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Feeling Powerful In Three Steps

I created the “EMPOWERMENT” series based on self empowerment, as a tool to be used as a daily reminder. This is my social commentary on the way that people talk to themselves or the way they see themselves. I believe we all have the ability to feel confident and strong, but for the most part we have made it a habit to talk to ourselves in a way that makes us feel powerless.

Believe By Rafi Perez

In reality, personal empowerment is not something we feel, it’s something we do. Our sense of empowerment is a reflection of the increased personal value and self-worth that comes out of our experience of having real influence in our lives.

Empowering ourselves and creating change, which ultimately leads to the increased sense of personal value and self-worth we call the “feeling” of empowerment, involves some very specific steps.

Bonafide By Rafi Perez
  1. Stop comparing yourself to others. Start improving yourself

People tend to compare themselves to others because at times it will make them feel better about their lives or something they are trying to do. For example I know a lot of artists that feel better about their ability to create art because they compare their art to stuff they consider inferior. This is a double edged blade, because they will also compare their work to other work that they consider vastly superior. When they do this it leads to a devastating realization that their work isn’t that great. The truth is, nothing is better or worse than anything else, it’s just our perspective which can change.

Life By Rafi Perez

When you resist comparing yourself, you will be less engaged in judgement, and self-judgement, YOU WILL focus instead on your work – this alone will be empowering.

Belief By Rafi Perez
  • Take responsibility.

Taking responsibility means simply to be responsible for the way you respond to a situation. Most importantly, no matter how much you want to blame someone else for the way you feel, it’s important to remember that no matter what anyone does, you are ultimately responsible for how you respond to the given situation.

There are many small opportunities throughout the day to take responsibility for your emotions, play around with the concept. This will put the power back in your hands and no longer let your emotions fluctuate depending on the people around you.

Create By Rafi Perez
  • Do Something. Take Action!

One of the best things you can do to feel empowered is take action. Think about all those things you wish you did or that you want to do, but maybe you feel lazy or unmotivated. Whenever you don’t take action on it, it can have a devastating effect on your self esteem. Make it a habit to just take action and stop thinking about doing it.

Golden Glow By Rafi Perez

Taking action means remembering to have fun, at least that’s what it means to me. Have fun!

There are lots of ways to empower yourself and create positive change in your life. These are just a few things I try to keep in mind daily, or remind myself if ever I’m feeling less than empowered. Above all, remember that you are a beautiful luminous being, and go out and rock this life thing!

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A Love Connection With Self

Happy Valentine’s Day!!! Time to sacrifice a goat in a cave, slap people on the street with its bloody hide to help with fertility and purity, and then party all night! Well, maybe not any more. Luckily, the origins of this very loving Hallmark holiday is way in the past, so today we celebrate each other and our loved ones in a less sacrificial blood and chanting way.

I’m sure everyone who is in a relationship is planning dinners, gifts, and private moments, so I’ll get right to the point. I would like to add a little something else to this day, to be your own Valentine. I’m saying, let’s take the opportunity to watch how we talk to ourselves, trust me it’ll help your relationship.

Much of our self talk has a huge impact on our relationships. This stems from low self esteem and negative self worth. Many people find themselves not good enough to do or be something, and they make sure to remind themselves of this often.

In the area of love, this is one of the things that complicates our relationships. We sometimes get into a relationship with someone and convince ourselves that happiness lies in the other person. This is because we feel we are not worthy to make ourselves happy, and that we are incomplete.

Incompleteness is a silly concept, although it may sound romantic to tell someone that they complete you, really when you think about it, it’s stupid.

It is a concept full of expectations and assumptions. You expect the person to always complete you, and that will lead to resentment and judgment because ain’t nobody got time for that.

We tell ourselves that we are incomplete without this other person because we think they fill the void we feel in our being. They do not fill this void, they remind us how to fill it ourselves because they love us and we temporarily see ourselves through their eyes. This wears off eventually, and oh boy can things get complicated.

Rafi and Klee Silly In Love

Hey, all I’m saying is if you love someone, you better love yourself and be nice to yourself, or you’ll be making yourself miserable no matter who you have around. You’ll also be making the person you love miserable. Food for thought.

Love you valentine! From both of us!

