n e w s l e t t e r
p r e s i d e n t 's n o t e
South Hill Artists ✫ February 2026 Newsletter ✫ Issue 82
A Warm Welcome to All SHA Members!
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Dear South Hill Artists,
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February invites us to slow down, look a little closer, and create with
intention. As winter lingers, it’s a perfect time to turn inward—
experimenting, refining, and letting ideas take shape in their own time.
South Hill Artists continues to be a place of encouragement, curiosity, and
shared inspiration. Whether you’re finishing a long-term piece, trying
something completely new, or simply showing up to be part of the creative
energy, your presence matters.
Art doesn’t have to be loud to be meaningful—sometimes the quiet work
is where the magic happens. Thank you for supporting one another and
for keeping creativity at the heart of what we do. I’m looking forward to
seeing what we make, share, and discover together!
Warmly,
Doreen Koch Allen
President, South Hill Artists - SHA
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“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together”
~ Vincent Van Gogh ~
Our Next Workshop Will Be Artist​​
Deborah Roskopf!
Thursday, March 5th, 2026
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
"Painting Florals in Watercolor Gouache"
Deborah Roskopf has been painting, drawing, and creating since childhood. Born and raised in southern Indiana and inspired and mentored by family and teachers, there was never a question that she would become absorbed into the art world.
After graduating from Ball State University, she found success as a graphic designer, an advertising illustrator, trompe l’oeil artist/muralist.
These experiences led to her establishment of a well-respected design consultancy in the northwest and beyond for over 30 years.
With a lifelong passion for drawing, Deborah gravitates toward media that allows her to draw as she works, favoring watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil, and the explorative and noncommittal nature of mixed media. She is drawn to portraiture, quiet people in
personal moments, landscapes, as well as the strong graphic and architectural lines of unexpected subject matter, sometimes nonobjective.
Deborah’s work has won several awards and is frequently accepted into juried exhibitions.
Education-
B.A., Fine Art w/Advertising Specialization –
Ball State University / Muncie, IN
Memberships-
Portrait Society of America, Associate Member.
Northwest Watercolor Society, Signature Member.
- Acting President, 2022 - 2026
- President, 2019 - 2021
- Vice-President, 2018
Examples of Deborah's Work
WHAT TO KNOW- DEBORAH ROSKOPF -DEMO / MARCH 2026
Choose and Prepare Your Substrate:
Many surfaces are appropriate for gouache. Because gouache can crack if applied thickly, a rigid surfacesuch as mat board or watercolor paper affixed to mat board works well. A paper not primed with gesso willbe more absorbent, so consider a layer of gesso.
The image size is a 2 to 3 ratio, but you can adjust it per your wishes. These sizes are a 2 to 3 ratio:
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- 4 x 6
- 5 x 7.5
- 6 x 9
​ Paints
You’ll use more white than any other color. Tube watercolors mix with gouache, so if you don’t want to purchase gouache, you might find the sleeping tubes of watercolor that are in the back of a drawer and bring them before they dry up.
Here is the layout of my current palette. Yours will look different, but this can be a guide.
This demo will be watercolor gouache.
Acrylic gouache is different and behaves
much like typical acrylic. It is inert when dry,
unlike watercolor gouache. The two can be
intermixed.
Brushes
Gouache has more body than watercolor, so bring brushes similar to what you would use for acrylic. I use primarily flats, angles, and sometimes a bright shape. And a cheap 1” “chip” brush. Some of my brushes are in great shape, some are old and I like their “oldness”. Make sure you have a 1” flat and whatever you prefer in a variety of sizes and shapes below 1” so you can find what works best for you.
Here Is My Studio Setup
- iPad & stand
- Angled board
- Water jug
- Rags or paper towels
- Scrap paper for testing
- White gouache in separate small container.
- Colors in storage container.
- Enameled butcher pan for mixing surface
-Spray water bottle & small squeeze bottle
Other Supplies to Bring
- Tape
- Board for taping your substrate to
- Support for board
- Water jug
- Palette for mixing
- Paper towels or rags
- Any other tools you think you may need.
Questions:
Call me at 425-754-0628
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Recommended:
Watch this video to learn about gouache and what you can expect:
Click
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Workshop Meetings are Held the 1st Thursday of the Month Excluding:
July ✩ August ✩ December ✩ January
The First Presbyterian Church of Puyallup
412 West Pioneer Puyallup, WA 98371
Please send all correspondence, inquires and payments to the address below:
SHA - South Hill Artists
PO Box 731762
Puyallup, WA 98373-0019
Upcoming Events
​We are now accepting reservations for Spring Art Escape
at the monthly SHA Demo meetings or by mail.
