Posted on Leave a comment

Rafi And Klee Interviewed For Mini-Doc

Rafi And Klee Interview Vivid Bridge Studios

Yesterday morning, as I walked into the kitchen bleary eyed and searching frantically for my coffee cup, it dawned on me that someone would be pointing a camera at my face that day.

Klee was already up and getting ready, she kissed me good morning as she hurried by holding her hair up in a bun.

I pathetically waved back… yeah, I needed coffee.

It’s in those moments, before you are about to embark on something that you’ve never done before, that the little voice of doubt sets in.

Rafi And Klee Interview Vivid Brigde Studios
Rafi And Klee Interview Vivid Bridge Studios

We have been interviewed before, but never something like this. A mini documentary? About us?!

As I sat there drinking my coffee I wondered if I would be interesting enough, funny enough, photogenic enough, or even have the ability to string together a coherent sentence.

Klee on the other hand is brilliant at stringing together sentences and getting to the point, and let’s be honest, she is also much more photogenic.

Rafi And Klee Interview Vivid Brigde Studios
Rafi And Klee Interview Vivid Bridge Studios

My biggest fear is rambling on and forgetting what I was talking about in the first place. I tend to talk about a subject and go off on tangents, eventually circling around to what we were originally talking about… but sometimes, it’s like I’m standing in the kitchen with the refrigerator door open, wondering why I’m there.

Rafi And Klee Interview Vivid Bridge Studios
Rafi And Klee Interview Vivid Bridge Studios

As it turns out the experience was quite amazing, and all my fears melted away once we got started.

Jon Deckert from Vivid Bridge Studios came in with what seemed like an arsenal of compact, high tech, noninvasive equipment that fit our small space in the art studio quite well.

We had met with Jon Deckert and Doug Stanford a few weeks earlier for coffee and to discuss their idea of doing a mini-doc on us. So I had met him before, but only briefly.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but Jon was awesome. Not only did he know how to wield his equipment with artistic accuracy, but he was amiable and genuine. He made the experience fun and interactive. I mean, it felt like the camera evaporated and I was just sitting there having a pleasant conversation with someone who was interested in what I had to say.

Rafi And Klee Interview Vivid Brigde Studios
Rafi And Klee Interview Vivid Bridge Studios

I could clearly see that he had a creative vision of what he wanted to capture, but was also flexible and adaptable to the space and our ideas. His main goal seemed to be to capture the best possible moments he could without interrupting our flow.

I am really excited to see what they come up with at Vivid Bridge Studios, in my opinion their work is creative, beautiful, artistic, and some of the best I’ve seen.

That being said, I did go off on tangents a lot while being interviewed… So they have a lot of video to edit. Luckily, I did manage to string together coherent sentences, kinda.

The mini doc is currently in post production and I’ll let you guys know as soon as that is made available.

By the way, in the old days, I think I would’ve passed up this opportunity simply because once self doubt sets in, it’s easy to talk yourself out of doing something you think is scary. I can honestly say that more often than not the voices of self doubt are wrong, and even when they might be right, it is never as scary as you imagine. So nowadays, I just go for it… and it is ALWAYS worth it.

If you are interested in finding out more about Vivid Bridge Studios, they are Pensacola’s video production & photography studio. They empower businesses, organizations or brands to promote and market their stories through video and photography. Just a really fun and super creative bunch of folks.

 

 

 

Posted on Leave a comment

The Nature Of Being Who You Are

Recently I finished three pieces in a series called The Nature Of Being. This series has evolved over the last four years from beautiful crudely dripped forms to detailed flowing figures, but the message remains the same.

It represents our purest form of growth.

NOB-3-8

We find ourselves on this blue ball hurtling through space and time, constantly in search of meaning. The whole while we are almost overcome by our immediate circumstances, and our world seems to only consist of what is around us. Our fears, triumphs, and aspirations revolve around the ideas we consume growing up.

But our world is so much bigger than that, and we all feel it. We all go out and search for meaning in something to fill that sense of missing. We can find personal meaning in our job, hobby, marriage, kids, religion, clothing style, etc.

NOB-2-1

But rarely do we look for meaning in things that are not outside of us, but simply in being.

I feel like I’ve been running around my entire life trying to find my purpose in things that are fleeting, when the one constant in my life has been the possibility of having a relationship with myself and finding meaning there.

This series is about being rooted here and now in your world, yet constantly growing and reaching higher than you ever have, naturally and organically. It’s about being flexible and naked to the world and showing yourself as you are, never hiding behind a facade of fear.

NOB-1-6

Growth, in my opinion, is not about how much you know, or how powerful you are, or the things you’ve collected, it’s about finding that sense of perfection in the simplicity of life. Not worrying about the opinions of others, or how they perceive you.

It’s about stopping, looking, listening, smelling, feeling, sensing, while you experience the fullness of every moment of your miraculous life.

We tend to get lost in our minds, thinking about our problems, looking for solutions, and missing out on the wonderment that it is to breathe a single breath.

