Golden Spike Decorative Painters

 2026 July Newsletter

From the Office of the President

This month marked an exciting milestone for Golden Spike Decorative Painters as we hosted our very first Zoom seminar featuring the talented Lynne Andrews. Over three days, participants created a beautiful patriotic Santa plate, a charming ornament, and a whimsical Christmas tree on a sled. Along the way, we explored techniques rooted in watercolor-style washes and Lynne’s unique floating methods, producing projects that were both challenging and rewarding.

The results were truly stunning. Whether you are a seasoned painter or still developing your skills, it was inspiring to see each artist bring their own creativity and personality to the projects. The finished pieces showcased not only Lynne’s wonderful designs but also the dedication and talent of our members.

As we celebrate the success of this seminar, I would like to take a moment to share a little behind the scenes perspective about what it takes to bring a seminar to life.

Many members see the finished event, but the planning process begins a year in advance. It starts with identifying and securing a teacher whose teaching style and projects will appeal to our membership. From there, schedules must be coordinated, projects selected, budgets developed, and countless details managed.

Once projects are chosen, surfaces must be sourced and ordered. In many cases, a wood cutter must be located and coordinated to create custom surfaces. Patterns must be prepared and distributed. Venues must be secured. Advertising materials are created and shared. Registrations are tracked. Surface packets are assembled and distributed. Questions are answered. Problems are solved. Inevitably, unexpected issues arise and require adjustments along the way.

What may look effortless on seminar day is the result of many hours of volunteer work by dedicated board members who care deeply about providing quality educational opportunities for our painting community.

I also want to address a topic that occasionally arises regarding seminar costs. Please know that GSDP does not make a profit from seminars. Our goal is simply to break even, and even that does not always happen. Over the past several years, the cost of nearly every aspect of hosting a seminar has increased, including teacher fees, travel expenses, lodging, meals, venue rentals, shipping, and painting surfaces.

At the same time, finding instructors willing and able to travel has become increasingly difficult. Many teachers have reduced their travel schedules or stopped traveling altogether. As a result, there may be times when we need to pivot to virtual learning opportunities such as Zoom seminars in order to continue bringing quality instruction to our members.

While Zoom seminars may look different from traditional in-person events, they offer unique advantages. We can access talented teachers from across the country, reduce travel-related costs, and continue learning from artists we might never otherwise have the opportunity to paint with.

One of the challenges facing GSDP is finding members willing to step into leadership roles. Earlier this year, the board asked for help, and we are delighted that Laura Clegg stepped up to the plate and volunteered to serve as our First Vice President.

Please join me in welcoming Laura to the board. Laura brings extensive painting experience, a wealth of creative knowledge, and remarkable talents in both decorative painting and quilting. Her willingness to serve and share her expertise will be a tremendous asset to our club, and we are grateful for her commitment.

As our club continues to grow and evolve, we also welcome additional volunteers. There is always room for helping hands and fresh ideas. Whether your strengths lie in organizing events, assisting with seminars, welcoming new members, helping with communications, or serving in a board position, your contributions make a difference. The success of Golden Spike Decorative Painters has always been built on members sharing their time, talents, and passion for the arts.

Most importantly, our goal remains unchanged: to provide meaningful educational experiences, foster creativity, and create opportunities for artists to learn, grow, and connect with one another.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Lynne Andrews seminar and to those who continue to support the club through your membership, volunteer efforts, and enthusiasm. The board works hard behind the scenes to make these opportunities possible, and your support helps ensure that Golden Spike Decorative Painters continues to thrive.

Here’s to many more creative adventures ahead!

LeeAnn

President, Golden Spike Decorative Painters

2026 Seminars and Paint-ins

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,

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, and 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.

Patricia Reeder

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.

July

Watercolor Fans

Teacher:           Rita Johnson

Cost:                $7.50

Surface:          Rita has the fans for sale for $3.00

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

Palette: 

Water color paints and brushes

Black micron Pen

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.

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

Palette: DecoArt Americana

Grape Juice (Purple Iris)   Antique Rose  

Hauser Medium Green      Black 

Blue Harbor                       Matcha Green

Cadmium Yellow                Purple Cow

Celery Green                     Raw Sienna

Coral                                  Spice Pink (Tea Berry or Cactus Flower)

Country 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 the rest of the inside of the bowl Celery Green and add the paint adhesion medium. 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.

October Pat Lentine Seminar

Teacher:      Pat Lentine Seminar

Cost:           $250 to $300 (due to the rising costs of airfare, hotels, etc. the final price will not be known until closer to the seminar date)

All the projects are in Colored Pencils/Watercolors.

This Seminar will give you a chance to learn these new mediums.

Supplies: for the projects including pictures, patterns, instructions and colored pencils will be provided. Bring your own water color paints if you have them. If not, we will have paint to share.

Schedule:  'Penny' will be taught on Thursday, 'Cally' on Friday,  and 'My B FF' on Saturday.

Date:          October 15th -17th 10:00 am

Seminar: There is a $50 non-refundable deposit. The deposit must be received by August 15th  to hold you spot in the class. We also need time to order the color pencils for those who are attending. They will be yours to keep. The check should be made out to Golden Spike Decorative Painters and mailed to GSDP care of Pat Reeder at 470 W 4900 S, Washington Terrace, UT 84405.

Any remaining seminar balance must be paid when you pickup your surfaces, pictures, patterns and instructions.

Lunches are included in the seminar price. (Please note that we are unable to accommodate individual dietary needs.) Bottled water will also be provided.

Contact LeeAnn (801 391-3556 ) if you have any questions about the seminar.

 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.