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. 

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.

Days in Doha: Museum of Islamic Art

i have been wanting to visit this museum since i first set foot on this sandy soil.  it didn't happen before but i knew this time, i had to make it happen.  I.M. Pei designed the beautiful building which is a work of art in itself.  The building sits on the corniche with a waterfront view on one side and a city view on the other.  

Quite stunning isn't it?  There is a beautiful water feature leading up to it along with this bridge to the entrance.  I love the strong edges and black features of this building.  And the interior is just as stunning.

This is the view from the second floor with the spectacular stair case and light feature.  The other side is the cafe and water feature where you can enjoy a spot of tea. 

We started up on the 4th floor at a temporary exhibit called Steel and Gold, a historic swords exhibit. A unique exhibit that shows the history of blades in this region including India.  I like that they share not only the blades but some prints of fashion that went along with the pieces.  The intricate details on both the blades and sheaths is breath-taking. 

The way the museum is laid out is quite unique.  On the third floor are the earliest pieces arranged by time.  I could spend hours in the ceramic room looking at the intricate details of the hand painted pottery.  Throughout time, we all seem to be drawn to the same basic shapes.  Did you spot the herringbone like patterned in the above pottery?

This jar is a feast for my eyes.  So much texture and details to digest all in one big beautiful jar which dates back to the 13th century. 

 

This is one of my favorite pieces i spotted this day.  The color and design just fascinate me.  it's a simple piece but utterly beautiful.

I love that the museum is filled with everyday art including glass, ceramic, and metal bottles.  Look at the details on the perfume bottle displayed above. 

 

Very few portraits exist in this museum.  There are small gouache paintings and lots of book pages but these two are rather large portraits hanging on the wall.  Obviously done by the same artist and hung side by side in the museum. 

it's filled with unusual objects and unique pieces.  Metals, jewels, jewel encrusted pieces, and more.  They have a figure room, a calligraphy section, a patterned section, and science section as well as rooms laid out by time periods.  

One of the cool parts of the museum is a small section dedicated to the art of science filled with compasses of days gone by, celestial maps, quadrants, and astrolabes.  Once again that recognition of every day items, tools of time gone by, displayed as art.

Like these beautiful pieces, jar lids, displayed beautifully.  The display itself is so very cool but a little too high for me to peek into each piece.  I confess i want to hold and examine each lid carefully.  So gorgeous. 

It was an enjoyable day at the museum.  I was impressed that Andrew & Anthony were pretty patient with me being so absorbed into many of the pieces.  I know i would love to go back and take a little more time.  It is an inspiring collection and i would like to take advantage of the education center.  Admission into the museum is free which also makes it easy to go back. 

Distress Inks Tutorial + Captured Layout

I absolutely adore this photo i snapped at my neice's wedding.  It's of my sister Sandra and sweet nephew Jacob.  Taking in the deep south, hence the spanish moss on all the oaks.  I love all the love this photo captures.  I knew i had to document this special moment. On this photo i used my "This Life" photo overlays that you can purchase in my downloadable shop. 

The background of the layout uses lots of distress inks.  I love the colors against this photo.  it warms up the photo.  I used lots of Tim Hotlz Ideaology on the layout, layering the pieces together.  The metal pieces on the side are made with a texture trade from Tim Holtz/Sizzix on metal tape.  I also used a die cut to make the patterned paper tag.  I stamped the words alongside the patterned paper next to the photo along with the numbers at the bottom.  The key is a vintage find that i just love.  Below is a video detailing how i created the background.

InLinkz.com

Pieces of My World

Over the years I have learned to collect bits & pieces of art and knickknacks, no matter how big or small, that speak to me.  Color, shape, size, story.  They don't have to be expensive pieces or found in galleries for me to fall in love with them.  Andrew & i sometimes find pieces together, ducking into little shops seeing if anything strikes us.  We have been slowly filling our house over the last twenty years. 

Today i am sharing a few pieces i completely adore, like the one above.  i found this plate in a little shop in Frisco, Colorado.  Main street Frisco sits below a mountain and is filled with quaint old buildings, wonderful bakeries and bistros, and fun shops.  The plate feels like the artist colored on it with crayons.  It's her own little technique that is so fresh and striking.  I had to scoop up this plate the moment i saw it.

Mademosielle under the Rain by Blanca Gomez

Oh do i adore this piece. I kept stopping by Blanca Gomez's Etsy shop the Cosas Minimas over and over again just to look at it.  That told me that i really wanted in my house.  It arrived ever so quickly and i immediately went out to purchase a floating frame for it.  It hangs happily in my library where i visit it often.  It reminds me how i want to be, looking classy and seeing the rain as colorful opportunities. 

