Yep! The board met recently for a face-to-face meeting (socially-distanced and wearing masks if needed) in my backyard. On my mind was what we could do in the coming two weeks, six weeks and 90 days. At this time, we acknowledge that any type of gathering other than virtual is the only way to go for the health and well-being of our members.
On August 17th, we will have a Zoom membership project meeting at 2:30 in the afternoon. All members in good standing should have received an Evite from me and it is important for you to reply. If you did not receive it, either you don’t have email OR the email you have with us isn’t valid. Please be sure you get that updated information to Deb Poster so you can remain up-to-date with all activities.
Thanks to Andrene ahead of time for helping us paint little artistic treasures on tea bags. A warm pat-on-the-back to Deb Poster for her rock-painting leadership several weeks ago. Rocks have become such a popular and fun activity for everyone young and old alike!
The Judy Patti tree-painting seminar was well-attended both at her studio and via Zoom. I never knew trees were so multi-faceted with spruce trees pointing to the ground and fir trees reaching for the sky. As usual, we could have painted another entire day and still would have been wanting more information.
We look ahead to a 2-month/meeting project for September and October where Mary Steingesser will lead us in creating a beautiful pumpkin as we enter into fall. Be watching for the Evite that session in about another month.
The 2021 Board is being solidified and I will have that information for you next newsletter.
Until then, paint everything you see and include everything you can’t see.
Lisa
Program Report - Andrene Schmelzer
Tea Bag Prep
1. Let tea bag dry 2 o 3 days if you want it to have a dark design on it.
I like to hurry mine though and squeeze out excess and lay on a paper towel to dry a little. Then cut the bag to eliminate the staple and shake out the tea leaves. I then cut the bag to the size of my project. I prefer the family size bag, as you are not limited to something small. Tetley also has a round bag.
2. Your project can now be stamped onto the bag with archival ink or use a Micron archival ink pen and draw or trace a design on. I have found that Sharpie, Stadtler, Faber Castell and Zig pens will sometimes smear when you glue the bag to watercolor paper. So, I prefer the Micron. I like a number 3, but any size works. Also, this should be only one layer of tea bag. The round one needs to have the back cut off.
3.Next, put some Liquitex matte medium on watercolor paper with a brush or sponge brush. Then press your inked piece onto this and smooth out. Add more medium if needed, as ytou don't want the edges to lift. The watercolor pads work fine. You can also use scraps you have from other classes. I would not use the heavy paper (400 pound) Let dry. I have read that Mod Podge works too, but I have not tried it.
4. Now you are ready to paint your project. I prefer watercolors and they do not need to be the highest quality. That is your choice, if you have old ones to use up. Acrylics and markers work too if you do not have watercolors.
5. What you do now with this project is up to you. I made a journal out of mine. I also make greeting cards from mine. It is up to you.
6. I find that watercolor paper is the best thing to adhere your bags to. I have heard of others using stamping papers, but they can buckle.
Treasurer Report - Linda Beaty
We can accept credit cards for all things chapter related, our membership, projects, special events. You may call or text me with your charge info, 720-261-4226.
Sunshine Report- Karon Sorensen
We want to send best Birthday wishes to the following.
Marilyn Corners August 6
Elissa McAlear August 29
RMHi is co-sponsoring with High Plains Decorative Artists a seminar with Mark Polomchak. As you know this seminar was scheduled for August this year. It has been decided to postpone Mark's seminar until next year.
Melinda Barnes
Rocky Mountain Hi Artists
Email: MelindaLee@aol.com
Tole Chatter - Melinda Barnes
FREE CLASSES
Look for a separate article for free painting classes available online.
Just a reminder our SDP Annual Meeting will be held August 26th this year at 6 PM CST via Zoom! I hope you all can attend the meeting.
