Posted on

Speak Your Passion

I created this piece based on something that I believe is very powerful. Word have a certain power that can sometimes get overlooked in day to day exchanges. Many times we relate to each other by talking about the most mundane and torturous experiences we are currently wrapped up in. We talk about how terrible our week has been and usually the other person will commiserate and top your story with an even worse story about their week. This exchange can take place for hours and at the end of it neither person feels better, but they do feel like they got something off their chest and call it venting.

Rafi-Perez-Art-218

I believe that by talking about the things that are going wrong in your life or the problems you are running into just perpetuates it further. You will keep experiencing what you are focused on. In other words you get what you think about over and over again, you talk about it over and over again and you keep seeing evidence that it is true because you keep experiencing what you talk about. Interestingly enough, this can change by changing the pattern by speaking the opposite.

When you are focused on your problems, it is impossible to find the solution because your thoughts are not solution oriented. Unfortunately it is really hard to hit this head on and simply try to focus on the opposite because even if you try to think about the opposite you are still thinking about the problem.

I found that it was simpler for me to focus on the things I loved, the things that worked, and most importantly the things that I was passionate about. It seems that when you speak your passion, you mind orients itself to find more of the same. In fact, when you are focused strong positive emotion it changes everything. It changes your chemical makeup, your outlook, your problem solving skills become powerful and your over all state of being becomes one of optimism and hope.

This piece symbolizes the power of speaking your passion and the freedom that come with it.

Speak Your Passion was originally published on Rafi Was Here Studios

Posted on — Leave a comment

So, What is Happiness?

On-a-LimbSo, Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about what the real meaning of happiness is. When you look it up online (because everything you read on the Internet is true) it says “Happiness is a mental or emotional state of well-being characterized by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.”

This caused me to ponder the complexity of this description. I agree that Happiness is a mental or emotional state of being. The interesting part of this description (bare with my nerdom) is that the “being” part.

Being vs doing… You can try to do things that will instigate happiness within you, but in all honesty I’m pretty sure you don’t find actual happiness in those things. So, where do you find happiness? Obviously, you can’t find it in anybody’s pocket or in anything outside of you.  I’ve been in situations where everything came together perfectly to create a situation in which I should be jumping for joy, yet my emotions almost felt muffled… So, I’m pretty sure it’s not situations or other people that make you happy… It only stands to reason that happiness must be a choice… But what is it?

I wondered about this as I thought about the little insignificant moments in my life that I can remember vividly. Staring at an inchworm for a long time fascinated, studying the colors in an autumn leaf, laying under a star blanketed sky loosing myself in the infinity of it all… The small moments of curiosity and absolute love with the world around me.

I think as adults we tend to allow ourselves to get consumed by the everyday role we are supposed to play with the myriad of people in our lives, forgetting that natural ability to fall in love with everything around us… In other words, we know too much about how we think the world works, we know what an ugly tree looks like vs a beautiful tree, so we overlook the amazing miracle that the tree exists in the first place. I think the simplicity of happiness is to just allow yourself to understand that you ultimately don’t know anything and allow yourself to experience everything in life as if it was the first time you have ever experienced it. Imagine experiencing your first kiss over and over, or feeling the wind in your hair as if it was the first time, seeing the ocean for the very first time and taking in every single detail… So, for at least this moment in time in my life, I believe happiness is experiencing all of life, fully and not allowing yourself to take even one second for granted.

-Award Winning Contemporary Artist Rafi Perez

http://www.rafiwashere.com

Posted on — Leave a comment

Ignited by Contemporary Artist Rafi Perez

“Ignited” Mixed Medium on Canvas 20″ X 23″ – Passion rebuilds the world, it brings dreams and dreamers to life, It makes all things alive and significant, it burns with desire to move forward no matter what the odds are… Passion, true passion is a powerful thing 😀 – http://www.Rafiwashere.com

ignited by Contemporary Artist Rafi Perez
ignited by Contemporary Artist Rafi Perez
Posted on — Leave a comment

Working on Some New Amazing Artwork in Gulf Breeze This Weekend

Klee and I had a wonderful day having a photo shoot in which we took several great pictures for some of the new paintings I’ll be working on at in Gulf Breeze. Some of the designs will be for a secret unveiling at Gallery Night in Pensacola on May 18th.

The pictures themselves were amazing and we loved how they came out. You can find some more on my facebook page.

"In Prayer" New Design for Rafi Was Here Studios

https://www.facebook.com/Rafiwashere

http://www.rafiwashere.com

Posted on — Leave a comment

Rafi and Klee’s Life-Changing Road Trip Adventure

Imagine leaving the corporate grind behind, trading in the daily 9-to-5 for endless highways and sunsets. That’s exactly what Rafi and Klee did when they decided to embark on a life-changing adventure. With a refurbished 1992 Ford Explorer as their home on wheels, they set out on a two-year road trip across the United States. Their mission? To break free from the societal programming they grew up with and rediscover themselves through their unique lens.

Starting from Illinois, their journey took them through diverse landscapes, all the way to the sun-kissed beaches of southern Florida. As early adopters of the van life movement, they filmed their travels before it became a popular trend, capturing the essence of living freely and authentically. Each day presented a new challenge and a new opportunity to rely on their ingenuity and creativity.

Rafi and Klee sitting on the back of their refurbished 1992 Ford Explorer during their road trip, smiling and enjoying their adventure in a tropical setting.

During a significant part of their journey, they paused in Pensacola, Florida, to support Rafi’s father as he recovered from heart surgery. This period became a foundation for their burgeoning art business, blending their talents and newfound perspectives into a thriving venture.

“A New Life” is more than just a road trip; it’s a testament to hope, self-belief, and the power of stepping outside your comfort zone. This adventure was the spark that ignited their passion, proving that when you dare to follow your own path, incredible things can happen. Join Rafi and Klee as they share their inspiring story, one mile at a time, and one adventure at a time. As of 2021, the new chapter in their adventure is owning a home and art studio in Pennsylvania.

Here are some pictures they took while on the road.