In 2017, we embarked on a journey across the US to witness the extraordinary spectacle of the solar eclipse. Standing beneath the celestial ballet, as the moon gracefully obscured the sun, was a moment of pure magic. It was a reminder of our place in the vast cosmos, simultaneously feeling small yet infinitely connected to the universe.
Now, in 2024, (April 8th) the anticipation surges once more as the trajectory of the solar eclipse brings it closer to home. Living less than an hour away from the path of totality feels like destiny unfolding. It’s as if the universe has conspired to grant us another opportunity to bask in its celestial glory.
For those who have never experienced the solar totality, it’s difficult to put into words the profound impact it can have. As the sky darkens and the world falls into a hushed reverence, there’s a palpable sense of awe that permeates the air. It’s a reminder of the wonders that exist beyond our daily routines and concerns, inviting us to pause and marvel at the beauty of existence.
The upcoming solar eclipse is not just a celestial event; it’s a rare opportunity to witness nature’s grandeur firsthand. With the next eclipse in our area not expected until 2099, the importance of seizing the moment becomes even more poignant. It’s a chance to create lasting memories and forge a deeper connection with the universe that surrounds us.
So, whether you’re a seasoned eclipse chaser or someone curious to witness this phenomenon for the first time, I urge you to step outside and join in the spectacle. Allow yourself to be swept away by the cosmic dance unfolding overhead. Let the experience remind you of the boundless wonders that await when we simply look up and embrace the magic of the universe.
This experience will leave you inspired. In the aftermath of the 2017 solar eclipse, its impact lingered in our minds long after the sun had reemerged from behind the moon. The experience had left an indelible mark on us, igniting our creativity and inspiring us in unexpected ways.
The result was a stunning work of art by Klee—a delicate pendant that shimmered with iridescence, reminiscent of the sun’s corona radiating outwards during totality. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, each facet of the jewelry reflected the mesmerizing beauty of the celestial event that had inspired it.
As the 2024 solar eclipse approaches, let’s come together to celebrate our place in the cosmos and revel in the beauty of the celestial ballet. It’s a reminder that, despite the chaos of our daily lives, there is always something extraordinary waiting to be discovered if we only take the time to look.
So mark your calendars, gather your loved ones, and prepare to witness a moment of pure magic. The 2024 solar eclipse is upon us, and it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.
This morning, amidst the ordinary rush to get my daily chores done, I found myself in a line at the grocery store, a place as mundane as any could be. Yet, it was here, between the aisles of cereals and canned goods, that I stumbled upon a reminder of the profound beauty embedded in our daily interactions.
As I stood there, meticulously arranging my groceries on the conveyor belt, I moved them forward and placed the small partition behind my items, an act as automatic as breathing. But today, this simple gesture caught the attention of the person standing behind me. A woman, her eyes meeting mine, expressed her gratitude with a gentle, “Thank you so much, sweetheart.” Such a small exchange, and yet, her words resonated with me deeply, stirring reflections on the power of kindness and the art of giving.
I love leaving small loving reminders around town for people to find.
It struck me then, how consumed we can become in a world that often emphasizes the act of receiving. We find ourselves in a relentless pursuit of what we can gain, overlooking the essence of what it truly means to give. And yet, here was a moment, as fleeting as it was, that illustrated the immense impact of giving, even in its simplest form. It served as a poignant reminder that love, in any shape or form, holds the power to transform the mundane into something truly meaningful.
Throughout my career, alongside Klee, we have endeavored to give as much as we possibly can. It’s a principle we’ve held dear, even though, especially in times of need, it’s easy to lose sight of this truth. The world can make you forget that at its core, it’s not about what you receive, but what you give that truly enriches your life and the lives of those around you.
