Posted on 1 Comment

INNER DIALOGUE ART SHOW

View the amazing artwork of the Rogue Artists in this amazing show. Collab lab is an art show where amazing creative rogues take on the challenge of creating cohesive beautiful art following three parameters. The Parameters are different for every show and designed to challenge. Watch the video below to visit the gallery and do a virtual walk-through with Klee and me. Scroll to the bottom of this page to download a PDF of this show.

Prev 1 of 1 Next
Prev 1 of 1 Next

2021 Collab Lab – INNER DIALOGUE

  • Parameter 1 – The subject matter, style, and medium can be anything you choose to depict the theme.
  • Parameter 2 – Represent the duality of the Stickman (negative internal voice) and the Champion (positive internal voice) in your mind.
  • Parameter 3 – Keep the observer in mind {Either by “zooming the lens out” and representing yourself as the observer or by creating a composition that pulls an observer in}.

I am excited to share these with you because they really push some boundaries. If you are interested in any of the pieces below that are for sale, please contact the artist. Enjoy this awesome show.


Christopher J. Rhoads

Artist Name:
Christopher J. Rhoads
Best Way To Contact Artist:
https://www.instagram.com/rhoads.j.christopher/
Is It For Sale:
No
Name Of Piece:
Within the Fields of My Mind
Artist Statement:
Within the fields of my mind stands a tree
A lone tree grown deep in what has been
And grown tall in what will be.
It is a young tree.
It is an old tree.
It holds me as a mother holds a child
And it holds me as a father scolds a son.
Upon it’s branches sits two owls that are not owls.
Two forms without form.
Two thoughts within my thoughts.
Together I am praised.
Together I am judged.
Together I am whole
Within the fields of my mind…


Ellen von Reiser

Artist Name:
Ellen von Reiser
Best Way To Contact Artist:
Commissions@starrynightdiner.com
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$150
Name Of Piece:
Conflicted
Artist Statement:
Good and evil are not so different. There is only a small gap. We live in that gap. We must see them both in order to make the choice. Being good is not about only being good. It is about seeing good and evil and making a choice. People are not good. People choose to be good.


Heather Sabian

Artist Name:
Heather Sabian
Best Way To Contact Artist:
Heathersabian43@gmail.com
Is It For Sale:
No
Name Of Piece:
One Of Three
Artist Statement:
Although we as humans have many complex emotions they can all be boiled down to three and all others branch off from these. Fear, anger, and happiness. Which one is whispering inside your head the most? Which one do you choose to listen to most?

Media- acrylic on goatskin, clay.

http://www.sculptedleatherart.com
Heather’s Sculpted Leather on you tube

.


Jennifer Lynn Gorman

Artist Name:
Jennifer Lynn Gorman
Best Way To Contact Artist:
cannonfodderg@gmail.com
Is It For Sale:
No
Name Of Piece:
The Conflict In Creation
Artist Statement:
A violent vision of the creative process. An example of how the conflict between inspiration and doubt can inspire the threads through which art can be woven.


Jason Boushard

Artist Name:
Jason Boushard
Best Way To Contact Artist:
anartjourneyinfo@gmail.com
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$250
Name Of Piece:
JUST GO!!!
Artist Statement:
This represents the inner turmoil before any big event. With a focus on what bike touring travelers go through.


Cindy Diel

Artist Name:
Cindy Diel
Best Way To Contact Artist:
https://www.instagram.com/dielartful/
Is It For Sale:
No
Name Of Piece:
The Choice
Artist Statement:
Being an artist isn’t always about technical skills. Sometimes the hardest part is overcoming my own doubt and fear. The voice in my head that tells me I am not good enough, to quit. But if I create and step beyond the fear…the possibilities are beautiful and unlimited.

Acrylic painting done on 16×20 canvas.

You can see more of my work on Instagram; dielartful. I also have a store on RedBubble; Cindy Diel.


Kelly Sterr

Artist Name:
Kelly Sterr
Best Way To Contact Artist:
Kellysterr@kellysterrgallery.com
Is It For Sale:
No
Name Of Piece:
Don’t Let the Stickman Win
Artist Statement:
As soon as the parameter were given, a doodle on an envelope was created. Because of the struggle to get my art career going, I am in constant battle with the stickman telling me I suck and that people only tell me they like my art because they don’t want to hurt my feelings. This is a reminder to let my inner cheerleader be a dominant force. This is an acrylic I placed inside a shadow box. The stickman splat is painted on the inner side of the glass. So viewer is looking into my studio through the window. Although not for sale(since this is me), I would be open to do commissions for anyone battling stickman who needs one to hang in their studio as a reminder not to let the stickman win. My website is kellysterrgallery .com


