Category: WHAT ARE WE THINKING at Rafi and Klee

I injured myself last night.

You might be wondering if this injury occurred while I was rescuing a child from a burning building, or possibly fighting a ninja assassin… but no. It didn’t.

So, what happened?

Well, my eyes were dry, I lazily decided to not take my contacts out of my eyes, and went to bed… You know, because it’s not like I need my eyes or anything like that.

I was woken up by a red hot spike in my eye, to which I responded with “Why God! Why!”

Then I ran to the bathroom to desperately take the dry, shriveled up blades of doom (that used to be my contacts) out of my eyes. I might as well have been trying to poke my own eyes out with a thorn bush. After what felt like an eternity, I managed to remove the assaulting ocular caps and…

“Why God! Why!”

It hurt even more. I blindly knocked things on to the floor desperately searching for eye drops. I fell to the ground and crawled desperately to the cabinet under the sink, blindly dragging myself to find the elixir of not hurting eyes.

Well, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration… But ouch.

So, I found the drops, took some Advil and put an ice pack on my eyes. Needless to say, not much art got created today… But, there is a bright side to this story…

I think I learned a valuable lesson… Don’t be too lazy to do things you should do, because not doing them may suck for you. If your gut is telling you to do something, chances are, you should do it… just saying. Especially when it comes to being an artist who uses the round things in his head sockets to create his livelihood.

Luckily, it’s healing, and I am so looking forward to going back into the studio in the next couple days. I have some awesome pieces in the works, so stay tuned!

Thanks for being awesome!

-Rafi

 

The start of my art career seems like such a distant memory. I’ve taken so many turns and had so many life changing events, that I’m not sure I would recognize the old fear filled version of myself that took that first step.

The other day I was asked a seemingly simple question that I almost overlooked.

It wasn’t until I remembered the beginning of my art career and the confusion that came with attempting to become a full-time artist.

I then decided to video my answer. You can watch the video by click this link  https://youtu.be/aJZa0eK_uS8

I started my art career in an unlikely place and figured it out as I went… I wish I could say it was an easy ride, but it wasn’t. I also, wouldn’t change a thing.

If you are an artist, and you are trying to figure out where to get started, I hope this video helps you out at least a little.

-Rafi

I was asked yesterday if I was going to an event that we were invited to, called “Art Party is Dead.”

My answer was “no, I already have plans.”

Now, I’m sure “Art Party Is Dead” was a blast for everyone that went. I’m also sure that among the body painted performers and neon lighting, people were wondering where Klee and I were.

For the record, we are hermits, don’t drink all that much, and are socially awkward… But that doesn’t usually stop us from uncomfortably socializing and pretending to be normal.

Like I said before, we had plans…

We were having our own awesome art party with some very special guests to our studio.

There was music, art, imagination, wonder, good friends, pretty girls, good lookin’ dudes, and even some body paint… Lots of body paint… But probably not the kind of body paint you are thinking.

If you ever want to watch something great, give a paintbrush and some paint to a 1 year old and let them take over… It’s amazing, and scary all at the same time.

Also, watching a child paint seems to bring magic back into the world… Just sayin.

So if you are ever wondering what an awesome time looks like for an artists like me… It looks like this:

 

So, thank you for the invite, and I do apologize for not going (maybe next time), but as you can see… Awesomeness was to be had in my art studio.

Also, thank you to my special guests… Hope you enjoyed the visit 🙂

-Rafi

Klee and I don’t watch much TV because honestly, some of those commercials are draining. Especially the drug commercials. I feel like any time we sit down to watch Supernatural, by the end of the constant stream of maladies and side effects being thrown at us, I am convinced that I’m dying… I’m not sure of what, but I’m sure I’m dying of something.

So, we decided to have a little fun with it and created our own drug commercial. This week in our old video reboot, I present you with the drug STIMULEX which doesn’t allow you the unfortunate condition of boredom. Enjoy!

So it’s probably no secret that being an adult sucks.

 

As we walk around endlessly trying to prove out adultfulness to other adults that are not really adults either… I’m not sure there is such a thing.