So, on this day, moved by a moment of unexpected gratitude and reminded of the fundamental joy of giving, I wish to extend something beautiful to you. In the spirit of sharing love and light, I’m sharing a song we wrote some time ago. It’s more than just a melody to us; it’s a reflection of the peace and happiness we wish to spread in the world. My hope is that it will bring a smile to your face, warmth to your heart, and a reminder of the peace that comes not from receiving, but from the simple, profound act of giving. Listen to the song and I hope it brings a smile to your lips:
To everyone reading this, I adore you. Remember, amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, never underestimate the power of a small gesture, a kind word, or a moment of connection. These are the threads that weave the fabric of our humanity, binding us together in the tapestry of love and kindness.
The image above was taken in 2010 at the beginning of our artistic journey. This picture is the first step in us embracing our superpower. It’s a superpower that all creatives have inside. It is being you, with all your quirks and all your weirdness.
Today, we’re about to embark on a journey into the heart of what makes you not just an artist but a superhero in your own right – your uniqueness.
I’ve been deep in contemplation lately, navigating the twists and turns of my own creative path. Moving, life’s chaos, and a hiatus from art had left me grappling to rediscover my theme, my voice. And what stood in my way like a formidable adversary? Conformity.
Let’s call it what it is – conformity is the kryptonite for artists. It threatens to make us invisible, to drown out the very essence of what makes us special. But fear not, for embracing our uniqueness is the ultimate superpower.
In my artistic journey, I’ve found solace in embracing the quirks that make me, well, me. My artwork is fluid, a reflection of my rebellion against the meticulous finishing touches. There’s a rawness to it that my insecure side once questioned, but deep down, I adore it just the way it is.
Now, imagine your uniqueness as a melody within you, a rhythm that sets you apart from the symphony of the world. Every artist carries this unique tune, a blend of experiences, emotions, and perspectives – your artistic DNA. No two tunes are the same.
Conformity may seem like the easy path, but it’s a road that leads to invisibility. Picture it as trying to fit into a preset song, drowning out your individual tune. It might make you blend in, but it makes you vanish from the spotlight, turning you into background noise instead of the star of your own show.
Why is being unique a superpower? Because the world is noisy. Everyone is doing their thing, following trends. Standing out is not just crucial; it’s your signature move. Your uniqueness is the key to creating art that resonates profoundly because it comes from within you.
Now, let’s tackle the fear – the fear of being different, the fear of standing out. But here’s the truth: your uniqueness is not a weakness; it’s a strength. It’s your authenticity, your realness, and there’s nothing more powerful than authentic art. Stand in your confidence, surround yourself with those who celebrate diversity – fellow rogues who understand the value of being unique.
Experiment, explore, create your own path. Your uniqueness is your secret sauce, making your art memorable and incomparable. The road may be tough initially, with people struggling to understand your work. But keep putting it out there, for in time, they will compare it to your own unique journey.
Conformity is the silent killer of creativity. It stifles growth and hinders your own evolution. Embrace your uniqueness; it’s the antidote to invisibility. Don’t jump through hoops to fit in; stand out, for that is who you are.
So, how can you embrace your unique superpower? Start by accepting being different as a strength, not a weakness. Your uniqueness makes you authentic, real, and powerful.
Don’t be afraid to experiment, explore, and create your own way of doing things. The more you embrace your uniqueness, the louder it will resonate in the world. Your artwork will become more popular as you gain confidence in your own way of creating.
At the end of the day, remember this – your unique melody, the voice inside you, is your superpower. Don’t struggle to fit in, for your conformity might make you blend in, but it’s your uniqueness that will make you stand out. Stay unique, stay awesome, keep creating, keep dancing to your own beat, and embrace the rhythm that is your uniqueness.
I adore each and every one of you, Until next week, adios!
I have answered a lot of letters over the years from artists who want to know my opinion on living the artist’s life. I am compiling those letters into a book that I am very excited about. Here is one of those letters. This is a response to someone who wanted to give up because they did a couple of art shows and didn’t sell anything.
Dear Artist,
Greetings and creative vibes to you today! After reading your letter, I found myself immersed in a thought that I believe is crucial for us as artists, creators, and individuals on this incredible journey. It’s all about how we convey our message to the world – whether it’s through our art, at shows, on social media, or any other form of expression.