Chris “Chumpy” Lyons

Artist Name:
Chris “Chumpy” Lyons
Best Way To Contact Artist:
www.chumpyssketchbook.com
Is It For Sale:
No
Name Of Piece:
“The Eyes We See Through”
Artist Statement:
We see and interact with the world through all kinds of lenses. When we look inside, we tend to see through and adopt the lenses of the inner critic but also our inner champion. Sometimes we adopt the critic. Sometimes we adopt the champion. The two seem to be locked in a cycle of trying to undo and destroy the work of the other.
Ink, gel pen, and alcohol marker on toned tan paper. 9″x9″
Original not currently for sale, but will be making prints available for sale soon.
www.chumpyssketchbook.com
https://allmylinks.com/chumpyssketchbook


cRuz kAi

Artist Name:
cRuz kAi
Best Way To Contact Artist:
cruzkaihawaii.com
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$290.00
Name Of Piece:
Manipura
Artist Statement:
This painting depicts the “lotus” sitting position of meditation, grounding to remove the negative energy, replacing it with positive energy. The Third Chakra, Manipura, also known as the Solar Plexus, is represented by the color yellow. It’s where we hold our will-power, our personal power, our confidence, and even our reliability, and so on. It’s located around the navel area up to the sternum.
Original artwork by cRuz kAi
Acrylic on Canvas 18” x 24”
cruzkahawaii.com


Hollyjcat

Artist Name:
Hollyjcat
Best Way To Contact Artist:
Email, Discord, or Instagram
Is It For Sale:
No
Name Of Piece:
The Inner Struggle
Artist Statement:
When I first saw this prompt, I wasn’t sure what to make. But then I thought if might be interesting if a drawing stylus was the weapon of choice to fight back against ‘the stickman.’


This piece represents my internal struggle with creating art, which I often picture as a battle. The right side of the pupil represents ‘the stickman,’ the negative side of my internal dialogue. The weapon of choice, the sword, represents how words can very easily pierce deeper than any blade.


On the left side, battling against ‘the stickman,’ is ‘the champion,’ the positive side of my internal dialogue. The weapon of choice, the drawing stylus, represents the art I create to battle against those negative notions that assail my creativity.


The eye encasing the them represents me as the observer, witnessing the conflict to create art going on inside my mind. The “I shouldn’t'” create something wages war with the “I should” create something, and thus this internal struggle of creating continues.


Marilyn Savage

Artist Name:
Marilyn Savage
Best Way To Contact Artist:
gabrielleartsnv@gmail.com
Is It For Sale:
No
Name Of Piece:
Duality
Artist Statement:
This piece was created for the Collab Lab. The eagles represent the competing voices in our heads, one telling us that we can do it and the other telling us that we can’t. The contrast between the two eagles further illustrates the theme. One eagle is perfectly groomed and the other one is a bedhead. The viewer can decide which eagle represents which voice.
The size is approximately 12” x 16” and the medium is soft pastels.


KYLE M WOOD

Artist Name:
KYLE M WOOD
Best Way To Contact Artist:
kyle@kylewoodcreations.com
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$1200.00
Name Of Piece:
All Those Conversations In My Head
Artist Statement:
Depicting the inner dialog that does on in my mind. We all have unique worlds that make up our thoughts and internal discord. Here is a glimpse into my brain jar. Acrylic on canvas, three feet by three feet. The original and prints of the original are available on my site http://www.kylewoodcreations.com


Sara

Artist Name:
Sara
Best Way To Contact Artist:
Saraartist1508@yahoocom
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$600.00
Name Of Piece:
Anxiety Illustrated
Artist Statement:
Seriously believing I was dying led me to create a treatise on the positive and negative mirrors of both my life and my artistic creativity thus, symbolically reflecting the truth, the actual distortion and decay of all existence. Reality stares back at us from within. … Set of two
11inX 14in oil on canvas paintings. $600 total


Thomas Wofford

Artist Name:
Thomas Wofford
Name Of Piece:
Composed
Artist Statement:
Title “Composed” 48×34 Acrylic on Masonite board. I had to really think about this one to imagine a image within the premises of this challenge. Negative internal thoughts (Slenderman) box to left with hand dangling eye is what we see thru our on filters. Face at bottom is nothing more than stepping back and realized the worries was for nothing.


Posted on Leave a comment

INSIDE OUTSIDE ART SHOW

View the amazing artwork of the Rogue Artists in this amazing show. The Challenge for inside out had three parameters:

  • Parameter 1 – Juxtaposition of Inside/Outside and whatever that means to you. Can be emotional, physical, topographical, etc.
  • Parameter 2 – Incorporate a tree that represents one side of this duality. The tree can be as literal or abstract as you like ie: made of mechanical parts, composed of sound, a combination of fantastical elements, etc.
  • Parameter 3 – Incorporate a landscape that represents the other side of this duality. The landscape can also be as literal or abstract as you like ie: a completely imaginary landscape, a soundscape, or an interpretation of a landscape memory, etc.

I am excited to share these with you because they really push some boundaries. If you are interested in any of the pieces below that are for sale, please contact the artist. Enjoy this awesome show. You can watch the video below, enter the virtual gallery (on a different site), or scroll down this page.


Esther L Jones

Artist Name:
Esther L Jones
Best Way To Contact Artist:
https://www.estherljones.com
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$272.00
Name Of Piece:
These Rocks Are Thee
Artist Statement:
This piece exemplifies a poem I’ve loved for years: the title is my favorite line from the poem. The rocks can be seen as a hindrance or as protection. The lack of nutrients and harsh landscape can be perceived as a desert that deprives or a place that forces slow and difficult but very strong growth.


Ellen von Reiser

Artist Name:
Ellen von Reiser
Best Way To Contact Artist:
Commissions@starrynightdiner.com
Is It For Sale:
No
Name Of Piece:
Secret Garden
Artist Statement:
This piece is full of significance for me personally. Every object has a story. The garden is full of things I love or admire. The forest is full of my current life. The piece was drawn in Adobe Fresco with an Apple Pencil.


