Society of Decorative Painters

02/12/2021

We are in awe of this project that a painting group, Friends with Flowers is doing to encourage seniors this Valentine's Day!
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Here is what a member of the group, Lisa Schall shared about the group's mission:⁠

"Some are painters and some are paper crafters. There are 23 of us from all over the United States. Our purpose is to use our gifts and talents to sprinkle kindness on some of our seniors that have been in lockdown all these months. We want them to know we care and that they are not forgotten. At Christmas we made 427 treats for 4 different senior living facilities and for Valentine's Day we just added our local recipients of Meals on Wheels for a total of 532 treats. Most of these photos are from things we have painted. Many of our painted pieces are from wonderful designs by Tracy Moreau. We hope in sharing what we have been doing, that other painters will reach out to do the same for the seniors in their communities."⁠
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If you are interested in becoming a part of this group, reach out to Lisa Schall, Valerie Andrieu Padgett, or Karen Showalter!⁠
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Photos by Karen Showalter, design by Tracy Moreau Live 🖌️

02/11/2021

Hello, painting friends! We appreciate all your support of the Society of Decorative Painters on social media, and we want to give back to you. That’s why we’re excited to announce a giveaway!

This month, we’re giving away one free spot to Sandy McTier’s March 31 class on Decorative Painters Academy, PLUS a free e-packet by Vicki Alley, TDA to EVERYONE who signs up for our newsletter!

Vicki’s project is a great beginner piece, and Sandy is teaching a beautiful Peonies and Dragonfly Art Journal Page project in her class. You can see both designs below!

Here’s how you can enter the giveaway…

For 1 entry for Sandy's class:
1. Make sure you’ve liked and followed our Society of Decorative Painters page
2. Tag a friend in a comment on this post and tell them why you love to paint!
3. The more comments and tags you post, the more entries you get

For 10 entries for Sandy's class:
Share this post on your own news feed (click on the “Share” button below this post)

For 15 entries for the class AND the free pattern:
Sign up for our SDP emails by going to this link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/FN2AgiX/sdpsignup

If you sign up for the newsletter, you’ll automatically get the free packet sent to your email AND get 15 extra entries for the class! If you are already on our email list, you can enter your information through the above link again for the pattern.

We’ll pick the winner for Sandy’s class at random and announce them on Monday, March 1. Until then, happy painting!

02/10/2021

Here is another encouraging story of how one of our chapters, Shades of Northwest Hills in Connecticut, stayed strong using Zoom and socially-distanced events through 2020!

"2020 was a challenging year for our SDP chapter, Shades of Northwest Hills. Due to the pandemic, we cancelled our March meeting. We quickly realized that we were not going to be able to have in-person meetings. In April, the Board met to discuss how we could continue meeting and engaging our members. We decided to have monthly meetings using Zoom. As Zoom was new to everyone, we started by having several training sessions to ensure our members were comfortable using Zoom. After several practice sessions, we began our monthly meetings in May. We had a full schedule throughout 2020.

In May, one of our members taught a Zoom Pansy project on Slate. In June, another member taught a class on painting on wine glasses. While we don't usually meet in July and August, we held two successful events. In July we hosted a fun Zoom Happy Hour and Trivia Night. In August we held a socially distanced parking lot party, in the parking lot of our meeting place, which included a show and tell of members' painting projects. Both events were well attended.

In September we hosted artist Maureen Baker for a five hour painting seminar on canvas. We invited another local chapter to join us.

In October, chapter members taught a cute holiday Gnome Project. Also in October several members took a socially distanced field trip to tour a new local Center for the Arts. November was a busy month as we hosted two Zoom events - a Mandala mug project designed and taught by one of our members, as well as our second annual Back to Basics Painting Seminar taught by artist Janice Cormier. The Back to Basics is a popular chapter seminar which included an invitation to another local chapter. This year our seminar focused on stroke work and included a stroke work project.

In December we enjoyed our annual Holiday party, only this year it was on Zoom. The party included holiday games and an ornament exchange. Members were assigned a recipient name through a random name generator and mailed their ornament to the recipient. Ornaments were opened at the Zoom Holiday Party.

Towards the end of the year, the Chapter surveyed our members, using Survey Monkey, with questions on chapter participation and what they would like to see in 2021.

While the year was challenging, we were very happy to be able to keep the chapter engaged and painting together."

If you're in the Connecticut area and aren't already a part of a painting community, email [email protected] to get in touch with Shades of Northwest Hills!

02/08/2021

This project by Priscilla Hauser, MDA is titled "Gorgeous Geraniums," and we think "gorgeous" is the perfect way to describe it!⁠
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Want to paint this project with Priscilla on March 13? Sign up for the class through the Decorative Painters Academy--the link is below!

https://decorativepaintersacademy.com/proddetail.php?prod=PH001

02/05/2021

Join SDP we have Zoom chapter paint-in classes going on all over the country!