I know people out there may say to paste on a smile and keep presenting yourself to the world that way. That people will follow people that are confident and showing off the highlight reel is important. That is a terrible way to live and it is quite isolating. Instead, let’s focus on something deeper… something real – the way we communicate. Whether you’re selling at a show or creating content, your true feelings are bound to seep into your message. It’s like the lines between the lines, subtly revealing your emotions, no matter how hard you try to mask them.
You’re at a show, desperately trying to sell your creations. Feeling ignored and at wit’s end, you try to interact with people in a way that will bring a sale. Despite your friendly facade, that desperation is what people will sense. It puts them off. What is churning underneath will always come to the surface no matter how hard you try to hide it.
In that moment you feel victimized by the unfairness of it all. The desperation takes over. You NEED to sell something, you NEED to be validated, and You NEED to prove that you are good enough. However, in every situation, you have a choice – to feel like a victim or to feel empowered. You can either let circumstances and outcomes control you, or you can embrace your power, make decisions, and shape your own narrative.
When you feel stuck, when those clouds of doubt or stress loom over, they have the power to tarnish your outlook and hinder your creativity. But, here’s the thing – your priorities, your creative energy, they are yours to define. It’s all about the message you’re putting out there, not who is listening.
In our creative pursuits, we often face challenges, struggles, and uncertainties. But here’s the secret sauce – you have the ability to choose how you react to anything. You can either let these challenges define you, or you can rise above the noise.
I have shown my art at festivals and galleries hundreds of times, and I can tell you that there will be days when nothing happens. No sales, no conversations, no attention, and no validation. In those moments, you have to go inside and determine how you can take that experience and make it a powerful motivator to keep going. How it is all a notch on your belt and necessary for the evolution of becoming an artist who is unstoppable by circumstance.
I understand that society doesn’t often encourage us to explore and express our true feelings, the overarching emotional state that colors our interactions. Yet, it’s there, it’s palpable, and people can sense it. So, let’s be intentional about the energy we project into the world. Most importantly, the energy we project into ourselves.
Remember, we all have struggles, and that’s okay. What matters most is how you choose to face them. Self-sabotage is a real thing, and the first step to overcoming it is acknowledging it. So, let’s stand strong, confront our challenges, and convey our messages with unwavering confidence. It is in those moments of darkness that we can find our power.
I believe in you, but take these opportunities to believe in yourself. Take these opportunities to show yourself how strong you are. Take these opportunities to pick yourself back up and move forward despite the obstacles.
Welcome to the chaotic haven that is my studio! Today, I’m diving in with a mind as blank as a fresh canvas—yes, you heard it right, my brain’s on vacation. But don’t worry, I come bearing announcements that might just make your morning!
First things first: major life update! My daughter has parachuted into this artistic universe of mine, causing delightful chaos and a whirlwind of adjustments. We’re currently in the eye of the storm, navigating these uncharted waters, but oh boy, it’s a crazy adventure and I couldn’t be more thrilled!
Creativity With My Daughter In The Studio
Now, onto the second tidbit—massive thanks to all you wonderful souls who’ve snagged a Rafi 2024 limited edition calendar! They’re selling like hotcakes, but, there are still a few left. Wanna snatch one for yourself? Just hit that link down below and voila! Your year is about to get artfully organized.
And drumroll, please! The free masterclass has finally emerged from the depths of editing purgatory! It’s live on our courses section, on our rogue community site waiting for eager creative minds like yours to absorb its brilliance. No emails are required and no fuss—just pure, unadulterated knowledge.
In the masterclass, we discuss the nitty-gritty of an artist’s journey. Now, I may sound like a cheesy motivational speaker every once in a while, but bear with me. One major hurdle for us artists isn’t out there in the big bad world, it’s right in our heads. Yup, it’s all about managing our business, time, and well, that little thing called life.
And here’s the golden rule—no sacrificing our soul for a sack of gold coins. It’s about making your mark in your own authentic way, becoming your own niche. The process? Seizing the reins of your career and feeling empowered to march forward in your creative conquest.
So just dive in and soak up our Rogueness like a sponge.
