Category: FRONT PAGE NEWS for Rafi And Klee Studios

Updates, New Releases, Promotions, Giveaways, and Sales is your go-to spot for all the latest happenings with Rafi and Klee! Stay in the loop with exciting announcements about new art, music, books, and projects. Get the inside scoop on exclusive promotions, fun giveaways, and upcoming sales events. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or a curious newcomer, this is where you’ll find everything you need to know to snag something special and stay connected with their creative world.

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Confessions of an Artist: It’s Not All Paint and Zen Over Here

So you bought some art from us—or you’re thinking about it—and you’re wondering, What kind of magical, mysterious life must these creative souls lead? You probably imagine us floating around our studio in paint-splattered robes, sipping herbal tea while a string quartet plays softly in the background, right?

Wrong.

Let me give you a more accurate picture of life as an artist:
I’m wearing mismatched socks, my beard looks like it lost a fight with gravity, and there’s a very real chance I just stepped in paint that I thought had dried three hours ago.

Here’s what it actually looks like behind the scenes:

I talk to my art. Like… full-on conversations. If you walked into my studio at the wrong time, you’d hear me saying things like, “Okay, why are you being weird right now?” or “You better dry the way I asked you to.”

My studio is both a sanctuary and a war zone. There’s beauty and inspiration… right next to three coffee cups, a stack of half-used sketchbooks, and something I swear I meant to clean up last week.

Art doesn’t make itself. It takes hours of experimenting, failing, trying again, yelling at the canvas, getting a sudden stroke of genius at 2 a.m., and occasionally celebrating with spontaneous victory dancing that would scare off visitors.

But here’s the cool part:

Every piece I create has a little bit of that chaos baked into it. Every painting, sculpture, or design is a visual diary of what was happening in my world at the time. That green smear? That was the day I discovered I really like mixing that particular shade—right before spilling it down my shirt. That texture? The result of a glorious accident I now call “intentional.”

Art is how I process life.
It’s how I scream into the void.
It’s how I say thank you, WTF, and I love you—sometimes all at once.

And when you collect a piece of my art, you’re not just getting something to hang on your wall.
You’re getting a story.
A messy, beautiful, perfectly imperfect moment frozen in time.
You’re getting a piece of the weird little world I live in—a world where emotion becomes color, mistakes become magic, and creativity is the only rule.

Now let’s talk about Klee.

You may think that because she makes beautiful fine jewelry, she floats through the studio like a Hallmark card come to life. But let me assure you—Klee is also part of the chaos.

Hanging out in the studio with her means a soundtrack of hammering, the occasional “ok, F#%K!” when she drops a tiny gemstone, and singing loudly to whatever random music is playing—everything from vintage soul to hardcore rock. We listen to all of it. There are sawing noises, torches firing, and the occasional flurry of metal dust.

She talks to the jewelry too.
“Nope, you’re not sitting right.”
“Ohhh, you’re gonna be SO pretty.”

It’s a beautiful symphony of metal, flame, laughter, and the occasional muttered curse as we crawl on the floor looking for something that’s smaller than a breadcrumb but somehow costs as much as groceries for a week.

And that’s what makes her pieces magical—each one carries that same spark of intention, emotion, and ridiculousness that defines life in our studio.

Also… I just want to say thank you.

If you’re a collector, a supporter, a fellow art-lover who’s ever invested in what we do—whether you bought a piece, shared a post, or sent an encouraging word—you’re part of this story too.

You help make this messy, paint-covered, fire-and-hammer-fueled dream a reality.
You help keep the lights on (and the coffee stocked).
You give this wild creative life a purpose beyond the studio.

So, if you ever wondered what it’s like to be an artist—it’s this:
It’s unpredictable, hilarious, deeply personal, sometimes exhausting, occasionally ridiculous, and totally worth it.

And if you’re reading this while eyeing that piece you’ve been thinking about… just know, it probably has a story that includes at least one emotional breakthrough, one great song, and possibly a near-miss with a flying paintbrush or a flaming torch.

Thanks for being part of the magic.

—Rafi

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Klee Health Update And My Brain Is Drowning in Molasses

So, I started this blog wanting to only update you on Klee.

She’s not been feeling the greatest lately, and our schedules have been disrupted quite a bit again. Luckily, we will hopefully be taking care of her symptoms soon. It’s been a slow road with some weird twists and turns — one of those “didn’t we already do this?” kinds of journeys. We both feel like this has been going on for a while… because it has. But we also know it could be worse, and we’re grateful that we have the ability to get her care and keep moving forward.

Her smile is infectious, but she’s been having another flare up that will hopefully get taken care of soon.

