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I was born in Palm Springs, where the California desert’s vast sand dunes abruptly lay at the foot of lofty mountains. Almost humanlike cactus silhouettes against crisp blue skies, adding to this extraordinary landscape which has captured my heart and soul. I now reside in Tucson, Arizona after living in California for most of my life. My love for the desert has rekindled a fresh passion in my art and life.

Growing up in the evolutionary era of the sixties shaped my artistic style with diversity and boldness. As I watch how these elements play out on canvas and sculptures, it is always miraculous. At the time, Mid Century Modern was in full swing in architectural design. Naturally, I had a desire to implement these striking graphics in my art. These dynamic designs are prominent in my series.

Another element I grew up with a passion for is Mexican folk art. My parents had purchased Tonala pottery for our yard and little hand painted folk art Mexican dolls for the house. Inviting the rich colors of this culture into my paintings always brightens my spirit.

My early artistic journey was quite the opposite of painting. As a child, my dream was to have a syndicated comic strip. I drew hundreds of strips. Some of them were published in local papers and my cartoon characters were also used in various advertising campaigns.

My main career path was graphic design, but I found getting the right education was a difficult path during my college years. Door after door would close due to unforeseen circumstances as I pursued my art education. But I was tenacious. I took on every art job that came my way and taught myself every graphic program available. School of hard knocks? Yes, but the rewards have been invaluable. That experience and wisdom led to amazing job opportunities such as working for Palm Springs Life Magazine in multi-media advertising and eventually owning my own firm, Studio West Graphics.

Going from paste-up artist, to designer, to Senior Art Director, to running my own company was a crazy experience, but worth every minute. Now that I’ve switched from graphics to ne art, I’m able to experience a freedom of expression that is sometimes scary, and other times invigorating. My muses are women and they encompass unique beauty, thoughtful moments and dreamlike visions. The cartoonist in me naturally adds an amusing twist or quirky quality to my subjects.

Click on images to see more.

ARTSY SHARK

DECEMBER 2021

Feature Artist Debbie Gallerani presents a collection of quirky, thought-provoking mixed media portraits of women.

Acrylics are my preferred medium and I like to work quickly. I love using specialty papers, which has become a new element in my work. The textures bring back memories of old Spanish architecture and the colors bring in the warm desert palette. I’ve also implemented sketches, paper backgrounds and Photoshop to create an alternative collection of works that keeps me fresh with my graphics programs.

I feel blessed with the talent I’ve been given and honor God in the process. When someone falls in love with my art, I feel I have blessed them as well.

https://www.artsyshark.com/2021/12/24/featured-artist-debbie-gallerani/

A Women’s Art Expo 2021

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Scottsdale's The Marshall Gallery presents A Women’s Art Exhibition or AWAE. The exhibition features some women artists showing off their artworks on October 7th, from 5 p.m to 9 p.m.

Debbie Gallerani: With her previous career as a cartoonist, Debbie took a different route and embarked on her graphic design journey. Her design firm, Studio West Graphic, has served countless clients from famous brands, artists, and even musicians. Her love for art is reflected in her illustrations, paintings, sculptures and private collections.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
In this season of life, my art reflects many years of curiosity, and exploration. As a result, my art studio is multi-faceted, brimming with whimsical clay rabbit sculptures, hand carved painted wood trays painted with folk art, bold mid-century illustrations, and a variety of acrylics, mixed media paintings and color pencil drawings. Being a professional cartoonist, illustrator and graphic designer has enabled my never-ending need for variation. Over the years this intriguing fusion of methods adds to my figurative style of painting women, offering a thought provoking and sometimes quirky study. When I moved to Tucson, I became fascinated working in 3-D, and developed a series of paper maché/stone clay Jackrabbit sculptures. Each rabbit has such aa adorable face, that you can’t help but smile when you see them. My mixed media pieces are painted on beautiful hand-carved wood trays. The texture of the wood, paint and papers gives the final piece a rich and earthy feel. The latest collection I have been working on is a series of desert animals, hand illustrated in ink, with bold color added in Photoshop. These illustrations are my nod to the adoration I have for Mid-Century Modern art. Having grown up in Palm Springs in the 1960’s, this timeless contemporary style has given me an outlet to explore the incredible animals of the desert in a fashion that is new and fresh.

