Ronda Palazzari Designs

create daily: UNFINISHED

Just because you create daily or even semi-weekly, doesn't mean you have to complete the entire project.  i think sometimes we consume ourselves with being finished that we don't enjoy the process.  i am of the belief that we should lose ourselves completely in the journey.  i am not saying we shouldn't be proud of the end project.  Of course we should derive some satisfaction from a job well done.  But the focus on finishing shouldn't consume us so that we don't find utter happiness in each step. 

So here i am today telling you it's totally okay to have some unfinished projects that you will complete...someday.  i have lots of art journal pages and other pieces in progress.  i do come back to them from time to time, helping them evolve here and there.

The above page started off with excess strips of book pages and gesso.  i left it for a while and then came back to it when i had little bits of fabric leftover and some tissue paper.  Days later i carved a new stamp and tried it out on this page.  You can see it's a slow progression.  i am not sure if it is done or not but i am loving the journey. 

Most of my art journal pages don't start from beginning to end in one setting.  It's that slow build and i will flip to pages in my book to see which one is calling for completion that day.  This page is a result of leftover paint that i just cannot waste.  who knows when i will complete it or what direction it will go.  it makes me excited to just look at it. 

i tend to gesso up pages when i have my jar open, so as i am working on other projects i will lay open my journal and add gesso in random swipes across the page.  the blue on this page is over spray from the right page.  it totally works for me.  i am not sure where the pinky/purple color comes from.  The image was created by cleaning off my stencil by smooshing it onto the page. 

this page is one of those ones that started off with a stencil & gesso.  Then i layered on some paint and totally did not like the direction it was heading.  here are some thoughts that rattled around my head while creating.

"whoa color overload"

"insert white paint.  phew, that looks better."

"maybe a pop of color, red is always good."

"whooaaaa, too much red.  this page just needs to sit"

"hey i like these painty circles on this tissue paper, maybe it will tone down the red."

One day i will finish this piece or maybe i will look at it and feel like it's done.  Right now it's in the unfinished category. You get the idea.  Projects don't have be finished all in one setting.  I think too much pressure kills creativity.  The idea of "just get it done" diminishes the idea of "i love to create." 

Have you created something this week?  Anything goes...an art journal page, doodle, scrapbook page, card...just something creative.  Share a link at the bottom of this post with the inLinkz button.  Just leave a link to a specific blog post or image on flickr, rather than a general url. This way we can see your stellar creation.

Create Daily: Experiment

Sometimes you have to play around & experiment to grow.  Experimenting can lead to some cool new techniques.  They can also utterly fail but no matter what you learn in the process.  Sometimes it's more about the journey (the process) than the actual end piece.  It can really stimulate your creativity.  This step by step is from the archives and comes from me experimenting with UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) and paint to create a really cool texture. 

You can try this technique with heavy gel medium, heavy gesso, or glue stick.  Grab some leftover letters (foam, Chipboard, etc) and a craft stick or palette knife.  You can try this out on an ATC size or add it to one of your mixed media pieces. 

To start, smear heavy gel medium  or heavy gesso over the card.  If you are using a gluestick, scrap it off using a craft stick and smear it on the card. 

You can cover the whole card or just part of the card.  Either way looks cool.  Try one letter, multiple letters, or shapes. 

Paint the card with some acrylic paint.  You want to have good coverage with the paint but you can also remove some of it from the letters with a paper towel. I used a couple different colors on this card.

While the paint is still wet, shake UTEE over the wet card.  Heat set the card and watched the magic happen. 

The paint & the clear embossing powder bubble into this cool cool texture.  It is so awesome.

Have you created something this week?  Anything goes...an art journal page, doodle, scrapbook page, card...just something creative.  Share a link at the bottom of this post with the inLinkz button.  Just leave a link to a specific blog post or image on flickr, rather than a general url. This way we can see your stellar creation.