The problem is that while the shit is hitting the fan, the world doesn’t stop spinning. It just keeps turning — bills still show up, emails keep coming, and your to-do list looks at you like, “So… you free now?” If we expect to keep doing what we do — making art, writing, performing, surviving — we still have to do stuff. Even when our brains are yelling “Nope!”

So, I’ve got a bit on my plate right now.

And by “a bit,” I mean my plate is less like a standard dinner plate and more like one of those massive Renaissance fair turkey-leg-and-stew platters… with a side of existential dread and a giant dollop of “What the hell am I even doing right now?”

Currently, I’m working on a mural design that keeps giving me the creative equivalent of a middle finger. I stare at it. It stares back. Nothing happens. We are in a tense standoff, and I think it’s winning.

Balancing this mural with everything else has been kicking my ass.

I also have a commission I haven’t started. Not because I don’t want to… but because every time I go to start it, my brain says, “WAIT! Before we do that, let’s panic about literally everything else first.”

Then there’s the studio. Oh, my beautiful, chaotic studio — where half-finished projects go to nap under a fine layer of dust and forgotten inspiration. It’s like a museum of creative procrastination.

And don’t even get me started on YouTube and Patreon. I love them. I do. But lately, trying to keep up with posting has been like trying to do yoga in a hurricane. Upside down. On fire. Luckily, our community doesn’t care how long it takes us to come back as long as everyone is healthy and happy. We really have an awesome online community.

Also… I feel fat. I know that’s not something technically “on my plate” (unless you count the jam on bread I may or may not have eaten at 1:30 a.m.), but it’s there, and it’s loud. Apparently, the brain likes to throw in some bonus self-judgment when things get overwhelming. Thanks, brain.

And another thing on our plate? Helping bring the Makerspace to life here in town. It’s an awesome project, something we’re super passionate about, but unfortunately, we had to postpone meetings in March and haven’t been able to do much more than squeeze in a little time here and there. It’s one of those long-game efforts that we want to give our full attention — but life, man, life has other plans lately.

Oh, and my book? Yeah… that was supposed to release at the end of March. Well… that’s today. And it’s not happening. The book is still coming — just not today, not while the universe is running on chaos mode. As much as I want to celebrate it and do it justice, today I’m just trying to remember what day it is.

Book is ready… I just need to upload and format… it’s sooo close!

If I’m being honest — and let’s just be painfully honest here — I’m overwhelmed. The kind of overwhelmed where when my phone buzzes, I let out a sigh so deep it probably registers on a seismograph somewhere.

Because I know it’s another thing. Another ask. Another task. Another opportunity for me to feel like I’m going to let someone down.

The main issue, though? I’m distracted. Klee’s health has taken a bit of a downturn. Some symptoms are creeping back in, and as always, my focus shifts to her. That’s how it’s always been — my heart is with her, period.

This week she’s got another surprise appointment, and they’re starting her on a new treatment. Oh, and just to keep things spicy, we found out we need to go in for more blood tests. These are the little surprise curveballs that pop up when healing is happening. The healing part is good. The constant schedule disruptions and unexpected doctor visits? Not so much.

We have become very familiar with waiting rooms.

And while I’m pouring my energy into making sure she’s okay, my brain is yelling, “HEY! WHAT ABOUT BILLS?! ART?! DEADLINES?! THE MURAL THAT KEEPS GLARING AT YOU?!”

Now, here’s the thing… I did this to myself.

Well, not the Klee-getting-sick part — but the mountain of projects? The overbooked schedule? The infinite to-do list? Yeah. That was all me. In a perfect world, this workload is manageable. It’s the thing I do. But we’re not in a perfect world — we’re in a world where the faucet leaks, the yard turns into a jungle, and family stuff likes to show up unannounced, like a sitcom neighbor with emotional baggage.

I know this all sounds dramatic, and maybe I shouldn’t be writing a blog post while smack dab in the middle of feeling overwhelmed… but here I am. Typing away. Because the truth is, moments like these are weirdly valuable. They remind me to slow down. To stop trying to juggle flaming swords while riding a unicycle on a tightrope of anxiety.

And the worst part? When I get into this state, I become less productive, not more. I start doom-scrolling, reorganizing paint jars, watching obscure YouTube videos on how crayons are made, or questioning whether I should just quit it all.

See, you’re not the only one.

Everything feels like I’m trying to run through molasses. With bricks tied to my feet. While carrying all my unfinished paintings on my back. Wearing a very stylish, yet impractical, anxiety hat.

Here I am in my gallery space that I haven’t visited in months… this is an old picture… I still haven’t visited.

But here’s the thing: I know this feeling. I’ve been here before. And I always get through it. Eventually, the fog lifts, the molasses thins, and I remember that I am, in fact, capable of doing hard things — just not all at once, and definitely not while trying to run on empty.

