June 20 & 21 Faux Marquetry Class With Visiting Artist - Kimberly Bennett

On June, 20 & 21, 2009, we met at Linda Conner's Studio in Charleston, West Virginia, for an adventure in Faux Grains. Visiting Artist Kimberly Bennett TT, taught various Folk graining techniques using 20th Century materials and DecoArts Non-Toxic Traditions Acrylics. All the techniques were created with inexpensive materials that you can find on hand or lying around the house. There was no need for any specialty brushes for this class. We used a variety of bristle brushes that are readily available at any hardware or art supply store.

On the first day Kim discussed the are of Marquetry and Faux Marquetry. As paart of her examples, she displayed several faux wood picture frames. Later in the class she surprised us with a random drawing for them. I won one. I love it. During this day we worked through 10 different faux techniques on primed watercolor paper. When completed and dried, the labeled instructions were applied to the back side of each piece. They were then inserted into an album (supplied by Kimberly) to use as a reference for future projects. The album contained extra pages for the addition of new faux techniques of our own. We finished all 10 faux treatments in one day. It was amazing how quickly the projects went. To encourage us to use our newly learned techniques, Kim gave each of us an unfinished picture frame.

On Sunday we began our nain project. This was a box with a Magnolia Motif, designed to look as if is was inlayed wood pieces. Kim explaned the reason and her inspiration for the Magnolia design. For this class Kimberly gave us the option to supply our own surface. To accommodae us, she supplied the pattern in various sizes. Some students painted their project on Memory Boxes for the Hubbard House Hospice Center, a few used trays and others used surfaces they had on hand. The time went to fast, bet we were all pleased with our projects. I think everyone left with lots of new ideas and exciting projects in mind. Kimberly is an excellent teacher and a lot of fun to work with. Thank you Please come again.

I also want to mention that Linda's Studio was great. It has a wonderful atmosphere, is conveniently located, brightly lite, greats accomidations, Kitchen, two bathrooms and excellent parking. Also Linda was in and out checking of our needs. Thank you Linda, you were a gracious host.

2009 Smithsonian/SDP Ornament Project

You are invited to join SDP as they help the Smithsonian Institute?Museum of Art-Renwick Gallery decorate its annual Christmas Tree. Packets will include detailed instructions and more information regarding the selection of paintings that Artist must draw from. Artrist must use the medium of their choice provided they use the wood ornament provided in the packet. You must be a member of the Society of Decorative Painters. Ornaments will be distributed on a first come-first serve basis with one ornament per artist.
For more information and order form, view the SDP Web Site.
http://www.decorativepainters.com/

SDP WebSite Update

Check out SDP's new Blog
http://decorativepainters.org/blog/ This is great to see activities at 2009 SDP Conference.

KVDA member Gaby Hunter is one of 9 Core Team members of the Art Apprentice Online Educational Program. These teachers will oversee and administer the development of the education programs for the DecoArt Traditions Online Art School. They will be working with the existing and new Trasitions Artists and Teachers as they progress through the program. Gaby along with the others will be available at the DecoArt Traditons SDP Convention Booth.

Tried of having to track down a copier to increase line art for patterns in your The Decorative Painter Magazine? Now every pattern in The magazine is available at 100% in the Members Only section. We started this feature with Issue 2/Spring 2009

Link to a Supply List posted on SDP Website for Conferences: http://decorativepainters.org/conference/supplylist3.htm

SDP's online Boutique accepts PayPal now. It's even easier to buy some SDP logo stuff to show the world you love to paint. http://decorativepainters.org/categories.php

KVDA Update - Kimberly Bennett has made it easier for us to post comments. Leave a comment. Did you enjoy a workshop? Do you have any suggestions? Is the posted information on the KVDA Blog useful to you? We would love to hear from you.

