art critic - Art, Jewelry, And Creations By Rafi Perez And Klee Angelie

Posted on August 20, 2020August 20, 2020 by Artist Rafi Perez — Leave a comment

GOOD LUCK – Virtual Group Collab Lab Art Show – April 2020

This is an example of something that I am very excited about that is coming in September! This is a group show called “Good Luck” that we did in April. This is something we do with our Rogue Artists on Patreon. The Collab Lab is a challenge we do with amazing creatives from all around the world. This particular challenge involved working on our projects with our non-dominant hand. Enjoy the innovation. The next show will be coming in September and it is called “Shine A Light” and is quite powerful. In the next virtual show, There will be links to the artists, just in case you want to find out more about them. Enjoy Good Luck!

April Collab Lab – GOOD LUCK

Parameter 1 – Use your non-dominant hand (primarily).
Parameter 2 – Use a hair-brained idea you previously shelved.
Parameter 3 – Limit your materials to 4 elements – 4 colors, 4 notes, 4 ingredients, etc.

I chose watercolor painting, and letters because I knew for sure it would reveal the very limited abilities of my right hand. I swear I didn’t cheat.
Michele

Collab Lab May! This piece is to represent my second annual Inspiring Hope Art Hunt. Last year was my first year inspired by @Rafi I used green yellow and black paint with a palette knife and my cricut for the word hope. Used it like a stencil. I couldn’t paint a straight line with my left hand if my life depended on it. Lol.
Dana

I’m calling this “Going For It”. My “hair-brained scheme” that has been shelved multiple times is this… I’ve done these strange blue pen doodles for as long as I can remember. They’ve almost always been done on bits of scrap paper, my planner pages, etc. When I worked the desk at a local gym back in the day (5am shift) I did a hella-ton of them on my “phone call notes” pad. I cannot draw real-life stuff very well at all, but these creatures and weird things seem to come to life when I put pen to paper. I liked a blue pen because it forced me to work with whatever I did rather than erase (which someone like me would to endlessly) and also, something about blue pen represents my subconscious in a way I can’t articulate. The “hair-brained” idea was that someday, I’d show them to someone other than myself and Rafi… maybe even start them up again and actually put some of them out there. So… I did this one with my non-dominant hand, of course, and limited myself to 4 hours to complete it (I draw slow, even slower with my left hand it turns out). I finished it in 3.5 hours. Because of the uber crazy movements, my left hand wanted to do, I tried to work with how it naturally wanted to move, rather than try to force it to act like my right hand. I got kinda good after the first hour! I think I’ve rekindled the desire to follow this trail (with my dominant hand going forward) and see where it leads.
Klee

Hello everyone! Here is my collab lab project. It’s stained glass approximately 11” x 20”. It’s done with 4 colors and designed with my left hand as you can see by the random areas of wonkyness. It’s my interpretation of Van Gogh’s Starry Night. I’ve always thought his whole painting would look so beautiful in glass but it’s always been too overwhelming to try it. I did try to work out a design once but gave up on it. Maybe I’ll try it again someday but for now I’m happy with this version
Marilyn

Here is my left hand painting of my nemesis rocks(must train left sided brain that things are different even if they’re in a row). Lol. My four colors were cad red med., cad yellow med. ,ultramarine Blue and white. And I also only used four different brushes.
Kelly

Having one of Those Days, so you’ll have to settle for a screenshot (I filmed the process for youtube lol). Drawing was slow, but okay! I couldn’t paint leaves, so I just used the paintbrush as a stamp, p much XD Four paint puddles.
Yellowmelle

Left hand painting Complete. Wouldnt paint reality. Piece about paranoia . Definately no social distancing being practiced here.
Sara

Colors used green, white, black, and yellow. (Technically white and black are values but we’ll just call them colors) btw, the right side of my body is cramped up and I can’t get off the couch very easily… or move… or anything the RIGHT SIDE!
Rafi