So, if you’re also feeling like you’ve got too much on your plate — like your brain is a glitchy browser with 42 tabs open and your mouse keeps freezing — I feel you. Deeply.

Take a breath. Be kind to yourself. Make a dumb joke. Throw a pillow dramatically. Do one tiny thing. Then maybe another. And if all else fails… pretend you know how to slow down even if you think you don’t know how..

Stay rogue, stay ridiculous, and above all — don’t give up, just slow down a bit. Even if it feels like you’re drowning in molasses.

Love,
Rafi

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Get Your Mind Right Before Lack Of Time Runs Off With Your Sanity

Have you ever looked at the clock and thought, “There’s no way that says 4:30… I JUST woke up, how did I already lose a whole day?” Then you think, Wait. Did I even eat today? Did I actually send that email or did I just think really hard about sending it while staring at the wall in a stress-induced fog?

Yeah, same.

Time can be a punk-ass. And when you’ve got a lot going on—like trying to run a business, care for someone you love, show up for your community, be a functional human, and maybe, just maybe, wear socks that match—it tends to vanish like your favorite paintbrush when you’re on a deadline.

As some of you may know, the last couple of months have been… intense. Since December, we’ve been on a medical roller coaster. Klee was dealing with a mystery illness that sent us to emergency rooms and hospitals more than I care to count. After more tests than I knew existed and enough medical jargon to rival an alien abduction manual, we finally got a diagnosis: IBD.

Not the coolest acronym out there, but hey, we’ll take answers over mystery any day.

There was a period where Klee was completely bedridden—over a month. And during that time, the studio? Shut. Down. Hard stop. I tried to juggle things as best as I could, but let’s be honest: my number one job was taking care of Klee. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat. But wow, time evaporates when you’re in caretaking mode. Days turn into nights turn into… what month is it again?

Now that Klee is doing much better (like walk-around-the-house-and-sass-me-lovingly-again better), I’ve been trying to fire up the engines and get back on track. Except… the track has been buried under a landslide of emails, projects, ideas, commitments, art supplies, and half-written to-do lists that say things like “do the thing!!” (What thing? Why didn’t I write it down??) or my favorite “review the L…” (What the heck is L??).

Here’s where it gets spicy.

Yesterday we went to her second doctor’s appointment this week, and I found myself sitting in the room with her doctor and blurting out, “Why am I so tired all the time?” Yep. I hijacked the appointment. I mean, it was already in session. Might as well throw my brain into the ring.

The diagnosis?
Stress.

Not like oh-you-need-a-bubble-bath stress. No, this was low-grade-anxiety-is-your-new-best-friend stress. The kind that’s sneaky. It doesn’t announce itself. It just quietly robs you of your sleep, motivation, and ability to string together full sentences without accidentally including the word “aaaaaaarrrgh.”

Not only has my mind been focused on Klee’s health (with its unpredictable ups and downs) and getting the studio running again, but I’ve got a mural commission that’s been absolutely kicking my ass. I’ve got a painting commission that I haven’t even touched yet. A gallery I haven’t communicated with in far too long. A makerspace project I’m trying to help organize but keep feeling like I’m failing at. The gutters need fixing, the yard looks like a jungle, and the list of home repairs is growing like it’s auditioning for a reality show called This Old Stressbox.

Oh, and did I mention our bank account is shrinking faster than my patience on a Monday morning?

It’s… to… much.

It’s not just the busy-ness or things that need to get done. It’s not even just the pressure. It’s the internal weight I’m carrying—the kind that comes from fear. Fear of letting people down. Fear of dropping the ball. Fear of losing the momentum I worked so hard to build. Fear of showing up as less than perfect (which, let’s be honest, has never been my vibe anyway, so why the heck am I stressing about it now?).

When your mindset is clouded with that kind of pressure, time doesn’t stand a chance. It feels like it’s slipping through your fingers, but the truth is, you’re so busy mentally time-traveling to all the things that might go wrong, you don’t get a chance to live in the moment that’s actually happening.

So here’s what I’m reminding myself right now (and maybe you need to hear this too):

  • Your worth is not determined by your productivity.
  • You’re allowed to drop the ball sometimes.
  • No one is actually expecting you to be a magical octopus of perpetual motion.
  • You cannot pour from an empty cup. Especially if your cup has been hijacked by a doctor’s appointment and your emotional support coffee is cold.

I’m working on being kinder to myself. Recalibrating. Finding the small moments of calm in the chaos. Sitting outside with Klee and a cup of tea, talking about something other than logistics. Reminding myself that it’s okay to pause. To rest. To take a breath before I run full tilt into the next “important” thing.