The road to being a professional artist was not an easy one. I see my art career in two parts. The first was my graphic design, illustrator, and cartoonist stage. I was determined and not easily deterred as scholarships, schooling and many opportunities unfortunately fell through. As the saying goes, “I worked my way from the ground up”, was verifiably true in my case. Years later, after I had worked successfully in the graphic design field, I began to feel the need to find my own voice in the arts, rather than creating what others wanted. I was also enduring constant pain in my wrist and back from the hours at the computer. Time to move on to part two. With little schooling in the fine arts, I ventured out with a courageous mindset. I was in for a shock as the world of fine arts was like stepping onto the moon. I was accustomed to creating for others to enhance their business, not create from the heart, or expose my inner soul to the world. To be honest, I kept my first paintings to myself for several years. I felt they were amateurish and were not realistic enough. Years later, I learned my own unique voice separated me from the mainstream, and accepting my style increased my confidence to be in the public eye. I also needed to refine my craft, which is a never-ending process. Each piece I work on resonates a heightened awareness, freedom, and a part of my character.

With tenacity and passion, I am thoroughly enjoying part two of my art journey. I am keeping focused, have faith in God who has blessed me with this talent, and understand that failures are bumps in the road, not dead ends.

SHOUTOUT ARIZONA MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2022

Meet Debbie GalleranI Mixed Media Artist/Sculptor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Debbie Gallerani and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Debbie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I decided to move into the Fine Arts field, I had prior experience and skill to build a business after several years in graphic design and advertising. From 1989 to1994 I was the Senior Art Director at a top ad agency in Palm Springs, and designer for Palm Springs Life Magazine. I then moved to Orange County, CA in 1995 and opened my first business, Studio West Graphics. Running my own company allowed me to have full control of my time, and the ability to give my clients excellent service, without the stress of mis-management issues and general office politics. Twenty years later, I decided to make a switch to fine arts, as the onset of carpal tunnel was hindering my productivity. This venture was a huge, unexpected turnaround in mindset towards my craft. The thought process of this business became eye-opening, and a challenging learning curve. The initial challenges I had were working with not as many demanding deadlines that I was accustomed to, exploring the various art markets as to where my niche of work was appropriate, and accepting my art as a unique voice in the art world. The process was slow, and I explored, (and still do) many available avenues to develop a successful business. For example, I take online art business courses, study with seasoned art mentors, study other art and a variety of new techniques, and became a part owner of an art gallery in Tubac, AZ. for a season. With time and these experiences, my business has started to see the fruit of my labors. Another crucial factor of my business is the passion I have about my art and what I am expressing in each piece. Being able to create from the heart, and see my customers experience joy from my work is worth the time and effort.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are several amazing people and institutions that have given me support in my art journey. The Borrego Art Institute in the Anza-Borrego State Park, Peter and LeeAnn Strub of The Marshall Art Gallery, Scottsdale, and Jason Horjes, owner of Zanadu Gallery in Scottsdale, with his business expertise. My mentor, who is a world-class sculptor, art mentor, author and speaker, Matt Tommey, has helped me excel in my creative process spiritually, creatively, and in the marketplace through his mentoring program. I am thankful for my art collectors across the United States, and Europe, as they appreciate my work and my vision. A huge shoutout to my talented artist friends who I have had the privilege to have worked with and been inspired by over the past years. I must include my dear friend Kris Miles, who discovered me in an Aaron Brother’s store in 2008 and gave me my first push to get my work out there! Lastly, and most enduringly are my daughters who are forever an encouragement and inspiration.

voyager phoenix

MAY 10, 2023

Check Out Debbie Gallerani’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Gallerani.