June-27th and 28th (Saturday & Sunday)

Faux Finish Marquetry Project by Kimberly Bennett TT
Prepare to get messy! Bring an apron or old shirt.
We will be using non-toxic Traditions Acrylics for this class. There will be no need for any specialty brushes, as we will be using a variety of bristle brushes athat are readily available at hardware and art supply stores.
Class Fee - $100
Supplies you need to bring to class:
Usual Supplies - towels, water bin, wet palette, palette paper, black transfer paper, etc.
Brushes: Large soft brush (to apply extender); 2" chip brush (Cheap general prupose varnish brush ; Soft nylon Bristle brush 3" and 2" flat paint brush, the flatter the better; 1/4" rake brush; 3/4" mop brush (bring 2 if you have them); #4 fan brush; 1/4" angle; #10 flat; #10 filbert; fine liner brush; #4 pointed round brush.
Other Supplies - X-acto craft knife, palette knife, large sea sponge, straight edge or ruler, old coumb with small and large teeth.

Driving Directions to Class Location:
From Huntington; After crossing the I-64 Charleston Kanawha Rover Bridge, take exit 58B for Us 60E toward Wee St. Merge onto Pennsylvania Ave/US-119. Turn left at US-60 Washington St. W. Turn Left at Pennsylvania Ave/US-119 ( basicly a u-turn). Continue to follow Pennsylvania Ave to the 300 block. Pass Wyoming SAt., it is the Red Brick Building on the right.
From Parkersburg and Beckly: Take exit 58B to merge onto Bigley Ave/Pennslyvania Ave./US-119 toward Viriginia St. Continue to follow Pennsylvania Ave. to 300 Block. Pass Wyoming St., Red brick building on the right.

Linda Conner's building.

For more information about this class see previous post, "Personal Message from Kim" .

May 23, 2009 KVDA Workshop

As you know, Mina was unable to teach her class. But, since we reserved “Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church in Hurricane, we wiused the scheduled time to paint, visit, inspire and help each other create Christmas Ornaments for our “Ways and Means Project. Members brought their regular painting supplies. and we had fun painting, and sharing with each other. Joan Mullins finished her Mound show ornaments, and was the first member to turn in her completed works.
Mr. Gene made Spaghetti Sauce for us. Betty baked rolls, Shirley had Pie, Marlene brought salad and everything was delicious. We will also had Birthday Cake for Elain Kuhl.
Sorry I don't have pictures to post, but I forgot my camera. Maybe at a later date, Elain and Sandy promised to share photos with me.

I'm leaving the directions posted. Hopefully we well have the opportunity to meet at Forrest Burdette Memorial in the futhre. The Church is beautiful as well as ideal. Thank you to the Church and to Joan Mullins for making this possible.

Directions to Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church:
Coming from Charleston – Go West on I-64 to Exit 34 Hurricane – turn left
Coming from Huntington – Go East on I-64 to Exit 34 Hurricane – turn right
Pass McDonald’s and get in the right lane, at the stop light at the Walgreen construction turn right. At the next light make a right turn and then immediately make a left.
The church is straight ahead.
2824 Putnam Ave.

Personal Message From Kim

Magnolia Box, faux marquetry, 9" x 13"x 4 7/8", acrylics on wood
©2009 Kim Bennett

I have several painting on the go. Things have been going great in the studio. I started on a cityscape and made the final touches to the faux marqutery box for the class in June. It is nice to work the right side of the brain again.

The faux wood box is a magnolia design that I have put together for the KVDA members in Charleston, West Virginia.

Along with the box, we will be reproducing some early graining techniques with 20th century materials. We will be using non-toxic Traditions Acrylics for our faux finishes.

There will be no need for any specialty brushes for this class. We will be using a variety of bristle brushes that are readily available at hardware and art supply stores. We will create an album of graining effects that can be taken home. These will be made with materials that you can find on hand or lying around the house.

Prepare to get messy!

-Kim Bennett

Mark Polomchak Seminar

November 13, 14, 15, 2009
10 a.m. Till 4-5 p.m.

We are still looking for a suitable location . Any suggestions would be appreciated. We will be painting the pictures shown in this section. But they might not be painted in the same order they are displayed.