Time isn’t going anywhere. But your mind? That needs care. That needs compassion. That needs space to just be without constantly trying to do.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or like the clock is mocking you every time you glance at it… pause. Take a second. Take ten. Check in with your mindset. Because if you don’t, time won’t just feel fleeting—it’ll drag your sanity down the hallway like a bad horror movie.

And none of us need that.

Love ya. Stay rogue.

—Rafi

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Emerging from the Studio Cave: A Wild Adventure into the Real World

Picture this: Rafi and Klee, two artists who spend an absurd amount of time in their creative lair, cautiously venturing into the outside world like long-lost explorers rediscovering civilization. This time, the grand adventure? Klee’s doctor’s appointment.

Now, in case you didn’t know, leaving the studio isn’t something we do lightly. There are variables out there—things like other humans, unpredictable traffic, and gasp the weather. And speaking of weather, let’s just say Pennsylvania was throwing some real mood swings at us lately.

Blizzard apocalypse. Snow drifts. Ice patches. The kind of cold and snow that makes you question all of your life choices… or whether you’ll ever leave the house again.

This is mostly what this winter has looked like. It’s beautiful (from inside)

Today? Absolutely gorgeous. Like, did we just step into a completely different timeline? The sun was out, birds were singing, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, we didn’t have to worry about frostbite just from existing. We even dared to crack a window in the car and blast some music. Reckless, I know.

The Doctor’s Verdict: Optimism and Good Vibes

We’re happy to report that Klee’s appointment went really well! We’re still in the monitoring phase with her medication, but everything is looking good, and we’ll be back in a couple of months for a follow-up. The doctor was optimistic, and so are we. Woohoo!

Afterward, we celebrated with the traditional “Let’s get home as quickly as possible” ritual. (Because if you brave the outside world, you must reward yourself with expedited coziness, right?)

Big Congrats to Last Month’s Raffle Winner!

Before I forget—huge congrats to Michele Young, who won last month’s raffle: a video call with us! We can’t wait to have an awesome time chatting, laughing, and hanging out virtually. (Yes, we are just as weird and ridiculous in real-time as we are in our videos. You’ve been warned Michele.)

**New Raffle: Win Some Uplifting Art! **

CONGRATULATIONS TO ERICA!

This month, we’re giving away something special—an artist-enhanced 12×18-inch print of “3 Little Birds” mounted on wood! This is one of my special prints that I hand create. It’s valued at $85, and the drawing will be held on March 30th at 10PM Eastern. I will announce the winner on April 1st!

If you need a little positivity, color, and good vibes in your life (or you just love winning awesome stuff), make sure to enter!

So that’s the update from the great beyond—we survived the outside world, Klee’s doing great, and the weather has finally stopped being a drama queen. We’ll see how long that lasts.

Until next time, stay awesome and keep creating a magnificent life!

Rafi & Klee

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Back in the Studio and Still Forgetting Why We Walked into a Room

Well, hello you awesome human you! I’ve got an update for you. The year started out feeling like we got shoved into a washing machine set to extra spin cycle—but I am beyond happy to report that Klee is BACK in the studio and feeling much better!

Now, we still have a doctor’s appointment next week where we’ll get the next set of instructions. It’ll either be awesome wisdom or looking at a chart while making vague humming sounds (you know what I mean). But the good news? So far, so good!

Us at the hospital for a bazillion times

The Delicate Balance (That Was Absolutely Annihilated by Life)

As you probably know, Klee and I balance a ton of creative stuff. We do art, murals, music, videos, podcasts, books, workshops, a Patreon membership, and occasionally remember to eat food. Our creative business runs like an elaborate juggling act, except the balls are on fire, someone keeps throwing in new ones, and gravity is unpredictable.

But then… BAM! A giant wrench fell out of the sky and CRUSHED the entire operation. And when I say “wrench,” I mean the kind that makes you question your entire existence while standing in the kitchen, staring blankly at a fridge that you know you opened for a reason but now have no clue why.

We’re just now picking up the pieces and putting things back together. Are we nailing it? Almost. Do we still walk into rooms and immediately forget why we’re there? Also yes. But I have faith that by next month, the balance will be restored, and I’ll stop opening my email inbox only to immediately forget why I did that in the first place.

Look at that beautiful creature at her bench!

So How Do We Balance So Much Creative Stuff?

