Ronda Palazzari Designs

Harvest & Blessings, Ceiling Tile, & Homemade Gesso: Jessi

Oh My!

Hello! I am so stoked to be here offering up this week's design post! Today I am going to share with you something that came on the heels of need creating necessity. It has been so long since i have played in the mixed media side of things that when I went to add some texture to my page, my Gesso had dried up :( It's not super convenient for me to run into town, to an art supply store, and grab a jar...and let me be honest, I am not super patient. Especially when it comes to my creative endeavors. Enter google, determination and the sense that I hate being stymied...when I am unable to buy something, I should be able to make it...right? Right! Usually this theory works and I am happy to report that homemade gesso is a possibility! Need creates necessity and necessity is the mother of invention. So let's get to it!

There are advantages and disadvantages to this, as there is with everything in life...but in a pinch or being new to mixed media or you just don't want to buy commercial gesso, this stuff works really well!

You will need:

• 1 part white glue
• 3 parts water
• 6 parts cornstarch (baby powder works as well)
• white paint (1-2 TBSP)

- mix everything together in a jar and voila! The ability to create some texture on your projects. Something to note: this stuff takes a bit longer to dry then commercial gesso. It also has a different texture and consistency.

But just so you can see how it looks when used...here is a project I created using an RPD stencil and the Harvest & Blessings Life Fragments.

First, I laid Ronda's Ceiling Tile stencil (6" x 6") on my background paper and using a palette knife I smeared the homemade gesso over portions of the stencil. Because the consistency of the homemade gesso is a bit different, I let the stencil sit for a few minutes before pulling it off.

Then I applied some more homemade gesso with my palette knife before laying the stencil back down and applying more homemade gesso.

Then it's a waiting game! Once the textured background had dried, I started layering on my photo, embellsihments, and journaling. 

Ronda's Harvest & Blessing Life Fragments were perfect embellishments to add to this page to help create whimsy and magic!

 

 

 

 

Fun with Mixed Media!

i am super excited to announce my third class with Craftsy: Fun with Mixed Media, Lively Paper Projects! Over 2.5 hours of videos, broken down into 7 lessons. Throw rules out the window and use gesso, acrylic paint and watercolors to infuse your paper craft projects with eye-catching texture and color!  

Think outside the box and incorporate mixed media into your paper crafts with guidance from author and professional artist Ronda Palazzari (that's me ;). Get started by using gesso, acrylic paint and masking fluid to transform paper such as junk mail and phone book pages into beautiful backgrounds. Then, have fun with paints and stencils as you create a trendy chalkboard effect, experiment with washes and make your own stencils.

You’ll even explore the color wheel and learn how watercolors and acrylic paints work together so that you always get the most from your paint. Finally, paint with drips, splashes, splatters and blooms as you build layer upon layer of texture and work with resists. Plus, I will share a few of my mixed-media projects to inspire you in creating your own unique scrapbook pages, cards, tags and more!

You'll have a lifetime access to the class. You can share projects & leave me questions. I had a ton of fun creating all of my classes with the Craftsy crew. I am really impressed with the online classrooms and have taken a few classes myself. If you haven't tried Craftsy yet, you will love it! You can even download the Craftsy App onto your mobile device or tablet and take your classes with you! 

Hope to see you in my classes!

 

 

Gelli Plate Printing Book!

You know i am a big fan of my Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate. i have multiple plates & pull them out quite frequently to create. Some days it's just about loosening up and playing, other days i create with a purpose. Either way, you cannot go wrong using this awesome plate.  

You may remember this post from just a couple weeks ago about Gel Plate Printing with my Stencil Fragments.  

i also created the heart on this art journal page using my gel printing plate & deli paper. You can see the original post here.  

You may remember this video using my gelli arts printing plate in my art journal to create my Hello/Goodbye page!

i really love these pages and love how easy it is to use that plate. And i am happy to share with you that there is a new book about the Gelli Arts gel printing plate!

Joan Bess (of Gelli Arts) created Gelli Plate Printing Mixed Media Printing without a Press (North Light/F&W Media) filled with lots of techniques (50+) using this awesome plate. i am honored to be one of many awesome contributing artists. You will find three of my pieces in the gallery section. i cannot wait to try out some of the techniques in this book, especially the fabric ones!

 

 

 

Art Journal Super Close Up Details

i am always talking to you about layers and texture. You know how i love them and that they ALWAYS appear in my work. i love that slow build up of layers, colors, and texture.  The one draw back i find is sharing them on my blog. i find it really hard to capture the details of my work. The nooks & crannies, the details in all their glory and i am a pretty good photographer. But i found a solution...

