Meet the Fodder School 6 Teachers: Gloria Gelo
Meet Gloria Gelo: Elegant Abstraction, Organic Forms and Creative Exploration
What happens when you slow down, look closely at the shapes and patterns around you, and let nature become your design guide?
For contemporary abstract artist and designer Gloria Gelo, it's the beginning of a creative exploration.
Gloria works in mixed media, drawing inspiration from nature's seasonal shifts and organic forms. Her work explores the relationships between shape, balance and composition, resulting in artwork that feels both sophisticated and approachable.
With an elegant simplicity, modern graphic edge and sensitive color palette inspired by the natural world, Gloria creates abstract works that invite you to pause and look a little longer.
And this year, she's bringing that thoughtful approach to both Fodder Challenge 2026 and Fodder School 6.
Gloria is a contemporary abstract artist, designer and instructor whose creative practice spans painting, photography, collage and printmaking.
Her work has a distinctly refined quality, but don't mistake simplicity for predictability. Gloria is constantly exploring new ways to challenge conventional ideas about design and composition.
Nature is an important source of inspiration for her, particularly its organic forms, changing seasons and unexpected combinations of shape and color. Those influences show up in her carefully considered compositions and understated color palettes.
Gloria's work is proof that mixed media doesn't have to be loud to be captivating. Sometimes a few thoughtfully chosen shapes, colors and textures can say everything.
Gloria's Fodder Challenge 2026 Project: Asemic Writing Vessel Forms
Ready to loosen up a little?
Gloria's Asemic Writing Vessel Forms project is an invitation to let go of perfection and see what you can discover in your own marks.
You'll begin by creating large sheets of gestural asemic writing—expressive marks that resemble writing without actually spelling out words. Then comes the fun part: Gloria will show you how to look at those marks differently and find vessel shapes hidden within them.
Vases, cups and other forms begin to emerge from your gestural drawings.
From there, you can take the idea even further by adding flower fussy cuts to create an abstract vase, or let your imagination take over and turn your vessel forms into something completely unexpected.
It's a wonderful exercise in loosening up, seeing possibilities and letting the process lead the way.
Gloria's Fodder School 6 Lessons: Two Projects, One Collection of Fodder
Gloria's Fodder School 6 lessons are especially exciting because they unfold over two consecutive months, with two distinct finished projects created from the same collection of Make Fodder components.
You'll begin by exploring Gelli printing and typography, creating a collection of papers and elements that become the foundation for your first project: a Grungy Typographic Accordion Book.
Then, once you've had a chance to become familiar with Gloria's compositional process, you'll take those same types of Make Fodder elements in an entirely different direction.
Your second project will be Gloria's Gallery-Ready Design Diptych.
It's a great illustration of one of the things we love about Fodder School: learning isn't just about completing a single project. It's about discovering how the materials, techniques and ideas you're learning can be combined and transformed into something completely different.
What Is Fodder Challenge?
Fodder Challenge 2026 is our month-long October creative event featuring inspiring mixed media artists, creative projects and plenty of opportunities to experiment. It's a fun, low-commitment way to discover the Willa Workshops community and try new techniques, whether you're new to mixed media or an experienced artist.
What Is Fodder School 6?
Fodder School 6 is our year-long mixed media art experience, featuring lessons from a diverse group of artists and instructors. Each teacher brings their own style, techniques and creative perspective, giving you a full year of inspiration and opportunities to develop your own mixed media practice.
How Can You Join?
You can join us in one of two ways:
Fodder Challenge 2026— A month-long creative experience and a great introduction to our community.
Fodder Challenge + Fodder School 6 Bundle — The best value if you're ready to continue creating with us throughout the year.
If you're curious about Fodder School but aren't ready to commit to a full year, Fodder Challenge is a wonderful place to start. And if you're already thinking, This is exactly what I need, the bundle lets you experience both.
Want to listen to Gloria and I discuss her journey with mixed media art? Tune into my podcast, "Show Up or Shut Up."
Currently available for listening on the Willa Wanders website here, or on Apple Podcasts, Amazon and Spotify:
Get all of the information about joining us in Fodder School by clicking this button below:
Where are you on your Mixed Media Art journey? Leave a comment and let us know!