Dear painting friends,

Can you believe it is almost December? We had our first snow flake the other day and it brought reality home - yes winter is coming. But with winter comes Christmas, and with Christmas comes painting, painting, and more painting!!!

Even in tough economic times, a decorative painter has no end to the beautiful gifts we can create with a sweep of our brush. We all have a closet full of wood, “the wood curing closet” we tell our family. And it contains a treasure trove of surfaces that have been waiting for that special project. Soon they will become cherished heirlooms for family and friends.

I just came home this week from a great time teaching in South Carolina for the Palmetto Painters SDP Chapter and then the Triad Decorative Painters SDP Chapter in North Carolina.

David had a surprise waiting for me on my arrival - he was able to get my email working again!!!! So dear friends, maureen@maureenmcnaughton.com is now in working order!

In this newsletter you will find some great sales, Christmas gift giving ideas, my 2010 travel schedule and lots more (yes, wedding pictures too!) So put on the kettle, get cozy and spend a little time with me.

I love giving and receiving gift baskets. Fill a tote bag with painting supplies for an aspiring artist, maybe your own child or grandchild! Treat them to a wonderful hobby that could last a lifetime.

Even an experienced “painter friend” would welcome a basket of new supplies chosen especially for them. You will also find suggestions below for gifts for non-painting friends - the new 2010 calendar, limited edition signed botanical floral prints, plus greeting and note cards. If you are not sure what to choose, you can’t go wrong with a gift card.

Visit the Seasonal Section of my Web site for gift cards.

PACKET SALE

To inspire you in your Christmas painting and gift giving I am offering a Holiday Special. Buy four packets and receive a fifth $10.95 packet of your choice - FREE. This special sale takes effect until December 25,2009 (note the discount will be applied prior to shipping not on the online cart)

DISPOSABLE WAX PALETTE PAPER SALE
$2.75

This is a book of fifty 9" X 12" pages of coated palette paper, perfect for mixing paint or quick projects. It is the one I use for all my painting. The retail price is regular $6.95, so this is a terrific bargain. Add one to that gift basket!

MAUREEN’S 2010 CALENDAR
$24.95

I enjoyed designing this calendar for you with many of my favourite paintings. It would be a wonderful gift for yourself, a fellow painter, or any special someone on your gift list. Each month features a different painting and the cover is unique as well.

Have a few on hand for those unexpected gift giving opportunities.
Now available on line

SIGNED LIMITED EDITION PRINTS ON CANVAS

This is a gift I have given out myself many times. These prints feature my series of botanical paintings reproduced in rich colour on canvas. I have signed and numbered each one by hand. I am thrilled with the quality and know you will be too. Just pop them into a frame and you have a lovely decor accent that anyone would welcome.

ROSE CLASS ON DVD
$24.95

Treat yourself or a fellow painter to a two and a half hour class with me on DVD.

See every step in closeup detail and follow along in the written notes as well.

A good companion packet for this DVD is #750 Rose Study, where four different colour schemes are offered for the same rose.

For even more options, paint the roses in the white colour scheme from the packet, and apply transparent washes of intense colour to change them to a rainbow of colour choices.

The Brushstroke Handbook
$26.95

Everything I know about strokework is contained in this spiral bound hard cover book.

You can teach yourself brushstrokes by following the lessons in the book, and many teachers have used it for their classroom curriculum.

There are over 60 projects with both round and flat brushes, with each project created with only one or two strokes. You will enjoy the trouble shooting pages that show you all the possible boo-boos you could make, what caused them and the solution.

I taught myself how to paint in the early seventies, just from books! I realize that classes are not possible for everyone. So when North Light offered me the chance to write a book where you can teach yourself how to paint, I jumped at the chance.

Visit the book section of my site

This book received the Best New Product of the Year. It has also won awards in Europe and has been translated into Italian.

This DVD explains everything about my palette set up, loading technique and brush strokes.

Many have told me they like to watch the this information on the DVD before beginning any of my packets.

