The Sooner Decorative Artists are just that -- artists who take a keen interest in painting and doing it well.
The Norman-based group is one of about 400 chapters of the National Society of Tole and Decorative Painters Inc., a group organized in 1972 to "stimulate worldwide interest in and appreciation for decorative painting; to recognize diversity of and excellence in the art form; and to serve as the resource center for all aspects of decorative painting," said the society's Web site.
The local group's work goes far beyond just members' personal interest in art. Their artwork adorns memory boxes that then are donated to families of patients at Children's Hospital.
"We met one lady one time who had received one, and all his precious little things were in it," said group member Janette Ward. "She said 'one day I'll get brave enough to take it down and look through it.' She said after that she would bring it back to get his name put on it."
The group meets monthly, typically for a lesson on a certain type of painting, as well as the fellowship and sharing of ideas for projects.
There are two other similar groups in Oklahoma, the Tulsa Town Tolers and the Central Oklahoma Society of Tole and Decorative Painters in Oklahoma City.
The Norman chapter was chartered in 1992, and Kozlowski said it has 23 members and "about 15 who show up pretty regularly."
On this day, the artists are meeting at Ward's home outside of Norman. A bright, sunny day makes the window-surrounded room a vibrant place to see all the colors of their projects.
Kozlowski spent the session teaching a watercolor class, providing a base design for each artist to begin from. She uses a similar outline for the rose that is featured in her magazine article.
"It's really hard for me to teach watercolor because it's hard to talk and paint at the same time," she said. "It's not so hard when I'm not painting."
Kozlowski has been with the group since its inception and has painted watercolor for more than 30 years.
Group members have their own areas of expertise and are at different stages in what they are able to do. Like anything else, it just takes practice to get better, Kozlowski said.
"I'm one of those people that never though I could paint," Ward said. "My motto is to tell people that 'yes, you can do this.' I never would have dreamed it before that I could."
More information about the group is available through the national society's Web site, www.decorativepainters.org.
Christian Potts 366-3544 cpotts@normantranscript.com
Features
Passion painting
Local group finds beauty, one brush stroke at a time
- Features
-
-
Spinning strongly
Partners Travis Searle and Justin Sowers launched Guestroom Records from Sowers’ residence in 2002. They had small garage sale type events for the first 18 months. The casual business soon moved into a regular store front at 119 N. ...
-
Marriages
The following marriage licenses recently were filed in Cleveland County District Court Natasha Nicole Goodell, 22, and Aaron Kyle Gayle, 22 Paige Sheryl James, 47, and John Gallo, 42 Jessica Marie Schauer, 22, and John Cameron Waterman, ...
-
Divorces
The following divorces recently were granted in Cleveland County District Court: Drake Kresha vs. Shane Bishop Betty Lee vs. Dayle Kent Watson Stacey Renee vs. James Alexander Zane Spencer vs. Crisha Lynn McCool Jeffrey Dean vs. Alicia ...
-
It’s never easy to say good-bye to an old, dear friend
To say my life hasn’t been a roller coaster lately would be a flat out lie....
-
CCHFH opens enrollment process
Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity has opened its application process for potential homeowners....
-
Nature Center to host weekend activities
Lake Thunderbird State Park Nature Center recently announced the following activities: Saturday Summer Season Kick-Off · 9:30 a.m. – What Did That? Become a nature detective by looking for clues that insects and other small animals ...
-
Opry set to perform
Due to the Les Chandler Building in Lexington undergoing re-modeling, tonight’s Lexington Opry will move to the Noble School Administration building, 1 block East of Noble Drugs at Fourth and Cherry Street. Attendees are asked to use the ...
-
Foundation awards students with scholarships
Scholarships awarded through the Nancy L. Nixon Foundation will assist three local high school seniors as they begin their college studies. Scholarship awards of $1,000 have been given to Kayla Hess, Anika K. Saynyarack and Emily J. ...
-
Some flowers show where the wild birds like to sing
There are some plants that will make the birds sing....
-
Taking the “H” out of “whine”
People respond to the conduct or misconduct of others in different ways — running the gamut from irritation to total indifference. Sadly, in the case of an indifferent response, we have to wonder if some unpleasant behavior has become so ...
- More Features Headlines
-
Spinning strongly
