Welcome to “Inspirations for Creative Humans,” your ultimate blog destination designed to fuel your creativity and inspire your artistic journey. Here, you’ll find a rich collection of stories, tips, and insights that celebrate the spirit of innovation and artistry. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, this blog offers a space to connect, learn, and grow in your creative pursuits. Dive into our posts to discover new ideas, overcome creative blocks, and build a vibrant community of like-minded individuals. Join us and transform your creative passion into a thriving lifestyle!
In this podcast, Klee and I discuss the struggles to create art and some of the emotional hurdles that can contribute to stagnation. Most importantly, we discuss how to overcome it. Find out more about us at http://www.rafiandklee.com
In this podcast Klee and I (Rafi) discuss the whole myth of the algorithm and creating art or anything you do for yourself. In this podcast we chat with the rogues and discuss all the reasons why this is so important to keep your art practice sustainable.
WHO ARE RAFI AND KLEE STUDIOS
Curious about who we are? Visit our website and get to know us and all we do. https://rafiandklee.com/
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY ON PATREON?
https://rafiandklee.com/patreon/
Thank you for supporting the Artist Life Podcast with Rafi and Klee! You rock!
Let me set the scene for you. The place? Our beloved Oil City Library, which just so happens to be one of the reasons Klee and I fell head over heels for this town. It was like a magnet for our creative souls, and when Marcy—my awesome friend, phenomenal artist, and co-owner of the local gem Woods and River—approached me with a mural project for this very library, how could I say no? Spoiler alert: I didn’t. I was all in, armed with brushes and enthusiasm!
Now, before we dive into the nitty-gritty of this adventure, let me just address something that every artist reading this knows all too well: Imposter Syndrome. Yes, it’s a thing. No, it doesn’t magically disappear when you’ve been doing this art thing for years. And yes, it showed up like an uninvited guest at the mural party. Despite having done murals before, this was one of those rare times where I’d be working with a team of talented artists, and boom—there it was, Imposter Syndrome, making me question if I’d forgotten how to hold a paintbrush. You’d think I was about to go on American Idol. But hey, that’s the artist’s life: confidence is a moving target, and we just push through it and re-establish our awesomeness!
So, after a few days of prepping (because you can’t just waltz into a mural project without a plan,) and some great brainstorming sessions with the local community, we were ready. I have to give major props to the community for their ideas. From book themes to children’s book animals, everyone had thoughts, and believe me, there were enough to fill the library shelves. It was like a crowd-sourced creative explosion.
Fast-forward to mural time. It’s a mix of excitement, nerves, and just enough coffee to power a small country (thank you, Woods And River). As we started, I remembered something: murals are problem-solving on steroids. You can plan all you want, but the moment your brush touches that wall, the surface has its own agenda. It’s like the wall is silently laughing, saying, “Nice try, pal. Let’s see what you’re really made of.”
Three days. That’s how long it took for the magic to really unfold. I watched all these artists, including myself, evolve throughout the process. What started as “Oh my gosh, what am I doing?” turned into “Oh yeah, we’re doing this!”. It’s amazing how teamwork and creativity combine to bring out everyone’s best. And the mural? It’s a beauty.
For those of you who have never had the joy (and mild terror) of working on a mural, it’s basically like herding artistic geese. Paint goes here, no wait—there. Can we move this section up? Is this color too bright? And what about the sun, is it drying this paint faster than we can work? The mural becomes this living, breathing thing, and you’re just along for the ride. The magic happens when you let go of control and start solving problems with a little bit of paint and a lot of heart.
When it was all said and done, I couldn’t have been prouder. Not just of the mural itself (which, if you find yourself at the library, you better take a glance and throw up a heart symbol to it), but of the artists who showed up, put their fears aside, and gave it their all. A huge shout-out to the Oil City Library and Erie Arts and Culture for making this project possible. You guys are awesome!
In other exciting news—because there’s always more brewing around here—we’ve got a meeting tonight (9/19/24) for the upcoming Venango County Makerspace! If you’re an artist, maker, creative soul, or a breathing human, you need to be there. It’s happening at 100 Seneca St (5th floor, baby!), and we want your input. Think tools, resources, classes—this space is going to be a creative haven, and we want YOU to be a part of shaping it. So come share your ideas, and let’s make some magic happen together!
Until next time, keep laughing, keep creating, and always, always embrace the chaos—because that’s where the real magic lives.
In this podcast, Klee and I (Rafi) discuss how we crush our creative deadlines and face procrastination without losing our minds. find out more about us at http://www.rafiandklee.com
In this podcast Klee and I (Rafi) discuss the whole myth of the algorithm and creating art or anything you do for yourself. In this podcast we chat with the rogues and discuss all the reasons why this is so important to keep your art practice sustainable.