Angel Coleman

Artist Name:
Angel Coleman
Best Way To Contact Artist:

Is It For Sale:
No
Name Of Piece:
Picnic With Mom But Without Her
Artist Statement:
This was a very emotional piece for me to sculpt. Mom is the center of the family though her illness is larger than life and hangs over the entire family. She is oblivious to her children and husband that play around her. Only the alcohol brings color to her life. Emaciated and haggard, she continues to drink until the poison spills out of her and will eventually spoil the family outing.


Sherry D Beckstead

Artist Name:
Sherry D Beckstead
Best Way To Contact Artist:
FB.com/sherrysoilpaintings.com
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$1,500.00
Name Of Piece:
Path to Consciousness
Artist Statement:
This piece represents the duality of life. The tree represents humanity standing in the reality of the now. While the landscape represents our ever-searching path for something more that can only be found within us. The higher consciousness of our beingness.


Jeanne GFellers

Artist Name:
Jeanne GFellers
Best Way To Contact Artist:
email
Is It For Sale:
No
Name Of Piece:
Growth Along the Road of Disability
Artist Statement:
5″x7″ This is a very personal collage piece. The desert landscape bears many but certainly not all the negative wordage I’ve heard over the decades as an author, artist, and disabled person. Defying these words is the full-of-life woodland being who is turning it all out and wears positive affirmations. This happy tree person is who I strive to be. Pushing the multi-layered negative BS aside and the resulting growth hasn’t been an easy process, that’s for certain, but it’s been my unique road to take and one I’m still on. You can find my writing and art at https://jeannegfellersauthor.com


Melissa Peacock

Artist Name:
Melissa Peacock
Best Way To Contact Artist:
melissa@yellowmellearts.com
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$200.00
Name Of Piece:
Be Productive
Artist Statement:
Visiting the peach orchard for the last time, I was shocked to see the trees had hollowed out until there was only bark left. My grandpa filled the trunks with wooden planks and wrapped them with ropes so that the trees could have one last productive year. Despite being half-dead, the orchard was ready with its harvest of peaches as usual. Relatable.

8×10″
Watercolor on paper
http://www.yellowmellearts.com


Debbie Tlach

Artist Name:
Debbie Tlach
Best Way To Contact Artist:
debra_tlach@yahoo.com
Is It For Sale:
No
Name Of Piece:
Feeling Human
Artist Statement:
The will to grow as a feeling human in the face of forces (relentless cogs) that can cause us to retract and shut down (emotionally or otherwise). We can consciously decide our reactions to these forces (hopefully to deeply feel & still flourish). artistgirlsmuse on Instagram


Corey Johnston

Artist Name:
Corey Johnston
Best Way To Contact Artist:
email
Is It For Sale:
No
Name Of Piece:
The Tree of Hopes and Dreams
Artist Statement:
Digital Art, Procreate App, 12.9″ iPad Pro and Apple Pencil

This piece is about stepping out of dark vast empty space, and toward an inner light that is brighter and laden with potential, but scary, too. For me, it is about a state of middle-ness. It is about the transitional state of not knowing whether something is sinister or safe and whether trust can be extended or not. Between being sure and being vulnerable. As Shakespeare said, “To be or not to be.” There is a moment before making the choice, before taking the step, before walking into something unknown from something sure (even if it’s dark and endless). It is about not knowing how to interpret the signs you feel are obviously there. It is about fear of the unknown, even if the known is eternal darkness of endless depth.

I think we learn how to deal with this state in different ways as we grow up. For me, as a young person, this fear was sometimes paralyzing at moments. And I see many young people in my life experiencing the same trepidation of the unknown in their own ways.

http://www.coreyartusimagery.com
Instagram: @coreyartus


Dana Ellis

Artist Name:
Dana Ellis
Best Way To Contact Artist:
https://www.danaellisart.com/
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$220.00
Name Of Piece:
Letting Go
Artist Statement:
She feels trapped by her thoughts, her life, her insecurities, and feeling judged. As she sets the bird free, maybe she will free herself.

18″ x 18″ oil painting on stretched canvas.
Free US shipping
Instagram: dana_ellis_art
Facebook: Dana Ellis Art


Annie Sylling

Artist Name:
Annie Sylling
Best Way To Contact Artist:
annies@anniesylling.com
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$500.00
Name Of Piece:
Inner Peace
Artist Statement:
I was contemplating this challenge while lying awake one night, happens a lot (the lying awake). This idea popped into my head. Use the challenge to portray keeping inner peace despite the state of the world around us. The painting depicts a girl in meditation surrounded by the chaos of the world. Inside the girl is a peaceful garden with a tree. This is her place of refuge. I believe we can find peace within ourselves while living in a chaotic world. I used a 22″x28″ canvas incorporating collage, acrylics and marker. You can view more of my work here: http://anniesylling.com