So, that’s the scoop for today. I might not have dropped any comedic bombs or life-altering revelations, but hey, we’re a family here, right? And sometimes, even I have days where words seem to evade me. But guess what? You guys are incredible, and I adore each and every one of you. Have a brilliantly creative week! Adios for now!
The Holiday season has come and gone. As Klee and I prepared for our long winter nap and reflection, I was struck by an important question. Who are you today? I mean, I know who I am, right? Surprisingly, the answer is no. The fact is that we change and evolve with every experience we have.
Listening to the gusts of wind and snow pummel my house, I was taken back to my childhood and some experiences and people that helped make me who I am today. These moments, conversations, struggles, and highlights taught me valuable lessons. However, if I am candid with myself, it is just a narrative I have repeated so much that it has become a reality. Everything I remember from my past is a construct of my design. I watched much TV as a kid and absorbed characters like Mr. Rogers and Bob Ross. They impacted me by introducing me to something I wasn’t surrounded by. Hope. But was it real?
Maybe it was the holidays or that Klee and I decided to take some time off from all the craziness and reset, but I can’t help wondering why I do what I do.
Anyone following our journey knows the last few years have been full of adventurous tales.
Rafi and Klee are waiting for a call from realtor
Some of you know that we moved last year, and to say it has been a crazy rollercoaster ride is an understatement. Let’s be honest, the last few years have been a bit of an insane ride, and I finally feel like we are getting to some semblance of normal. Well, normal for us. As I reflect, I think about how our lives changed dramatically and the toll it took on us.
The true craziness started in 2020 when the world shut down, and everyone fought amidst a pandemic. Klee and I spent a lot of time navigating the changes that would have to come with our art business. No longer able to do local shows for income, we needed to adapt and change our strategy. As we watched our bank account dwindle, we struggled to find footing. The truth is, spending a lot of time indoors and away from others wasn’t bothering us at all. Klee and I are artists. That’s normal for us. We spend a lot of time in our studio. We also really like each other, so nothing much had changed. It felt like the world around us was changing, or maybe we were paying closer attention since we weren’t distracted by markets and shows. Things sometimes felt a bit dark, but we kept our spirits up.
Because we needed to take a new direction, we focused a little more on connecting with artists online. We started a community of Rogue artists from all over the world. We wanted to create a safe place for creatives to interact and share ideas. We began to invest more time in our online efforts. We built a community, started a podcast, and uploaded more videos. We also supported the artists in our local area whenever we could. Then hurricane Sally hit our area, and everything shut down twice over. To say that 2020 was challenging doesn’t quite sum up the year. Let’s say the term dumpster fire is a better description.
Rafi And Klee Zoom Meetings During 2020
Enter 2021, and things are slowly coming out of the worst of the pandemic, but there are still a lot of heightened emotions and arguments in the world. As much as people wanted to talk and argue politics, I wanted nothing to do with that conversation. At this point, we had our eyes set on moving, but we were still trying to navigate the financial effects of 2020. I was writing my second and third books, organizing the art for a large exhibition, planning an adventure to the north, and figuring out how to afford to purchase a new home.
We had wanted to move from the apartment we had been living in for a while. The truth is we had outgrown it years earlier, and other factors involved made it a somewhat challenging environment for what we do. With every year that passed, the challenges became more prominent. Every year, however, we would put it off until the following year. This was most likely due to fear. As much as we wanted to move, we knew how to navigate our environment, which was comfortable (as in our comfort zone, which has nothing to do with real comfort). We finally reached a point where we had no other option but to move on and leave the apartment behind. Things had gotten beyond challenging, and we were determined to escape the situation we had put ourselves in by living in the apartment. We decided that even if we had to live in our car, get rid of everything, and start over again, we were willing to do that. It was time for a change.
Of course, the odds were stacked against us. Self-employed artists are at the lowest rung of banking loan opportunities, but we didn’t care this time. We were going to make it happen. Towards the end of the year, we gathered what we had saved from successful art shows and proceeded to travel the country and look for a new home. We eventually landed in Oil City, which had an artist’s relocation program to revitalize this once-boom town. The city is beautiful, and we found a house that we immediately fell in love with. It was our dream home. Our offer was accepted, and it was time to return, pick up our belongings, and start our new life.