There will be a Live online convention March 16 - 21, 2021. (This is not affiliated with SDP) For more info check out this website... https://www.cindyharrisonart.com/
Chrisy Heartman has some cute designs... I especially like her gnome pattern. She also sells Digital Stamps for $1.oo. The company who used to manufacture her stamps went out of business so she added the digital stamps to her website. http://www.chartmandesigns.com/
Some paint suppliers are starting to ship paint again. At one point during the pandemic DecoArt's factory was shut down and many colors have been out of stock. You can try and order online at https://www.hofcraft.com/ or https://www.cdwood.com/. You can order directly from https://decoart.com/
Again I would like to remind you of Jerry's Artarama for any of the supplies you have been looking for. Their shipping is very reasonable. You will also find free art lessons while you are shopping. :) https://www.jerrysartarama.com/
I found a lovely artist that you might enjoy viewing her website. Pat Meyer's work is absolutely fantastic. https://www.patmeyer-artist.com/
Elissa sent a newsletter from Artists Network. Their website has so much to offer an artist in all mediums you would like to paint in. I especially enjoyed looking at the Colored Pencil section. You will find demos, classes and good articles to read. Elissa mentioned the live classes you can take for a very reasonable fee. In particular the Paint Along series. So when you have a few minutes this site is worth spending some time looking around. https://www.artistsnetwork.com/
Melinda
FREE PAINTING LESSONS and TUTORIALS ONLINE- Melinda Barnes
There are so many free classes available online you will be amazed what is available. There are too many to list, but I will try and cover the most popular ones for you.
GOOGLE
First of all, if you are interested in class videos in a certain medium you can use Google to find more than you have time for. <grin> Same with your favorite designers.
YouTube
Like Google you can type in their search engine what you are interested in watching. Everything from demos, how-tos and free classes. Some of the popular decorative artists in our industry have a YouTube Channel you can subscribe to and not miss any of the free classes.
Facebook
Oh my, where do I begin. I know some of you don't use Facebook, but if you are interested in taking free painting classes this is a must to stay informed. You will need to "friend" some of the popular artists that are providing these free classes so you will know when they are being offered. You can also check out their website for dates and sign-up for their newsletter. Some of the free classes offered don't require you to purchase anything, but in some cases you may want the pattern and supplies and can buy them before the class starts.
Tracy Moreau offers so many things on Facebook. Everyday Tracy posts color combinations with photos that are wonderful. She adds some humorous posts everyday as well. Tracy offers a YouTube channel with classes ranging from a few minutes to over 1 1/2 hours also available live on Facebook every Saturday. Be sure and ''Friend" her, you won't be sorry. check out her website... many of her free video classes are also there.https://tracymoreau.net/
Laurie Speltz (Creative Coach) offers live Facebook classes almost every week. Tip, techniques and projects.
http://lauriespeltz.com/
Erika Joanne has been teaching a free class every week. She has a Facebook group called Paint & Pencil. Join that group to see what subjects are offered and in most cases you just need to have some paint ready (she uses Jo Sonja, but substitute your favorite) and your colored pencils. Last week she and her daughter painted a Sunflower start to finish and was wonderful. She used some stencils to enhance the painting as well. https://www.erikajoanne.com/
Lydia Steeves is well known for painting animals in many different mediums. I have mentioned her in past articles. Lydia just announced she has new 20 minute tutorials called "Fur and Feathers". On her website you will also find other videos you can learn a lot from.
https://lydiasteeves.com/
Let's Paint with Plaid is holding live project painting classes every Tuesday and Thursday called "Lunch and Learn". Do a search on Facebook to join this group.
Marian Jackson, MDA is teaching short Zoom classes now for colored pencil techniques, but can be applied to any painting medium. Join her group "Colored Pencil Video Classes Online". The next workshop being offered is for shadows. You can visit her website for the best colored pencil patterns!
https://marianjackson.com/
Debbie Cole's group is called "Creative Innovations" and is also teaching lots of live classes. Maureen Baker is offering free classes and demos in the same group with Debbie Cole.
As I have mentioned before the Golden website offers tutorials and videos on how to use their product. Check out their video library. https://www.goldenpaints.com/
Pinterest
As always has so many wonderful and creative ideas for inspiration. They also have a search engine you can type in demos and classes.
ZOOM
Is easy to learn and can be accessed on any device...computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. If you are taking a class the larger device you use the better. I use my larger iPad and I am able to see the teacher's project and painting instructions perfectly. Some Zoom classes are recorded for viewing later.
In closing you might checkout many of the paint manufactures and other suppliers'websites for video clips and their product demos.