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Free Floating Heart Sale Ends Soon

Valentine’s Day is coming! Whether you are shopping to spoil those you love, want to splurge on yourself, or don’t believe in celebrating a hallmark holiday, the lead-up to Valentine’s Day is rife with sales and specials.

You’ll find everything from free desserts to naughty items, and it can be a whole bunch of fun. I personally like the idea of taking a day to remember the people you love most and celebrate that love.

Klee has designed something special for this 2019 Valentines day. It’s on sale for 20% OFF until February 10th 2019.

For Her Click Picture For More Info
For Him Click Picture For More Info

Sterling Silver Free Floating Heart Necklace – Rustic Minimalist – Hammer Formed Textured Heart

The symbol of the open heart is as timeless as it is cherished. Representing love in all of it’s various incarnations: romantic, family, friendship, passion for life… it reminds us to keep our hearts open and to give and receive love to the world around us. This pendant necklace is a beautiful and simple representation of a universal and powerful symbol.

Klee
Klee Handcrafting Free Floating Hearts

I start with solid 12 gauge sterling silver which gets hammer formed, soldered and shaped completely by hand into a beautiful and unique open heart with it’s own rustic texture, no two are ever the same. After the hammer forming, it gets meticulously refined, filed and polished by hand, to ensure that it is beautiful and long lasting. Finally it is placed free floating on your choice of chain for her or cord for him to complete the design.

Klee

This necklace is made to order and each one is unique, just like your love.

THE DETAILS

-Hand formed solid sterling silver rustic heart pendant with hammer texture.
-Heart pendant measures 25mm (1″) across when measuring from the top of each arch to the opposite flat side. (please expect very slight variations as these are hand forged).
-Stamped on backside with .925 sterling stamp.
-Free floating setting allows the heart to move freely on the chain or cord and flip around.

The rustic free floating heart is my representation of unconditional love. It is not tethered or restrained. It is kept close, but free to move as it will. It can be sometimes rough-hewn and even bumpy at times… but it is real, tangible, textural, unique and beautiful.

Klee
We are So In Love!!

Happy Valentine’s Day from both of us! Although we try and celebrate the people we love daily, it’s nice to have an excuse to announce it to you! We love you!

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RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR SUCK

This time of year I always seem to find myself more contemplative than ever. It’s almost like I can’t help but evaluate my experiences of last year and come up with a fuzzy idea of a plan that is not really a plan for the new year.

Rafi Perez Painting Explorer

I think everyone does this to one extent or another. I remember back in my less optimistic days, this time of year was only a reminder that time was running out. I would spend most of my time thinking about lost opportunities, and how terrible my year went. Yeah, I was not a ray of sunshine back then, and to be honest, my life was a reflection of my attitude.

Luckily for me, I stopped being a dumb-ass and started to appreciate this thing we call life.

My new year resolutions are not the typical “I want my butt to look better in jeans” type of resolutions (my butt looks great in jeans, btw), they have more to do with realizations I had throughout the year.

The one that is really on my mind is based on our recent trips and around 60 hours worth of conversations on said trips with Klee.

  • Appreciating every single individual moment that I spend being alive, and really taking advantage of the fact that I am breathing and able to make decisions that impact my life now. Essentially, not waiting around for things to happen, but just living now. Our experience last year was a solid realization that life is extremely short… So EVERY moment is precious.
  • Remembering that I am unique, but so is everyone else and there really isn’t such a thing as normal. Everyone is weird, but there are those who embrace it, and there are those who hide it. Embrace it always.

Well, that’s all I have so far, it’s still a work in progress and Klee and I will probably have some long conversations about feelings, goals, life, and other fun stuff. Have fun figuring out your awesome resolutions for 2019.

Oh yeah, play more guitar, write more blogs, film more videos, create more amazing art, and try to ween myself off of Snyder’s buffalo pretzel bits, those are on the list as well, so we’ll see how those go for 2019. Just kidding on the pretzel bits, I’m never gonna give those up.

Rafi Perez Playing Guitar
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Life Is Happening Right Now

As some of you know, the last few days Klee and I have been putting some mileage on our little yellow Jeep. We scheduled a trip up north to visit my youngest kids for a couple days and watch my daughter perform in her fall play.

On-The-Road

I’ll be honest, the idea of scheduling any kind of trip during the holiday season is not something that is easy for me because of the potential loss of income for our business while traveling. Not to mention, there is technically no one there to run the business while we are on the road. Throw in the ever looming uncertainty of being career artists and you can imagine my struggle.