 

Let me introduce you to my 20th anniversary present, a Canon 100 MM 2.8L Macro Lens. When my package arrived along with the biggest bouquet of roses, i may or may not have cried. Andrew knows me, he really knows me well. Not only will this lens come in handy for portraits (Hello GRANDBABY), fun art shots (Hello GARDEN VEGGIES & FRUITS), but for all the details of my works (Hello LOVELIES). i had to test it out so why not use my art journal pages to capture the details? i am sharing the original photographed pages with the new details photos below. 

Look at those details. Can you see the layers & texture? Those raised drips are on top of my journaling which is on top of all that color & texture. i love the rich details in this shot. 

 

i love that you can see the details in the scratches and layers of paint. The spot in the first detail photo (on the bottom right) is leftover paint i pulled off my palette and used in my journal. In the big photo you miss the texture details that quietly sits in the background but now you can see my ripples stencil peaking through.  

i admit i am very partial to blue. She may be my favorite art journal page ever. i love that this lens captures the brush strokes and texture in the background.  Even the details in her hair are so beautiful.  

The colors on Finding Balance really pop in this photo. You can see the details in each slice of the pie chart. All the mountains & valleys in the paint make me giddy!

Dream is such a colorful page that i feared you miss some of the details...until now. i always start my page building up texture. i love that you get to see some of the "clear" texture now in both detail shots.  

You can see all the underlayers (yes i am showing your my art journal knickers ;) in my calm page. i started this page off with paper collage layers and then added color and journaling. You really get to see the stencil shape & texture in this shot.  

You get those same details in my grace page that uses my And So On stencil. i collaged layers of papers and then added the clear medium through the stencil.  Next i painted the pie pieces and doodled on top. It looks so pretty!

Can you see my journaling under the And So On stencil? You can even see the first black gesso layer, peeking through as well as the tissue paper, & color.  

i love that you get the crackle details of the retrobursts stencil plus all the scratches in the paint.  You can also see the details of the tea bag tag i layered into this piece. Let's not forget too all the layers of colors.

So yes, i am in love with my new macro lens. i love that i get to share with you the layers and texture in my work.

Abstract: My Beginnings

Still taking classes with the fabulous Michael Gadlin. i had to take some time off thanks to illness but it's ok as Michael is getting ready for not one but two new shows coming up.  However, i am still creating on my own, taking in all that he has taught me.  What's has been fabulous about going for lessons in his studio is watching his work progress until he feels it's done. i feel blessed to watch art happening before my eyes.

Michael had 4 very large pieces hung on the walls and was working on each of them at different times.  When i came this particular time, he added a new piece on the floor. It is massive and beautiful. My favorite piece to date. And yes, he is standing on it. 

After setting up my supplies, i sat watching him create and snapping photos. i asked all about the mediums, the reasons why behind the piece, and what he was thinking. Have you ever been to a museum and wanted to ask an artist his thoughts? Imagine doing that as the art is happening. 

i admit i was fascinated with him walking on the piece. But it makes sense, Art comes within and he was pouring himself into the art. 

Michael told me how he was inspired by me and it was reflected in this piece. While the piece is completely his own, things we talked about pushed him in new ways. It was so much fun to stand in front of this and take pics of my favorite areas.  

Remember this photo? This is me set up to go working on a blank canvas. This day was about starting from scratch, letting go, and Michael watching me work to guide me.   i was scared and exhilirated to start!

i really wanted to stay loose so i made a conscious decision to do this piece mostly left handed. i am a VERY right handed person so this would force me to let go of too much thought and trust my instincts.  

and i did let go

trusted my instincts

i did do a few areas right handed

filling in 

and loving every minute of it

While i could leave it in black & white, this is to become the base of something else, filling in with color and all kinds of collage pieces.  Michael and i were pleased with my progress, my taking risks, and letting go. 

i set that piece aside to dry before doing a working varnish layer, readying it for the next steps. When i looked up, i noticed this scene before me. Michael utterly lost in his work like i was. 

i knew that i wanted to start another piece and had this idea in my head that just wouldn't leave. It was begging to be put down on canvas and i willingly obliged. i didn't have the full idea but once again trusted that the direction would appear in layers. 

After i got my thoughts out, i began sealing the piece knowing that some of the smearing would occur. i did it on purpose, getting the effect i wanted.  