Upon arriving at the apartment, we found that a leak from an air-conditioner had devastated Klee’s jewelry bench and tools. The water had also gotten underneath the protective tarp surrounding the studio. This meant that we would have to tear things down at a hurried pace. Exhausted from our travels, we jumped into taking the studio apart, buying a house long distance, organizing another art show, collecting art from around town, and getting ready to move our lives across the country.
Klee trying to recover her damaged jewelry bench and tools
The studio was shut down during all this, and we could not take any orders. This meant we were not making any money.
It was a month of constant exhaustion and heavy lifting that ended with us throwing everything into a 26-foot U-Haul before our landlords showed up with their own Uhaul (who needed us to move ours out of the way, but that’s a whole other story). We put our jeep on the tow dolly and navigated our way to our new town, stopping to nap at a Truckstop and racing against time to make it to our new home for the closing.
Once we were at the house, the challenges continued. We knew that buying an older home would require updates and repairs. However, we did not expect no-shows, delays, and a lack of good contractors. The house needed new electrical, plumbing, and other repairs before we could open our studio. At this point, the studio had been shut down for months.
Finally, eight months into 2021, we opened the art studio and jumped right into taking commissions and opening up our online store. We were in our dream home, and life was good. However, it was nonstop, and my body couldn’t take it anymore. The move and pushing my body too far caused debilitating pain. I pushed on anyhow.
We organized a two-month gallery show, released two books, music, volunteered, and worked on commissions all while we did repairs for our new home and built our lives back up. All the while feeling like we would never catch up and get back on track. We pushed through the holiday orders and finally got to a place where we could catch our breath.
Honestly, all of this would have been fine, it is just the luck of being busy as an artist who just moved to a new town. However, on the back end, everything we had in place to run our art business was old and outdated. Systems needed an overhaul, and everything was more complicated than it needed to be.
Enter the break.
Towards the end of 2022, we decided to take a few months off to get ourselves organized and restructured. During that time, we released the last audiobook, built a Rogue Artist Community site, created systems for our business (giving us more time for creativity), finished building our art studio, and updated our website and webstore.
Another artist I know said, “I’m jealous. I wish we could take a few months off and relax.”
Relaxing is next on our list lol.
My reflection on these last few years has taught me that no matter what is thrown at you, nothing can stand in your way as long as you are determined to keep going. However, making time for self-care and relaxation is paramount. We may be able to climb mountains, but you have to stop and rest along the way.
I can sit here and bitch about all the struggles we have had, but honestly, that’s just life. How we handle them and reflect is really what matters. We may still be recovering physically and financially, but what drives me forward is the same thing I was introduced to as a child. Hope. The difference is I surround myself with it now.
Life is an exciting roller coaster for creative people trying to make a living with their creativity. The truth is, it is not an easy road. No matter how long you manage to make it work, you will run into a few hiccups here and there. With the internet today, there is a lot of advice for artists, some good, some bad, and some that are just complete bullcrap. Klee and I have a YouTube channel, a podcast, resources, we put art shows together, and published books meant to help those creative souls. Still, none of that is going to make the journey easy. In fact, our road isn’t all unicorn farts and rainbows.
The fact of the matter is that life is an ever-evolving and complicated thing. We recently moved, had to do repairs, and are currently in a rat race to get caught up both emotionally and financially. It is easy to feel like everything is not going how you want it to go, especially when you are waiting for a check to come in the mail and it never shows up. However, life is also wonderful, but even the most seasoned artists can make things complicated. We all know how to move forward without allowing stress to take over. The problem is that knowing is not doing.
Even though we all know what is truly best for us, we don’t always follow that path. It will eventually come back and bite you in the butt. My recent experience with burnout is a great example. Instead of enjoying the ride and making the most of it, I was allowing my days to get consumed by worry. This caused a downward spiral that I don’t wish on anyone.
