The Decorative Artists of Texas (DAT) is an affiliated chapter of the national Society of Decorative Painters

The Chapter...

includes artists at all levels of painting who share an interest in and an appreciation for tole and decorative painting.

Our goal is to generate increased opportunities for education, fellowship and the exchange of ideas. During this process a support system both locally as well as nationally was developed to operate collectively to acquire valuable knowledge and to encourage high standards in decorative art.

 

DAT is mourning the loss of one of our Charter members, past President and holder of numerous board positions through the years, Marty Hruzek. Marty was an integral part of the Decorative Artists of Texas and will be greatly missed by all. Marty passed away on Friday, March 13, 2009.

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Meetings...

The first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. (social hour @ 6:30 pm) in the Pasadena To2ne Square Mall Community Room, Pasadena, TX  281-487-1317. 

Direction

Membership dues are $10 annually and you must be a present member of the national “Society of Decorative Painters” (SDP).

Discover the joy of painting, be creatively inspired, improve your painting, meet new friends who love to paint, enjoy interesting and informative
programs at monthly meetings, attend decorative painting workshops, attend
the premier decorative painting convention, attend DAT's biannual painting retreat, and be informed with an award winning magazine!

Links to Other Chapters:

Decorative Artists of Texas

South East Houston Chapter of the Society of Decorative Painters. Local Chapter for members in Pasadena, Deer Park, La Porte, Friendswood, Pearland, Clear Lake, League City, Seabrook, Kemah, and Baytown, with members from all over the US.

Decorative painting is a diverse art form that uses a variety of techniques and media to decorate both functional and non-functional surfaces.

Tin
Sample of decorative painting. Art designed and painted by Maxine Thomas and done by DAT in a workshop with Maxine. © Maxine Thomas

The scope of decorative painting is boundless. Styles and techniques of the past are incorporated into trends and materials of the present, while developing the decorative art heritage of the future.

Decorative painting is a teachable art form because of the systematic method that is employed. The use of either patterns or freehand designs allow a high degree of success without academic training or inherent drawing ability. Approached with creativity, discipline, and craftsmanship, decorative painting offers numerous opportunities for artistic self-expression and creative satisfaction.

Lazy Susan
Sample of decorative painting. Art designed and painted by Rosemary West and done by DAT in a workshop with Rosemary. © Rosemary West

Today, decorative painting is extremely popular and there are shops and instructors in almost every community. Who are they and why do they paint? They vary from highly talented teachers to down-to-earth homemakers.
Decorative painting is just plain fun. Decorative Artists have fun first! They do not stress over creating a technically perfect artistic piece but rather enjoy the sheer delight in breaking all the rules with light coming from all directions, landscapes lacking perspective, people with comical features, and whatever pleases them. There are no failures! Painters do learn various styles and basic brush control techniques but in the process, their individual, unique styles emerge. The painted pieces elicit smiles because they reflect a delight in life, nature, families and spiritual/religious feelings.

Painted drawer
Sample of decorative painting. Art designed and painted by Terrye French. © Terrye French

The Society of Decorative Painters is a membership organization with 26,000 members throughout the United States, Canada and 47 other countries. It has more than 300 affiliated chapters that actively promote the art form through community service projects and other painting-related activities. SDP publishes the industry's leading magazine, The Decorative Painter; houses the Decorative Arts Collection, an extensive collection of decorative painting; and hosts the largest annual decorative painting show, conference and expo.