Back to Basics
$6.95

If you remember, in my last newsletter I told you that when I moved, Mary and I found a box of these 1988 books in mint condition, and the projects are timeless.

We still have a handful left, so why not add one to your library at this lower than original price.

Beautiful Brushstrokes Step by Step
$20.95 (original price $24.95)

You will enjoy the detailed instructions with each project and the close up pictures of every stage in the painting will help you step by step.

I know you will have so much fun painting these projects with me. Start at the beginning of the 128 page book with the beginner project of roses and tulips in two colour schemes.

Finish with the baroque floral tray featuring hydrangea, violets and iris - five multi floral projects in all. The gallery of ideas features five more pictures with their list of colours

Visit the book section of my site

This book will no longer be printed, and we have just a few left in stock - so don’t delay.

I am pleased to announce that I have designed a fabric line called “The Kiev Collection” under my name Maureen Calvert.

It will be available in fabric stores next year. The manufacturer, Elizabeth Studios, has advertised it “The Quilter” magazine, which came out on the newsstand November 11.

Or go online to see it at: http://elizabethsstudio.wordpress.com/category/kiev/ There is a place on this page for you to leave a comment. So, if you like what you see, please do tell them.

This collection all started with my painting from packet #778 Jacobean Delight. From there it grew into borders, quilt panels and all over prints.

The fabric also has some new original designs such as Russian nesting dolls that compliment the colour scheme from the original painting. The Kiev collection was introduced in Texas this fall at a Quilting Show for wholesale buyers, and the response was great.

So, the manufacturer has asked for new designs, such as Russian Troikas, to expand the collection for the next season. The Troikas are painted, and although I never thought I could paint horses, and sleighs, I am very pleased with the results. This challenge has taken my painting in new directions and I am looking forward to teaching you some of these new designs. The possibilities for coordinating your paintings to the fabric decor in your home could be so exciting.

2010 MAUREEN’S FIRST ANNUAL CANADIAN SEMINAR

Circle the three day weekend of September 24 -25 - 26, 2010 .

I am hosting this seminar in Ajax Ontario. Ajax is just east of Toronto and is a 45 minute drive from the Toronto airport.

Many thanks to my friend Judy McDonald, who helped to set up the hotel arrangements where the seminar will be held. Judy has offered to give a hand during the seminar too. Registration will be offered on my website early 2010.

Rooms at the hotel are very reasonable and there are restaurants near by. I will be designing something very special for this seminar, and will keep you posted.

2010 TRAVEL SCHEDULE

We are looking for dates for additional seminars for 2010, so keep checking the website for updates.

JOHNNIE LILIEDAHL

I am so sorry to tell you that our dear friend Johnnie passed away after a long and heroic battle with cancer. I have been truly blessed to count Johnnie as a friend. I am also blessed to have had the opportunity to study with Johnnie many times in her seminars of Old Master Reproductions.

The paintings, which hang in my home, are the ones I did under Johnnie’s guidance and they are the paintings of which I am most proud. She was one of the most talented and gifted teachers and artists I have every known. Johnnie created excitement in the classroom and her enthusiasm for art history was infectious. She and husband Ralph worked together in their studio in Texas and it was every painter’s dream to study with her there.

We will miss Johnnie greatly and our thoughts and prayers are with Ralph now.

HOLIDAY HOURS

Mary will have the warehouse closed from December 24 to January 4th.

However, you can still order online when we are closed and the orders will be processed when Mary returns on January 5.

I hope you will enjoy the wedding pictures following this newsletter.

Thank you so much for all the best wishes sent our way.

Hugs,
Maureen

Wedding in the Park

Our ceremony was held outside in a beautiful outdoor setting beside the Credit River.

Maureen and Mary

I was so happy that Mary and her husband George could join us that day.

Maureen and the Girls

Many of you know my friends who help me teach at conventions, and they all teach my projects on the road too.
From left to right: Judy McDonald, Ontario Canada / Sally McAloon, Maryland USA / Carol Gould, Chicago Illinois / Me! / Sandy Scales, Virginia USA / Carla Stark, Arizona USA

Maureen and David

My Guy!!!