Let’s be honest, worry doesn’t accomplish anything. It hinders your ability to move forward. In my case, it zapped my creativity, caused me to make poor choices, and didn’t allow me to see blaring red flags. This road is difficult enough, and being worried makes it almost impossible to navigate.
So, what do you do?
Stop thinking, and start doing. Clear your mind of all the bull and put one foot in front of the other until you get your joy back. Focus on what you appreciate and not what is going wrong. I know, it sounds like some crap that some self-help guru might be trying to pawn off on you, but it is true. You are either paralyzed by worry or striding forward and not giving a rip.
Here are mantras I take action on when I find myself in a creative slump or a downward spiral.
My priorities are mine, and I’m not in charge of anybody else’s priorities.
Just get up and do it, whatever “IT” is.
Take 10 minutes daily to clear your mind and focus on what is going right.
Slow down. Enjoy your food and focus on every single bite.
Surround yourself with people who inspire you.
Everything is possible. Spend at least ten minutes focused on that.
Don’t spend your time “repairing” relationships blindly. Evaluate and move on if you have to.
Get boots on the ground, and stop thinking and planning.
Put yourself out there and enjoy the process.
Create art, practice, experiment, and make a mess.
Don’t wallow on what went wrong. Look for the lesson and move on.
Agree to disagree and move on. Stop trying to win the argument.
Enjoy the moment, every moment. Life is happening right now.
Share moments with people you love.
Take five minutes to stop and breathe deeply throughout the day.
Define your own success and screw what anyone else thinks.
Live for the moments, not what you own.
Love the badass that looks back at you in the mirror.
Take ownership of your life, it’s not up to anyone else what you do.
Don’t get desperate, and do not make choices while feeling desperate.
Practice listening to your gut.
Look at your life like it is your most significant art in progress.
Sure, the journey might be arduous, but you can make it whatever you want it to be. What’s holding you back from making it fun? Are you waiting for other people to take you seriously? Are you waiting for someone to do it for you? Only you are responsible for your life. Only you can make the choice to keep talking or start doing it. Live your life the way you want to live.
If you do nothing, nothing happens.
It will not happen overnight, and if you have a habit of stressing out all the time, you will try and sabotage yourself to return to that status quo. However, only you can take yourself out of that pattern and embrace the awesomeness that is you.
Don’t wait around. Don’t hope that someone saves you. Just pick yourself up and do it. Getting yourself past self-sabotage is the hard part. This is the struggle. It is not what you might have blamed in the past. It’s not the things that went wrong, or the people who made things harder. It is you who needs to take responsibility for your life and how you want to live.
Success isn’t about fame, fortune, subscribers, likes, or anything outside of you. It’s about being who YOU want to be. Living the life YOU want to live, and feeling how YOU want to feel.
People often ask me, “What inspires you and your art?” At that moment, people expect me to say something like “Picasso, Warhol, or Dali.”
Although the great masters of the past inspire me, their art doesn’t inspire me at all.
Oh, sure, I may grab some ideas from here or there because I find something fascinating in the art. However, when it comes to inspiration, the things that inspire me have more to do with life than the products of life.
Let me explain.
What we create always comes from inside of us. It comes from that place where we absorb the world around us. It’s the stuff of life. Although just about every creative endeavor you witness expresses the artist’s journey, it is their interpretation. In fact, when you resonate with a work of art, it is because you have written your own narrative for it. It’s a beautiful thing. At that moment, the art becomes a collaboration between you and the artist. Ultimately, the artist sees one thing, and you may see something totally different. You see an image that may symbolize a moment in time in your life, but you can never really put yourself in the artist’s shoes. The art then becomes something even more powerful and transcends into synergy.
Recently Klee and I took a long road trip to Illinois for my daughter’s wedding. It had been two years or even longer, since we had seen anyone in the family (due to the year that shall not be named, and pandemic).
We were excited. That being said, there was also a good amount of mental preparation. Obviously, anyone with a family knows that sometimes you will have to deal with some quirkiness that is unique to your family dynamic.