Zoe Noble

Artist Name:
Zoe Noble
Best Way To Contact Artist:
angrygirlembroidery@gmail.com
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$1,000.00
Name Of Piece:
2020
Artist Statement:
I designed this hoop as a reflection of the year. I wanted to show inside as a tranquil, safe space, so I made the scene outside the window barren and fiery in contrast to the thriving plants inside. I added a landscape painting to the wall to represent our memory of the outside compared to the actual scene out the window. Personally, I started missing school and trying to keep up with classwork at home in my teens when I became chronically ill and disabled, so to me this piece is also representative of my own experience with home being a refuge in comparison to the inaccessible outside world, and how that has become a common experience amid the pandemic. I wanted to make a scene that idealizes staying inside instead of portraying the inside as a prison and framing the outside as the place the viewer wants to be, not only because I think it’s important to protect ourselves and our communities in the midst of a pandemic as much as we can, but also because framing social distancing as a cage is, in my opinion, framing the experiences of disabled people like me that have been staying home and asking for digital access to things like work and school for years as a pitiful or miserable existence, and I don’t think that’s true. While it’s absolutely understandable to miss life before the pandemic, I think it’s important to remember that preferring in-person jobs or classes does not make the digital access we have created a bad thing for everyone.

Hand-stitched thread painting. Cotton and rayon thread on cotton fabric framed in a 6-inch bamboo hoop with felt backing. View more photos at http://www.angrygirlart.com/threadpaintings and contact me at angrygirlembroidery@gmail.com to purchase.


JulieAnn (TheRosemaryCat)

Artist Name:
JulieAnn (TheRosemaryCat)
Best Way To Contact Artist:
therosemarycat@gmail.com
Is It For Sale:
No
Name Of Piece:
Theories of Relativity
Artist Statement:
Graphite on 11×14 Bristol Paper

‘Theories of Relativity’ touches on perspective of both space and time.
We often give the concept of time much more power over us than it really has. Time is what we create it to be; it can be either fluid and expansive, or it can be rigid and confining.
Likewise, the way each of us sees the world around us makes space subjective, as in how we may perceive the trees outside the window, or the ‘tree’ in the room.
Our personal freedom depends on our perspective rather than our environment or circumstances.

TheRosemaryCat can be found on Redbubble.


Cruz Kai

Artist Name:
Cruz Kai
Best Way To Contact Artist:
cruzkaihawaii.com
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$200.00
Name Of Piece:
Interdependent
Artist Statement:
This painting represents climate change -in which animal, plant life and the humans are directly and indirectly affected.
Acrylics on canvas – 16” x 20”


Kelly Sterr

Artist Name:
Kelly Sterr
Best Way To Contact Artist:
Kellysterr@comcast.net
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$480.00
Name Of Piece:
Morning Sunrise
Artist Statement:
16 x20 Acrylic This piece reminded me of the journeys down the shore when I was younger to go fishing early in the morning with the sun rising up above the horizon.


The Clover Artist

Artist Name:
The Clover Artist
Best Way To Contact Artist:
thecloverartist@gmail.com
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$20.00
Name Of Piece:
Crystal Spire Growth
Artist Statement:
I just got the space in my life to figure myself out. Sometimes left feels like an alien planet i’m trying to travers. Sometimes I feel like a small sapling most thought was dead but just waiting for the right conditions to flourish. So I made this striking piece to symbolize how I feel in the alien landscape we all call life. Some problems seems monumental some seem so vast you’ll never reach the other side but if you just keep going, just keep growing it’ll all work out in the end. I create art to enlighten the soul and transport you to magical places thank you for coming along with me on this journey!


Klee Angelie

Artist Name:
Klee Angelie
Is It For Sale:
No
Name Of Piece:
Two Trees
Artist Statement:
This poem is about a being that is trying to understand itself and its relationship with its world, by observing others around it and questioning which ways of “being” are most valuable and fulfilling. In that way, it’s about making comparisons and never-ending questions that don’t provide any real answers. What is underlying the story, is the idea that the being isn’t looking at “others” at all. What it’s really observing is a partial reflection of itself in one direction (representing the past and memories), and a changing shadow silhouette of itself in another direction (representing future hopes and aspirations). Neither provides a full picture, and neither (past or future) allows the being to live in the present moment while it remains wrapped up in these observations and questions. It understands in a way, that it thrives and feels most whole in the present, just being what it is, but it’s unsure if this is a worthy and meaningful existence. I think deep down, it knows it is.

FULL POEM:

I saw two trees from a distant view,
In a distant light, as I focused sight,
As I pondered old and I pondered new,
As I wondered what’s real, and I wondered what’s life.

One stood by a river, in a valley below,
It’s roots appeared strong, but it seemed to quiver.
As if never too sure what form it would know,
As if never too sure it was there by the river.

But the sun shone upon it,
Just like it did me,
And even though it was faint and hazy,
It felt known, and on it,
Just like upon me,
There did seem a tangible quality.

As I reflected, a question asked,
If I felt uncertain, and what did that mean?
Does a strong foundation one can almost grasp,
Make for a full life, down by the stream?

One stood by a manor, on a hilltop high,
It’s branches immense, almost endless in reach,
But no roots to behold, just aloft like the sky,
As if never knowing the soils deep.

But the sun shone upon it,
Just like it did me,
And even though it was changing and vague,
It sprawled out, and on it,
Just like upon me,
There did seem a dynamic something at play.

As I projected, a question anew,
If I felt ungrounded, and what of it still?
Do dizzying heights one can barely view,
Make for a full life, up on the hill?

My companions would come with the light of each day,
And would go then each night, and would leave me to wonder.
Sometimes I would dream them and such they could stay,
But always would daunt me with theories asunder.