But, you know, I realized something… Life is happening right now. I’m not saying that my art career is not a part of my life, because it is, it’s a great part of my life… but it is not all there is to life. My life is a complex series of moments that involve all the different facets of the ever changing human that I am.

Rafi-and-Klee-Cold

Don’t worry, I’m not quitting my art career, that would be ridiculous. I love creating art, it is definitely a large part of who I am. I’m not sure I would even know what to do if I wasn’t creating something.

What I am saying is, I think I have to put myself in check. So not much will change except the way I see things on the inside, so don’t freak out… I’m not going anywhere.

Alex-Driving

My trip was amazing, Klee and I froze our butts off in the wintry weather, we hung out with two little amazing humans, got to teach my daughter a little something about driving, and got to see an awesome performance by my superstar… Life is good.

Alex-On-Stage

There are so many things to be appreciated in life. So many little things that can leave such a beautiful impact. These little things in of themselves can seem unimportant when you are thinking about your career or making money, but it is those small moments that are so powerful.

Zach-and-Coffee

A hot chocolate in a cute cafe, on the main street, in a small town, in the mountains, that is decorated for Christmas, with my son complaining, is a memory that I will always cherish.

I guess what I am saying, is to be aware that you are not turning something that you love into a serious thing that keeps you from experiencing the things that you want to experience in life. It’s easy to say “I don’t have the time or money to do that”, and honestly sometimes you don’t, but will it be something you’ll regret not doing?

Rafi and Klee Photography

I guess I’m thinking about this because we just got back and will be leaving again tonight and going down south to a funeral. Life and death, it’s the one thing we all share, we live and we die.

I hope I’m not getting you down, that’s not my intention. I just think it’s important to stop and think about these things every once in a while.

Because life is precious… and it’s happening right now… Enjoy it now, while you can… every beautiful moment.

 

 

Calendar-2019-button

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The Happy Art Tour – Pensacola Nov 1st

As a lot of you know, Klee and I recently have been working on a large scale art installation project. This was a huge endeavor in which we created our own rooms to be an interactive full sensory experience.

The Happy Art Tour THAT

We were working for about 6 months in total secrecy and couldn’t share anything with you guys, which for me personally was a struggle. I apparently can’t keep a secret to save my life. I secretly told a bunch of people about the secret installation.

Luckily for me, now that the soft opening has happened, I get to reveal some of the exciting details.

The Happy Art Tour THAT

A few months ago we were approached by Gabrielle (she’s awesome), who wanted us to create large interactive art installations as a part of something that was going to be called The Happy Art Tour (THAT), and immediately Klee and I got excited. This was something that each one of us wanted to do in our own special way for a long time now.

The Happy Art Tour THAT

I’ve wanted to create a fantasy world installation where the viewer would become immersed into the art of the installation and become part of the experience.

The Dream Forest – Designed By Rafi Perez

The Dream Forest was conceptualized and designed to allow the observer to explore the nature of happiness itself, through an immersive interaction with whimsical ancient beings that come to life as you meander through their magical realms. Each one explores a different facet of the “gem” that is happiness, asking thought provoking questions and offering words of ancient wisdom.

I’m also pretty sure Klee has always wanted to create a Firefly experience.

The Happy Art Tour THAT

The Firefly Room – Designed By Klee Angelie

The Firefly Room was conceptualized and designed with one simple desire in mind – to capture and share the whimsy and magic of an early summer evening at dusk, when the day’s work is done, time seems to stand still, all seems right with the world, and all that needs to be done is to sit back and experience the childlike joy of watching hundreds of fireflies dance around you. The firefly room simply asks you to breathe deeply… take in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature, and revel in the experience.

A special thanks to Monica, James, and Gabby, whom helped us finish the rooms in time for the soft opening, we couldn’t have done it without them.

Here is more information on this awesome adventure that we hope you experience.

The Happy Art Tour (T.H.A.T.), is Pensacola’s first multi-sensory creative adventure. Using experiential mediums throughout the entire space, T.H.A.T. worked with local artists to build ways for visitors to view, hear, touch, smell, and taste some of its exhibits.

The Happy Art Tour THAT

The space is open to the public from November 1 to December 31, 2018.

Intended to be a short-term installation that will travel from city to city, T.H.A.T. occupies over 8,000 square feet of space at 401 N. Baylen St. in Pensacola, Florida.

The Happy Art Tour THAT

The downtown location has been revamped completely and features countless photo ops that will delight both the most social-media savvy visitor and those eager to try something new.

The Happy Art Tour THAT

Using tons of recycled material, T.H.A.T. created its space with over 1,000 plastic bags, hundreds of beach balls, gallons of colored paint, and thousands of square yards of fabric. It’s a sight that must be seen to be understood and appreciated.

The Happy Art Tour THAT

Local artists include:

Rafi And Klee Studios- Rafi and Klee Perez (Hey it’s us!)

Blue Collar Creative

The Alcohol Ink Lady- Rachel Eidson

And many others!

The Happy Art Tour THAT

Tickets to T.H.A.T. are on sale now and must be purchased in advance, online. Admission is $30, $28 for active military, and free for kids ages three and under. The space is available for private parties, school field trips, corporate events, and will host various theme days (to be announced). The grand opening of the space is aptly timed with the Foo Foo Fest, which is an active community outpouring of support for the arts.

The Happy Art Tour THAT

We are both extremely excited for the opening in November and look forward to every one experiencing not only our rooms but the entire experience. Yeah, this is one experience here in Pensacola you are definitely not going to want to miss, and we are so proud to be a part of it.

We will be going again and again while it runs, it was so much fun!

Buy-Tickets-Button-rafi

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Art By Rafi Perez At Southtowne Apartments

Where the Pensacola News Journal building once stood is now a series of luxury apartments built to add affordable living space to beautiful downtown Pensacola. Developers tore down the old News Journal building to make way for Southtowne Apartments, which is made up of rental units and retail shops designed to appeal to the downtown crowd.

Rafi Perez At Southtown Apartments
Rafi Perez At Southtowne Apartments

I was invited to live paint at a private event held for their new residents. Although the project is still under construction, I have to say, it is a beautiful location. I couldn’t help but look around and think to myself that I could easily live there.

Balconies, views, sidewalks, stores, amenities, parking, and downtown right out your front door… right up my alley. My only concern is that wherever we go, the studio comes with us and the need for room to create.

Rafi Perez At Southtown Apartments
Rafi Perez At Southtowne Apartments

Anyhow,  Klee and I mingled while I painted and showed off a few of my finished works. We had an amazing time, with some really beautiful and sweet people.

This project along with other things going on downtown gets me excited for the future of Pensacola and the direction it is heading in. This town has really embraced its creative community and moved forward with a lot of events and projects that support local art and artists.

Rafi Perez At Southtown Apartments
Rafi Perez At Southtowne Apartments

In my opinion, we can use a few more commercial art galleries downtown, but I’m sure that will happen eventually and for the time being I love the relationship I have with the businesses that show my art.

My only criticism of the Southtowne project and big projects like it is the lack of local art on their walls. I could be wrong about this, but walking around I saw beautifully decorated spaces with all kinds of art, but no one I recognized locally… Still, beautiful stuff, but I would be highly disappointed if it came from Kirkland’s.

Either way, we had a blast Saturday night and met some amazing folks. We look forward to seeing it in all its glory when completed.

Rafi Perez At Southtown Apartments
Rafi Perez At Southtowne Apartments

 

 

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Make Way For Silly T Shirts And Naked Bananas

You guys know how much I love my silly and witty t-shirts, but did you know that I actually have a difficult time finding them? Luckily, I have great friends who know how to shop for the obscure. I have to thank them and Klee for most of the fun shirts I own.

Even still, there are some shirts that I want, that simply don’t exist… so, I’m going to create them, and offer them to the world because… why not.

Silly T shirts By Rafi Perez
I know Kung fu movies

Along with my beautiful artistic designs that I showed you last week, I have also been building a fun T-shirt collection that will be releasing within my catalog.

These are all fun t-shirts that I want for myself. Some of the t-shirts will be geared towards art and artists, some will be based on our YouTube channel, some will be just plain silly, and others will be mind puzzles.

Silly T shirts By Rafi Perez (1)
Inked Octopus

This collection will be in addition to the art clothing I am designing. The catalog for all of it will be released in early October if everything stays on track.

I’m really excited about this, especially because I love the idea of wearing my own fun.

Silly T shirts By Rafi Perez
Art Rhymes With Fart… Just Sayin’

Some of it will not be every person’s taste, but I’m alright with that.

Stay tuned, and please let me know if you have ANY ideas for a fun t-shirt you would like to see.

Silly T shirts By Rafi Perez
Naked Banana

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Rafi And Klee Enter Artel Gallery 25th Anniversary Show

Yesterday Klee and I dropped off some of our art for the 25th Anniversary Show at Artel Gallery in downtown Pensacola.

Rafi And Klee Enter Artel 25th Anniversary Show

As some of you know, I won ‘Best Of Show’ at the last exhibition with my sculpture. Klee was there with me at the reception, she has always been so supportive. At every reception, she has been there to help me face anything that may come my way and to be my cheerleader.

Rafi And Klee Enter Artel 25th Anniversary Show

What makes this particular show super exciting for me is that Klee also has a piece in the show. So we will both be there for the reception on June 14th strutting our stuff and representing our own art. This will give me a chance to show my support for her and her awesome talent.

This event is open to the public, so please join us on June 14th, 6pm at Artel Gallery in Downtown Pensacola.

My submission is Chasing Fairies.

Rafi And Klee Enter Artel 25th Anniversary Show

ABOUT THIS PAINTING
In a world where everything is much more serious and complicated than those moments of innocence and wonder we experienced as children, this piece symbolizes the child within all of us that will believe in the impossible. Everything is possible.

Rafi And Klee Enter Artel 25th Anniversary Show

Klee’s Submission is “Everlasting Oak” Tree of Life Pendant Necklace.

Rafi And Klee Enter Artel 25th Anniversary Show

One of a kind solid 14k gold tree of life necklace on a stunning rectangular cushion cut moss agate stone with genuine blue diamond leaves.

Moss Agate is a variety of Chalcedony, a mineral of the Quartz family. It is clear to milky white, with dendritic inclusions of manganese or iron that has grown into patterns similar to moss or lichen. It has been highly regarded throughout history as a stone of strengthening, stability, healing, balance and abundance.

Rafi And Klee Enter Artel 25th Anniversary Show

The oak tree has long been a symbol of strength, endurance, wisdom and nobility, highly revered for it’s size and longevity as well as the abundant gifts it has provided over the centuries. This tree, created in solid gold and blue diamonds, is truly an “Everlasting Oak.”

Diamonds are the most well known symbol of “forever”. The leaves of this tree are genuine conflict free blue diamonds (color enhanced). Their color is a greenish-teal blue that perfectly compliments the mossy inclusions of the agate. 44 of them adorn the branches of this tree, sparkling and shimmering in a truly magical way.

Hope to see you there:

What: Art Exhibition – 25th Anniversary Show
Where: Artel Gallery – 223 Palafox Place, Old Escambia County Courthouse, Pensacola, FL 32502
When: Opening Reception June 14th, 6pm-8pm (Show Runs June 5th – July 13th)
Why: Because it’s awesome! Come hang out with us during the opening reception!

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Rafi Perez Designs On Clothing And More

I recently decided to expand my art reach and hit a market that I’ve always been a little too afraid to hit. The market of clothing, mugs, and other cool home decor items.

Rafi Perez RedBubble Store

The reason I have hesitated is because I am so used to being completely hands on with my creations. Every artwork and print that leaves my studio is touched by me and is completely bespoke.

And although I love the idea of producing artistic clothing with my own hands, it is an overwhelming task and one that would stretch me too thin and be quite expensive. Instead I decided to partner up with Redbubble and Fine Art America. They have a great reputation and between the both of them produce a plethora of great quality items.

Rafi Perez RedBubble Store

I’m slowly but surely building a catalog of items. In the design phase I am creating the templates for each product and going over the details to make sure that they not only look awesome, but are top notch.

Rafi Perez RedBubble Store

The plan is to have items for home decor, accessories such as iPhone wallets, Yoga mats, and clothing. The women’s line includes an A line dress and a Chiffon top, along with t-shirts for men.

Rafi Perez RedBubble Store

I am currently in the design phase although technically I guess you can purchase the items I have already listed, though I have not released the series yet. I will be creating some designs that are specifically for t-shirts and various products offered and that will take some time. I plan on scheduling the official release for the Christmas season, so stay tuned.

Please let me know your thoughts and if there is any specific design or artwork you would like to see… I love the challenge.