One complete painting will finished by the end of each the day. Class cost is $50 Per Day, and limited to 30 people. Non-members are welcome. However, they will be required to pay an additional $25 fee.

The 15"x20" board surfaces will be supplied at a cost of $2 each. Mark will supply a palette of necessary paint colors for $12. Watercolor palettes must be pre-ordered When you register for this class be sure to specify that you wish to pre-order your palette. If you wish to bring your own tubes of paint, you will need the following Windsor Newton Watercolors: Payne’s Gray; Sap Green; Prussian Blue; Burnt Sienna; Sepia; Yellow Ochre; Vermilion (Holbein); Violet Diox; Cerulean Blue; Alizarin Crimson; Cobalt Blue.

You will trace the watercolor template (Mark will supply)

NECESSARY SUPPLIES

Brushes: wash brush (one stroke preferred, mop brush will do)¾" flat with shaved handle; # 10 or 12 round; # 6 script liner
Sponges: kitchen sponge, sea sponge soft or nylon sponge soft
Masking Fluid- Mark prefers Winsor Newton Colorless (Miskit). Grumbacher will be ok
Students will need to bring: towel (kitchen size)

Coffee can to hold the water
Butcher tray or something to mix on (small sheet of plexi-glass works well)
# 4 pencil;
Red pen (ball-point);
Spray bottle (not a mist sprayer but a plant type spray bottle)
Masking tape
Transfer graphite (non-wax) and Tracing paper.
Toothbrush

Just wanted to call your attention to Marcia's new endeavor. She and a girlfriend decided to take the plunge and set up a small shop in a new venture called Trader Bills. Its actually an upscale flea market with seperate little shops. They have really built a beautiful building and a great roofed area for outside vendors. The main building that holds about 24 booths is all filled and they are adding 4 very large areas.
Check out her Blog "The Painted Gift".

Arthur Evans Seminar

April 18, 19 (Saturday and Sunday)
Loudendale Community Center

Painting with Arthur Evans

Using Traditions Global Paints, Arthur Evans taught a still life study with emphasis on Brass. He not only displayed his original painting, but also arranged a still life display, recreating the same lighting effects. We were able to see for ourselves, exactly how the colors played among them selves.

Arthur began the class with a quick demonstration. We moved with caution, as at first we thought, this is going to be green. But no, the pieces were brilliant, with wonderful reflections and a beautiful glowing metallic effect.

Arthur is a patient, articulate instructor.
He gives each student personal attention, answering their questions and demonstrated solutions to problems they may encountered.

Bravo, well done. Another fantastic workshop.

Painting a Winter Scene on Glass Ornament

March 21st

Cobbs Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Sod WV
taught by Shirley Crookshank

Over the river and through the woods to a fun workshop. The facilites were nice and we had a good turnout. The nice thing about our chapter is that we are more like a family of painters, who enjoy each others company, and are always glad to see new faces as well as each other again.

Shirley's class was a little different venue for most of us, acrylics painted on frosted glass. Not all of us have acrylic paints from the tube, so Shirley was nice enough to prepare an individual pallet of colors for each of us. It's interesting that we all painted the same scene, but each individual had their own special touch. Shirley was nice enough to take special orders for unpainted ornaments. The girls wanted to paint others for gifts, their trees and just because they enjoyed their finished peices. Me, well, I painted mine upside down. A tassel would correct this, but I'll do it over again. It's only paint, and the time spent painting is always pleasant.

Lunch was great. Marlene, Helen and a few others prepared a great lunch of Taco Salad, brownies, Chips, and Shirley Via shared Birthday Cake.

We really appreciate the Church allowing us to use their facilities. Everything was very nice. Thank you so much.

Special Class

Dottie is always thinking of something new she can create. This time she came up with a Pinecone Santa and brought him to her February 21 class. He was just a cute as can be. The girls made quite a deal over him and talked her into teaching them how to make one of their own. Being the nice person that she is, she agreed. So, she gathered together the supplies and set up a workshop for us. Everyone was excited and had lots of fun.