What tree would I be, which tree has the knowing?
If I only could choose to aspire to one…
Which of these two trees truly lives and is growing?
Which of these two trees can feel soil and sun?

As for me, I stand present, between these two.
As for me, I grow steady, both day and night.
From the deepest of depths which embrace my roots,
For impossible stars grace my branches alight.

But is it enough if I’m only this day?
If I only know now, and with simplest mirth,
If I reach ever deeper, but also I stay,
In the moment which, each moment, gives me new birth.
If I reach ever higher, but also I stay,
In the moment which, each moment, renews my worth.

From a singular vantage, endless worlds to unearth.


Marianne Hasseldal

Artist Name:
Marianne Hasseldal
Best Way To Contact Artist:
my instagram: marrys_gallery
Is It For Sale:
No
Name Of Piece:
If I were the last you would choose me
Artist Statement:
A contrast between life and death. Life symbolized by the tear and death symbolized by the barren landscape reflected in the eye. After many weeks of pondering what to paint for the collab challenge, this vision dropped into my mind very suddenly and I loved the disturbing thought of a tree growing and making an eye its home.
This is a digital painting.
You can find my work on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/marrys_gallery/
If you are interested in purchasing my art you can send me a message there.


Christopher Doll

Artist Name:
Christopher Doll
Best Way To Contact Artist:
email, Discord, or JOIN ME ON TWITCH.TV EVERY WEDNESDAY 6PM PST
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$250.00
Name Of Piece:
Pressure Inversion
Artist Statement:
Extreme weather and tornados were frequent dreams, having grown up in Michigan. The skies would turn quickly. It’s a scene I had witnessed several times. The wind picks up, bending the trees. Shredding them. I am outdoors, and there is little time to get underground. Where it’s safe. Often I witness the scene through a door with a window. But it offers no protection. I haven’t yet captured it properly in paint, but I try every few years.
9″ x 12″ Oils on canvas
Contact me via email or through my site at https://www.christopher-doll.com


KYLE M WOOD

Artist Name:
KYLE M WOOD
Best Way To Contact Artist:
http://www.kylewoodcreations.com
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$900.00
Name Of Piece:
Living Within Worlds Divided
Artist Statement:
Seeing the line between realities leads to the door of answers, but the door of answers is out of reach. The same tree is organic in one world and mechanical in the other. They are borrowed from each other’s reality to bring a magical light into life. Mixed media on two-foot by three-foot wood panel at three-quarters inch thick. Prints will be available on my site. A small printable version is free on my treasure section of my site.


Sara Vicky Neville

Artist Name:
Sara Vicky Neville
Best Way To Contact Artist:
Email address. Saraartist1508@yahoocom
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$600.00
Name Of Piece:
Princess of the moon and her pet cow contemplating whether to jump over cause she afraid of heights
Artist Statement:
I love the moon. Period. And all things moon-like
Saraartist1508@yahoo.com
2/8×10’s..1/11×14. Acrylic


Rafi Perez

Artist Name:
Rafi Perez
Best Way To Contact Artist:
https://rafiandklee.com/contact-us/
Is It For Sale:
Yes
Price:
$395.00
Name Of Piece:
Born Out Of The Cold
Artist Statement:
This piece symbolizes growth and rebirth. In 2020, especially in the dark winter days, it was easy to get wrapped up in the darkness of it all. The world felt like a dark place. Turmoil, death, and horror seemed to be the main topic of discussion. The piece is about the realization that even in that darkness, you can bring sunshine, you can bring color, and you can bring joy. No matter the circumstance of the world around you, the world you carry inside of you is impacted by you and only you. So even when inundated, you can be born out of the cold and into the warmth. Klee stated that the piece makes her think of spring being born out of winter, which felt very powerful to me and is in line with my feelings.
18X24 Mixed Medium, plaster face (my face)


Thomas Wofford

Artist Name:
Thomas Wofford
Name Of Piece:
Cerat Mirazur
Artist Statement:
This creation is an interpretation of the collab theme in an extremely abstract vision reflecting on a front view “Cerat” which is outside. The inside vision is a mental picture of “Cerat” and Mirazur which is the vision of blue. The tree representation is slender lines throughout the piece.


Posted on 4 Comments

Your Own Voice Doesn’t Hate You Or Others

There have been a lot of mornings recently where I have woken up with that voice in my head telling me that I am a loser. It calls me fat, old, and untalented. I tells me that I’m boring and pretty soon everyone that likes me is going to know the truth of how much of a loser I am. That voice doesn’t put it in eloquent sentences, it’s usually very mean and to the point.

The thing is, nobody’s voice hates them in the beginning. As an artist, I spend a lot of time with this voice. I spend a lot of time in solitary creation where I am wrapped up in my mind. Most times I argue with the stick-man (that’s what Klee and I call the negative self-talk voice) the same way I would argue with someone standing over my shoulder talking shit.

The stick man loves to sometimes just stand in the corner of my mind while I go about my day, screaming “FAT FAT FAT OLD OLD FAT FAT HAIRY HAIRY UGLY UGLY BALD FAT FAT UGLY BALD FAT OLD OLD OLD FAT!” Like I said, he’s not eloquent.

Argue with that voice, or just tell it to go fly a kite. No one is born with a negative voice in their head. In fact, as very young children, we rarely criticize ourselves or anyone else. We don’t know the differences associated with age, race, weight, economic background, schooling, gender, or anything else that we humans use to define something. We don’t have self-judgment or self-criticism yet, because we haven’t learned where we or others fit in the world… people are just people.