 

 

Create Daily: Art of the GO

i am headed to Doha, Qatar and then on vacation so i thought i would pack myself and Art of the GO travel pack.  While i cannot take all of this on the plane, i can take a fair portion to keep me creative daily.  This is a great way to travel but still fill the need to do something artful.  Whether you are going on vacation or sitting poolside, pack yourself a little kit to be creative.  Let's take a look at all the supplies in my kit.

1. Fluid Acrylic Paints in Primary colors plus Black & White
2. Koi Watercolor travel kit plus some water brushes
3. 15 Neocolor II Crayons
4. Drawing Pencils, HB, 2B, 4B, & 6B plus a sharpener and kneaded eraser
5. Spray inks in Mini Misters, plus an empty one for water
6. Waterproof Permanent Black Markers & pen
7. a few of my favorite paintbrushes
8. Four journals, two watercolor, one sketch, one for thoughts
9. white sharpie, white eraser, and small brayer
10. small matte medium & craft mat

This will fill my need to create and help me document my little summer journey. 

Inspired

Last week i taught this Art Journal Basics class at Scrap 2 it.  This week i am at Rocky Mountain Memories in Estes Park.  I'm not sure planning two classes back to back was the smartest idea but i do so enjoy teaching.  I feel like i get to use my degree and combine it with art.  I am always inspired by what my students create and I love seeing things through their fresh eyes. 

I love seeing people gain confidence as they create.  it's always my goal to make sure you walk out of my classes feeling like you can achieve it. 

i love walking around the room seeing all the cool color combinations.  And i cannot help seeing beauty everywhere, including paint palettes. 

I love having young adults in class too.  they are free in their styles and always are willing to try something new, out of their comfort zone. 

I get lots of ideas both for teaching and in my art, new ways to explain things, things i need to work on, and much much more. 

i just love being in this creative atmosphere.  It's funny how even water that we used to wash stencils can make me smile.  i always come home inspired.

Altered Hipster Bag Class, your way

This weekend at Rocky Mountain Memories is my Altered Hipster Bag Class, your way. Only one more seat left so act fast! Begin with a blank canvas, finish with a bag that is uniquely you. I provide the bags, the inks, the stencils, the stamps, and the instruction to guide you in this creative journey. These pretty Maya Road bags are nicely sized for your iPad or other tablet, or just the items you'll need while on the go. Who doesn't want a new bag for spring? $35 for this class You'll need gesso, matte medium, fabric glue, black waterproof ink, your favorite paints, and your own scissors. Call 970-577-1415 to sign up.

May Stencil Round Up

I have to say that seeing my stencil designs in your hands is the greatest thrill.  i love seeing all the different types of projects & uses of something i design.  it's so surreal and makes me completely giddy.  i am always happy when someone shares with me their designs.  Feel free to tag me on twitter, instagram, or facebook, or add it to the Ronda Palazzari Designs Flickr group.  here are a few of the latest i spotted, pulled from flicker, scrapbook.com, and/or twitter.  Thank you for sharing with me!

I love how colorful Carolyn Dube is!  She lights up my world with her creations.  Can you see all the layers of stencils in the top art journal piece?  Gorgeous.  And those shoes!  It makes me want to go buy a pair & get decorating.  Keds or Connies, i think either would be stellar.  The last page looks so lovely with the quatrefoil stencil in the red poppies.  Go check out her website, it's filled with tips & tricks!

I spotted this beautiful layout titled Smiles, Giggles, & Dreams from Grace Wong at Scrapbook.com.  I love the kaleidoscope stencil in the shape of the hexagon on the background.  She used Distress paints to create the look.  Isn't it beautiful?

I have been wanting to make cards with my stencils.  I love the look on both of these cards by Cheiron Brandon.  She makes really beautiful cards & tags.  It makes me think i really need to leap into some cards with my stencils.  I found these over on the Ronda Palazzari Designs Flickr pool and had to feature them here.  Go check out her other creations too!

Kelly Foster creates beautiful colorful layers with that vintage flair.  I love how she adds bits & pieces of the stencils here and there.  The texture on the backgrounds is amazing along with the color.  I spotted these layouts on Scrapbook.com and then found more on her blog.  Beautiful!