WHO ARE RAFI AND KLEE STUDIOS
Curious about who we are? Visit our website and get to know us and all we do. https://rafiandklee.com/
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY ON PATREON?
https://rafiandklee.com/patreon/
Thank you for supporting the Artist Life Podcast with Rafi and Klee! You rock!
In this podcast, Klee and I (Rafi) discuss how it is possible to lose confidence in your creative abilities and how we recover from that. To find out more about us go to http://www.rafiandklee.com
In this podcast Klee and I (Rafi) discuss the whole myth of the algorithm and creating art or anything you do for yourself. In this podcast we chat with the rogues and discuss all the reasons why this is so important to keep your art practice sustainable.
WHO ARE RAFI AND KLEE STUDIOS
Curious about who we are? Visit our website and get to know us and all we do. https://rafiandklee.com/
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY ON PATREON?
https://rafiandklee.com/patreon/
Thank you for supporting the Artist Life Podcast with Rafi and Klee! You rock!
In this podcast, Klee and I (Rafi) discuss the power of your imagination and how it not only helps you navigate your art projects, but your life. Find out more about us at http://www.rafiandklee.com
In this podcast Klee and I (Rafi) discuss the whole myth of the algorithm and creating art or anything you do for yourself. In this podcast we chat with the rogues and discuss all the reasons why this is so important to keep your art practice sustainable.
WHO ARE RAFI AND KLEE STUDIOS
Curious about who we are? Visit our website and get to know us and all we do. https://rafiandklee.com/
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY ON PATREON?
https://rafiandklee.com/patreon/
Thank you for supporting the Artist Life Podcast with Rafi and Klee! You rock!
Ah, procrastination—the time-honored tradition of putting off until tomorrow what could definitely, maybe, sort of, possibly be done today. If you’re reading this instead of tackling that big project, welcome! You’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll explore why procrastination isn’t the evil villain it’s often made out to be and how you can actually turn it into a superpower. Yes, you read that right—a superpower.
Recently, I took on a project that was supposed to span four months. Naturally, I did what any good procrastinator would do—I put it off. Then, in what can only be described as a burst of last-minute genius (or panic, depending on how you look at it), I started and finished the entire project in just one week. I surprised myself, honestly. But when I think back, every large project I’ve tackled has followed this same pattern. I procrastinate, I panic a little, and then, somehow, the magic happens.
This recent experience was a wake-up call for me. I realized that maybe—just maybe—I need to start trusting the process. Procrastination isn’t a sign that I’m slacking off; it’s just part of my creative rhythm. And when the deadline looms, that’s when the real magic kicks in. So instead of fighting it, I’ve decided to embrace it. After all, it’s worked for me so far!
The Procrastination Club: Membership Perks Include Snacks and Panic
First off, let’s get one thing straight: if you procrastinate, you’re not lazy, unmotivated, or doomed to a life of unfinished tasks. You’re just human. That’s right—procrastination is as universal as sneezing, and pretty much everyone does it. Whether it’s avoiding a deadline, putting off cleaning the garage, or postponing that dentist appointment, we’ve all been there. As a member of the Procrastination Club, our unofficial motto is, “I’ll get to it… eventually.” As a member, you’ll enjoy snacks, spontaneous cleaning sprees, and the occasional moment of panic. It’s a blast, really.
Why Do We Procrastinate? It’s All About Fear (and a Little Bit of Fun)
Let’s dig into why we procrastinate. A lot of the time, it’s fear. Fear of not being good enough, fear of failing, fear of realizing you’ve bitten off more than you can chew (which is ironic, considering how much snacking happens during procrastination). You might look at that big, looming deadline and think, “What if I can’t pull this off? What if I don’t have what it takes?”
Here’s a secret: that fear isn’t doing you any favors. It’s just making you stress out over something that, in the grand scheme of things, probably isn’t as life-or-death as you’re making it out to be. Deadlines can feel like doomsday clocks ticking down to zero, but in reality, they’re just goal posts—places to aim for. Whether you get there early, on time, or with a last-minute dash, the important thing is that you get there.
Deadlines: Not the End of the World, Just a Suggestion
Remember back in school when missing a deadline meant a bad grade, or at work when it could mean losing your job? No wonder we’ve turned deadlines into these monstrous, stress-inducing things. But here’s a little perspective: deadlines are important, sure, but they’re not the end of the world. More often than not, you’ll meet them just fine—especially if you’re not wasting energy stressing out about the process.