This adorable little hand pottery piece is a gift from my mother-in-law.  She was in a shop in Golden, Colorado which is just around the corner.  Maggie said it just reminded her of me.  I love that.  It's quirky and unexpected.  It sits on my studio desk so i can stare at it daily.  I will occasionally hold little embellishments that i am using on a project.  I completely adore it.    

This matryoska doll was another travel find, not in an art shop, not in a tourist shop, but in a toy shop.  We were ducking in there to find something to bring home to the kids when we found this little beauty.  She only sits about 4" high and had 10 dolls total.  It's been a house hold favorite, so much so that the little Ant Boy use to open it up daily.  Now the Ant Man at age 16, he confessed that he lost the smallest piece (yes there is one smaller that pictured here) and was heartbroken.  How could i be upset when he got so much out of it over the years?

The last piece i am sharing with you today is a stunning Murano blown glass.  It is definitely a WOW piece that sits in our library as a focal piece in the bookcase.  We were wandering down the street, turned around and saw it calling out to us.  Breath-taking.  I am just enthralled with the layers of glass in this piece, the bubbles, the interior silver blue piece, and the flame like shape.  it's just so fascinating. 

Ranger U Day 2

Yesterday was my second day at Ranger U.  I cannot even begin to tell you how much fun i am having.  Someone made the comment about how quiet i have been and then i realized i was.  I am just soaking it all in.  My brain is just swirling.  I love the "chemistry" behind it all and just trying to absorb it all.  We busted through paints with Claudine, dye inks, pigment inks, stickles, liquid pearls, and alcohol inks.  I was really giddy with it all especially getting messy.  It was kind of funny sitting next to Lisa.  My space was completely messy with my hands covered.  Lisa's space was nice & clean and quite impressive.  Her hands though weren't always clean.  Every now and then we would turn to each other with huge eyes when something really sparked our attention.  It's been just completely amazing.  Here's a look at day two.

Good times at Ranger U

Thursday i made my way to New Jersey to participate in Ranger U at Ranger Ink.  I have been looking forward to these days for weeks.  Even better knowing Lisa Pace, Carolyn Ross, and Tammy Tutterow were going to be there too.  I am a technique junkie and learning nerd so this is HEAVEN.  Yesterday was day one of three.  It began with a tour of the facility which was just amazing.  Then we dove into techniques with Tim Holtz leading us with his vast knowledge and hilarious phrases.  He really knows products and i am super impressed not only with him but the entire team.  Here's a little peek into day 1.

and this photo that just cracks me up. Looks like i found friends in Dorkapolis:

Q&A: Organization

On a previous blog post you graciously asked questions about me & my art.  I am still going through them and putting posts together.  I lumped them into categories that made sense to me so i could answer them easier.  Today's post is about organization. 

I was wondering whether you set aside some time specifically for scrapbooking, journaling, and etc..?

Yes & No.  I admit organizing my time is one of my weaker areas.  I am getting better at it and have really tried to keep track of my time.  What i like to do is plan out my week.  I see what deadlines are coming up and then plan accordingly.  I do need to add in a specific day for scrapbooking but haven't done so yet.  I do set aside time to art journaling because it's for me.  If i don't, i won't.  I have to put me time on my list. 

how do you stay so organized?

Keep in mind to me organization is different from tidy.  I am not always tidy but i do feel organized.  So let's talk about organization.  You have to find something that works for you.  I purposely used open shelving so i could see what i have and use it.  I do have lots of drawers and they are organized by product.  I am also willing to change something if it just isn't working.  At one time I had my paper organized by manufacture in a 12 x 12 drawer.  It just wasn't working for me.  So I switched it to sitting on my counter, organizing it by color.  Perfect for me and i haven't looked back.  I am willing to try out new things too.  I still pin ideas and inspiration onto my "Studio ideas" board.  I am currently hunting down the perfect way to store my pens.  They really should be on their sides and not up & down.  I don't want them tucked in a drawer and would prefer to have them on my desk without taking up too much space.

I want to know if you prefer to create in the silence of your studio or with music?

I rarely create in silence.  I actually notice it when it's too quite.  I usually have music playing.  I have created a variety of playlists to match my moods and whims.  For example i have my easy going playlist, moody playlist, current music, pump me up music (sometimes i dance & create), etc.  Sometimes i will play a Pandora station.  Occasionally i have the tv on with movies or shows i have seen more than once so it's more like background noise but still entertains me.  Mostly though it's my music. 

How big/small is your space?