Hi Debbie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Born in Palm Springs, California, 1959, I was surrounded by the most entrancing fusion of cultures. Mid-Century Modern was prevalent in homes and fashion, classic Spanish architecture adorned streets, Native American Indian, Old Western, Hispanic art delighted tourists and locals alike, and the delicious warm desert palette filled every sense. These were the elements that would subtly and sometimes boldly manifest in my work.

My first artistic ambition since I was a child, was to have a syndicated comic strip. Over the years as a professional cartoonist, my comics have been published in several local papers. From there, I mastered my illustration skills, and moved into the graphic design field. I was thrilled to land a job as a paste-up artist at the world-renowned Palm Springs Life magazine, where I was promoted to designer within a month. After working there for a year, I moved to “Multi Media Advertising”, and became the Senior Art Director. I spent over 35 years in the graphic design field, running my own company, “Studio West Graphics” in Orange County, California. Although successful, I decided to take a break from the graphic design field and try my hand in the fine arts. For the last 11 years I have been developing a new mindset and style, working in acrylics, mixed media, graphite, digital mixed media and paper mâché/stone sculptures. I now reside near the spectacular Saguaro National Park in Tucson Arizona, and besides my art, I run a successful Bed and Breakfast from my Hacienda, “La Casa Del Artista”. It’s been exciting to apply the rich desert pallet influences in my decor as well as my artwork. With a lot of hard work, my art business is starting to pay off as I have been busy with art orders for galleries, art collectors, and shows. My most recent show is in Borrego Springs, CA, at the “House of Borrego Springs East Gallery, from April through May. I am also showing my work at the Tohono Chul Botanical Gardens in Tucson, Cactus Wren Art 6allery in Tubac, The Arizona Wildlife Conservation Center in Phoenix, and The Borrego Art Institute.

Successful Art Showings: Aaron Brothers, Ojai Art in the Park, The heART of Orange County Showcases at Chemers Gallery, various shows at Las Laguna Gallery, The Borrego Art Institute, House of Borrego Springs “Made in Borrego Show and solo show April-May2023.

Publications: Works in “Contemporary Painters.” by Schiffer Publishing.
Illustrations for the children’s book, “Jack the Mouse.”

Gallery Representation: The David Anthony Gallery, Taos, NM, The Marshall Art Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ; Cactus Wren Artisans, Tucson, AZ; Cactus Wren Art Gallery, Tubac, AZ, where I was one of the original owners, and Mystic Arts Gallery in Laguna Beach, California.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?Oh yes, there have been many struggles in my art career. Probably the most difficult one was in High School. Although I was the top art student for 3 years, many of my art peers received scholarships to art colleges, which sadly I did not. How does that even happen? For one thing, my parents were not supportive or concerned about helping me with my future in college, and I didn’t receive proper advice from my counselors. My art teacher told me over and over I was a shoo-in for Pasadena Art Center, which at the time was the top art school in Southern California. I was just a kid and thought he was taking care of the details. Nope. It was devastating when I ended up with nothing. That didn’t stop me though. I decided to go up to Pasadena and meet with the head of admissions myself. That was a big blow as well when the man in charge looked at my portfolio and laughed at my work. He said, “Well, you need at least two years of Junior college before you can get into this school.” Harsh. After that, I put art on the back burner, and presumed it wasn’t meant to be. But after about eight months, something in my soul was clear that my passion was in the arts. It didn’t take long, and I tried again to pursue art school. I took some courses at my local Junior College in Palm Desert, then applied to a trade school across the country. I was accepted at “The York Academy of Arts” in York, Pennsylvania, where I had some family. The first year there was amazing! The teachers were top notch and brilliant artists. What I learned was invaluable, and I even made honors. Then, as fate should have it, the school closed due to lack of funding. I was heartbroken and confused and moved back to California. I had met my future first husband at school, and we got married shortly thereafter.