So where did it come from?

That shit was implanted in your brain jar. As little snot nosed beings, we are like sponges absorbing everything in the world. In the very beginning, most of our world consists of our parents. We pick up A LOT of our identity and insecurities there. Sometimes, unfortunately, the insecurities are blatant in some kind of form of abuse, other times it is much more subtle. Just being in a room with someone who has anxiety can make you feel anxious. If you think the unspoken emotions, fears, and insecurities that someone is carrying around don’t have a deep effect on their environment and the little sponges within said environment, then you are mistaken.

Whether the insecurities of others is directed at you or not doesn’t matter, what matters is understanding that most of your insecurities were passed down to you. Those insecurities were passed down to them, it’s like a cycle of bullshit or an “ouroboros of bullshit” as Klee calls it, and there is a lot of it.

Then add the crap ideals that are abundant in society to separate us into some kind of group. You are told to believe that this is good, that is bad, that is wrong, that is stupid, you can’t trust THOSE kinds of people, successful people don’t sleep in, republican bad, democrat bad, liberal bad, this team, that team, real art is this or that, you need to do this or that in order to not be this or that, you have to choose a side, beauty is this, beauty is not that, this is real, this is fake… it’s a whole bunch of bullshit that got passed down the generations that we all buy into because the system was already there when we started our lives.

A lot of these contradictory beliefs in the world really do a number on how we feel about ourselves. We adopt the habits because we think it is normal… unfortunately “normal” is overrated. Everyone has a different “normal” which begs the question, isn’t it just easier to be our own kind of human and not worry so much about being normal?

I believe that if we ALL accepted and loved ourselves truly without the insecurities, judgement, and criticisms, we would also and only have that for all the other amazing humans in the world. We would just love humans for being human… instead of categorizing people or ourselves into groups.

It can be considered normal to feel like a victim, less than, unworthy, like a failure, or just not good enough. What does that say about normal? Especially when you realize that saying nice things about yourself in public is not really considered a polite thing to do… you are called a “braggart” or “full of yourself”. How is it socially acceptable that normal is not admiring the unique and creative bad ass that you are?

And I mean genuine admiration, not the fake shit that some people try to flaunt as good self esteem. If you say that you are better than this person or group, then you are full of shit. I don’t care what excuse you use, whether it is “I have more money, I’m smarter, I am this or that”, or whatever… If you need to put someone, something, or some group down to lift yourself up and feel better about you… then it’s fake and a destructive habit that you learned in life.

Focus on your relationship with you, because that is where your power is. Not in what some other human is doing or where you fall in line in the system.

The system is normal, but we were not born normal. We were born extraordinary and meant to shine our unique creative light into the world. We are all so much bigger than our insecurities, our doubts, our fears, or our labels in society… we are so much more… ALL of us.

Posted on 2 Comments

Phoenix Reborn

It shouldn’t be any surprise to anyone that my favorite concept and mystical beast is the phoenix. The symbolic meaning of the phoenix is about renewal. The phoenix is about overcoming darkness and rising to the challenge to become powerful and succeed over adversity.

Blue Phoenix By Rafi Perez

It’s a symbolism that I have used a few times, but never like this piece that beautifully displays the body language of both anguish and freedom.

I wanted to create a piece that showed the transitional moment of someone taking a leap of faith into the unknown. This leap is taken with complete abandon and freedom.

Blue Phoenix By Rafi Perez

Several years ago I took a leap of faith that was terrifying. I remember thinking that I had to forget everything I thought I knew, because all those thoughts were telling me I was crazy. I was essentially burning the bridge to my old life, a life that was all I knew for 30 years. It wasn’t the most happy life I could live, which is why I decided to change it. This required me to hop in my car and leave all security and certainty behind… which was absolutely terrifying, yet was such a pattern interrupt in my monotonous life that I needed.

Blue Phoenix By Rafi Perez

Essentially, from the ashes of my old life which had completely self destructed, I rose and felt stronger than I ever had.

The thing is, I could have stayed in my old life… there is always a way to keep things going, but I had made a decision that I wanted things to change.

Blue Phoenix By Rafi Perez

I feel like the Phoenix is a powerful reminder that no matter what, you can always be reborn from the ashes of your old life.

Posted on Leave a comment

Solo Show At Artel Sept 4th – Oct 19

I am excited to announce that I will be showing my art in the alcove at Artel Gallery in beautiful downtown Pensacola.

Rafi-Artel-Show-Poster-2018

The show is called Sunflowers & The Nature Of Being. It is meant to ignite the spark within the imagination of the viewer as he or she explores the art, discovering a collection based on beauty, nature, and the human spirit.

I’m hoping it will be a window for self discovery, dialogue and inspiration. Show runs from Sept 4th – Oct 19th.

Join me for the reception on Sept 13th from 6 -8pm.

What: Sunflowers & The Nature Of Being Solo Show Reception

When: September 13th, 2018 From 6pm-8pm

Where: Artel Gallery – 223 Palafox Pl, Pensacola, FL 32502

Why: Because it is AWESOME!

