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.

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.

“Folksy Rabbit” Folk art painting on wood tray

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.

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