I spotted this art journal like page over at Scrapbook.com.  Scarlett's creation is so beautiful and colorful.  I love the little bits of the kaleidoscope stencil in the background of the page.  The little bits of color on top are really beautiful and perfect amount of subtly. 

 

 

Create Daily: see one, do one, Teach one

A while ago Julie Fei-Fan Balzer taught me how to carve stamps.  I had been seeing her carve stamps and always wanted to give it a try.  I am so happy she showed me.  We don't always have a master to show us but we can still learn.  In teaching we sometimes using the education model, see one, do one, teach one.  I had Julie carving one right in front of me, teaching me the tips & tricks to creating your own stamp. 

Then i began to practice my skills, first with guided help, then on my own.  I find that the more i do, the better my stamps look, and i feel my skills are growing.  With the growth, i find myself thinking more creatively.  You know how those thoughts start to tumble around in your head, what if i did this? oh this pattern would look great carved, etc. 

Once you find yourself comfortable with the process, i encourage you to Teach one to your friends.  It really reinforces what you have learned and how to convey it in a way to that makes sense to them.  Your friends will inspire you with their creations and cause you to think, hmmm why didn't i think of that?

Isn't her little birdie just the cutest thing?  I love the way she doodled inside & outside the bird with the carving knife.  It's got me to thinking about adding details to new ones i create.  I used Distress Markers and a spray bottle to stamp her bird creating the watercolor look.  Again something new i hadn't thought of before until i was sitting with her & encouraging her.  I wanted to show Lisa how cute the birdie is so i pulled out those markers.  Funny how that happens.  And now i have lots of ideas for more new stamps and how i want to stamp them. 

have you created something this week?  Anything goes...doodle, art journal, atc, tag, scrapbook page, card...just something creative.  Share a link at the bottom of this post with the inlinkz button.  Just leave a link to a specific blog post, image on flickr, or any online gallery, rather than a general url. This way we can see your stellar creation.

 

 

More Stencil Shares

Designing stencils is another dream come true for me.  It was amazing to start creating something knowing that my designs would be manufactured (and a bit nerve-wracking too.)  And then i had to wait.  The time from turning in designs to having the actual product in my hands felt like forever and a day.  Then giddiness bubbled out of me as i tore, literally, tore the box open and began spraying immediately.  anything lying around was fair game. funny how the pups suddenly skedaddled from the room.  here's a secret too...

this Becoming layout was one of those first trial tests.  The vanilla cardstock was laying on my table so it immediately needed to be sprayed with my stencil.  I liked it so much i turned it into my layout.

but i digress. 

CHA came and all my stencils were released.  They started shipping to the stores and soon they were in the hands of some very creative people.  and here's where my dorky side kicks in. Well, kicks in more than usual.  tears came to my eyes seeing people creating with them.  Unbelievable creations.  here are a few of the latest i spotted. 

Carolyn Dube - Urban Landscape Cookies

here's one i never saw coming: Cookies made from a stencil!  and i LOVE it.  i wonder did Carolyn (who is uber talented) look at this stencil and think "boy this urban landscape looks good enough to eat?" 

Sherry Coogan - First Goal Layout

Sherry got her hands on my 6x6 pie chart stencil with her February Cocoa Daisy Kit Subscription.  I love the layers on her pie chart, mixing spray ink, paper, embossing powder, and embellishments.  So very cool.  Check out her blog post for more details on how she created the layers. 

Marjie Kemper - Time to Be Yourself Tag

Marjie, stamper extraordinaire, created this beautiful tag using my 6x6 kaleidoscope stencil.  I love how it sits in the background against the yellow.  And that corrugated piece is to die for!  She takes you through her creative process on her blog post so make sure you stop by. 

With all these beautiful creations popping up, i decided to create a Ronda Palazzari Designs flickr group.  I would love it if you would share your "Ronda Palazzari Designs" there.  It brings me great joy seeing your creativity!

