Ronda Palazzari Designs

Abstract Endeavors

Still taking classes with the fabulous Michael Gadlin. He's moved studios and it's been a fabulous change for him as i watch his art and personal style evolve. We've been doing one on one lessons, really focused lessons. Not only are they focused on topics that he thinks are important but also focused on my evolution as an artist. He knows how to really push me to that next level and totally validates who i am as an artist. So here's a peek into a few of my lessons:

The bag of stuff i lug to the studio (and this isn't complete, still stuff to put in).

Michael's new studio and where we work.

Art findings on the table.

My art, my notes, my brushes.

In progress, I found these exercises really freeing,

and they will be used in some other works.

 Another piece in progress; i like the journey as much as the destination.

These two pieces really excite me and it's just the first few layers!

Remember this.

His art inspires me.

i just want to peel back the layers.

i love seeing the evolution of his work.

This one has always been a favorite. He paints in phone books and magazines.

i am blessed to have Art lessons with such an amazing artists who i also get to call friend. When i am in the studio i soak up every word and find happiness in paint.  Right now we are working a lot in black and white. i am totally ok with that as i love black and white and as Michael says, color is icing. 

have art, can travel

With numerous days ahead in Doha, i decided to pack me a little travel kit.  Ok maybe not so little but compared to the studio, trust me this is a small portion.  Andy will be working and gone some nights while we are there.   Anthony & I have 24 hours of traveling ahead, plus the return trip.  So i will need something to keep me busy and I have an insatiable need to create. I actually tried to limit myself this time, meaning i didn't take every medium i own.  Trust me when i say this is so hard!  Not all of this will be in my carry-on.  I will limit myself to the art journals & pens for now.  Maybe some washi tape.  So let's take a closer look at what's in my travel kit.

I have two art journals going with me, both Moleskin.  These are watercolor journals perfect for almost any medium.  My adhesive dispenser is a must.  Yes i decorated it.  I had leftover paint one day and it was sitting there. 

If i had to limit my mediums, spray ink/mists is always going to make the cut.  I decided to bring a small rainbow of colors.  The mini misters are perfect for traveling!  They will be double bagged in case of leaks.  Right next to them are my black pens in a variety of sizes.

Love Picket Fence distress stain.  It is a great white that really covers well without lifting off the page days later.  Black ink is a must and there is a white ink (Snowcap) underneath as well.  Water bottle, glue stick, some dabber paints are to the left. a simple corner punch can add so much to a page.  Needle & black floss.  A tin of embellishments.  Paint brushes in round, flat, and filbert.  Water pens, a pencil, and a good white eraser.  What you don't see is some stamps that are already packed.

There is a kraft journal under the scissors and brayer.  Again moleskin.  It will be my travel journal for Doha.  Just a little grid journal to help me document my time in Doha.  Behind that are some travel word fetti stickers from Making Memories.  Remember those?  Yes i still have a few of those from ions ago (11 - 12 years ago?).  Perfect for this trip, along with some 7 gyspies date stickers.  There are some kraft journal jotters & Kraft Polka dot envelopes from Maya Road and some glassine envelopes from Tim Holtz.  Manilla tags, 3 x 4 pieces of paper, and book paper under the brayer & scissors.  A few washi tapes and walnut stain ink.  It's my favorite.  And underneath it all is a craft mat that will be joining me on this journey.  It's a great instant go to surface.