Ohhh, I’m so glad you asked because I love talking about this! Balancing a creative life isn’t about having a perfectly organized schedule (hilarious, right?)—it’s about understanding your energy, priorities, and what actually keeps you moving forward. Here’s what helps us:

  1. Know What Absolutely Needs to Get Done First
    Not everything is equally urgent. Some things need to happen now (book deadlines, mural projects, feeding ourselves), while other things can take a backseat (reorganizing the entire studio because “it feels off”). Prioritize wisely.
  2. Make Creativity Part of Your Daily Life
    The trick isn’t finding time—it’s making creativity part of your routine, like brushing your teeth (but with more paint… wait, no, don’t brush your teeth with paint… the struggle is real). If you set aside even 20 minutes to do something (anything) creative daily, it keeps the momentum going.
  3. Respect Your Brain’s Bandwidth
    We all want to do ALL THE THINGS. But burnout is real. If your brain is fried, don’t force creativity—step away, walk around, eat a snack, or yell dramatically into the void (trust me, it helps). Your work will be better for it.
  4. Use the “Tiny Steps” Method
    If a big project feels overwhelming, break it into small, manageable steps. You don’t need to “write a book” today, but you can write 100 words. You don’t need to “paint a masterpiece,” but you can sketch an idea. Tiny steps add up faster than you think.
  5. Celebrate the Wins (Even the Small Ones!)
    If we only celebrate massive accomplishments, we’ll constantly feel behind. So celebrate finishing a draft, selling a piece, creating something new, or even just showing up for your creativity. Heck, celebrate remembering why you walked into a room! It’s a win!
She’s been on fire since returning to the studio

I think that’s about it… I could be forgetting something… 

Oh yeah! Have fun and don’t be all doomsday about what you didn’t get done. There is always tomorrow.

Thank You for Your Love and Support

To everyone who has sent love, well-wishes, and good vibes for Klee—we love you guys SO MUCH. Seriously. You’ve been incredible, and it means the world to us.

We’re getting back on track, slowly but surely, and we’re excited for all the creative chaos that’s coming next. Stay tuned for more art, more music, more randomness, and hopefully less walking into rooms confused.

Stay awesome, stay creative, and remember: if you forgot why you walked into a room, it was probably for snacks.

Love,
Rafi & Klee

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Don’t Listen To The Naysayers

Ah, the internet. A place where dreams are built, inspiration is shared, and someone, somewhere, is always ready to tell you why everything is doomed to fail.

Case in point: today, while perusing social media, I came across an article about the new brewery coming to 100 Seneca in Oil City. This is big news! A new business, an exciting venture, a fresh reason for people to gather, enjoy, and—let’s be real—sip on something delicious. Naturally, people were thrilled. Comments flooded in with excitement about the growth, the revitalization, and the fact that, yes, cool things are happening in Oil City!

Jeff giving us a tour of 100 Seneca

But alas, like a poorly written sequel to a great movie, the naysayers arrived. I saw this happen in Pensacola while I lived there, even with it being a beautiful town on the coast of Florida. The town was picking itself back up with many people being proactive, yet the humbugs voiced their “opinion” about how it was doomed to fail. Ten years later and I’m happy to announced that Pensacola is thriving. But, there will always be someone complaining no matter what you are trying to do.

You know the type. The ones who see a new opportunity and immediately predict its failure like they have some kind of crystal ball of doom. The ones who still pine for the “good ol’ days” while conveniently forgetting that the good ol’ days weren’t always that great. The ones who assume that because something is new, it must be bad, and because something didn’t exist before, it shouldn’t exist now.

I like to call them the defeatists.

As an artist, I know these creatures well. They are the ones who take great pride in explaining to me why my creative endeavors are impractical, why artists can’t make money, and why I should probably just get a “real job.” They stand at the sidelines, loudly declaring that the game is unwinnable—while never actually playing the game themselves.

Live painting at a VERY successful art show we put on in Oil City

A Brief History of Oil City’s Evolution (for the Defeatists Who Forgot)

Oil City, as the name suggests, once thrived because of oil. In fact, it was where it all began. It boomed. It thrived. It was the place to be. And then—surprise, surprise—big petroleum companies decided they could make more money elsewhere by destroying an entire town’s livelihood, packed up, and left. What followed was the opposite of an economic boom. (An economic oomph? An economic thud? A financial faceplant? Take your pick.)

But did Oil City roll over and give up? No! The town shifted gears, launched an artist relocation program, a Mainstreet Program, and people in the community stepped up and decided to make things happen. Others just sat on their hands and complained. Yet, despite the laziness and moaning of a few, the town slowly started rebuilding with creativity, community, and small businesses at its core.

Now, we have new businesses, a thriving art community, and growing opportunities. Change isn’t coming—it’s already here. And yet, some people still refuse to see it. Instead, they clutch their metaphorical pearls and reminisce about a time long gone, all while ignoring the incredible momentum happening right under their noses.

Most of our community and the surrounding communities are hungry for awesome things and pay attention to all the cool stuff that is coming. Some live in a bubble of their own pessimism and are committed to not being a part of that growth.

Working on Library mural in Oil City

Why Do Defeatists Exist?

