Meet the Founders of Gelli Arts®: A Special New Year Q&A with Joan Bess & Lou Ann Gleason

To kick off 2026, we’re celebrating the original 💎Gelli Gems— Joan Bess and Lou Ann Gleason, the founders of Gelli Arts®. Their shared passion for creativity, innovation, and community helped launch a brand that has inspired thousands of artists around the world.

In this special Q&A, Joan and Lou Ann reflect on the early days of Gelli Arts®, the products they’re most proud of, and what keeps them inspired fifteen years later. Whether you’re a seasoned printer or brand new to the process, their story is a beautiful reminder of what’s possible when art and heart come together.

 🗺️ Where are you based, and how did your paths first cross?

Joan: I’m now based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Lou Ann and I first met in Cincinnati, where she and my husband, John, were working together at Procter & Gamble. As fate would have it, Lou Ann and her family later moved to New Jersey—my husband’s hometown. When John and I eventually moved back to New Jersey, Lou Ann and I reconnected.

Lou Ann: I’m now based in Philadelphia, where we run Gelli Arts® out of a small office near 4th Street. It’s hard to believe, but we’re now in our 15th year—and still going strong!

💡 What inspired you to start Gelli Arts®?

Joan: Lou Ann came to my home studio in New Jersey one day, and I introduced her to printing on a homemade gelatin plate. She loved the process! I explained the challenges of using gelatin and the need for a shelf-stable, non-toxic alternative. I was obsessed with the idea of a permanent, ready-to-use gel plate. Lou Ann immediately saw the potential, and right then and there, we decided to go for it and create a company together. Our very different skill sets and backgrounds were an enormous asset in making the Gelli Plate a reality. We already shared a passion and excitement for creating the product. I had the essential printmaking knowledge and creative instincts, and Lou Ann was the expert in branding and marketing. We carved out our separate areas to focus on, and, working as a synergistic team, our combined efforts led to the successful development and launch of Gelli Arts®.

Lou Ann: Honestly, when Joan demoed printing on a slab of jello – and produced simple but beautiful prints – I wanted to do it. It looked so fun and I loved the idea of making beautiful art to hang on my walls. So once I tried it for myself– and basically copied what she did – and had amazing results – I was hooked.  I am still hooked today 15 years later. Everyone should learn to print and feel the joy of creating.

🔄 How has the Gelli Arts® brand evolved since the early days?

Joan: The evolution of Gelli Arts® is impressive! I was deeply involved in the first five years of Gelli Arts®, working side-by-side with Lou Ann to get the business off the ground. I credit its amazing growth to Lou Ann, who has worked tirelessly to expand the business globally and introduce a steady stream of new products. From the start, she understood the importance of schools and teacher programs, serving various artist communities, fostering a thriving social media community, as well as the value of providing great customer service. Her leadership, vision, and energy continue to drive the business forward as a category leader and internationally recognized brand. I see our evolution reflected in the impact we had and continue to have on the art world.

Lou Ann: Our core promise—to share the joy of printing—has never changed. But today, we offer so many more tools, plate sizes, stencils, and kits to inspire people around the world to try printing. We continue to listen to our community, and that keeps us evolving in ways that feel authentic and exciting.

🎨 Which Gelli Arts® products are you most proud of?

Joan: I’m truly proud of all our products. But I’m especially proud that our gel printing plates are made in the USA, non-toxic, and vegan. From the beginning, our mission was to make monoprinting fun, easy, and accessible—so I’m thrilled we offer a wide range of plate sizes for all ages and skill levels. It’s exciting to see teachers using them in schools and artists launching entire careers around gel printing. If I had to pick one standout, it would be the Poster Size Plate. When we first started, it was a dream to create large plates, and now it’s a reality!

Lou Ann: We don’t bring any products to market that we don’t love—so that’s a tough question. I’m especially proud of our kits, particularly the newer ones. They’re the perfect introduction to gel printing and include everything someone needs to get started. I also love our registration tools. They were born out of real questions from our community—like how to align prints easily—which led us to create tools like the Mini Placement Tool.

✨ What makes Gelli Arts® special?

Joan: It’s the simplicity and accessibility of the process. There’s no pressure to be perfect—you can just show up and create. It invites play, and I think that’s part of its magic.

Lou Ann: Anyone—young, old, experienced, or brand new—can create something beautiful. We’ve received incredible letters from people telling us how much joy Gelli Arts® has brought into their lives. It’s really moving to know we’ve created something that connects people to creativity.

💬 What advice would you share with someone new to Gelli Arts®?

Joan: Don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment! Watch the video tutorials on our blog—our creative team is fantastic. The techniques they demonstrate are an excellent starting point, and there’s so much enthusiasm and possibility in each one!

Lou Ann: Keep a color wheel nearby—it helps me select colors that work well together and prevents me from accidentally mixing shades that turn muddy or brown!

🥇 A moment that made you especially proud?

Joan: One moment that stands out is when Gelli Arts® exhibited for the first time at Creative World, the world’s leading international B2B trade show for the craft and art supply industry. We were honored with a prestigious award for “Tool of the Year” award. WOW!! That moment was surreal—it felt like, wow, we really did it!! On the global stage among all the big players!!

Lou Ann: In the early days, it was hard to get retailers and distributors to take a chance on us. Now, they come to us and say they wish they had partnered with us sooner. That shift has been really powerful to witness!

🌟 What’s your vision for Gelli Arts® in 2026 and beyond?

Joan:  My vision for Gelli Arts® for 2026 and beyond is to continue to be the innovators in gel printing and introduce even more creatives who become loyal users of our brand. I want as many people as possible to experience the joy of being a part of the Gelli Arts community!

Lou Ann: I want to bring more inspiring products to market and help even more people discover the joy of printing. And I’d love to keep expanding into new parts of the world.

🧵 One fun fact people may not know about you?

Joan: Here’s a personal piece of info today’s gel printing community may not know: I wrote the first book on gel plate printing! It’s called Gelli Plate Printing: Mixed-Media Monoprinting Without a Press, and it was published by North Light Books in 2014. It’s still available on Amazon today. There are now multiple books available focusing exclusively on gel plate printing. Each one uniquely contributes to expanding the ways to use a gel printing plate.

Lou Ann: I’ve always been a maker! I love to sew and have been making quilts, bags, and home décor items my entire life. I love to make things and share them with others.

🖼️ Want more behind-the-scenes and creative projects?

Stay connected and inspired by following Gelli Arts® across all of our platforms:

❤️‍🔥 Instagram

📘 Facebook

🎥 YouTube

🎶 TikTok

📌 Pinterest

🖌️ Visit our blog for tutorials and more!

Shop Products: GelliArts.com, Amazon, Blick Art Materials

Whether you’ve been printing with Gelli Arts® for years or just discovered us, this story is your warm invitation to join our creative family. There’s magic in the mess, and joy in every pull of the plate.🎨