n e w s l e t t e r
South Hill Artists ✫ October 2026 Newsletter ✫ Issue 88
Our Next Workshop Demo
Thursday, November 5th, 2026
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
With Featured Artist
Nancy Romanovsky
"Following the Light"
An Oil Painting Demonstration
"Little River in the Pacific Taiga"
Explore how strong composition, value structure, and thoughtful color mixing
can transform a forest scene into a luminous painting.
In this demonstration, we’ll begin by identifying the major shapes and value masses, establishing the underlying composition before getting caught up in details.
I’ll demonstrate how I premix my light and shadow colors for the major masses,
allowing me to work more confidently and cohesively as the painting develops.
From the initial block-in, we’ll gradually refine the forms, edges, color, and light, following the radiating lines of light through the trees to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
If time allows, we’ll take the painting through the final stages of refinement.
The emphasis will be on seeing the big shapes first, establishing a strong value
structure, and letting the details support the overall design.
Nancy Romanovsky
Brief Bio:
Nancy began oil painting at an early age and later studied art at Arizona State University, the Scottsdale Artists’ School, and privately with several American artists. In 2012, Nancy left her career in graphic design and marketing to pursue painting full time. Her paintings have rapidly become popular due to their unique style. Honest and non-pretentious, they expose the beauty of nature through the combination of light and shadow and serendipitous plays of color. Nancy’s paintings are held in corporate and private collections in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Hungary, Russia, and Italy. Her hobbies include hiking and tree farming. She is a member of Oil Painters of America, Plein Air Washington Artists, Puget Sound Group of NW Artists, and the Art Committee co-chair for the Governor’s Mansion Foundation.
Artist Statement:
I have always been intrigued by designs of nature: the line of a tree, the patterns of light and shadow, these mysterious designs create moods and become the source of my inspiration. My goal is to capture on canvas and interpret both nature's grandeur and its subtleties. I love the process of starting with nothing and creating something uniquely beautiful and honest. I paint landscapes and explore the quiet essence of being in nature. My chosen medium is oil, with variety of brushwork, thick and thin, loose and detailed. It gives me the opportunity to portray the breadth and scale of nature. Our Douglas fir tree farm in western Washington, an idyllic forest property, is the main source of visual nourishment for me. This is where new ideas for paintings are often born!
Suggested Supply List
Follow the Light: an oil demo for SHA | Instructor: Nancy Romanovsky
Canvas panel (1) 9 x 12 or 11 x 14
Brushes (variety of sizes and bristles types)
Mixing knife (metal preferred)
Palette or palette paper
Odorless Solvent and solvent jar
Paper towels
Paints - having the following colors is strongly recommended:
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Titanium White
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Cadmium Yellow Lemon
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Cadmium Orange Deep
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Permanent Red (or Cadmium Red Light)
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Alizarin Crimson
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Ultramarine Blue
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Cobalt Blue
Additional paints that can come in handy:
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Viridian
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Sap Green
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Olive Green
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Portland Cool Gray
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Naples Yellow
Apron and gloves (optional)
"Conductors of Sunlight"
"After Levitan's Oak"
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
902 16th Ave Ct SE
Puyallup, WA 98372- 4800
p r e s i d e n t 's n o t e
A Warm Welcome to All SHA Members!
“As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see.”
~ Vincent Van Gogh ~
Welcome to Fall South Hill Artists 🍁
As the days grow shorter and the leaves begin to show their
beautiful autumn colors, I’m especially excited about our 2026
Fall Art Escape, at Camp Arnold in Eatonville, WA, October 19 – 23, 2026!
There’s something wonderful about settling into the cozy rhythms
of fall—sipping hot cocoa, taking in the gorgeous autumn colors,
slowing down, and giving ourselves the time and space to create.
Our five-day Art Escape is the perfect opportunity to step away
from our everyday routines, explore our creativity, learn, and
enjoy time together as artists and friends.
Whether you’ve joined us before or this is your first Art Escape, I know you’re going to make wonderful autumn memories with us - creating, relaxing and enjoying this special time together!
I can’t wait to see you there!
With gratitude and creativity,
Doreen Koch Allen
President, South Hill Artists – SHA
SHA Art Escape at Camp Arnold!
f a l l 2 0 2 6
Art Escape Dates: October 19 - 23, 2026
Check In: 9:00 am October 19, 2026
Check Out: 11:00 am October 23, 2026
The rate for a double-occupancy room is $465.00
There are limited single rooms available at $535.00
Workshop registration form due:
September 3, 2026 with a $100.00 Deposit.
Please send your check to the
address below or pay by cash or check
at the monthly SHA workshop.
Final Payment Due: October 1, 2026
SHA - South Hill Artists
902 16th Ave Ct SE
Puyallup, WA 98372- 4800
Day Camp – 2026 Fall Art Escape
One Day Camp Registration Form
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Time: 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
Come spend the day creating at beautiful Camp Arnold - for a one-day
Art Escape Retreat with South Hill Artists! Members are invited to enjoy time working on current projects, try something new, and experience the inspiration
and camaraderie of our creative community!