The next several years were a mix of married life, having my first child, and doing any creative project that came my way because I wasn’t hirable without a certificate. Menus for restaurants, posters and programs for local theaters, flyers for real estate agents, and even hand painted campaign signs for local officials were always a “Yes, I’ll do it” thing for me. Hey, it was some form of art! It wasn’t until 1989 when I got enough courage to show my work at a higher level at “Palm Springs Life Magazine”. From that point on, graphic design was my passion, and I self-taught myself all the computer programs needed. In 1994, I remarried after being single for 7 years, and that is when I had my own graphic design business in Orange County. Moving forward, I made the switch from graphic design to fine arts in 2010. The first 10 years were mainly experimental. Around 2016, I started to put more effort into putting my work out in public, and my first gallery was a cool co-op in Laguna Beach, Ca, called Mystics Arts Gallery. I started to enter “Call to Arts” shows and gain more of a feel for what my niche was.

In 2018, I moved to Tucson, AZ, and opened a bed and breakfast, working my art business part time. At this point in my art career, I was beginning to discover my unique style and customer base. What has helped me a great deal are two on-line courses (I still currently take), one on Art Business taught by Jason Horejs from the Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale, and an Art Mentoring program taught by Matt Tommey. Since I was not able to get my certificate or degree in the art field, I took it upon myself to continue to learn by professionals online, and by real life experience. I feel this has influenced my work ethic as well as a rich knowledge of the arts.

Being single again, I have finally found my happy place in this sacred Arizona desert, and I hope to continue bringing others joy with my art. Now I can look at the difficulties in my career as a blessing that has helped me grow stronger in my faith and have a deeper appreciation for the awesome opportunities that come my way. The struggles are not as severe as they were when I was younger, and with time I have learned how to handle obstacles when they arise.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I began painting in acrylics after over 35 years in the graphic design business. With carpal tunnel pain increasing, painting was an exciting new option. My first works were mainly of women. I admit to having a difficult time initially, as I felt my paintings were too primitive. That was until I discovered Folk Art. With my natural cartooning abilities, the Folk Art feel, and of course, practice, my eclectic figurative style has led to a thought-provoking and sometimes quirky study of women. I began experimenting with different papers and tissue, thus moving into mixed media. I work on canvas but have been creating pieces on old vintage trays and carved wood bowls. This has added to the character and texture of each work.

Another art form I enjoy is sculpting. I sculpted a paper mâché jack rabbit one day with random materials around my house and yard. This was the beginning of a very successful bunch of lovable desert rabbit sculptures that only stay on the shelves for a short time! These sculptures have progressed with an added layer of stone air-dry clay, which then are sanded, primed and painted in the vintage “Tonola” Mexican pottery style, combined with my own designs.

My latest project is a collection of mid-century modern-style illustrations of desert animals. I wanted to try something different than the typical watercolor and realistic styles that are so often seen with wildlife art. These drawings have been a hit and are featured in Borrego Springs at the “House of Borrego East Gallery.” The series has expanded into a solo show from April through May 2023. It features new large original paintings and mixed media pieces, all with a modern mcm look and luscious bright colors.

So, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you before we go? How can they support you?
I am happy to provide information about my art for representation in galleries or boutique art shops in Arizona and surrounding states. My current collection of artworks includes original paintings, folk art trays, jackrabbit sculptures, and mid-century modern animal pieces. Many of my artworks are available as greeting cards and fine art print form. You can visit my website and contact me for purchases, as well as sign up for my art newsletter “The Desert Palette”.  I am currently developing an Etsy store that will carry a variety of art cards, prints, postcards, journaling papers, adult coloring book pages, and more. I am available for commission for homes, restaurants, and offices.

Contact Info:

• Email: debgallernaiart@gmail.com

• Website: debbiegalleraniart.com

• Instagram: debbieartworld

• Facebook: The Artistic World of Debbie Gallerani

• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-gallerani-70332031