Hola awesome!

Have you ever found yourself in an oven, desperately seeking a way out? If you do, then  you’re probably meatloaf… or an artist painting a mural in Pensacola Florida in the summer.

 

It is coming along beautifully, and I’m really proud of the evolution that it has taken. I can’t wait to show you guys the finished product… Soon. It looks like my adventures in painting the Pensacola mural may be coming to an end fairly soon, as I am now putting the finishing touches on it. Of course, it’s me, which means finishing touches may take a couple week.

If there is anything I have learned from this experience, it is that your mindset is everything. It has been overwhelming, amazing, problematic, fantastic, and enlightening. Because of the weather and politics involved it could have been easy to let my mind downward spiral, and it did for a few moments. Luckily, I’m too stubbornly positive.

The other thing I’ve learned is to never schedule a mural in the middle of a deadly Summer heat wave… Yay me! That’s it for now, I’m going to get back to my movie… Fiddler on the roof… LOVE THIS MOVIE!

I’ll update you soon! Thank you for being so awesome!

-Rafi

Hi guys!

It’s been quite wet outside, and although it is not great weather for finishing the mural that I’m working on, it is good for a moment of contemplation.

 

So I leave with this food for thought:

“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.” – Ashley Smith

So, as far as the mural is concerned, I have updated my schedule to playing it by ear… only a couple of days worth of painting left, now it’s just a matter of timing!

You guys are awesome and have a wonderful day!

-Rafi

This is a question I believe I’ve asked myself countless of times and will probably continue to ask myself throughout my whole life. Most people believe that if they find the answer they will live a happy fulfilled life.

 

The only problem is that they may be constantly seeking someone or something that will give them the solution.

The only person that could ever actually know who you are is you, yet most times that’s the last place you’ll look.

Most of the time we are ashamed of who we are or are not happy with some type of aspect of ourselves. We look outside of ourselves in order to find an example of what we should be. We play a game of comparison and wish we could be more like said person. The only problem with that train of thinking is that you could never be anyone else and they could never be you. A lot of judgments based on what is right and wrong determines your definition of a perfect person. You compare yourself to people who you believe are doing things wrong so you must be better than them. You also compare yourself to people who are doing things right and you hope to reach that some day. You believe nobody is perfect and so you could never be perfect. You judge yourself based on these standards and struggle with who you really are and what to base your opinion of yourself on.

The fact is that the answer to this question is ever changing and expanding. Only you can determine who you are and what is really true for you. You base your self image on what you believe the world is and how you fit into the grand scheme of things. The interesting thing is that everyone sees the world through their own unique filter of understanding. Ultimately, you are who you say you are, and you cannot help but be a perfect version of that person… I mean, no one can be better at being you, than you.

So for right now, I am an artists and a lover of life. So, who are you?

-Rafi

I am very excited to announce that we got approved for the mural in the heart of downtown Pensacola Florida. Some of you may already know the story of said mural, if not watch the video below… it was an “interesting” adventure… or a freakin nightmare, depends on how you look at it.

 

Because it is hotter outside than any human being should have to endure, I’ve spaced out my mural creation. If you are interested in watching paint dry, or would like to say “Hola!” (I love that) I’ve listed the dates I will be painting.

I am very excited about this mural, I see it as a gift to this town and the people that have been so supportive to me in my career. So, thank you so much, you guys and gals are AWESOME!

Mural painting dates:

*Tuesday, June 28, 10am-2pm

*Wednesday June 29, 10am-12pm

*Tuesday July 5, 10am-2pm

*Wednesday July 6, 10am-2pm

*Thursday July 7, 10am-2pm

*Wednesday July 13, 10am-2pm

*Friday July 15, 10am-1pm

*Saturday July 16, 9am-1pm

*Sunday July 17, 11am-2pm

*Tuesday July 19, 10am-12pm

*Thursday July 14, 10am-2pm

Marty Campbell Gallery is located at  114 Palafox Pl, Pensacola, FL 32502

Watch the video below for details on our adventure to get this mural done… Especially because I started painting it without approval… ooops!