Those things, those conversations, those smiles, those interactions, those quiet conversations, those heated moments, that laughter, the sadness, and all of it, are part of the stuff of life. All of it is part of what inspires us. These are the things that can knock us down or pick us up. These are the things that show us the lessons of who we are or what we want to be. These things allow us to overcome or fall flat on our faces.
These are the things that inspire my art.
It’s not Picasso’s art. It’s Picasso’s life that I’m fascinated by. Art is simply an expression of how he looked at the world. How ANY artist sees the world. It is merely an expression of how they saw the things that we can all take for granted.
In this world of hustle and being busy, it’s easy to let life pass us by. It’s easy to forget the little moments. It’s easy to look at the destination and forget the journey altogether.
Inspiration surrounds us. It comes from those moments of overcoming. It comes from those moments of absolute joy, and it comes from those moments of heartache. This is what inspires innovation and creativity. Many of us believe that we have to think our way through things. That we have to figure this or that out. But in reality, thinking doesn’t really get us anywhere. Usually, we exhaust ourselves by overthinking and take a break from it, that’s when feelings finally get their say and the solution comes to us. This is inspiration.
Feelings are powerful. Most people try to suppress or hide their feelings, yet feelings express our ultimate truth. So, if you’ve ever been taught to hide your feelings, it means that you’ve been taught to hide who you are, your authentic self, and the way you process and see the world. We have been led to believe that our feelings make us vulnerable, yet only in that vulnerability can we find our strength. It takes vulnerability to truly fall in love with life, yourself, and other humans.
Ultimately, at the end of the day, the things that inspire me are the things that I get to experience. Only because I allowed myself to be there fully in my feelings and not question the moment with brain chatter.
Things like watching my beautiful daughter walk down the aisle. That is a lovely moment in time. That is something that will inspire my art. In fact, I’m planning on creating work specifically for them based on my interpretation of that beautiful day.
There are so many things in life that we can focus on. I feel like sometimes we’re trained to focus on the things that really, ultimately, at the end of the day, don’t matter. What really matters is the fact that right now, you are breathing.
You are experiencing life and feeling your way through it right now.
So if your focus is on something that ultimately doesn’t matter, that may mean you’re stuck in your head.
I suggest just being out of your mind. That is where I like to spend most of my time. There’s no better place to be for true inspiration.
It can be very easy to feel small sometimes. The world is so big. The universe is massive. Time keeps moving. In the grand scheme of things our life is but a speck on the camera lens. Yet, we are so much more than we may realize.
We were all born with this amazing power within us. Many people don’t seem to acknowledge the gifts that they have and instead choose to conform to the status quo. It saddens me to see these magical people never go for the things they want out of life. They choose to live what is considered a normal life by the people around them. Never willing to take that first step. Why is that?
CHANGE IS SCARY. Some of us resist change at all costs. We may do this because we fear that a change will alter the stability we feel. We can be habitual creatures who tend to feel a sense of safety and security when we know what to expect. The problem is that everything changes and evolves. Everything grows and nothing will stay the same, resisting change may lead to a comfortable stagnation in your life. Embracing and becoming comfortable with change allows you to expect the unexpected and not be controlled by fear. It allows you to challenge yourself to believe that no matter what circumstances or situations arise, you will be able to navigate them.
NOT WORTH TAKING THE RISK. Let’s be honest, not changing can be a risk. However, change is often more associated with risk. Taking a chance on yourself and following your dreams is a risk. Going against the grain is a risk. Creating an art career is a risk. Driving your car to the store is a risk. Everything in life is risky. We tend to forget that we take calculated risks hundreds of times a day in the smallest of decisions. We make determinations and predict outcomes all the time, but at the end of the day, big or small, they’re all just guesses. Following your dreams feels risky because you may have spent many years talking yourself out of it. The question isn’t “is it risky?” because everything is. The question is, are you willing to face the risks? Do you believe that YOU have what it takes to persist through the suck?
If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery–isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you’ll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you’re going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It’s the only good fight there is.