February 21, 2009 Workshop, Winfield Lions Club

Spindle Santa
Dottie Kuhl created the project and taught the class. We all found our way to our new meeting place and had a great time. The Winfield Lions Club was a nice facility. The lighting was good; all the needed facilities were there. Good parking, easy to access and a beautiful view of Kanawha River.

The Spindle Santa looked like a great deal of work, but was quite simple. We took a short cut and used a mold that Dottie had created for his face. I think everyone finished her Santa Spindle Ornament.
We had a great time painting and helped Sandy celebrate her Birthday with a Birthday Cake

Betty Hyre had surfaces available for the Mound Show. If you finished any bring them to the March Meeting and inspire us.
Also Pictured are the directions to the Winfield Lions Clubs Hall,

A Tea Party and a Annual Business Meeting.

It was so nice, lots of varieties of tea served in beautiful TeaCups, nice little sandwiches, bread pudding and a variety of deserts. But, most important was planning of our New Year with others who love to paint and talk about painting. Some of our members came along way for this meeting, 3 came from Kentucky, and 2 new members traveled from Beckley and Rubert, West Virginia.
Our new President, Marlene Grubs presided over the meeting, our new officers were introduced, and are looking forward to a very busy year. Our new schedule is posted on the left hand side of this page. We will have seven workshops and three seminars. We have a great year planned, with many different mediums.
Wow, we will have a lots of fun and lots of interesting things to share and talk about.

2009 Annual Business Meeting "Tea Party"

by "KVDA President" Marlene Grubbs

We made it through another year! Isn’t it wonderful to be alive and well? We are going into this New Year making plans for our KVDA Members.
We will be having a "Tea Party" at the January Business Meeting. The meeting will be held at the Dunbar 1st Church of God on Saturday, January 17 from 9:00 a.m. until all items of business has been covered. Board Members will furnish Tea and Desserts for all members.
Some items we will be addressing are:
1 – National Teachers for 2009.
2. Local members will submit painting projects they are willing to teach during the 2009 year. Dates will be decided for the various projects and members will sign up for the classes they are interested in taking.
3. Suggestions for 2010 National Teachers will be appreciated
4. Suggestions for 2009 Community Service projects
5. Location for 2009 meetings
6. Discuss Web Page
7. "Show and Tell" share your art projects or adventure
8. Mound Show
9 Christmas Party
10. Discuss any other items of business brought up during the meeting.
Everyone come prepared for a caring and sharing experience. Bring your artwork and any new and exciting ideas you may have. We need to put our thinking hats on so we can address all the items of business. It is a good thing we are feeding everyone so you will have enough energy to finish the meeting.

This meeting is one of the best we have all year, because everyone gets to eat, visit and voice their opinions and concerns. We have a wonderful group of ladies and it is so much fun just getting together.

Respectfully your President
Marlene Grubbs

"Tea Time" Painting by Arthur Evans

2008 KVDA Christmas Luncheon

by Shirley Via
Many thanks to Marlene, Helen, Dottie, Hazel and Betty for all they’re hard work in making our Christmas Luncheon a great success (sorry if I left anyone out I'm doing this from memory). Each year I say this is the best luncheon ever and this year was no exception. The painted pieces were gorgeous and there were so many other prizes given out, no one left empty handed. Better than all the gifts was the opportunity to visit with everyone and seeing several people I had not seen for a while. The weeks following the luncheon are so busy with baking, shopping and all the others things we do to prepare for Christmas, its nice to have that one Saturday to spend with friends that have the same love, painting. See you all at the January meeting.

Two Part Seminar, October 10-11, November 7-8, 2008

taught by Traditions Heritage Artist Gabriele Hunter

This was a very intense study of the Historical Dutch Floral technique. During the first session class members created a Grisallie Image of a design created by David Jansen. In the second session she showed how to bring the design back to life, by glazing in the various colors.

Gaby’s classes are always well planned and very informative. She is very generous in sharing her knowledge of the history and technique involved in her projects.