first time.

June also brings exciting educational opportunities. Whether you are participating in seminars, practicing at home, or simply attending meetings and enjoying fellowship with fellow painters, remember that every brushstroke and every pencil mark is part of your artistic journey. Progress is not measured by perfection but by a willingness to keep learning.

As always, thank you for making Golden Spike Decorative Painters such a supportive and encouraging community. Your willingness to share techniques, mentor others, volunteer, and welcome new members is what makes our organization special.

Keep creating, keep learning, and most importantly, keep enjoying the process.

Happy Painting,

LeeAnn

President, Golden Spike Decorative Painters

2026 Seminars and Paint-ins

June 4th-6th (Thur-Sat)                   – Lynne Andrews Zoom Seminar – Old Glory Santa Plate

July 18th (Saturday)                        – Rita Johnson – Watercolor Fans

August 15th (Saturday)                   – LeeAnn Washatka – Floral Bowl

September 19th (Saturday)             – Laura Clegg- Glass Blocks

October 15th-17th (Thur-Sat)          – Pat Lentine Seminar – Colored Pencils/Watercolors

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

December 5th (Saturday)                – Christmas Party at Wingers

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

2026 GSDP Board

In the past, the GSDP Board had 7 members, but today it only has 4. Members have moved away, experienced health issues or passed away. We really could use some help from our members, not only to keep things going, but we would like your input on what GSDP should be doing. Please consider volunteering to be a member of the Board.

The current Board members are President - LeeAnn Washatka, Treasurer - Pat Reeder, Secretary - Lydia Gossett and Newsletter/Membership – Terry Pulver. You may contact any of them if you wish to join the GSDP Board.

More Opportunities to Share

Bring a completed Project to show off during our monthly Paint-in. You will receive a raffle ticket to be eligible to win a special prize at the end of the year.

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.

No Birthdays this month.

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.

June Lynne Andrews Zoom Seminar

Teacher:                 Lynne Andrews

Date:                      June 4^th thru 6^th

The seminar is 3 days and 3 projects. It will include all the wood (14' plate, 8"x11" surface, and ornament), paint, patterns, instructions and pictures. GSDP will be purchasing the wood for everyone who joins us for the seminar. 

The seminar will be recorded, so if you are not able to paint on the scheduled dates, the recording will allow you to paint at your convenience.

Schedule: The Santa plate will be taught on Thursday and Friday. Two smaller projects, Christmas tree and Santa ornament, will be taught on Saturday.

Seminar: 

We have all the seminar materials ready to send to you out-of-state, pickup at the May 16th Paint-in, or whatever arrangements you have made with Leeann.

Before we can do that you will need to have paid the full seminar price of $200. Some of you have already paid in full, and we thank you for that. The rest have paid at least the $50 deposit, but still have a balance due. Please send or have the balance due with you when you pick up your materials.

You will be provided the the information you will need to join the zoom seminar at a later date.

If you have any questions please contact Leeann at 801-391-3556

July

Watercolor Fans

Teacher:           Rita Johnson

Cost:                $7.50

Surface:          Rita has the fans for sale.

Date:               July 18^th 10am – 2:30pm

Palette: 

Water color paints and brushes

Prep:

No prep needed

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.

August

Floral Bowl

Teacher:         LeeAnn Waskatka

Cost:              $7.50

Surface:         IKEA has the 11 inch bowl for sale for $25 or you may use any bowl you want.

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

Palette: DecoArt Americana

Antique Rose                                 Grape Juice (Purple Iris)

Black                                              Hauser Medium Green

Blue Harbor                                   Matcha Green

Cadmium Yellow                            Purple Cow

Celery Green                                 Raw Sienna

Coral                                              Spice Pink (Tea Berry or Cactus Flower)

Country Red or Tomato Red         Tangelo Orange

Deep Burgundy                             True Blue

Deep Midnight Blue                       Turquoise

Deep Ochre                                   Warm White

Desert Turquoise

Some of the paints for this project are old/retired colors. If you do not have them, feel free to substitute with colors of your choice. Or you can click this link to DecoArt Color Conversion Charts. It will take you to DecoArt's site where you will find mixing instructions and color swatches on retired and hard to find colors. (This link is also available on our web site 'Links” page under Painting Tips and Tricks.)

Misc Supplies:

Transfer Paper

Sealer

Identipen

White Pen

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

Prep:

Sand your bowl, seal with sealer of your choice and use a fine grit sandpaper to go over bowl when dry. Be careful if your bowl is from IKEA then it is bamboo and the sealer will come up easier.

Add paint adhesion drops to Black paint, mix and paint the outside of your bowl. Paint the inside of the bowl 2 inches down in the inside. You can choose to have a feathery line or a straight line. Paint a second coat on the entire bowl with just paint. Transfer the pattern and note that the flowers have numbers, transfer the number on or just note the number.

Base coat the following:

Birds: Blue Harbor

Daisy Centers and Cherries: Raw Sienna

#1 Flowers: Turquoise

#2 Flowers: Deep Ochre

#3 Flowers: Tangelo

#4 Flowers: Warm white

#5 Flowers and Heart: Antique rose

#6 Flowers: Turquoise

#7 Flowers: Spice Pink

#8 Flowers: Purple Cow

Leaves: Base the large and medium leaves Hauser Medium Green

Strawberries and cherries: Base with Raw Sienna and when dry paint with Country Red.

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.