We all have our own gifts to bring to the world. It could be music, art, poetry, books, leadership, innovation, architecture, love, a smile, conversation, or anything. If these gifts are not making it into the world because you are afraid of the change it will bring or it is too much of a risk, remember your power. The only way these gifts can manifest is by the investment in yourself, believing in yourself, and being willing to go all the way. Persist through the suck. You have the power within you to leave the world a little different than when you came into it.
You are special, you are worth it, and you can do anything you set your mind on. Everything we see around us was created by a human who persisted through the suck, and held onto a desire to live life beyond what they know.
We’ve ALL had those moments where we are sitting in front of a blank canvas and wondering if our sense of creativity left town. We’ve also all had the moments where you are sitting in front of a work of art and suddenly you are overtaken by the idea that everything you touch turns into a steaming pile of crap.
Today Klee and I recorded a podcast where we were talking about the creative process and remembering your greatness as an artist and human.
I think a lot of artists are under the assumption that professional artists know exactly what they’re doing from beginning to end. I can tell you right now, that that is bullshit. None of us know what we are doing when it comes to the creative process.
One thing I could tell you as a bumbling artist, trying to make this creative life a thing, is that the creative process behind the artwork is not as mysterious as a lot of people would love to make it seem.
When you are blocked or you feel like the art you’ve worked on for the last few days should be set on fire, it’s easy to want to give up. In my opinion, the most important part is where I remind myself that no matter what, I am going to be able to figure something out. I remember that something is going to come to me, I am going to move forward, I’m not going to allow myself to quit.
Honestly, the only reason that I get any of the artwork done is because of that mentality, no matter how much the art feels like it sucks, that I suck, or that I’m a horrible artist, I just keep going.
When I feel like I’m never going to make this thing work… I just keep going, knowing that it’s little tweaks here and little tweaks there. Sometimes it’s changing direction.
I allow myself to keep going because I believe that in some way shape or form, I am going to eventually get to the end where I make it work.
It is ultimately a collaborative experience between you and the art. The process is allowing yourself to make changes on the fly to allow the art to take form as it does.
The creative process in of itself is kind of like life, you get thrown some ups and downs, twists and turns, and you have to improvise. You have to keep moving forward in order to get to where it is that you want to get to. Even when there are obstacles and especially when things are not going your way.
The secret to creating anything as an artist is understanding that whatever it is that you’re working on, is not going to work out, it’s going to look like crap, it’s going to look like a big piece of garbage… and that’s ok.
Before it starts to look like the masterpiece, it is going to resemble a crap-turd.
In the podcast, Klee outlines three creative processes:
You know what you’re going to create, or you have an idea of what you’re going to create, but you don’t have the steps to get there.
You know what you’re going to create, and you have all the steps to get there.
You have no idea what you’re going to create, and you have no steps to get there.
Each one of those has its value, but each and every single one of those still requires you to be flexible, and be really good to yourself in the creative process.
The fact of the matter is that when you are creating anything, whether you’re creating art, or you’re creating your life, you’re going to run into roadblocks.
You’re going to run into situations that are going to cause you to think that maybe you suck because the situation or the artwork that you’re creating sucks.
In those cases, the most important thing you can do is to remember your greatness.
Your greatness as an artist, your greatness as a human, your general compassion, your unique way of seeing the world, and your ability to pick yourself up after you fall.
Be good to yourself in those moments, because that is the only way that you’ll be able to take the next step and keep going.
FAM JAM Festival May 18, 2024 at 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
2 Central Ave, Oil City, PA 16301
Come watch Rafi and Klee create art and jewelry demonstrations at the Fam Jam festival.
Red Brick Gallery Exhibition Reception And Poetry June 2, 2024 at 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
17 Main St, Foxburg, PA 16036, USA
Join us at Redbrick Gallery for some awesome art from myself and other local artists. Poets will recite poetry written about the art in this awesome group show..
The Manos Gallery 24 Minis Reception September 7, 2024 at 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
320 E 5th Ave, Tarentum, PA 15084, USA
Join us for this amazing group show and witness a collection of mini art from myself and 42 other fantastic artists.
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