Honestly? Some people just don’t like change. Others can’t wrap their mind around the future because they are stuck in the past. They’d rather complain about how things used to be than take part in how things could be. Maybe it’s fear. Maybe it’s laziness. Maybe they have a secret hobby of raining on people’s parades.

Whatever the reason, their negative energy is exhausting. And if we’re not careful, it can seep into our own enthusiasm like a slow leak in a bicycle tire.

The truth is, some people just got used to complaining and focusing on everything that is going wrong. They bitch, they moan, but they don’t become proactive in their own lives. They are waiting for someone to save them and until then, they just complain. I know this sounds harsh, but it’s true. I used to be one of those people, and the world I see now is vastly different than what it used to be.

The town isn’t going to evolve on its own. It takes forward thinkers and people who focus on opportunity, something that defeatists can’t do because they are stuck in the past.

Concert At Woods And River Coffee (AWESOME COFFEE SHOP) Oil City

So, What Do We Do About Them?

1. Ignore and Proceed

The best way to deal with a naysayer is to do the exact thing they claim won’t work. Prove them wrong by succeeding. Don’t expect all of them to come around and change their mind, many will chalk it up to luck and move on to the next thing they’ll complain about. However, some may have planted the seed of hope in their perspective which is huge.

2. Don’t Engage in the Negativity Olympics

Trying to argue with a defeatist is like arguing with a pigeon—it won’t change its mind, it’ll just ignore you and look for things to peck at… and eventually, it’ll just poop on your head. Let them stew in their cynicism while you build something awesome.

3. Remember Who Actually Represents Your Community

The loudest complainer does not represent the majority. The person who left that negative comment does not speak for our town. I’ve seen firsthand how supportive this town is of new businesses and ideas. So let’s not let one keyboard warrior speak for an entire community of dreamers, doers, and creators. It’s easy to complain from the sidelines while someone else is trying to make things happen, but in the end, those people are not in the arena and they are not actually committed to the growth of the town. They want someone else to fix the problem, all while not lifting a finger to actually do anything about it.

4. Keep Creating and Supporting Growth

Klee and I are not only working on a mural design for this brewery, but we’re also involved in the Makerspace that’s coming to the same building. These are projects that will contribute to the town’s growth and creativity. That’s where our focus is—not on the people who refuse to see progress even when it’s painted on a wall right in front of them.

Concert at Curb Market in Oil City

In Conclusion: Let’s Keep Moving Forward

The reality is, change is inevitable. It’s part of life. And instead of fearing it, resisting it, or yelling at it from behind a keyboard, why not embrace it? In my travels around the country, I’ve seen a lot of towns fall victim to devastating economic change, but I have also seen towns reinvent themselves and thrive. The towns that thrived did so because their community came together and embraced the future. The towns that fell apart saw no future for themselves. Oil City has already proven that it can evolve, and it will continue to do so—whether the defeatists like it or not. Luckily, we have way more dreamers.

So, to all the dreamers, risk-takers, and forward-thinkers out there: keep building, keep creating, and keep proving the naysayers wrong. And to the defeatists? Well, enjoy your time in the past. We’ll be over here, shaping the future.

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Win A Video Call With Rafi And Klee!

I’m excited to announce something awesome! This February, we’re running a contest, and one lucky winner will score a 30-minute video call with us—Rafi and Klee! That’s right, an entire half-hour of hanging out, talking art, life, creativity, how to break the rules, or whatever weird and wonderful things we get into. This contest runs from February 3rd 2025 and ends March 2nd 2025 at 10 PM Eastern.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ERICA!

What Can You Do with Your 30 Minutes?

Great question! Here are just a few possibilities:
🎨 Pick our brains about art, creativity, marketing, or why our cactus is drowning (you had to be there).
🎸 Ask Klee about music and jewelry-making wizardry.
🖼 Talk shop about pricing, galleries, or art business strategies.
💡 Brainstorm ideas, get feedback on your work, or just chat about life and being a rogue artist.
😂 Have a ridiculously fun and random conversation that may or may not involve ridiculous storytelling.

Whatever you want to talk about, we’re here for it.

How to Enter

Entering is simple! Just click on this link and follow instructions. Boom! You’re in. We’ll be picking one lucky winner at the end of February!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ERICA!

Why Are We Doing This?

Because we love connecting with amazing creative humans like you! Also, we like surprises, and what better surprise than an impromptu, slightly chaotic, and totally fun conversation?

So, what are you waiting for? Enter now, and maybe we’ll see your awesome face on a video call soon! 😃

Stay awesome and keep creating,
Rafi & Klee

LAST MONTHS WINNERS!

Announcing the winners for last month’s Giveaway at Rafi And Klee Studios! Thank you so much to everyone for entering! Congratulations to Tom and Ricardo! You will get an email from me with instructions on how to get your calendar (please check your spam folder if you don’t see it).

