Greater Cincinnati Decorative Artists

10/18/2026

This is a corrected flyer for the November 8th GCDA class after the meeting. This is a super easy project! No prior colored pencil experience needed!

10/12/2026

The November GCDA class will be a color wheel on a sublimation mouse pad with Prismacolor pencils and Zentangle designs.

09/30/2026

Still time to get in on this class! The deadline is October 7th!

09/23/2026

Deadline has passed for the September seminar, but the October watercolor class show on the right is still open for registrations.

09/12/2026

September 2026 Facebook update by Jude Creager

I cannot believe that we are in the 9th month of 2026. However, one step outside this past week is letting you know that even though the kids are in school, and summer is at a close the temperatures will tell it all! Oh, my goodness. Nevertheless, (I like that word) fall is right around the corner, the weather will calm down, and mother nature will provide her own magic. A sure sight to see. Don’t forget to look up.

Many things are happening in our painting group. First up on the 13th, Diane Glover, Vice President of Programs will be teaching a chest out, striding over the coop area, red and black and proud as roosters tend to be.
A really nice project in acrylics on canvas, traced and ready to paint. Price is $12 for members and $22 for non-members. Questions? Diane can answer them. At 513-7334-4786. Class limited to 20.
September 26 is one of our seminars taught by Maureen (adventurous and outside the box-oh my how exciting) Born. Class time at 9am-4pm at the St. Bart’s Art Room. ”Joy in a Polka Dot Vase” will be an adventure in mixed media with underpainting, making collage papers and mark making on Deli and tissue papers. Size is 12” square. Check out the supply list in the monthly September newsletter now up on the web site.
Price for GGDA and DAGSO members is $55.00, non-members $70.00. The list of what the teacher will be providing and any additional supplies you may need also in the newsletter. Class is limited to 20 students.

October is our service project month. We are providing health care and baby care products as well as monetary gift to a shelter at Bethany House. Amazing what basic things are needed. The list is at https://bethanyhouseservices.org. These shelters are always in need of funds and items to support serving those who need shelter and compassion. Product and cash readily accepted for this very worthy service project.

PRIMROSE PRETTY October 11. The meeting begins with snacks at 12:30 and a painting class from 2-4pm. This class is a beautiful yellow flower that is 5x7 to fit an 8x10mat/frame, with a few extras included, on watercolor paper, with mat and backing board, paint with palette, one brush, 2 pens, instructions. Maureen Born will be stepping in to teach this class for me. This is pictured in the newsletter, and prices are $18 for members and $28 for non-members. Feel free to contact me at 859-802-1646 for information. Class is limited to 20

November 8. Our final class for the year is “No More Boring Mouse Pads” using Prismacolor pencils and Black Micron Pen for Zentangle design and outlining the petals. This is a fun project even for those new or young to colored pencils. Class price is $17 for members and $27 for non-members. Our own Pat Hull is in charge of this one. She is a very talented pencil artist. You can’t go wrong with Pat leading you through this colorful project.

A PERSONAL NOTE This is my last post. Due to health issues.
My thoughts for you are be kind. Just a simple word and a smile changes everything.

Should you decide to join us at any time, we are a friendly group, our classes are top-notch and we prepare really good snacks. We would love to have you.

Send a message to learn more

08/16/2026

Finished project from GCDA's retreat in April. Class was taught by Teri Hostetler.

08/01/2026

GCDA is inviting teachers to submit art projects for our April 9-11, 2027, painting retreat. The theme is Peace, Love, and Painting.
Below is the invitation letter with all the information.

07/28/2026

July GCDA Public Message

Happy Birthday America! Wow, the celebrations across Greater Cincinnati were fantastic and I hope you enjoyed your holiday.

The free membership class went extremely well. The pieces all turned out beautifully and we met quite a few new people. Sandie Tieman, the beginner’s teacher, did an excellent job preparing and teaching this class that was created for beginners. Members attended and mingled with our guests, assisting as needed, making for a wonderful day. Few recognize what goes into preparing for a class this size and creating a design that attracts the regular members as well as the beginners. Hats off, once again to Sandie and other members who assisted.

We are always looking for others to join us and experience a whole new activity of painting in acrylics, watercolors, stroke work, creative layering with textures, underpainting, collage papers and paint as well as the new craze into the wonderful world of colored pencil. We have several members/teachers that excel in all of these mediums.

All of the listed projects below are featured on the GCDA web site, www.gcdapainters.org. and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GreaterCincinnatiDecorativeArtists/

We are so lucky that these experienced teachers are willing to share their expertise in the following projects, August through October.

Augst 9th features our own Susan Parrett who is teaching the small blue wooden box with stroke work flowers and leaves. Box is 5” round and ready to paint. Members $10.00, non-members $20.00. Teacher supplies prepped box, ready-to-paint along with paint and pattern. Round brushes #3, small liner #0 or #1, and usual acrylic painting supplies. Susan is very experienced in this form of decorative painting featuring stroke work in the Bauernmalerei style.

Our September meeting on the 13th features Diane Glover. The featured work is a red and black rooster on an 8x8 canvas in Acrylics. Deadline for registration is 9/6/26 so the canvas can be prepared and ready for painting. Cost per members is $12.00. For any non-members wanting to paint along the cost is $22.00. The design is traced and ready to paint. Usual painting supplies, assorted angles for flats and a #1 liner will be needed for this class. Diane is very skilled in this medium and you will be guided through the project with ease.