Once i finished sealing it, getting ready for the next layers, i decided the piece was complete. It needed to stay black & white. Michael whole-heartedly agreed with me. i just need to put on the final varnish and ready it for hanging.  

and here's a peek at the progress of the other piece. It's still in the works but i am ever so excited at the direction it is heading.  Needless to say, but i will say it anyway, i LOVE art, painting, and taking classes with my mentor and fellow artist friend.  

 

Two new CRAFTSY online classes!

Halloween Decor, Fun & Fancy Projects.  It's spooktacular!  Purchase the kit filled with Jillibean Soup new Halloween lines, Owloween Stew & Witches Brew, and you get exclusive Video Lessons for FREE. As September is upon us, now is the perfect time to create some BOOtiful Halloween Decor!

Kit Includes:

• Jillibean Soup Owloween Stew and Witches Brew 6”x6” mini paper pads
• Jillibean Soup Owloween Stew Pea Pods Die Cuts
• Jillibean Soup Owloween Beanboard Alphas in Black Glitter
• Jillibean Soup Owloween Enamel Stars in Orange
• Jillibean Soup Owloween Multi Dot Paper Tape
• 3 HD video lessons led by expert Ronda Palazzari (<-- that's ME!)

In this free class (with the purchase of the kit!), I will show you how to use Jillibean Soup's paper pads, black glitter beanboard alphas and festive embellishments to create a witch’s hat, pumpkin centerpieces and even a spooky banner!  

Artful layering, stencils, ink, & embellishments is another FREE class with the purchase of the Stencil & Ink Kit.  Learn to expertly layer your way from blank paper to finishing touches throughout four HD video lessons.

Add interest to your projects by stenciling, masking, artfully tearing, inking your layers and more. Plus, create gorgeous paper flowers and follow along with Me as you assemble a special scrapbook page that's sure to inspire!  

Kit Includes:

The Crafter's Workshop Stencils

• Four 6" x 6" stencils (Rose Window, Wildflowers, Hourglass, Retrobursts)
• Designed by Craftsy Instructor Ronda Palazzari (<-- that's me!)

Ranger Ink Distress Mini Ink Kit

• Four 1" x 1" stackable mini ink pads.
• Pads feature a raised felt pad perfect for use on small craft projects.
• Designed by Tim Holtz

Ranger Ink Blending Tool

• Ideal for precise application of inks and other craft mediums
• Ergonomic, solid wood

I had a ton of fun creating these classes with the Craftsy crew.  I am really impressed with the online classrooms and have taken a few classes myself.  If you haven't tried Craftsy yet, you will love it! You can even download the Craftsy App onto your mobile device or tablet and take your classes with you! 

Hope to see you in my classes!

 

 

 

Create Daily: Letting Go

Unfortunately i am still sick but on the mend. i appreciate all your kind words about Anthony & becoming a grandma.  So while i am recovering on the couch, i thought you would enjoy seeing the process of this layout using my new stencil called Persian Gate. Letting go is an important part of creating art. You have to be able to let go of control sometimes and trust your skill to know it could lead you to something great. Of course there is the flip side and you end up hating what you created but i guarantee you learned something in the process. i also look for opportunities to take something i hate and turn it into something i love by pushing myself to keep going. i know that even if i don't like the whole piece i can cut it up and turn it into something different.  

i started this layout with that premise of letting go, playing around, having fun, and just keep creating.  i used Dina Wakley's Media paint on the watercolor paper. i then added some journaling and stenciled images using my 12 x 12 Geometric Art Layers stencil.  

Persian Gate (TCW 472)

i then broke out my new stencil called Persian Gate. i love this simplistic form of a quatrefoil with the nice sized openings. Lots of possibilities with this one and i am going to show you just one technique you can use with it. 

i placed the stencil over the painted page and added a layer of clear medium over top using a plastic palette knife, scraping through the stencil.

It's slightly opaque when wet and translucent when dry.  Depending on your climate, it may take a while to dry.  i usually let it set for an hour or two, sometimes more if i put it on really thick.  

After it is dry, i painted over it and wiped down the stencil bits to have that color pop through. i love this technique a lot. In fact you can see a variation of it on my Rose Window Video HERE. 

 

 

 

Lose Yourself

Not until we are LOST do we begin to understand ourselves. Henry David Thoreau.

i get that. Totally get it.

There have been many times in my life where i have felt lost. At first it was a very uncomfortable feeling. Many times being lost evokes fear. But i have come to see the beauty of being lost. Getting lost in a new city is one of my favorite ways to travel. It means i am out there exploring and trying new things. Getting lost in a book is another favorite pastime for me, another great way to explore new worlds or shut my mind down to this one so i can let go.

"I lost track of time." 