OK, not really feeling done with this yet – But, happy to turn it in now. I can see this growing as the muse strikes me. There will probably be glow in the dark paint and LED lights involved. I did have to put my personal mark on the face. I had an excellent model… The moon may as yet have to be adorned in it’s very own red bandanna. Yes, except for a few occasions that required power tools (not willing to risk fingers!), all the rest was according to the rules. By the way, this is all reclaimed wood from around my yard. It is VERY VERY heavy. I was thinking wall and then I though better and put feet on it. My four elements were: reclaimed wood, recycled plastic, acrylic paint, and glue.
Ev

Well, if nothing else, the challenge made me realize 4 things; how far I’ve come with some of my skills, how distracting doing what is expected can be (important reminder), that I may want to spend more time with pastels, and finally, how important it is to just let go when it feels right! Thank you, what a great first challenge!. P.S. I chicken pecked this with my left hand.
Christine

This is a tossed away project/idea when I first started painting. To me, it was cray-cray… so, I’ve now painted it over with my left hand and attempted to abstract it to challenge myself to not be so in control. 4 colors are Bright Aqua Green, Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue, Primary Red and Carbon Black.
Cruz

My good luck art collab. Piece…my process isn’t nearly as exciting as others i felt so other than stabbing my self a thousand times…using weaker hand wasn’t that bad…i just used raw wool (it still had the pills in it) and a string of fairy lights. During the say it kinda looks like an alien cocoon but I do like the glow at night.
Wicked Fiber

Posted on April 29, 2018 by Artist Rafi Perez — Leave a comment

Yay! I Won Best Of Show!

I recently created a piece out of recycled plastic bags and it was giant. Two things that have been on my to do list for quite some time was to create a life size sculpture, and create something awesome using garbage.

Crossing both of those off my list with this awesome Nature Of Being Sculpture that I created for the Artel Gallery show called “RECYCLE, REUSE, REPURPOSE… REPEAT.”

And guess what??!? I WON BEST IN SHOW!!! How awesome is that?!

Opening reception will be Thursday May 3rd, 6pm-8pm at Artel Gallery in Downtown Pensacola.

This sculpture is modeled after a series of mine called the nature of being. This series combines human beings with trees to create a beautiful symbol of being rooted yet consistently expanding towards the heavens. Connected, growing, evolving, expanding, and beautiful is the message that I want to convey.

In this piece I wanted to expand on that message, by using old plastic bags to create the form and pose. I wanted the piece to be dynamic, to show some distress, yet be fluid and organic in its movement.

The message is open for interpretation, but in my mind, it is nature reclaiming the world, and bouncing back from the brink.

What: Art Exhibition – RECYCLE, REUSE, REPURPOSE… REPEAT.
Where: Artel Gallery – 223 Palafox Place, Old Escambia County Courthouse, Pensacola, FL 32502
When: April 24-June 1st, Opening Reception May 3rd, 6pm-8pm
Why: Because it’s awesome! Come hang out with me during the opening reception!

Posted on April 17, 2017April 16, 2017 by Artist Rafi Perez — Leave a comment

I’m pretty sure my dad hates my art.

As you know, recently I was invited to create an art chair. This was a big deal for me, because there is a finesse that needs to happen when turning furniture into art. I wasn’t really sure I could pull it off.

You might think that something as common as a “chair” just needs some paint and crazy designs to stand out. Not true, just like any abstract painting it can go wrong really fast, and just like an abstract painting you have to rely on your gut feelings and not technical skill.

All You Need Is Love Chair By Rafi Perez

So I went through the typical creative process of feeling like I had an epic failing every step of the way, until it finally started to come together.

So, I created my first art chair, worked through my own insecurities, pushed through the boundaries of what I thought was possible for me, and validated my self status as an artist.

That’s about the time my dad stepped into the picture.

He stood there and stared at it for a while… didn’t say anything.

At that point, I apparently felt the need to boaster the chair up and make it important in terms my father would understand… money.

“Yeah dad, people were putting $100 in raffle tickets for it!”

He pause, scrunched up his face and then said…

“Someone paid $100 for that shit?”

Yes they did dad… yes they did.

There are so many stories like this when it comes to my father and art, luckily, it doesn’t bother me any more… in fact, I find it kind of funny.

I spent a long time blaming him for my insecurities, and as it turns out, they were my own insecurities, and I needed to get rid of them myself.

