Folk Art Journal

SDP ANAHEIM CONVENTION

WOW!!! That pretty well covers the classes and show at Anaheim. It is the best show ever for us. The Special Event Class that Rosemary West and I taught went well and we were so pleased that we were able to share our painting styles with 103 students. If you were a part of the class, Thank You! We loved being with you and hope you enjoyed your time with us.

Rosemary and I are not “techies”, but we did our best to use a new microphone purchased for the event and next year we will be old pros. Hmmm, maybe I should drop the “old”, pros is a better choice. We will be adding an overhead projection system next year. For the past two years our classes have been large, so the projection system will make it easy for you to see our painting.

The beginnings of a new look in or booth was obvious at the Anaheim show. All our wonderful new ornaments were displayed in small suitcases and trunks. They looked special, and the customers could view and appreciate the design of each ornament.

The ornaments were unbelievably popular. We have many shapes for you to choose from and 40 new shapes and styles are on the drawing board for 2008. (And, yes, Virginia, all of our designs for our tin ornament shapes have a copyright! The tin will be available only from us, or those that purchase from us, as we are the manufacturer.)

NEW DESIGNS by ROSEMARY WEST and MAXINE THOMAS

Rosemary West had five new designs painted on our tin pieces released at the show. Two new designs for our round “Ompir style” trays and a new candle box pictured on the cover of the current issue of PaintWorks Magazine were on display. The three look great as a grouping. There were also two new ornament patterns. One is a large heart with lovely flowers to be used year round on a door knob, hung from the top of a ladder back chair or on the key of a wardrobe or cupboard. For Christmas she designed two wonderful Santa’s that are really special. The patterns flew out of the booth they were all so popular.

Maxine Thomas’ wonderful new Ornament Box (and eight ornaments) was seen for the first time at the Anaheim show. It is lovely and is a special treasure. One customer was planning to paint it as a wedding gift for her granddaughter. What a special gift that will be.

All of the patterns sold out, some by the first day of the show. More designs painted on our tin by both Rosemary and Maxine will be available later this year. View new pattern packets.

BOBBIE TAKASHIMA HONORED AT ANNUAL WHITE HOUSE EASTER EGG ROLL

It does not get much better than this! One of our own had a truly great honor bestowed upon her recently by Barbara Bush, our first lady. She was asked to design the poster for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll Poster for 2007. I can only imagine what a great thrill it was for Bobbie to create the poster. The artful, unique nature of her designs and glorious colors makes your spirits soar at first glance. As you view the painting and listen with your heart, the story unfolds, and you know it was painted with her heart.

To learn more check your latest issue of the Decorative Painter magazine and go online to see it at the following link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/easter/2007/wh-easter-poster07.pdf

Bobbie, congratulations for representing our industry in such a great venue and by using your special talent to create a memory for this special event. We are so proud of your accomplishments.

GATHERING OF FOLK ART FRIENDS

The plans for our annual Central Texas seminar are made and registrations are arriving. The information about class projects to be taught, the registration form and housing information is also online. A seminar does not get any better than this. It is a fun, fun place with shopping in a quaint little village and we are only two minutes from all of the gift and antique shops. We expect a full class, so don’t delay. Salado Seminar info

FOLK ART EXPRESS TRAIN

The long awaited Folk Art Express Train has arrived. We have shipped the sets that were pre ordered and only have a few left. There will be another order due in September. When you read the rest of this article you will definitely want to place your order now.

JoSonja chose a number of tin pieces to paint on and the train is one of them. Jo is working on a Christmas book and our train will be included. I will keep you posted on the book.

Rosemary West will be painting a train for the Christmas issues of Paint Works. It will be on the shelf or in the mail to you if you subscribe in September. So you will have two folk artists with wonderful designs to choose from.

(If you don’t subscribe PaintWorks has a special subscription price. Now is a good time to subscribe PaintWorks .)

INTRODUCING A NEW FOLK ARTIST, JANE ALLEN

Jane had five pattern packets with samples in our booth at Anaheim . This is the first time her packets have been available for sale.

There are two new packets for Heart Ornaments for door, wardrobe, cupboard or chairs. Also a pattern for Zinnia’s and one for Panies painted on our puffed hearts. The designs can be used all year. Four or five color set ups are included in each packet.

A lovely Poinsettia and Holly design packet to use on your holiday tree or as a door, wardrobe and cupboard door or chair ornament to add a special touch to your holiday decorating.

Shells and Roses painted on our 22” Colonial Tree is the fourth design. It is both lovely and unusual. It could be seasonal, but also could be used all year.

Her patterns are now available on our web site ... click here.

DELLA’S NEW PATTERNS

There was another new folk artist introduced at Anaheim and you won’t want to miss seeing his work. His name is Picasso T. Mouse and he is quite the talent. There are five patterns featuring Picasso, all painted on a puffed tin ornament with Picasso getting ready for the holidays. This is certainly not in the main stream as far as my designing goes, but I think you will enjoy the patterns. They sold very well at the show.

I added three new jar lids for our large cookie jars and a new large star ornament making nine new patterns introduced at Anaheim. DellaAndCompany.com

SONJA RICHARDSON PATTERNS

Exciting News! Some of Sonja’s work will be displayed in our booth in Houston. She is a true talent. She will have some of her patterns designed on our tin and will be for sale on the web soon.

Designs painted on our tin will be displayed for the first time at the Artist Expo.

ARTIST EXPO REGISTRATION STILL OPEN

There is still time to register for Artist Expo in Houston. We expect this show to grow and become one of our strong shows. Last year the mix of exhibitors and teachers was excellent. I will be teaching a great Special Event project, a Vintage Tray suitable for fall or Thanksgiving. It is a lovely, soft palette that would make a nice addition to your Folk Art collection.

WEB UPDATES MADE… many complete with others to be made soon.

1. New patterns and tin have been added.
2. Photos of customers on the last day of the show are online here.
3. New farm photos will be added soon.
4. You might find a new photo of my sweet puppy, Beau there soon too.
5. Show and our Texas Seminar dates and projects to be taught have been added.
6. Next years, 2008, show dates have been added.
7. Gift Certificates can be ordered online next month.
8. Since many of you have expressed interest in our Anaheim Trading Cards photos and information about them will be posted.

CLOSING THOUGHTS
This is a busy time of the year with so many deadlines on my list. It seems I am always in the fast lane and don’t know how to escape. All but one of our trade shows occur between May and the first week of October. The submissions to teach in 2008 are due during this time frame as well. We complete a show and the project submission is soon after the show.

Fact is, I don’t have time to be writing this newsletter! I should be deciding if I should start on plans for the Tampa Market Booth Event (formally known as a Special Event), or work on the beautiful carved Russian Santa that Andy Jones sent to be painted for a DAC new book, or a project for the Christmas Issues of Paint Works, or class projects for Tampa. Opps, that deadline has already passed! So no regular classes for Tampa, I can mark one project off my list.

I will play with my handsome little puppy Beau and then get busy. He is sitting beside me with his favorite ball wanting me to throw it. He has me trained well. I will throw it until he is too tired to run after it and then I will get back to my painting.

Take care, and as Jane Allen tells me often, “be kind to yourself”.

Hugs and best wishes from one “who always thinks with her heart”
and is still trying to find a balance in her life, Della