How beautiful are those words when we lose ourselves to whatever task at hand and soaked up every minute of it.  Especially when we engaged in an activity we love: music, painting, reading, etc.  

But how about losing yourself? It used to scare me too. i have felt lost and questioned what i was doing, where i was going, or even who i was. i know now that it's ok to have those feelings and actually appreciate them. i understand something good will come out of all those emotions. The beauty of being lost allows me to take a look at my life and change the things weighing me down. i have learned to embrace the fear, to let go, to trust i will find my way again and be a better person because of it.  

i started this art journal page with black gesso covering most of the background, to me it represented lost and darkness.  i journaled with a white sharpie on top of it. 

i then added some tissue paper from Hazel & Ruby and some Dina Wakley Media paints.  i went with both dark colors and light colors knowing my life comes with both of them. 

i journaled more in both black & white to signify both my happy and dark thoughts.  i continued using these two colors adding marks and doodles around the page.  

i use a gel medium through the pie chart on my 6 x 6 And So On stencil around the page knowing these would be the main color pieces peeking through the next layer.  

While i was impatiently waiting on them to dry, i added a white glaze over the entire piece to dull the dark areas and let the color just shine through those pie pieces.  To me it represents all sides of my life, both the light & dark in being lost. i added the last journal thoughts on the top layer using india ink.  

Are you ready to get Lost?

 

 

2014 Summer Stencil: Geometric Art Layers, Fireworks, & Maple Leaf

 

Geometric Art Layers 6x6 Fireworks 6x6

Summer time is in full swing here which means it's time for my summer TCW stencil release!  i have 9 new stencils and 9 new stencil fragments this release.  Today i am sharing one new stencil & two new stencil fragments: Geometric Art Layers, Fireworks, & Maple Leaf Fragment.

Geometric Art Layers (TCW 470)

Geometric Art Layers is a fun blocked stencil filled with all kinds of cool shapes & patterns. This stencil has so many uses both as a whole stencil or just using individual pieces. Those white spaces are perfect for photos if you want to use this stencil as a template for a layout or art journal page. It comes both in 12 x 12 and 6 x 6 sizes. 

My Path Layout uses both the 12 x 12 stencil and 6x6. Those shapes are so much fun to stack around my page. i love that big bold number pattern in black to the left of my photo.

i used the triangles on the 12 x 12 stencil with my NeocolorII crayons to give the background some color and layered the small 6 x 6 stencil circles on top.  i could create with this stencil all day long!

Fireworks (TCW 473)

Fireworks is one of those fun background stencils that's perfect for every occassion. i love all the different shapes you can see within this stencil. Do you see the small gear like shape? The dashed lines? Mask this stencil for so many possibilities. It comes both in 12 x 12 and 6 x 6 sizes.

You can be bold with this stencil like the above tag or softer like this layout. Love is a layout capturing those Colorado Sunsets. Since i wanted my photo to be the main focus point, i chose to layer the stencil softly in the background with a tone on tone approach. Did you notice the doodles with the stencil? i love those tiny black triangles sprinkled on the page!

Maple Leaf Fragment (TCW 2048)

i love this Maple Leaf stencil fragment. i left the leaves open to be filled with color or doodles. It fits nicely in a project life page, looks great on scrapbook pages, cards, tags, or art journal pages. It would look great with gelli printing too!  While it's great for autumn pages, it really can be used any time!  And for my neighbors to the North, this fragment is perfect for Canada Day.

Look at how lovely it looks with all those colors! i doodled the leaf onto my 4x4 watercolor page and then painted all around it with black paint. i filled in the leaves with a rainbow of colors for this stunning effect.

So what stencil(s) caught your eye today? Don't forget you can purchase these at BlueMoon Scrapbooking. i will let you know as other stores have them in stock!

 

Create Daily: Gelli Prints + Fragments

i love playing around some days just to get my hands inky so i broke out my gelli printing plate, my friend Dina Wakley's Media Line from Ranger Ink, and my "Ronda's Stencil Fragments" to create prints. My fragments are perfect for these prints and i totally love Dina's bright colors for these creations. i just love the way they blend together!

Once i got started, i just couldn't quit, print after print! i like the build up of colors so i didn't clean up the plate between prints. i love all the prints i got on both watercolor paper and deli paper.

Here's a look at a few i created on Deli paper:

And here are some prints on watercolor paper:

i know these are beginning layers and i cannot wait to add more layers. i'm not sure how i will use all of them but i am excited about the possibilities. i know some of them will be used in various creations like my art journal, collage pieces, or on my abstract art.

Have you used fragments or stencils in your gelli prints?