NEWS & EVENTS

Life here at SKS Designs continues to move at the speed of light with a continuous whirlwind of family, friends, painting and design. There are also those unexpected life events that at times prove to be stumbling blocks to forward momentum, but more often than not serve as additional opportunities for growth and renewal of purpose. This winter has provided bunches of character building opportunities as illness, horrendous weather, and computers with “attitude” teamed up to wreck havoc on our planned production schedules and mental health. With warmer days and sunnier skies (literally and figuratively) ahead, Charlene and I are happy to be back in the groove and are eager to share new things with you.

The latest addition to the Pattern Packet section of our catalog is the new Peace and Grace Tryptich. A traditional parchment faux finish serves as the backdrop for the detail painting on all three of the wood panels. Guardian angels hold aloft banners spelling out the virtues of the home on the doors, while the centerpiece of the design displays a house blessing in classic lettering surrounded by an ornamental floral border. This comprehensive study packet provides “hold your hand” style instructions for the intermediate to advanced painter with multiple step-by-step color worksheets, detailed photographs and easy to follow written instructions. This project was designed using DecoArt Americana Acrylics.

Porcelain, ceramic and tin tiles are the painting surfaces of choice for a new collaborative book, Paint-a-Tile, being published by Kooler Design Studio and distributed by Leisure Arts. Ten decorative artists, including Susan, Lynne Deptula, Judy Diephouse, Diane Trierweiler and Maureen McNaughton among others, contributed designs using acrylic paints on art tiles for projects that serve as lovely accents for both indoor and outdoor décor. Click on the book title to learn more about the book and order directly from Kooler Designs.

At long last, all of the available copies of Elegant Christmas have been exhausted. Please let us know your thoughts on releasing a few of the larger projects as pattern packets with multiple step-by-step color worksheets, new photography and more comprehensive written instructions. Depending on the response, we are considering packets for the Florentine Angel featured on the cover, the Poinsettia Santa on the back cover, the Father Frost Plate featuring the Santa who holds a jeweled scepter and the Rejoice Angels from the center of the book. Which patterns would be of the most interest to you as comprehensive study packets?

And finally, we’ve updated the Seminar listings!

As always, be sure to sign the guestbook if you are not yet on our mailing list, OR you need to update email addresses we have on file for you. We send out electronic notices as new patterns become available. The sketchbook is still full of terrific design ideas from last year’s travels, and we’re hoping that the calamity gremlins hog tied long enough to provide you with wonderful new projects in the near future!

In the meantime...Happy Spring from Charlene and Susan!

 

Archives

October 2006: Susan collaborates on Kooler Design projects and releases the Gilded Angel.

February 2006: See Susan's Kashmiri Floral Egg Box in the April 2006 Decorative Artist's Workbook!

October 2005: Susan unveils the 2005 installment in the Santa Series. "Peace Dove Tree" is featured in Paintworks.

April 2005: Read about Susan's adventures as the representative for the State of Virginia at the 2005 White House Easter Egg Display.