Create Daily: the written word

On a previous Create Daily i talked about taking inspiration and putting it to use.  in that same post i mentioned keeping a small journal and how i have multiple journals.  i wasn't kidding.  those journals all serve a different purpose.  Some are completely filled, others are halfway there, and some are just blank.  but what i wanted to talk about today is digging deeper into that notion of writing & creativity.

We all lead very busy lives these days.  When i am feeling stressed over all i have to get done, both in daily life & business, i usually come to the realization that i am in my head too much.  Stress kills CREATIVITY,  but the written word can help inspire creativity.  So let's eliminate stress and build creativity by taking the time to write things down.  these petite journals are great for writing down daily life lists, jotting down inspiration (doodle, words, sketch), random thoughts that come to our brains, quotes, funny sayings, epiphanies, etc.  If you are like me, you cannot help drawing a little doodle here and there, even if it is irrelevant to the notes.  these little journals document our daily lives and become very much like an everyday art journal.

i have this deliciously wonderful artist friend named Arleigh.  She has lived many lives and her words ooze with wisdom.  She's one of those people that you could listen to for hours and hang on every word.  Arleigh carries around this little journal every where she goes.  as you can see she doodles and documents her life daily by making little lists, attaching receipts, jotting down notes, haiku's (her current favorite topic), etc. arleigh only writes on the right page at first.  once it fills up, she flips the journal over and starts again.  i wish you could pick up this 4x6 journal (pictured above) and dig deep into all the layers.  it's simple yet ever so brilliant and most definitely inspiring.  it definitely sparks my creativity.

it all starts with a blank journal. all you need to add is your words.  you don't have to be an artist to carry one of these around.  you don't even have to consider yourself creative (although i would like to argue that everyone is creative on some level...but that's another debate).  just start one.  see where it leads.  look back on it after a few months of carrying one around and be amazed.  i dare you.

here are some small journals i just love:

Moleskin XSmall Volant Notebooks, lined or blank, they come in a variety of plain colored covers.  2.5" x 4"

7 Gypsies Notebook Set, these were release several CHA shows ago but still one of my favorites.  I still have a couple sets. 3.25" x 5.5"

Cavallini Mini Notebooks, so very pretty and they have many styles. 4"x5"

This Pentalic Pocket journal is similar to the one arleigh uses.  it comes in both 3" x 5" and 4" x 6". 

have you created something this week?  Anything goes...doodle, scrapbook page, art journal, card...just something creative.  Share a link at the bottom of this post with the inlinkz button.  Just leave a link to a specific blog post or image on flickr, rather than a general url. This way we can see your stellar creation.

 

Exposed Art Journal Page

I absolutely adore my Dylusions art Journal.  In fact, I decided to order a couple more making some themed journals.  I admit i am an embellisher but a journal like is harder to do thick layers.  Totally ok with that because it allows me to grow as an artist, creating depths with my paint.

One of the ways to create texture in depth is to use my Tim Holtz texture fades from Sizzix.  I started this background with layers of paint using my gelli arts gelatin printing plate.  This layer was covered up with more paint but you can still see some images peeking through the final layers. 

It was great start and i love the texture it created.  I added in more & more layers of paint, smooshing my texure fades into the paint. Let's take a look at some of the details.

1. & 2.  I used Bubble & Honeycomb Texture Fade to push into the white and yellow paint.  I love the texture it created.  The yellow paint is another gelatin print layer.  I love the effect it creates. 

3.  Can you see the tiny impressions from the Dot Matrix Texture Fade? This same impression is on the left side of the page as well.  Repeating elements is always a good thing!

4.  The heart is cut from a tag.  I used a combination of reds & yellows on my gelatin plate along with the woodgrain texture fade.  I loved how it looked on the tag and decided it needed to be on my page.  I cut a couple hearts using the primitive heart 3 die-cut.

5. & 6. I did another layer of gelatin print using the gridlock texture fade.  It's so very cool seeing that layer.  Then i added some white paint and pushed the regal flourish texture fade into it.  I absolutely love the layers of texture created with the fades and will have to use them again. 

InLinkz.com