This one-day retreat is limited to six participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment must be received on or before October 1st, 2026. No refunds.
Please download the attached registration form and mail it with your payment to the address below. An active SHA membership is required to attend Art Escape.
An annual SHA membership is $50.00.
SHA - South Hill Artists
902 16th Ave. Ct. SE
Puyallup, WA 98372 - 4800
Have questions - Email sha.southhillartists@gmail.com to let us
know you plan to attend or with questions.
We hope to see you there!
SHA 2026 Art Retreat — Pricing Information & What’s Included
• $125.00 — One-day Art Escape pass (Wednesday, October 21st, 2026)
• 2 Meals – Breakfast & Dinner (Served at 10:30 am & 4:30 pm)
• A shared workspace/ table – 2 artists per table
• Dedicated time to work on your current projects!
• A creative, fun, and supportive environment to spend the day creating art!
An active membership is required to participate in camp.
Annual Membership Fee - $50.00
Please be sure to download and complete the
Camp Registration Form to be included with your payment.
Also, don’t forget to scroll down to the bottom of the page
for additional links and important information about camp.
Thank you!
✫ Art Escape Scholarship Information ✫
✫ Art Escape Scholarship Information ✫
Southhill Artists is proud to be offering partial scholarships,
of $200.00 each to assist 1 - 2 SHA members with their camp fees.
Scholarships are made possible through generous donations
and proceeds from previous art camps.
Application forms are available at the link below.
Members are encouraged to complete and submit
the form for consideration by the SHA Board.
We look forward to supporting our members!
✫ Things to Know About Art Escape ✫
Before we arrive, the camp staff will have set up our art-creating area in the DiningHall:
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Plastic coverings on the floor
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Individual artwork tables
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Extension cords
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Shared power strips
Monday: 9:00am - 10:30am - Check-in is in the Dining Hall
Note: Please do not enter the building before 9:00 am
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Check in is in the Dining Hall.
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Only park in designated areas (not on the grassy fields) and enter the Dining Hall
from the front entrance.
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You may want to briefly check in and then drop off your bedroom items to your
assigned cabin, followed by setting up your individual art-creating area at your
assigned work table.
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Remember to bring a table covering & tape, give-away art supplies, and snacks to share
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Monday - Friday: 10:30 am Buffet brunch in the Dining Hall
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Monday - Thursday: 4:30 pm Buffet dinner in the Dining Hall
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Also in the Dining Hall 9:30am - 5:30pm daily:
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Coffee
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Hot water
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Variety of teas
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Hot beverage condiments
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Cereal cups
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Dairy and non-dairy milks
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Thursday after Brunch: Group photo
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Friday: 10:00 am Room check-out
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Friday: 11:00 am Art Camp concludes
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The camp has several (possibly muddy) trails to walk when you need to feed your creative process. Please bring your rain or hiking boots!
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Camp Arnold regulations: Speed Limit: 10 mph
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Only Park in designated areas
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Quiet Time: 10:00 pm - 8:00 am
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Alcohol-free campus
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Fume-free art media
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No glitter alowed ($250 fine)
Past Camp Arnold
Art Retreats
Member's Corner
Do you know of an art show, competition, workshop, class, art exhibit, or have art
supplies for sale that may interest other SHA Members?
To have information included in the newsletter, please email the details to sha.southhillartists@gmail.com by the 1st of the month.
Please Note:
The email address that sends the SHA newsletter is not monitored.
Please direct all emails and inquiries to:
Classes & Exhibitions
Free Painting, Arts and Crafts Opportunities
Days: Every Tuesday & Thursday
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Where: Fife Community Center
2111 54TH Ave E
Fife, WA 98424
Phone: (253) 922 - 0900
Bring your own supplies and table covering.
Additionally: Lunch is concurrently offered there Thursdays at noon for $3.50
for seniors through Catholic Food Services.
Another Free Opportunity!
Here is another art meeting that is free-of-charge local art opportunity, twice a
month in Midland (Tacoma) at South East Tacoma Community Center. It is
organized and hosted by a SHA Member and award-winning artist: Heather Dumas.
She is also wonderful person!
Art & Soul - Midland
Days: 1st & 3rd Mondays
Time: 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
Where: Southeast Tacoma Community Center
1614 99th St. E.
Tacoma, WA 98445
Phone: (253) 922 - 0900
SHA Membership Information
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 - "Art Escape" in Eatonville, WA 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 2026 - 2027 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 workshop meetings.
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.
Please Send Your Payment To:
SHA - South Hill Artists
902 16th Ave. Ct. SE
Puyallup, WA 98372 - 4800
Please Note: The email address that generates the SHA newsletter is not monitored.
Please direct all emails and inquiries 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.
