Page 11 - The Decorative Painter Summer 2017

SHARING THE LOVE OF PAINTING
Rocky Mountain Hi Chapter – Denver, Colorado
The Rocky Mountain Hi Chapter of the Greater Denver area has recently been given an opportunity to share our love of painting with
a wonderful group of people. The Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado, a nonprofit organization which offers various assistance and support to those suffering from brain injuries, aligned with our chapter to teach painting classes to any of their clients who are interested. It has turned out to be a wonderful win-win situation for both BIAC, their clients, and the Rocky Mountain Hi chapter members.
Currently we are teaching at the BIAC
facility twice a month on a strictly voluntary
basis, with up to six members giving their time to assist, coach, and encourage the clients. Our class limit is 10 students, and the range of client disability runs the gamut from some who are barely able to hold a brush or pencil to those
who are very capable and amazing artists. It is such a thrill for us to witness the joy exhibited by these wonderful people when they paint and their excitement with their finished products. Regardless of the student’s amount of detail and refinement, or lack thereof, they are delighted. Their appreciation is abundant and their eagerness for “more” is energizing for our members. We absolutely love spending time with them.
Our first lesson was making Shrinky-dink name tags, using patterns from a myriad of sources, such as coloring books, magazines and pattern books. Some
of the clients drew their own designs and some of our members drew designs
for them, using their suggestions. They used colored pencils and the results were awesome. We suggested they leave the name tags in the classroom, but they were so thrilled with their work, they wanted to take them home for show and tell.
One of our lessons involved using oil pastels on black construction paper. Our members had previously drawn flowers, using Elmer’s glue as a resist outline. The students filled in the petals and leaves with their own choice of colors and blended the chalks to create a dramatic painting. We slipped these into mats and they suddenly became masterpieces! It was so much fun.
Another lesson was a perspective painting, again using oil pastels,
to create a desert scene with sky and clouds, hills and cactus. This lesson allowed the students a lot of individuality and creativity. It also offered information and insight about how to create a picture showing distance, background, mid and foreground.
The Rocky Mountain Hi chapter
has, through the years, engaged in various
make-it take-it classes with residents of assisted living facilities and at local libraries. These have been fun and rewarding experiences for our members and the participants, but our current involvement with BIAC is proving to be our most fulfilling endeavor so far.
Jean Hansen Publications
Your source for all your stenciling needs
The Peony No. 119
Available in
5 x 7, 8 x 10, 11 x 17, 18 x 24
www.jeanhansen.com (603)986-6646
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The Decorative Painter
• SUMMER 2017 9