November 2006
Newsletter
Welcome to the launch of Maureen McNaughton Arts Inc.
I felt that a new business was a wonderful opportunity for a newly decorated web site.
The address remains the same, but it has a completely new look - thanks to Vikki Leslie my webmaster. She has been working overtime to make this site even more beautiful than it was before.
Don’t worry, it will be as easy to navigate through and you will be able to find things even more easily. We’ve included many new areas and lots of surprises.
NEW FREE PROJECT
I hope you will enjoy painting this free project. I think it will make a wonderful border design around a coffee pot or just paint one section on a tile for the kitchen. Have fun!!!
NEW PACKETS
Five new packets to add to your collection - enjoy!
2007 SEMINARS
I am looking forward to designing new projects for next year, so many ideas running through my head! But so many of you have asked me to repeat some previous year’s projects and I am happy to tell you that I will be offering that as well.
If you could take a minute and let me know what you would like to see repeated, it would help me tremendously. Email me your Choice
You can reserve your seat now with any of the Guest Teachers with a non-refundable deposit of $100.00 US
June 22 - 24, 2007
Brenda Stewart CDA September 21 - 23, 2007
Johnnie Liledahl
October 5-7, 2007
Registration will be run differently next year and I think you will be very happy with the changes. You will know immediately if you are in the class because we will have a seat countdown on the website.
As the seats fill, the countdown will indicate it. Once the class is full you can put yourself on the waiting list for the class - or go to the alternate date that the class is offered and register in that class. Registration will open at a more reasonable time of day.
PAINTER’S CORNER
This is a new addition to my site and I know you will find many topics of interest.
Now you can get all the recipes that I’ve offered in past newsletters. Of course the number of recipes will constantly grow, but having them all in one place will help you find that favourite one. They come from fellow painters so please send me your favourite quick and tasty recipe.
We all have special little things we do to organize our supplies, transfer patterns, look after our tools etc. All the great tips you've sent me will be in this section - and I am looking for more!!!
MORE ABOUT US
Learn more about my studio and information on local accommodations.There will be detailed directions and maps to the studio.
Meet my wonderful staff and find out who to contact when you need information.
Let me direct you to sites where you can find out all about the beautiful Fergus- Elora area in southern Ontario.
BRUSH CARE
Your brushes are the single most important tool you use in all aspects of your decorative painting, perhaps even more so in strokework. Follow these suggestions for brush care and your brushes will last much longer.
GALLERY SECTION
This area will be returning as soon as I get some of my paintings framed. So keep checking back and see what's new. . . treat yourself for Christmas? mmmmmmmmm!!!!
Maureen's Extender with DecoArt Acrylics
I make the my extender from distilled water + Easy Float 3:1. Add one drop to a one inch puddle of the majority of DecoArt colours.
This allows the colours to blend together in soft streaks in the brush stroke, and it keeps the paint open longer on the wet palette. The consistency of the paint changes from time to time and we will all have paint bought - who knows when?
Just remember that both colours on the brush must be the same consistency. If they differ, they will not blend together. So, thicker colours will require more than one drop. Extremely transparent colours might not require any. However, if they do not blend in the stroke, add the extender.
If you live in a very dry climate, add less water to the the Easy Float when making the extender.
Try 2:1 or 1:1 Just remember that water makes acrylic dry faster. If you are in a very wet climate, increase the amount of water.
DecoArt Easy Float and Acrylics
I know it is becoming difficult for some of you to find the Easy Float and many of the colours. Your first source should be to contact your local decorative painting studios and teachers. If you do not have access to either, please remember that we carry the entire line and would be happy to ship out any products that you require.
Gift Certificates
Christmas is just around the corner. Make gift giving easy for your friends and family with a gift certificate from my website.
Wish List
Vikki has just updated the wish list and you can print off the new copy now. Keep inventory of the packets you already have and check off the ones you hope to get soon. You will find the link to the wish list on the home page right under the New Packets
New Products
Very soon you will be able to purchase all varieties of gold leaf, you know how much I love to use it in my paintings.
I am also working out the prices on packages of the translucent paper that I like to use for patterns in my classes. It is a thicker and more transparent vellum type paper that easily goes through a copier.
OPEN HOUSE PARTY Door Prizes
The first 200 on-line shoppers will be eligible for a draw on some fantastic prizes! The prizes will be a surprise and you won’t be disappointed
Enjoy a 10% discount on all of Maureen's packets. The discount will be applied when Mary processes the order here at the studio, and will not appear on the site or your order confirmation.
One of Maureen's Original Paintings! Be the 100th person to place an order after the launch and receive one of Maureen's original framed paintings.
Win
Free Seat in one of Maureen's 2007 Seminars in my Belwood Studio.
Everyone who places a retail order of $150. US or more from November 3, 8:00am est to December 3, 2006 8:00am est will be eligible for a draw for this special prize.
When you win - you will choose which seminar that you would like to attend.
Can you find Danny?
Everyone can win this contest. Find where we have hidden a picture of my doggie Danny on my website - When you find Danny - click on him and he will bring up an email window pre addressed to me with all the information I need.
If you find Danny, Mary will pop your prize in the mail!
See you at the party!!!!!
PAINTWORKS QUICK AND EASY
I hope you have enjoyed my six part series that ran in this year’s issues. I’m excited to tell you that they have asked for more, so please look for future issues.
There will be more articles in PaintWorks and the Decorative Painter. And I have also completed more projects for the Kooler Design project books. These books are theme oriented with the projects contributed by your favourite artists. To find out more, go to www.koolerdesign.com
HOME TO THE HEARTLAND SEMINARS AT SDP OFFICES IN WICHITA KANSAS
There is still time for you to register for my November 6-8 Brush Stroke Clinic and I believe there is one seat left open in the November 10 - 12 repeat session. This would be such a wonderful experience for you to see the beautiful SDP offices, see where the Decorative Painter magazine is planned and most of all see the fabulous collection of decorative art from past and present in the Decorative Arts Collection Museum.
TRAVEL SEMINARS
There have been some changes and additions so please go to this section and see if I will be coming to your area in 2007.
2006 SEMINAR SEASON
We wrapped up the 2006 seminar season with a wonderful seminar with painting friends from around the world. We had many new students which is such a delight, and as always our “regulars” made them all feel welcome and at home. Laughter, painting, learning new skills, and making new friends is what seminars here are all about.
Akimi and Takako came all the way from Japan and brought gifts for everyone. They even taught us how to eat with the chop sticks that Liz Walter brought in for everyone. It was a sharing seminar in more ways than one and I can hardly wait till we start the 2007 seminar season here again next May.
I know there is an exciting year ahead and I wish the same to all of you.
Life often has it’s ups and downs and unexpected things happen. Many of you know Jim, and I wanted you to know that he is now living in Scotland and I wish him well.
I am looking forward to designing and teaching all of you for many, many years to come. I hope to paint with many of you soon and wish you all many hours of painting joy.
Maureen
Just click on the little bird below to visit my new site!