02/04/2021

How a group of women across the US is staying connected - CNN Video

Hello, painting friends!

The second half of this video from CNN features a group of painters who have been staying connected throughout the pandemic through Zoom, and you can even spot some SDP members in it! We are so thankful for all the ways artists everywhere have found to stay connected. Having a sense of community and a creative outlet is more important now than ever before!

We hope this encourages you as you finish out the week!

A group of women from across the country have found a way to beat pandemic isolation, by hosting group zoom painting events. Anderson Cooper Full Circle airs Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 6p E.T.

02/04/2021

As far as we're concerned, it's never too early to start pulling together projects for the next holiday season! 😉
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You can sign up for this Feather Tree Santa class with Plaid Crafts and Chris Williams through the link below! It will be over Zoom, so you can paint from anywhere!⁠

https://decorativepaintersacademy.com/proddetail.php?prod=CW001

02/02/2021

It's not too late to sign up for our Zoom classes with some fantastic Plaid Crafts painters in March, like the class for this "Am I Blue?" project by Andy Jones, CDA! We can't wait to kick off spring by painting some flowers.
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Get painting with us through the Decorative Painters Academy! Sign up here: www.decorativepaintersacademy.com

01/25/2021

There is only ONE spot left for Sherry Nelson, MDA's Golden Glow class! Her February class series on the Decorative Painters Academy has been incredibly popular, and the other two classes in it are now completely sold out. Don't miss out on this chance to paint with Sherry!

Claim the last spot here: https://decorativepaintersacademy.com/proddetail.php?prod=SCN001

Want to be the first to know about future Decorative Painters Academy classes? SDP members are notified of classes via email, but you can also keep an eye out at www.decorativepaintersacademy.com!

We hope you have a great week of painting ahead 🖌🎨

01/22/2021

What are SDP members up to as we continue to adjust to life during a pandemic? Over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing updates from painters just like you about how they're staying strong! First up, we have a story to share from the Raindrop Chapter in Oregon!

From Mary Klein, Raindrop President:

RAINDROP CHAPTER - DECEMBER TO REMEMBER!
For the Raindrop Chapter of Oregon & SW Washington, the holiday brunch in December is a very special day of gathering, gift exchanges and formal board and committee assignment transitions. Because we had to cancel this year, the executive board wanted to make the month of December a special one to remember, for all our members. After brainstorming ideas, we came up with two.

We began with traditional Christmas Cards, signed by each board member, and loaded with small treats inside each: Stickers, embellishments and postage stamps encouraging members to send their own Happy Mail (see details below).

The next idea was to celebrate The Twelve Days of Christmas virtually. Each day, for 12 days, members received an email with a small themed surprise. Example: Let It Snow had instructions for cutting out paper snowflakes and ideas for using them along with colorful photos. Good Tidings We Bring had several recipes for making food gifts in a jar and quick gift basket ideas with photos. Some days included a holiday themed word find or crossword puzzle while others included painting patterns, solicited from various teachers who were happy to support our special event. For those who don’t have email access, each day was printed and placed into 12 envelopes, marked with the day it should be opened. These were mailed out in advance with instructions. It was as fun to create as it was to receive!

HAPPY MAIL!
During this pandemic where so many have been locked in, Happy Mail is one small thing everyone can enjoy. We encouraged all members to send a note or card to a chapter member by giving them a postage stamp, as mentioned above. Here is the corresponding message we sent: “Please pull out your membership directory and consider sending a note or card to a chapter member you don’t know very well, or don’t know at all! Just say hi, introduce yourself and maybe share a little about how long you’ve been painting, where you started painting or share a fun chapter memory or who your favorite teacher so far has been. Maybe share what you’re currently working on or how many projects you’ve completed this past year. Sharing is caring and we all need more of that right now!!

Our chapter is now fully virtual until we’re able to meet again in person. We hold meetings every other month on the 1st Saturday of Even Months which include a Paint-In event. On off months we’ve scheduled Webinars and welcome both members and non-members to join us for any or all.

Visit our website at www.Raindropchapter.org and see what else we’re up to!

01/19/2021

Decorative Painters Academy

It’s almost time! Three days of Mark Menendez color pencil classes is just over a week away. Check out details at DecorativepaintersAcademy.com