It’s still a work in progress, but I think it will always be.

Watch this video to enjoy the full story, and more stories of my dad and my art… including a big event that took place at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago… Oh boy.

Have fun!!!

Posted on March 13, 2017March 15, 2017 by Artist Rafi Perez — Leave a comment

The Critic Doesn’t Count, THE MAN IN THE ARENA

It was about nine years ago, when I ran across this excerpt from a speech by Teddy Roosevelt. This speech changed my life and my point of view of people who criticized my ability to succeed.

pa-hay-okee2 — Klee and Rafi traveled the country and challenged their old way of living, despite the naysayers and critics saying it wasn’t possible.

I am working on a video that is about taking negative criticism, so I’ve been inspired to share it with you:

” It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. ”

— Theodore Roosevelt

UPDATE:

Here is the video I recently did about some of the negative critics I have had, and how I deal with them.

When you hold on to your vision, no one can ever stop you.

Stay endlessly inspired by the stuff of life. Love you. –Rafi

Posted on January 16, 2017 by Artist Rafi Perez — 8 Comments

The Origin Of Passion

Recently I entered an international art competition. Well, first let me say, I entered an art competition, which was nerve racking for me. Yeah… Nerve racking… Weird, right?

As part of my 2017 growth as a person, and artist goal, I’ve decided to enter as many international art competitions as I can. Some of you that watch my videos, or have read past blogs, know I have an unreasonable fear of art competitions.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that my fear was getting in the way of my achievements as an artist. How am I supposed to win an international art competition, if I’m paralyzed by fear of being judged inadequate? Or worse, what if I win?

Yup, the closer I looked, the more I started to realize that I was also afraid of winning.

Now, let’s get something straight, I really don’t care much about winning or losing. I also am not very concerned about opinions or criticisms about my art. I rather enjoy them, I love hearing the unique perspectives that the viewer brings to the work. Even when it’s negative, I learn something about people.

I mean, c’mon, one of my best friends sees something lewd or sexual in just about every piece I create – sometimes he can’t help it. If I got offended or hurt , I wouldn’t be able to enjoy his genuine reaction to the art. Come to think of it, my father is pretty much a perverted twelve year old when it comes to my art too, so maybe that’s why it doesn’t phase me.

I painted a beautiful painting of a bald eagle for a benefit event, for the Northwest Florida Wildlife Sanctuary. My dad showed up and told everyone it reminded him of a retarded parrot. I didn’t care, he’s genuine… and a little like a retarded parrot himself.

I would rather have genuine reactions, no matter how childish, than polite smiles and scripted responses because people are afraid to hurt my feelings.

That being said, I feel like competitions can be a bit cold. The human interaction between the work can easily be mechanical, because you are comparing pieces to one another and not allowing your relationship with the art to fully form.

But, either way, what was I talking about? Art competitions, I’m doing them this year… Why not?

So my first piece that I’ve created is based on a competition with a tag line of “Passion To Perform.”

I struggled a little with this because the word perform has such a corporate connotation to me. Your performance is evaluated at the end of the year, and the over all performance of the company, and blah blah blah.

You can imagine how the word passion just didn’t seem to fit in my mind.

Luckily, I’m married to an extremely brilliant woman, who also happened to be a vocalist for over a decade, and has a different spin on the word perform.

“It’s like, when you get up on stage and sing, or you dance at the ballet, or act on Broadway… If you are passionate, it shines through.”

Oh… Duh…

So I created this piece called the Origin Of Passion. It is the representation of how I believe the seed of passion can bloom. That contemplative moment, where you are thinking about giving up, and realize that you must move forward. Despite the roadblocks, naysayers, and dark days, you are determined.

The golden words in her hair are the reminder of the power that this passion brings you. Courage, strength, growth, determination, perseverance, inspiration, boldness, vision, and creativity.

I remember back when I quit my corporate job and was reevaluating my life, and wanting to be more creative, a lot of my friends and family were not supportive. In fact, not supportive is an understatement, I’m sure there were a lot of concerned conversations, judgement, and name calling.