Dates: April 13 -17, 2026
Cost: Double occupancy $465
Single occupancy $535
Click on the link below for more information:
The deadline for registration and a $100 deposit deadline for
Spring Art Escape is March 5, 2026.
You can turn in your $100 deposit at the March 5, 2026 SHA workshop or mail and postmark it by March 5, 2026, to:
Please send your payment to:
SHA
PO Box 731762
Puyallup, WA 98373-0019
Classes & Exhibitions
Reclaimed Pages
Transform Board Books into Art Journals
Cole Adams
A Two - Day Mixed Media Workshop
Give discarded board books a second life as stunning handmade art journals! In this hands-on workshop, you'll transform a chunky children's board book into a one-of-a-kind
creative journal using gel plateprinting, collage, paint, and mixed media magic.
Day One: Print & Play Dive into gel plate printing to create layers of colorful, textured papers. We'llexplore multiple techniques—layering colors, using stencils and found objects, creating monoprints, andbuilding a library of gorgeous printed pages.
No two prints are ever the same, and happy accidents becomeyour favorite pages.
You'll leave Day One with dozens of custom papers ready to transform.
Day Two: Build Your Book Watch your board book come alive! We'll prep the pages (gesso, texture, and prime), then collage, paint, stencil, and embellish using your gel prints and mixed media. Add pockets fortucking in memories, create interactive elements, incorporate text and imagery, and design a cover thatmakes you want to pick it up daily. Your finished journal becomes a beautiful space for art, writing, collage,or whatever calls to you.
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What's Included:
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• All materials: board book, gel plate access, acrylic paints, collage papers, stencils, embellishments
• Instruction in gel plate printing and mixed media techniques
• A completely unique art journal to take home
• Two full days of creative exploration
Perfect for: Artists, journalers, mixed media enthusiasts, anyone who loves repurposing and getting theirhands messy. All levels welcome—beginners encouraged!
Limited to 12 participants for personalized attention and plenty of gel plate time.
Limited to 12 participants for personalized attention and plenty of gel plate time.
Because every discarded book deserves to become something beautiful again!
RSVP & Register
or
253.347.3036 (text or call)
@colewoohoo on YouTube, Instagram & Pinterest
Cole Adams is a storytelling artist. She paints with abandon in acrylics and watercolors. Cole has an associates art degree in Watercolor and stained glass.
Cole loves art journaling, painting, quilting,
sewing & home decor.
Member's Corner​​
Do you know of an art show, competition, workshop, class,
or exhibition that may interest other SHA members?
To include information in the newsletter, please send the
information to the email below by the first of the month.
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sha.southhillartists@gmail.com​​
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The email address that generates the SHA newsletter
is not monitored. Please send email inquiries to:
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SHA Membership Information
Membership to South Hill Artists - SHA offers individuals numerous opportunities to create, learn and gather in a supportive and creative atmosphere.
Throughout the year there are scheduled live workshops, where one can
paint and create alongside an experienced professional artist.
Twice per year SHA holds a weeklong art camp workshop in Eatonville, at an affordable cost to its members. Members will receive an email newsletter, announcements, an invitation to join the private SHA Facebook group,
and participate in various social events.
A paid SHA Membership entitles you to participate in all these activities, September through August. Payment of dues is required 30 days prior to participation in art exhibits and shows. SHA members are encouraged to volunteer and support SHA activities, events, and chartered objectives.
Membership dues are $50.00 for the 2025-2026 SHA year.
When joining SHA, please download and fill in the SHA Membership Form.
Send the completed form with your check to the address below.
Membership dues can also be paid at the monthly demo meeting. Current members need to renew their membership in the month of September every year. Also, please update your contact information when
joining or renewing your SHA membership.
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Please Send Your Payment To:
Facebook Group
Our Facebook group is a private group for South Hill Artist members. We should think about using it more to share items that may be of interest to our members. Things to share could be books, artists you have learned about, new project ideas, photos of what you are doing, new art tools or supplies that others might not know about, etc. Think of ways you can contribute to our Facebook group!
Handmade Greeting Cards
SHA is also collecting handmade greeting cards to send to members
who may be going through a difficult time or facing illness.
If you’re able, please consider bringing a few card donations for SHA to have on hand.
Please Note:
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Posts, information, or details for the website and newsletter
need to be received by the 1st day of the month - to be included that month.
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The email address that generates the SHA newsletter is not monitored.
Please send email and inquiries to:
