Today’s the day!
The opening reception for Whispers of the Artful Traveler at the Manos Gallery is happening from 12–4pm, and it’s going to be a really beautiful show.
Klee and I are bummed that we can’t be there in person today due to health stuff, but we’re definitely there in spirit and we’ll probably be refreshing our phones way too often to see photos. We’re planning to head out and experience the exhibition as soon as we can because there is so much amazing art in this one, and we can’t wait to see it all in person.
If you’re in or around New Kensington, swing by, check out the show, support the artists, and enjoy an afternoon surrounded by creativity and community.
Manos Gallery
200 Freeport Rd, New Kensington, PA 15068
12pm – 4pm
Let me know if you go ! We’d love to hear what piece grabbed you first.
Klee and I are in full holiday-stream prep mode over here!
Tonight at 5pm Eastern, we’re going live for our Holiday Open Studio, and we’re so excited to finally do this again. We missed it last year, and being able to share this with you now means a lot.
We’ve got art and jewelry to show off, a few stories to tell, some music to play, and at 5:30pm we’ll be giving away a $100 gift card to our website!
It’s going to be super laid-back, festive, and fun… exactly what we need right now.
Grab a drink, get cozy, and come hang out with us tonight!
Join us here https://rafiandklee.com/shop/live/
Monumental task achieved! Every single calendar order has officially been shipped out and is now zipping its way to your beautiful walls!
I also hand-delivered a few around town today and I felt like a very awkward, slightly introverted, and way less graceful version of a Christmas elf. I was creeping up to porches, trying to look like I belonged there while trying not to slip in the snow and send calendars flying.
It was definitely a push out of the introvert comfort zone, but totally worth it. Now go forth and plan your year with some awesome art!
Thank you all for the incredible support! Seriously, you keep this whole creatively chaotic machine running. ❤️
#ArtistLife #ChristmasElfMode #CalendarDrop #SupportArtists
STUDIO UPDATE! We have an awesome weekend lined up and we are getting ready to people!
This week we’re in full creative chaos mode. Paint everywhere, metal hammering, ideas flying, the studio looking like a tornado in the best possible way. We’re getting everything ready for an awesome weekend.
Here’s what’s coming up:
FRIDAY, NOV 28 • 5–6 PM EST
2026 Calendar Release Party (Live Stream)
We’re going live to reveal the brand-new 2026 Art Calendar. We’ll flip through the pages, share behind-the-scenes stories, hang out, and do some giveaways. It’s going to be a fun, chill creative party from the studio.
Watch live! Link on our website!
SATURDAY, NOV 29 • 11 AM–4 PM
Small Business Saturday Pop-Up at Clifford’s
Come hang out with us, shop art and jewelry, grab something tasty, and say hi. It’s the perfect day to support small businesses and local makers.
Clifford’s • 19 E 1st St, Oil City, PA
SUNDAY, NOV 30 • 11 AM–4 PM
Artist Sunday Pop-Up at Clifford’s
We’re doing it again. Same place, same time, new energy. More art, more conversation, more fun.
Clifford’s • 19 E 1st St, Oil City, PA
We’re creating like crazy all week so we can celebrate with you all weekend. Hope to see you online, in person, or both!
GIVEAWAY TIME!
(Rafi here) I totally forgot to share this, but better late than never because this one is awesome. I am working on the love is series and I’m excited to share one of my prints with you!
Enter for a chance to win an artist-enhanced textured print mounted on wood of Love Is All You Need! A vibrant, uplifting 12×12 artwork created by yours truly. This piece radiates joy, positivity, and all the good vibes your wall (and you) deserves.
Drawing Ends: November 28th at 5:30pm EST
Winner Announced: LIVE at our Calendar Release Party right after the drawing ends!
Don’t miss out! jump in, enter, and maybe this little burst of inspiration will be heading your way soon.
Follow the link to enter https://rafiandklee.com/promo/giveaway/
It’s the final day of our Interwoven exhibition at The Red Brick Gallery! What an incredible run! Amazing people, beautiful space, and art that feels right at home on these walls. Come celebrate with us one last time today from 4–6 PM for our closing reception before we pack it all up and ride off into the creative sunset (okay, maybe just back to the studio).
Let’s make this last day one to remember!
One of the best parts of showing our work is meeting new creative humans who connect with it. Every conversation, smile, and story shared reminds us why we do what we do… art really does bring people together. That’s why days like today are bittersweet, we’re excited for what’s next, but grateful for every moment we’ve shared in this space.
Tonight’s the night — Pumpkin Painting Party!
I’ve been testing paints, brushes, and sealers all week (because apparently painting on a pumpkin is trickier than it looks). But I’ve got a game plan ready, and we’re going to have a blast turning these pumpkins into masterpieces. This is a quick pumpkin I designed but everyone will design their own and I can’t wait to see what people come up with!
Starts at 6:30pm tonight at The Exchange in Oil City!
There are still a few spots left — come hang out with Klee and me, learn some fun techniques, have a drink, and paint something awesome.
To reserve your spot, email art@exchangeoc.com
Let’s get messy and creative tonight!
Two months, countless hours, and a whole lot of paint later… here we are.
This mural in Oil City has been one of the most challenging and rewarding journeys I’ve ever taken on as an artist. From the first sketch to standing on this ladder adding the final touches, it’s been pure magic watching the story come to life on these walls.
I’m proud, honored, and honestly a little in awe that I got to be the one to bring this vision into reality for The Exchange in the beautiful town of Oil City. The mural will officially be finished this week, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it in person when you stop in for a drink, some good company, and hopefully a little inspiration from the art that now lives here.
Here’s to creativity, community, and leaving behind a splash of color wherever we can.
As we sit here and think about the amazing people who have supported us and what we do over the years, we can’t help but think you are amazing! It feels so good to share that love of creativity with you. Let’s give a big congratulations to Jessie Stark for winning 3 Little Birds Artist Enhanced Print! I will be emailing you this week with instructions on how to claim your prize. Big thank you to all of you who entered the Raffle! We’ll be announcing a new Raffle at the beginning of May, so stay posted.
With all the craziness going on in our lives, I’ve been thinking about what it means to show up for your art. To show up when inspiration is hiding behind the couch. To show up when the world says “get a real job,” and you respond by raising your brushes like battle flags and whispering, “This IS the real job, Karen.”
Being an artist is not about waiting for divine inspiration while sipping tea in a sunbeam (although if that happens, heck yeah). It’s about diving into the mess. It’s about painting when you’re unsure. It’s about turning self-doubt into brush strokes and fear into something you can hang on a wall.
Those brushes in my hands? They’ve seen some things.
They’ve flung paint in accidental directions.
They’ve created beauty.
They’ve been used to stir coffee (don’t judge me).
They’ve been dropped, broken, chewed on (again—don’t judge me), and still—they keep showing up.
Just like me. No matter what is going on in my life and where I go, I will always return to my creativity. I may take a break, but I will always show up when it counts.
Because creativity isn’t about waiting for permission.
It’s about grabbing the tools you have, standing in your weird socks, and saying:
“Let’s make some freaking magic.”