Instead of seeing deadlines as immovable, terrifying barriers, try thinking of them as flexible targets. Your job is to get as close as possible, and if you don’t hit the bullseye, it’s not the end of the world. Sometimes, that last-minute burst of creativity is exactly what you need to pull it all together.
The Last-Minute Magic: How Procrastination Can Boost Creativity
Now, let’s talk about the silver lining. Believe it or not, procrastination can actually boost your creativity. When you give your brain some space to wander (read: procrastinate), it has a chance to mull things over in the background. You might not be actively working on your project, but your subconscious is—and when you finally sit down to get it done, you might find yourself in a creative flow that surprises you.
It’s like when you’re trying to remember the name of that actor in that one movie, and it only comes to you hours later when you’re doing something completely unrelated. Your brain is sneaky like that. So, next time you find yourself procrastinating, don’t panic. Let your mind wander a bit—you might just stumble upon the idea or solution you were looking for.
Turning Procrastination into Productivity: The Art of the Deadline Dash
When the deadline is finally breathing down your neck, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But here’s the good news: this is where the magic happens. That looming deadline can actually sharpen your focus and drive you to perform at your best. Sure, it might be stressful, but it’s also exhilarating in its own way. There’s something about the pressure that makes everything snap into place.
So, when you find yourself in that final-hour crunch, don’t despair. Embrace it. Pour yourself a strong cup of coffee, put on your favorite get-stuff-done playlist, and dive in. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish when the clock is ticking.
Procrastination Is Human—Embrace It
At the end of the day, procrastination isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s a natural part of the creative process. Sure, it might make things a little more stressful at times, but it also gives your brain the space it needs to percolate on ideas. And when it’s go-time, you’ll be ready to bring your best, last-minute A-game.
So, if you find yourself procrastinating, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, laugh it off, enjoy a snack, and know that when the time comes, you’ll get it done. And who knows? You might just discover that your best work happens when you embrace the chaos and let the creative juices flow in those final moments.
After all, as the old saying goes, “It is what it is”—and sometimes, what it is turns out to be pretty awesome.
Watch Our Video on what happens to us when we have deadlines:
In this podcast Klee and I (Rafi) discuss the whole myth of the algorithm and creating art or anything you do for yourself. In this podcast we chat with the rogues and discuss all the reasons why this is so important to keep your art practice sustainable.
WHO ARE RAFI AND KLEE STUDIOS
Curious about who we are? Visit our website and get to know us and all we do. https://rafiandklee.com/
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY ON PATREON?
https://rafiandklee.com/patreon/
Thank you for supporting the Artist Life Podcast with Rafi and Klee! You rock!
In this Podcast, Klee and I and the Rogues discuss starting an art career, or in our case, starting over. One of the most important things you want to keep in mind is fun… yup, fun. Find out more about us at http://www.rafiandklee.com
In this podcast Klee and I (Rafi) discuss the whole myth of the algorithm and creating art or anything you do for yourself. In this podcast we chat with the rogues and discuss all the reasons why this is so important to keep your art practice sustainable.
WHO ARE RAFI AND KLEE STUDIOS
Curious about who we are? Visit our website and get to know us and all we do. https://rafiandklee.com/
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY ON PATREON?
https://rafiandklee.com/patreon/
Thank you for supporting the Artist Life Podcast with Rafi and Klee! You rock!
We are back! In this podcast, Klee and I answer some artist questions and discuss recent drama with family and how we balance it with our art career to keep going strong. To find out more about us go to http://www.rafiandklee.com
In this podcast Klee and I (Rafi) discuss the whole myth of the algorithm and creating art or anything you do for yourself. In this podcast we chat with the rogues and discuss all the reasons why this is so important to keep your art practice sustainable.
WHO ARE RAFI AND KLEE STUDIOS
Curious about who we are? Visit our website and get to know us and all we do. https://rafiandklee.com/
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY ON PATREON?
https://rafiandklee.com/patreon/
Thank you for supporting the Artist Life Podcast with Rafi and Klee! You rock!
In this podcast, Klee and I (Rafi) discuss the benefits and pitfalls of putting yourself out there in a genuine way. Find out more about us at http://www.rafiandklee.com
In this podcast Klee and I (Rafi) discuss the whole myth of the algorithm and creating art or anything you do for yourself. In this podcast we chat with the rogues and discuss all the reasons why this is so important to keep your art practice sustainable.
WHO ARE RAFI AND KLEE STUDIOS
Curious about who we are? Visit our website and get to know us and all we do. https://rafiandklee.com/
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY ON PATREON?
https://rafiandklee.com/patreon/
Thank you for supporting the Artist Life Podcast with Rafi and Klee! You rock!