Posted on Leave a comment

Winning Is Always An Option If You Don’t Quit

As I approached the gallery I found myself wondering how in the world I was going to get the massive sculpture I constructed up the stairs. I had somehow managed to squeeze it into my car without damaging it, which I attributed to dumb luck.

Luck seemed to be on my side that morning, considering I had pulled into a parking spot right in front of the shiny and unending staircase into the gallery.

Nature Of Being Sculpture By Rafi Perez
Nature Of Being Sculpture By Rafi Perez

I’ve entered the juried art competitions at Artel Gallery a handful of times with varying results. I still remember the first piece I entered, which was rejected with no particular pomp and circumstance. It was laid off to the side with the other rejects waiting for me to glumly collect it, like picking up a child from detention.

That rejection had a devastating impact on my self esteem as an artist for some time. I had just started selling my art and gaining some traction with local collectors, and it caused me to feel like I wasn’t good enough to continue masquerading as an artist.

It wasn’t until several years later that I decided to enter another piece, which didn’t get rejected.

Rafi Perez Best In Show Artel Gallery
Rafi Perez Artel Gallery

The marble steps to the gallery blazed white in the hot sun, daring me to make a move. I had managed to get the sculpture out of the car without damaging it, knocking myself in the head only once.

The only idea that my mind could seem to muster that morning was to pick up the sculpture and maneuver the stairs as quickly as possible. The sculpture isn’t necessarily heavy, it’s just awkward to carry around, because like most sculptures, I didn’t design it to be carried around.

I prepared myself at the bottom of the mountainous stairs, glanced around to make sure no one was watching, and steadied my breath. One false move and all the work and effort that went into my art would be laying in pieces on the forbidding marble steps.

Rafi Perez Best In Show Artel Gallery
Rafi Perez Best In Show Artel Gallery

After deciding to enter my art again, I got pieces into four separate shows, won best of show, and had a solo show in their alcove. I also got rejected two more times, but it didn’t have an impact on my self esteem as an artist. Some might attribute the lack of feeling dejected to the fact that I had a couple years as a career artist under my belt, but I know plenty of seasoned artists who have a difficult time with any rejection.

I don’t have difficulty with rejection because after two years of avoiding art competitions, I finally realized that you can’t win if you don’t enter; and your art is not being rejected, it simply didn’t match the taste of the juror. The thing is, that art competitions don’t matter, but if you want to win one, you are going to have to face rejection. In fact, if you want to do anything awesome or important with your art career, you are probably going to face a lot of rejection and criticism.

If you want to be safe from rejection, then don’t put yourself out there, don’t do anything different from the norm, don’t try to have a voice, and definitely don’t become an artist.

Rafi Perez Solo Art Show 2017
Rafi Perez Solo Art Show 2017

Simply because someone rejects your artwork (or whatever it may be) doesn’t mean that you are worthless. It doesn’t have anything to do with you, and never will. A lot of people avoid thinking about being rejected or losing, but in my opinion it’s a good idea to think about that worst case scenario, and face the fear in your mind.

What if my piece gets rejected? How will I feel? What does it mean?

These could be hard questions, but until you ask yourself and question the validity of your answers, you are going to keep reacting in misery to rejection. The really cool thing about exploring these questions is that you don’t have to react at all, you can respond to the situation however you like.

My answers are less dramatic and devastating since I’ve had a chance to explore this topic and really decide how I want to respond to these questions and this particular type of rejection.

What if my piece gets rejected?

Then it get’s rejected. I pick it up, bring it home and probably sell it at some point in my lifetime. Who knows, it may win a prize at some other art competition… just didn’t suit the juror this time I guess.

How will I feel?

Fine, I have other more important things to focus on.

What does this mean?

Only what I think it means. If I think I’m a failure or a reject, that’s on me. This is an opportunity for me to show myself who I am, by the way I respond. I choose to respond by saying “Well, maybe next time… I got shit to do right now.”

Chasing Fairies By Rafi Perez
Chasing Fairies By Rafi Perez

I glanced around one more time, held my breath, and made a run for it. I verbally counted every step as I ascended the stairs with the agility of sloth in running shoes.

Out of breath and elated that I made it to the top, I stood there gleaming in victory. I then proceeded to scrape and bang my way awkwardly through the front door, hitting my head one more time for good measure. I placed the sculpture safely in the gallery lobby, signed it in, and breathed a sigh of relief.

By the way, it was number 13 in the roster… talk about dumb luck.

I had done it. I achieved something I thought was impossible to do on my own, willing to face humiliation and rejection for something I love and believe in… my art, my sense of fun, my freedom to be me.

Nature Of Being Sculpture By Rafi Perez
Nature Of Being Sculpture By Rafi Perez

Had I given up, after that first rejection it would have controlled me. I would have spent the rest of my life being afraid to face rejection, and I would have been filled with “what ifs”.

I don’t believe you actually fail, even if your art doesn’t get in. Even if you get rejected, or lose… I think you only fail if you give up… because that’s the one thing you have control over.

It’s sometimes easy to give up because things might seem hopeless or hard. I didn’t think I could possibly get the sculpture to the gallery on my own, but my belief in dumb luck took over, and I decided to try.

Good thing too, I won Best Of Show.

Recycled Art By Rafi Perez
Best Of Show Recycled Art By Rafi Perez

Posted on 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.

Nature Of Being Sculpture By Rafi Perez
Nature Of Being Sculpture By Rafi Perez

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.