It is rather large.  I started out on the dining room table when i first started scrapbooking, pulling out stuff and then packing it all away.  My house now has a dedicated "studio" or "craftroom."  It has lots of shelving and a 14 ft desk to me to share with the kids, the hubby, or friends.  Emily can be found sitting there quite often.  I also am blessed to have a sink in the room.  I cannot even begin to tell you how useful that plumbing is.  I designed the layout and type of cabinets while Andy and my father-in-law Phil built it all.  This come after years of many different types of organization and spaces.  I am truly blessed to create in such a space.

how do you keep it so tidy?

It's not always tidy.  Trust Me.  I start creating and pull out lots of supplies and products.  i make a mess.  i shove things aside and sometimes fail to put things back in their places.  and then i get a bit cranky.  See this post about my messy desk. When the room/desk becomes too messy, i have to stop and clean.  Otherwise it impedes on my creativity.  I have gotten better about letting the mess get too big.  I have actually made myself clean up every week.  it's amazing how much more effect that has been for me to keep my room clean. 

what time of day you can work better? Morning, night, afternoon?

I like mid-morning.  I've had my cup of tea.  I have done some computer work.  I have answered emails and printed off pictures i need.  it's seems to be the perfect time to create.  However i work from about 8 - 5 during the week.  Of course household stuff happens throughout my day, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, errands.  But i try to stick to my schedule so that i have my evenings free.  I have a teen boy who still needs shuttling from here to there.  We both need that time together especially with Andy gone.  Anthony is sometimes gone on weekend nights so i will create then as well. 

Also what day of the week is your favorite if you have one that is.

Strangely enough i do. I like tuesdays.  It's not a monday which always seems like catch-up day.  I have my game plan for the week and the rest of the week holds so much possibility that i don't feel stressed to "get it all done."  Tuesdays!

I wondered if you designate specific times to creating art journal pages vs. mini albums and scrapbooking or do you just sit down and have fun and see what inspires you. I have so many different paper craft areas that sometimes its hard to decide what I feel like doing. 

i've partially answered this question above but would like to take a look at the other part of this question/statement.  First off having so many different ideas is such a blessing.  I usually write down my ideas so i don't forget.  If you are having a hard time deciding what to do, then schedule yourself.  Sometimes we need that motivation to just start creating.  There is nothing saying it is set it stone but you might find it helpful to get going on something rather than nothing.

Do you do the painting, spraying, & messy things in your studio or do you go to another room where messy is easier to clean up?

I do almost everything in my room.  I have pizza boxes from Cocoa Daisy that sit under my desk.  I discovered using these for mists a long time ago and completely love them.  I will add in paper towels to soak up the spray ink.  Those even get used in other creations.  See this post about using them in art journals.  The paint splatters i do in the box as well.  These boxes are also great for travel.  I take them along when i go cropping with my friends.  I recently added a white desk pad to my area to help when i create & paint.  I have this cool Chai tea jar on my table with water in it for my brushes.  When it gets too murky i rinse it out in the sink that's across the room.  (See the above picture with it on the table)  The only thing i won't do in my room is spray paint.  It needs a well ventilated area so i go outside when i use spray paints. 

Instagram CHA

It has been an amazing CHA so far.  Truly inspiring, thought provoking, full of laughter & love.  I have had some great meals with some incredible people.  I have been super busy already with this & that.  This CHA i have taken on many different roles/job.  I arrived early to help Maya Road set up the booth.  Two days of labor intensive work with such an fabulous group of people.  Yesterday Christine & I walked the floor for Cocoa Daisy, chit-chatting, collecting catalogs, and planning lots of good things.  Last night i helped TA (teacher assistant) in Julie & the Crafter's Workshop collage canvas class. Today you will find me at Maya Road in the morning and then walking around the showroom floor.  Tomorrow i will be at Lily Bee Designs from 2 - 5 pm doing a make & take.

Of course i have been taking tons of photos throughout the day.  You may have even noticed a plethora of instagram photos yesterday.  I admit i am in love with pulling out my iPhone, snapping some photos, choosing my frame & filter (which is half the fun!), and posting.  The immediate gratification of posting those photos is addicting.  Here are my shots from the last couple days.  WARNING photo heavy.  Click on any photo to enlarge it.

InstaLove

Art of Layers: Behind The scenes

Guess what i have in my hot little hands?  My advanced copy of my book.  Time for another review.  This process has been over a year from conception to birth? Ok so maybe not birth but i do notice a lot of resemblance and it definitely feels like my baby.  I thought now it is time to share some of the stories behind the making of my book along with some peeks at projects along the way.  These posts will sprinkled throughout the upcoming weeks leading up to my book release.  I also have some plans in the works that i am so excited to share but it will have to keep for now. So starting this week look for these posts and some giveaways to go with these stories.  In the mean time, here's a rejected photo for the book.  More details on that to come...