On September 26, our own Maureen Born teaches some of the “off the wall” creative techniques at the “Joy in a Polka Vase” seminar. This is a 6-hour class from 9am-4pm. Price $55.00 for members, non-member $70.00. Deadline signup 9/12/26. This will be a fun and fascinating class teaching goals in mixed media with underpaintings, making collage papers and mark making on deli and tissue papers. Teacher provides almost everything you need. What you do need is a 1” flat for base coating, ½” or ¼” flats, a few round brushes, old brushes to apply medium, black sharpie, transfer paper, apron, water container, paper towels, scissors and an old credit card. If you decide to join us, expect a new way of thinking and creating and a fun day!

October is our service month, and we will be participating in directing our help in supporting Bethany House. This organization empowers homeless and at-risk families with solutions to achieve housing stability and long-term self-sufficiency. I suppose exposure to those less fortunate is an eye-opener into a world we can only imagine. Each donation, no matter how small, may bring a smile to someone whose world in these situations is dire. The amount matters not; the intention is what matters.

At this service meeting I will be teaching a small yellow flower, “Primrose Pretty” suitable for use as a book mark, a greeting card or framed piece of “art”. Details will follow next month.

Check the web site for pics of the aforementioned projects.

I sincerely hope that those who read this will consider joining us for a new experience into the creative world. I paint every morning and, on the mornings I have no time for myself in my own magical space, I resent having to leave it. I will never be great, but it sure is fun trying and teaching and helping others to experience the fun. E-mail me if you are interested. Our small group is always willing to share. [email protected]

Be happy, and be kind!
Signing off. Jude

Send a message to learn more

05/27/2026

05/07/2026

May 2026-News Update Greater Cincinnati Decorative Artists

Well, the big event, our annual Retreat, was a great success. Everyone had a great time. The food and the weather cooperated. And……it was all put together by a handful of people that made sure everything would go according to plan, and by golly it did.!.

Pat Hull headed up the “herd” as Chair, followed by Sandie Tieman, Suzanne Fairbanks, Raffle Baskets, Peggy Hermes, Decorating, Joann Sharpshire, Goody Bags, Nancy Vincent, Registrar, Sherida England, Art Show, Peggy Lenheart, Decorations, JoAnn Huerich, Table Set Ups for classes, Judy Helmes, Folders for attendees, Melanie Wilmhoff, Higher Ground Liaison, Stephanie Hauser, Teacher Liaison, Jan Stine, “all around as needed” girl.

Whie they each have a specific job, they are also on deck for everything everywhere. Together, they make the whole thing a great success. Thanks Ladies.

The Chairperson for 2027 has been selected. Sandie Tieman will take over the reins, and a theme has been chosen “Peace, Love and Painting” and a committee selected to do it all again, as they have been doing since the 80’s. These ladies begin working the day after the prior event ends.

There were a lot of new people in attendance who were able to experience the talents of the many teachers who taught the classes. We are so lucky as an organization to be able to count on the talent of these fabulous teachers without whom there would be no classes. Hats off to you all

As for the painting group, lots of after meeting classes, another seminar, a service project, and a membership project have been designed and ready to go for July 12.
Sandie Tieman will be teaching this class. Trust me when I tell you that she is the best at teaching acrylic classes for all levels. This is a class specifically designed for beginners who are interested in learning something new and an opportunity to meet others wanting a new experience.
A 12x12 flat board is decorated with a beehive, bees and “Be Kind” always a good theme. You don’t want to miss this event! It is always a fun time for the people interested in painting and a good time to meet new people. Go to the GCDA webs site for the actual picture of the project. We hope that some of you will join us for this event. You will not be disappointed. Check the web site for photos of the project.
There is no charge for this class, and we welcome family members and friends. For a photo of the project and any additional information go to the web site. We would love to see you and share our “passion for painting” with you.

As for the regular classes after meetings Nancy Vincent taught a black and white ProJect titled “Five Cardinals.” 17 of our members enjoyed the class.

In June JoAnn Huerich designed a commemorative piece for the 250-year celebration. This is a piece of canvas that wraps around a storage jar. Painted in acrylics, a nice addition for celebrating the birthday of our country. Jar is not provided and can be purchased at Dollar Tree. This class is $8.00 for members and $18.00 for non-members. Check out the web site for photos and sign-up information. This is such a nice project, you could design other themes for holidays, etc.
In August and September we feature Susan Parrett and Diane Glover. All of these after meeting classes are 2-2-1/2 hours and are geared for a new experience in different mediums and surfaces. We welcome newcomers. On September 26, our own Maureen Born will be teaching our second seminar. Details to follow next time.

October meeting-service Project. In November Pat Hull will be teaching a colored pencil project. This is a great line-up for the following months, different projects, different mediums, something for everyone. Please consider joining us. Members and non-members are always welcome. Monthly meetings are held on the second Sunday of each month, with the exception of Mothers Day, April Retreat month and December.

Greater Cincinnati Decorative Artists
www.gcdapainteres.org

Painting and Learning, Friendship, Food and Fun! It's a Colorful Palette! Meetings are at 12:30 on 2nd Sundays with some exceptions. (Refer to General Information & see map for location.) Newsletters posted at www.gcdapainters.org.