Now that the weather’s warming up again, I can’t help but get excited about getting outside for some Plein Air Painting as the flowers start blooming. What inspires you?
Thank you Char Bucher for arranging the class by fellow member Paula Leopold in late March. I have been working on finishing the artwork and am amazed at what colored pencils can do, not to mention how long it takes to bring just one leaf or petal to life. Thanks to Paula for sharing her knowledge with us. You can see below what I have accomplished so far.
I have created a calendar for you that lists the opportunities you have to create beautiful works of art through our chapter of SDP (RMHi), or the Decorative Arts Academy (DAA) found through the SDP website or through sister chapters of SDP. The calendar provides you with the amount you pay as a RMHi and SDP member. The calendar will be linked to our website for you to consult and hopefully spur you to try something new.
April’s monthly meeting will feature a short business meeting to update you on the chapter’s workings and then we’ll hang out together virtually to work on service projects. You’ll be able to find out more as you scroll down to the 1st Vice Presidents’ report.
So, sit for a few minutes with a cup of tea as you peruse this newsletter.
Lisa Lewis
Co-Vice President/Program Report - Nancy Glassman, Mary Steingesser
I hope everyone is enjoying our spring weather. The spring flowers are beautiful in my neighborhood.
Thank you Mary for teaching the SDP Paint-in class at our March 15 Chapter meeting. This was a fun project members painted on a surface of their choice.
Monday, April 19, at 5:30 PM Self lead Community Service project. Paint a card (envelope optional) for someone at Garden Plaza, give it to Catherine by Monday, April 26th, and she’ll bring them to Garden Plaza. Or paint a memory box using memoryboxes.org to see what they want and how to donate. You can also check brighten-a-day.org where they want a variety of things such as cards and videos. Feel free to work on whatever project you desire. This will be a nice time to socialize while we work. FYI, if you create a card, stay away from mentioning negative things like “Even though we’re in a pandemic, have a nice day” and stick with positive things “From my heart to yours - have a great day."
Monday, May 17, at 5:30 PM Oils taught by Ginny Sparlin. I will be teaching a small basic still life oil painting for the May painting project. I'll try to keep it beginner simple. Starting with prepping your background, applying the pattern, laying out your palette colors, mixing or brush mixing. If there's time I'll plan to work on the project to a stopping place, where I would dry or spray with Krylon, then have another piece, same painting done and dry so I can show a little glazing and highlighting, shadows, etc. I plan to keep it small and simple so I can answer questions as I go.
I figure as many newer people as we have that maybe have never played with oils, maybe they don't know where to begin, and this might help them think about trying oils. I'll take notes as I paint and probably turn it into a pattern packet, in case anyone would want to try it on their own. - Ginny
Monday, June 21, 5:30 PM Self lead SDP paint in project which is a Lydia Steeves colored pencil Chickadee on
Monday July19, 5:30 PM Zendoodle taught by Deb Poster.
Monday, August 16, 5:30 PM Acrylic landscape taught by Andrene Schmelzer.
Monday , September 20, 5:30 PM To be announced. Taught by Karon Sorensen
Monday, October 18, 5:30 PM Rosemaling technique. Taught by Lisa Lewis
Monday, November 15, 5:30 PM Chapter Holiday party.
Deb has graciously offered to help teachers with Zoom either by you going to her house or her to yours. Thank you, Deb! We really appreciate your efforts!
Thank you everyone who has volunteered to teach and or help with these projects!
Nancy & Mary
Sunshine Report- Karon Sorensen
We want to wish the following members wonderful Birthday’s.
We have more birthdays in April than another month!
Ginny Sparlin April 6
Debbie Poster April 7
Andrene Schnelzer April 13
Joan Egar April 24
Nancy Glassman April 24
Gina Rehlander April 27
Carmen Owens April 29
Local Teacher Seminar Chair Report - Char Bucher
We are all in for a real treat. The Judy Patti class on July 31 has been changed to a fabulous red poppy painting. This is the kind of painting you all seemed to want instead of eyes. Please check the picture below and call or E- mail me that you wish to sign up.