But I didn’t care, because I was, and am passionate about my life, creativity, and spreading a positive message into the world. I think if you are passionate about something and you practice courage, strength, growth, determination, perseverance, inspiration, boldness, vision, and creativity… You become unstoppable… Even when your aunt thinks you’re crazy.

Posted on October 13, 2015December 27, 2020 by Artist Rafi Perez — Leave a comment

Drunk Art Critics And Masochistic Angels

Have you ever had somebody just destroy something you created with an unwelcome verbal assault? That’s what a lot of us artists feel it like when we get any type of negative criticism.

“She looks like an amputee, do you find amputees hot or something?” Said drunk she.

As an artist I expose my emotions to the world in my art. This can be slightly terrifying unless you have a particular mindset when showing your work. I’ve had the benefit now of showing my pieces in just about every venue you can imagine. Some prestigious events and showings, such as my solo show at Marty Campbell Gallery, and some not so prestigious such as the flea markets and drunken parties.

“Some artists that I talk to, believe you have to develop a thick skin in order to be able to take the criticism.”

Personally, I think a thick skin only suppresses hurt emotions and leads to other issues. I’ll give you an example, recently I was showing my pieces at an event and a woman who had been clearly plastered made it a point to make a snide comment about every piece I was exhibiting.

“Is she supposed to be an amputee, is that what you where going for?” Said drunk she.

“Nope.” Said me.

“She looks like an amputee, do you find amputees hot or something?” Said drunk she.

“Sure… Being an amputee doesn’t make someone less hot.” Said me.

“Well, that’s fucked up.” Said drunk she.

“Guess you would know.” Said me as I walked away.

Admittedly, I could have just walked away without making that last comment. The truth is it wouldn’t have mattered if she was standing in front of a masterpiece or a turd on a stick, she was trying to be funny for her friends and acting like an idiot. That’s not to say that she is an idiot, she’s probably really sweet, but she is definitely not a very good art critic when she’s drunk and trying to be funny.

“I think you can easily get wrapped up in an “us” versus “them” mentality when you are showing something so intimate.”

Had I developed a thick skin, I probably would have just gotten mad under the surface and ignored her. But later on, I would be talking crap about her to my friends and complaining about stupid people who don’t appreciate art, and on and on.

What you have to remember is that everyone sees what they see. You see something special when you look at your art. Someone else looks and they may see something special to them, but they are not seeing the same thing. Reality is subjective and everyone sees the world through their own filter of understanding. That is what makes being an artist such an awesome thing, you get to hear all kinds of different interpretations of the world through your art.

Some are easy to hear because they resonate with you, some don’t and you consider it negative criticism of your work.

“He stared at me for a minute like I was the biggest idiot on the planet and then stormed off.”

I had another guy look at one of my pieces and tell me that my art was just ok, but it could be great if I followed his advice.

“That angel piece is cool, but it could be so much better.” Said drunk he.

“Really, how so?” Asked me.

“If you had her cutting her wings off, you know, because she hates herself and doesn’t think she deserves them.” Said drunk he.

“Um, that’s not really my thing…” Said me, gesturing to all my paintings.

“Bro, if you did that you would be famous! You Know, she’s a cutter and hates herself, and she’s cutting her wings off and there is blood. She doesn’t think she deserves life, she doesn’t deserve her beauty, so she cuts her face! You do that and I’ll buy it from you! And…” Exclaimed drunk he passionately.

I cut him off at that point.

“Not my thing, but thanks for the input.” Said me as I walked away.

“I’m sure there is a big market for masochistic angels who hate themselves, and he’s probably right, I would make the big time, but it’s not who I am.”

I’m am always aware of how powerful emotions play in creating a piece, something like that would require me to go down an emotional path that I’m not willing to take. That being said, it doesn’t mean he was wrong or stupid, it was his opinion and feeling of what he wanted to see. It has to do with him, not the art itself.

Basically, everyone sees your art through their eyes, 10 billion different interpretations of your work. Whether they are drunk or not. Love it or hate it. Don’t take it personally, it has nothing to do with you. Enjoy the ride, the criticism and remember that if no one was saying anything about your work, that would suck way worse.

Tag: art critic