Tom and Ricardo, please check your spam folder for the instructions on how to claim your prizes!

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Update On Klee: Friday Night in The Emergency Room

Here’s an update for all of you awesome humans following along on Klee’s health journey, this one is something else. When you think about Friday nights, you probably picture cozy evenings, good food, maybe a movie, and definitely no emergency rooms. Well, our Friday decided to flip the script on all that and deliver a plot twist we didn’t see coming. Buckle up for the adventure we didn’t order but tackled anyway, because that’s just how we roll.

The Start of The Day: Everything is Calm and Normal

It started innocently enough. We drove to Titusville Area Hospital for some lab work—standard post-colonoscopy follow-up. The gut-and-butt doctor wanted a few more tests. And by “a few,” they meant ALL the blood. As Klee joked, “They took it all!” Despite the sudden generosity to medical science, spirits were high.

Back home, I whipped up some lunch, and we laid out our day: I’d get some work done, chill, eat a good meal, and watch a movie. A solid, low-key Friday plan. Klee napped while I popped online to share a positive update with everyone following our journey. She’d been feeling better, and I was excited to spread the good news.

But then, life said, “Hold the phone.”

The Call: And We’re Off!

No sooner had I hit “send” on my positive message, than the phone rang. The nurse. Not just any nurse—the one with the authority to interrupt naptime and evening plans.

“We need you to go to the emergency room immediately,” they said. Klee’s hemoglobin was critically low, and a blood infusion was non-negotiable. We sighed, looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders, and said. “Adventure time!”

We packed up and headed back to Titusville Area Hospital, arriving just as the snow started whispering, “I’m about to get serious.” Klee was settled into the ER and prepping to get hooked up to her life-giving blood bag. Meanwhile, I realized dinner time was approaching, and Klee’s dietary schedule is no joke. Because of medications, she needs to eat by certain times, and what she eats can’t be from fast food places.

The Commute: Cooking vs. Snowpocalypse

Determined to get her a proper meal, I braved the worsening snowstorm for the drive home. Earlier in the week, I’d bragged about finishing all my outdoor chores before the blizzard. This almost made me laugh… almost.

At home, I cooked dinner, brewed a thermos of peppermint and ginger tea, and prepped for the return trek. The roads were now less “roads” and more “a suggestion under a layer of snow,” but I made it back to the hospital safe and sound.

Dinner and Ghostbusters in the ER

We turned the ER into our private (and slightly surreal) dinner theater. While Klee relaxed with her blood bag BFF, we dined on our homemade meal and watched an old rerun of Ghostbusters. Honestly, it was kind of cozy (as cozy as you can make an ER room feel). The nurses and doctors were incredible, their kindness making the whole experience feel less daunting.

The infusion wrapped up just before midnight, and Klee was officially released. Her color had returned, and she was feeling significantly better. Success!

The Final Stretch: Snow, Snails, and Sweet Relief

The drive home was, shall we say, deliberate. The snow had fully embraced its chaotic energy, but we took it slow and steady. By the time we finally crawled into our warm bed, we were too grateful to care about how our plans had derailed. Klee was experiencing pain and had to take pain meds for the first time in days, but it was kind of expected with our routine being thrown off like it was. She’s feeling better this morning.

Reflections: Rolling with It

Sure, this wasn’t the Friday night we envisioned, but it reminded us that life doesn’t always stick to the plan. You can either roll with it or get bogged down in frustration. We chose to roll.

The ER team was fantastic, and despite the snow and the stress, we came out of it stronger. Klee’s already feeling better, resting up, and gearing up for Monday’s follow-up labs and Wednesday’s biopsy results.

So, here’s to unexpected adventures, brave nurses, and finding the humor and heart in the curveballs life throws at us.

As always, thank you for your support and love. You guys are amazing! I’ll keep you posted.

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We Have Good News – Update On Klee

There’s nothing quite like starting your day at 4 AM with a little colonoscopy prep, right? That’s exactly how our morning began today. Klee had to chug the second half of her “magic potion,” a gallon jug of juice whose sole purpose is to clear the digestive battlefield. Being the supportive partner I am, I got up too, brewed myself a coffee, and then, in what can only be described as a moment of overachieving empathy (or sleep-deprived bad judgment), I reached for a cup of prune juice to ease my tiny bout with morning constipation. Why? Solidarity? Curiosity? Let’s go with “too early to think.”

This might be TMI, but between Klee’s marathon with the prep solution and my own questionable beverage choice, let’s say this morning turned into an interesting symphony of, well, activity. Hey, it’s all part of the real-life charm we like to share with you. Sorry not sorry.