The painting will be done on yuppo with gesso applied. You may take the class either on line or at Judy’s studio. Please.indicate your preference when you send your check. The cost of the class is $40. Send your check
to me.
Your pattern and prep instructions will be forwarded when I receive your payment. Many have already signed on, so don't delay too long.
We have this wonderful opportunity to paint with well known teachers! Contact Carolyn cvculwell@bresnan.net for details and who to send your check to. The next class coming up in June is with Linda Sharp, MDA for $30 which includes the Zoom class, paper pattern and paint. You can also order the plate to paint the design on as well for an extra $20. You can check our website's seminar page for a photo.
RMHi is co-sponsoring with High Plains Decorative Artists a seminar with Mark Polomchak. Mark's seminar has been rescheduled until 2022.
Melinda Barnes
Tole Chatter - Melinda Barnes
Have you mailed in your SDP ballot yet? The deadline is April 26th. Our very own Marilyn Corners is running for Board Member position again... thank you for all you have done for us Marilyn! It's not to early to mark your calendar for the SDP Annual Meeting to be held May 18 at 6 PM.
At the time I am writing this DecoArt is having a 50% off Excess Inventory Sale on their website. I don't know how long this sale will last and hope you can take advantage of it too. I placed an order to help support this company that is so important to our industry and I hope some of you will do the same. https://shop.decoart.com/sale/
Patricia Rawlinson... This is a nice video called "Paint Faux Wood & Drop Shadowed Lettering". Patty has a YouTube channel with many educational videos you might find interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSlBND-pgbM
Proportional Scale... Have you ever wondered the percentage to reduce a pattern to fit a surface you already have? This looks like a wonderful tool to have. You can find it on Amazon and many other places. The Craft Minute with DecoArt features Lonna Lamb showing you on YouTube how to use it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSpewXSN_oI
Linda Sharp, MDA... I hope some of you will take advantage of the Zoom seminar with Linda Sharp this June. HPDA and PPDP are allowing us to participate at the member price of $30 for the day which is an amazing opportunity.
Brushes & More... carries many different types of brushes and manufactures. You can find some wood and paper surfaces too. There are several video demos on their site you can watch while you are there. :) https://www.brushesandmore.com/
Mixing your paint bottles... How do you mix your paint? Just shake the bottle if you can? Sometimes the older paint bottles need a little more effort. Some artists use anything from chopsticks, marbles to stainless steal (won't rust) bee bees. There are battery operated paint mixers on the market. I have not used any of these so I don't know how well they work. Micro Mark makes this little hand held mixer for model paints that sells for $10.95. They also carry other hobby and artist supplies you may be interested in. https://www.micromark.com/Cordless-Mixer-for-Model-Paints
Badger Air-Brush Co. make a nice one available on Amazon.
There are also paint shakers available on the market.
Oil Painting Expressions... If you are an oil painter this is a must see website. Online classes are being taught by Jean Archer, Jan Boettcher, Robyn Brooks, Jeanne Downing, Mary Jo Leisure, Cheri Rol, Shirley Nan Ruchong, and Patsy Schultis in the next session. http://www.oilpaintingexpressions.com/
Holly Hanley... Ready for Spring? Holly has a free e-packet to paint tulips on fabric. http://www.hollyhanley.ca/
Holly is also providing a 32 minute lesson on YouTube. Unfortunately her surface is a framed pinboard she purchased at Dollarama in Canada and I couldn't find a source for us. Maybe you will be able to find a source. We all have, or can purchase, something made of fabric to paint this adorable design on. Holly glued on a gnome ornament, some birds and things, how fun is that! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN7xRYewT0U
Don't forget to check the Decorative Painters Academy. New great classes are added all the time. This is a great way to help support SDP while you are having fun. https://decorativepaintersacademy.com/