Nature Of Being Sculpture By Rafi Perez
Nature Of Being Sculpture By Rafi Perez

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.

Nature Of Being Sculpture By Rafi Perez
Nature Of Being Sculpture By Rafi Perez

  • 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 Leave a comment

This Moment Is An Opportunity

As this week comes to a close, I look around my messy studio and ponder the events that lead up to this point. Several projects in their half finished state screaming for my attention, wanting the closure that all artistic creations seek.

Yet, in this myriad of untidy unrest I find myself happy.

Rafi in a messy art studio

Not because of the mess… I’m actually not fond of messes. I feel like your mind is a reflection of your surrounding, so a cluttered mind equals a cluttered house. In my case a holy crap batman studio equals a holy crap batman mind.

I think it’s because this week I was very deliberate about how I spent my time. I looked at every moment as a gift and decided to spend it doing something meaningful.

Rafi in a messy art studio

Now, I have a lot of projects that I’m working on, such as artworks, pieces for the art hunt, videos, planing an exhibition, so you would think my time is always pretty deliberate… but it’s not.

Recently, I had gotten in the habit of sitting on my couch in the studio and vegging out. Like full on, staring at nothing for who knows how long, minus the drool… that’s gross.

I realized that during that time, I wasn’t thinking about what I was thinking. I was just thinking random things and not necessarily noticing what I was thinking. It wasn’t good things either, I was complaining to myself about things and not even noticing that I was complaining.

Rafi in a messy art studio

So, I decided to pay attention, I was going to think about the things that I decided to think about, not just random happenstance.

And so, when I looked around today, I saw passion and a sense of love for what I do. I felt full… much better than sitting there mindlessly wondering what I would do if I was fighting a zombie dressed as a clown… Not that I wouldn’t take an opportunity to think about it, but it’s so much cooler when you do it deliberately.

So, what’s on your mind?

 

Posted on Leave a comment

Featured Artist At Jaco’s! You Are Invited!

Each month Jaco’s features a new artist whose work will hang on the walls of the restaurant for that month. The night of the reception they also have free wine tasting of that months featured wines.

Rafi at jacos

So, we have featured art, a featured artist (me), and featured wine (not me, but still awesome) at the same event, sitting right on the water… and YOU are invited!

Wednesday, December 6th from 5pm – 7pm at Jaco’s – 997 S Palafox St, Pensacola, FL 32502

I’m really excited about the pieces that I created for this particular show. I created a series in groupings of 2 or 3, each with it’s own message and story, it is 14 pieces all together.

Right Of The Wishing Tree (2)
I spent a few months planning and creating for the show.

The show will run at Jaco’s until January 3rd. I hope to see you all at the reception and share a wine tasting with you.

Here is a quick preview of some of the works for the show:

Amber Sunflower (1)
Golden Sunflower Series – 30X30 mixed medium and gold leafing on gallery wrapped canvas.

Birds On A Limb 1 (1)
On A Limb Series – 30X30 mixed medium on gallery wrapped canvas.

Dreams Of A Butterfly (1)
Dreaming Metamorphosis – 18X24 mixed medium on gallery wrapped canvas.

Blue Sky Horizon (1)
Horizon Series – 30X30 mixed medium on gallery wrapped canvas.

Left Of The Wishing Tree (1)
Magic Tree – 30X30 mixed medium on gallery wrapped canvas.

Posted on Leave a comment

Live Art Event You Wont Want To Miss Nov 17, 2017

This next Gallery Night I’m going to be a part of something that is both nerve-racking and exciting. Get ready for:

drawing rally

Art at the Annex: Drawing Rally

On Friday, November 17 from 6 PM – 9 PM, During Gallery Night, at The Cowork Annex (13 Palafox Pl.) is going to be an event that I have rarely experienced here in Pensacola.

Part live art-making performance, part arts community awareness. Watch as local artists create artworks from start-to-finish while under a three hour time limit in front of a live audience – who can silently bid on the works as they are made.

Are you kidding me?? That sounds amazing!!!

Glow In The Dark Live Painting At Vinyl 2016
Glow In The Dark Live Painting At Vinyl 2016

Join us for this exciting live event – including fire dancing performances, music by AnyDayDJ.Com, an interactive creation station, photo booth, and tours of downtown’s new cowork @nnex facilities! @rt at the @nnex is free and open to the public on 11.17 from 6-9pm – during downtown Pensacola Gallery Night.

Participating artists:
Josh Green, Jarrod Goldman, Famous Gabe, Loren Miller, Kenneth Jordan, Carter J. Gaston, Marina C. Quirk, Brennah St. Ores, Rafi Perez (hey that’s me!), Elizabeth Matthews, Wolfy Howell, Tina Ogden, Nate Lyle, Anne Gray, Angelenia Edwards and Lindsey Gray.

This is such an amazing group of artists, I am truly honored.

Rafi Perez Live Painting Empowerment
Rafi Perez Live Painting Empowerment

WHAT: Art at the Annex: Drawing Rally

WHERE: The Cowork Annex (13 Palafox Pl.)

WHEN: Friday, November 17 from 6 PM – 9 PM, During Gallery Night

WHY: Because it’s awesome!

To all my awesome artists friends, updated artist participation list online. Deadline for artist participation is Nov. 14th. Details and application online at leaderfineart.com/call-for-artists.