12/22/2020

Have you done a project by Linda Sharp Artful Elegance yet? Linda is a new Master Decorative Artist, a phenomenal painter, and an SDP Business Member!⁠
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"Linda has been creating since childhood but her love affair with decorative painting began when a friend introduced her to this art form in 1980. Since then she has taken classes and studied with some of the best teachers in the industry, always striving to better her skills. Linda began teaching around her kitchen table in 1982. Designing and creating artwork using traditional folk art techniques coupled with her love of flowers provides inspiration as she paints stroke work with a contemporary flair. Acrylics are her medium of choice but she enjoys dabbling in oils, experimenting with watercolor and batik, color pencils as well as creating with pen and ink. There is always something new to learn and try in the world of art!⁠
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Linda loves to teach, sharing her passion and the joy of painting with students, other artists and her community. She believes anyone can learn to paint if there is a desire to learn and practice. Linda teaches workshops for chapters as well as regional and national conventions all over the country and she is now offering Zoom seminars and classes due to the Coronavirus pandemic and quarantine. This is a way for her to continue teaching and stay connected with her students and friends."⁠
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This photo shows Linda's Tropical Fantasy Bouquet project. You can shop her project packets at lindasharpcda.com! Find more arts and crafts businesses at the Virtual Marketplace at decorativepaintersacademy.com/marketplace/

12/18/2020

Our business member Paula Leopold creates fantastic colored pencil artwork!⁠
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"Paula has been teaching painting classes for over 40 years and still loving every class she has the pleasure to teach. She currently is teaching 5 ongoing weekly classes in the Denver, Colorado metro area. Paula also travel teaches at conventions and seminars throughout the country and would love to come and teach for your chapter. She received her Certified Decorative Artist certificate from the Society of Decorative Painters. Paula teaches using a variety of mediums oils, acrylics, watercolors and colored pencils. She is affiliated with both painting and colored pencils organizations.⁠
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When Paula is asked why she still enjoys teaching classes after so many years she says it is such a blessing to see a student accomplish success in their personal journey. It is truly rewarding to be just a small part of that process of art development in the lives of others and to see the delight it brings her students."⁠
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This photo shows her Christmas In The Rockies DVD project! Shop more from Paula at paulaleopold.com, and find more SDP businesses through the Virtual Marketplace at decorativepaintersacademy.com/marketplace/ 🎄

12/16/2020

Are you struggling to come up with last-minute gift ideas? If you have an artist in your life, you can gift them a membership with the Society of Decorative Painters! This comes with quarterly issues of our Decorative Painter magazine, but also so much more:

🎨 Discounts on classes and (virtual) retreats!
🎨 Free bonus projects throughout the year
🎨 The ability to join any chapters in their area
🎨 Access to our Certification and Teacher Development programs

A one-year US membership is $60! You can gift your friend or family member a membership by going to the link below or calling 316-269-9300!

https://www.decorativepainters.org/Public/Membership/Individual_Membership_Benefits___Costs_Page.aspx

12/16/2020

Erika Joanne Art is an SDP business member and a talented painter and colored pencil artist!⁠
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"Erika Joanne and her husband live in the beautiful and inspiring Pacific Northwest. She enjoys delving into the whimsical and purely imaginative art styles and has an Innovative Paint & Pencil™ line of design packets which successfully combine colored pencil and acrylic paint with unique results. As a Jo Sonja Creative, she can help you understand the Jo Sonja paint system and how it works with colored pencil. She and her Certified Teachers love to teach and are ready to share these fun techniques with you!⁠
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You can find a variety of patterns & supplies on her website along with information about upcoming online classes. Her students find her classes to be relaxing, fun, and filled with educational artful insights. When you visit her website, be sure to sign-up for her newsletter to receive updates and special offers. You may contact Erika by email at: [email protected] or visit her website at erikajoanne.com, where her creative web door is always open!"⁠
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This photo shows Erika's Bella O'Hare art kit! Shop from Erika and more small arts and crafts businesses at the SDP Virtual Marketplace. Visit at decorativepaintersacademy.com/marketplace/ 🎨

12/15/2020

Christmas Tree Class by Priscilla Hauser

Tune in for this live class!

12/14/2020

Today's featured business member is Margot A Clark, a past Decorative Painter cover artist!⁠
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"Margot Clark lives in sunny Florida with her husband, Harold, and both are co-owners of Unique Glass Colors where they have manufactured MUD along with kiln-fired glass colors since 2009. Art in all forms and mediums is her passion and that extends to home decorating and her beloved gardens which are inspirations for some of her designs.⁠
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MUD is a glass texture medium that can air-dry or be kiln fired and I call the technique MUDDING. If you are actively doing the technique you are a MUDDER, past tense – MUDDED, newbie – MUDLING, everyone plays in the collective MUD Puddle and Margot is the GrandMUDDER! She has a group on FaceBook called MUDDING with Margot for ongoing info on using MUD.⁠
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On her website, you can find MUD supplies, Kits, Surfaces, E-Packets in various mediums, E-Books, Printed Tutorials, her line of Margot’s Signature Brushes and a new feature is her Online Classroom. Contact Margot by email at [email protected] or visit margotclark.com."⁠
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You can find Margot's listing and view more of our business members at the decorativepaintersacademy.com/marketplace/!⁠
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This photo is of Margot's Two White Roses E-Packet.⁠ Find it at https://margotclark.com/proddetail.php?prod=ep223