Early Morning On Our Way To Meadville Hospital

By 7:30 AM, with the front of the house freshly shoveled (by yours truly) to avoid any snow-related mishaps, we hopped in the car and headed to Meadville Hospital. Normally a 45-minute drive, the snow decided to extend that journey to just over an hour. If you’re imagining us cruising serenely through a winter wonderland, stop. Picture instead two people nervously watching the clock like hawks, hoping there’d be a bathroom nearby if the “magic potion” and “poor beverage choice” still had unfinished business.

Despite the nerves, the weather, and desperately “holding it”, we made it to the hospital without incident. The staff was wonderful, and before long, Klee was prepped for her first experience going under anesthesia. For those curious, her feedback on the experience was enthusiastic and brief: “Wow, this is…” followed by an immediate plunge into dreamland.

I was losing my mind waiting during Klee’s procedure but the nurses brought me coffee and were super nice.

After the procedure, the doctor gave me the update: Klee’s colon is still 90% inflamed but healing. There were no signs of anything cancerous, which was a massive relief. He took a biopsy and scheduled additional tests, but the path forward seems promising. The best part of the day? Watching Klee’s face light up as she emerged from the anesthesia, clutching a chocolate pudding cup like it was the greatest treasure on earth. Her joy was contagious—chocolate pudding has never been so celebrated.

This makes chocolate pudding look like the elixir of the gods

On our way home, we picked up some supplies just in time for another round of heavy snow. I’d like to point out the irony here: after my early-morning shoveling efforts, the snow returned in full force. I’m trying to laugh about it, but really, snow? Really?

Back at home, I made Klee some soup—her first real meal after a marathon of clear liquids. Watching her enjoy it was like watching someone rediscover the joy of food. The sparkle in her eyes is something I’ve missed, and seeing her feel a little better—even if it’s a small step—means everything.

Really snow? I just shoveled all of that!

Tonight, we’re taking it easy. I’ve decided to take the day off and not get in the studio. Dinner is happening early, and for the first time, we’re watching The Sound of Music together. (Yes, she’s never seen it, and yes, she’s very excited!) It’s been a long day, but it’s ending on a warm, cozy note.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in worry, frustration, or the uncertainty of what’s ahead, but today was a reminder to pause and notice the beauty in the now. The way Klee’s face lit up at the thought of food. The shared giggle when we both realized prune juice solidarity was maybe not the wisest idea. The simple comfort of planning a cozy evening with a classic movie. These moments might seem small, but they’re the ones that carry us through the bigger challenges.

Life will always have its curveballs, whether it’s a health scare, a snowstorm, or just the daily grind. But it’s in these moments of connection and humor that we find our strength. Even on the hard days, there’s so much to be grateful for—each laugh, each hug, each shared glance that says, We’ve got this.

To everyone who has sent us love and support, thank you. It’s hard to put into words how much it means to us, especially during times like this. We’ll keep you posted on Klee’s progress, we should know more in 7 days. And to those waiting on jewelry orders, we appreciate your patience. Klee is eager to get back in the studio, but her health is not there yet.

Until then, we’re taking things one step (and one pudding cup. Yes, we bought some on the way home) at a time. Thanks for being part of our journey, and here’s hoping for fewer snowstorms and more good news ahead.

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Win a Signed 2025 Limited Edition Calendar and Start the Year Off Right!

It’s a new year, and we’re diving in with something super exciting—a giveaway! What better way to kick off 2025 than with a little fun, creativity, and inspiration? That’s why we’re giving you the chance to win a signed 2025 Limited Edition Calendar by yours truly.

This isn’t just any calendar; it’s packed with my quirky Me and It Creatures, uplifting monthly messages, and a sprinkle of joy to keep you smiling through all 365 days. Think of it as a year-long dose of rogue inspiration hanging on your wall!

But first, a little life update. Klee is still resting but feeling much better—yay! We have an important appointment with a specialist this Wednesday, and I’m thrilled to say there’s a light at the end of this tunnel. It’s been a whirlwind, but your support has meant the world to us. We’re planning to get back into the swing of things by February, and we’ll be taking baby steps.

One of our big goals for this year is to have a monthly giveaway. Why? Because they’re fun, and we LOVE connecting with you! We couldn’t think of a better way to kick off this tradition than with my 2025 calendar.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ERICA!

Drawing Details
The drawing closes at 10pm Eastern on January 31st, so don’t wait too long to enter. We’ll announce the lucky winner at the beginning of February and email them directly.

We’re so excited to bring a little more creativity into your life this year. Let’s make 2025 an awesome one—together. And don’t forget: someone out there will be starting their year with a signed calendar full of rogue magic! Will it be you?

Stay tuned, stay creative, and let’s start this year off right.

With love and art,
Rafi (and Klee, who’s cheering us on while resting)