Find meaning in you, your experience, in the now, that’s where it’s at.

-Rafi

NOB-All

 

 

 

Posted on Leave a comment

You Are Invited To p-ART-y With Us

As I sit here looking at my schedule for this weekend, I can’t help but think “Wow, this is pretty awesome!”

Ok, so let’s get right into it, This Friday, it’s all about Gallery Night, graffiti, and a pop up gallery. This Saturday, it’s about a leisurely stroll through a beautiful downtown market. Sunday it’s all about wine, art, and a boardwalk on the water.

What do all these things have in common? Us… Klee and I will be attending and being a part of all three. So, I am inviting you to join us in the fun.

FIRST UP:

artattheannex

WHAT: Art at the Annex: Graffiti/Street Art PopUp

WHEN: Friday, October 20th, 2017 at 4 PM – 8 PM

WHERE: 13 Palafox Place in downtown Pensacola

HOW MUCH: FREE

WHY: Because it’s awesome, duh.

Leader Art Consultants and cowork annex have partnered to bring an exciting new series of monthly PopUp exhibits to downtown Pensacola’s Gallery Night.

The October @rt at the @nnex PopUp is a celebration of urban contemporary art by local graffiti and street artists. 27 original works by 14 local artists – including a 20 ft. collaborative locker mural by artists Nate Lyle and Brandon Barnhart. Works include everything from graffiti on canvas and found objects to street art inspired abstracts, photographs and video projection.

Featured Artists:
Nate Lyle | Cheese Rawsteen | Presto St. | Andrew Grasty | Dumb Person | Angelita Poindexter | Rafi Perez | Rachael Pongetti | Cassidy Seibert | Alec Garcia | Lucky Girl | Brandon Barnhart | Sam Earley, Christopher Mills

NEXT UP:

Palafox Market Rafi Perez

WHAT: The Palafox Market

WHEN: Saturday, October 21st, 2017 at 9 AM – 2 PM

WHERE: N. Palafox St., in Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, between Wright St. and Chase St.

HOW MUCH: FREE

WHY: Because it’s awesome, again…

Fresh produce, live plants, baked goods, fine art, and antiques are just a few of the items offered by all of us at the Palafox Market in Downtown Pensacola. Items originate directly from onsite vendors who grow, make, or create the fruits, vegetables, herbs, and art for sale. There is no buy/sell items, they are all awesome and real.

AND FINALLY:

artandwine_page_2017

WHAT: Art and Wine Festival

WHEN: Sunday, October 22nd, 2017 at 11 AM – 4 PM

WHERE: Pensacola Beach Boardwalk

HOW MUCH: FREE/ Wine Tasting prices above.

WHY: Because… Wine, Art, and did I mention wine?

 

Posted on Leave a comment

Come and Have Fun With Me

This has been a monumentally busy week for me, which is good. Here’s what I’ve done, where I’ll be, and some cool pieces I’ve created. If you are out and about this weekend in Pensacola, Florida come by and check it all out.

First off, if you are in Pensacola tonight, I am doing a live painting for Gallery Night 10/21/16. I’ll be out in Front of Marty Campbell Gallery, 114 Palafox Place, Downtown Pensacola from 4-8pm.

Rafi Perez Live Painting Empowerment
Rafi Perez Live Painting Empowerment

Then, on Saturday, October 22 I’ll be at the Palafox Market from 9am-2pm with all my wares… Paintings actually, not wares. We are located right across the street from Sole Inn and Suites.

Rafi and Klee
Rafi and Klee

 

On Sunday, October 23rd from 11am-4pm we will be at the Art and Wine Festival on the Portofino Boardwalk in Pensacola Beach.

art-and-wine-fest-2016

 

Should make for a fun weekend!

Also, I have works up at Artel Gallery, The Pensacola Interstate Fair Fine Art Exhibit, and I am entering my Day of the dead piece for First City Arts Center and Foo Foo Fest Celebration on November 3rd – more info on that later.

Day of The Dead Rafi Perez

I’m sure I’m forgetting something that’s going on in the future, but this is where I’ll be for this weekend.

Come by and say “Hola!” I love that!

-Rafi

 

Posted on Leave a comment

What Is Even Going On?

So, you might think that I’m having a bad week after reading the title of this article. Nothing could be further from the truth, I’m actually having a pretty awesome week.

So good in fact, that I found myself pausing for a moment, staring blankly into the studio and asking myself “What is even going on?”

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

Sunday, after a facing my unlikely fear, of people relentlessly pointing and laughing at my art, I entered my art into a juried art show. Later that evening I received a phone call that would determine my fate.

It was Artel Gallery, telling me that two of my art pieces got into the show… and that one of them, won best in show.

I was like “Whaaaaaaaaaat??” Needless to say, I was excited.

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

Then, earlier this week I was able to finalize some art clothing designs. I’ve been working on these for a while and didn’t think I’d be able to pull it off. I wanted something new to offer before the end of the year. They look so awesome, and the response has been great so far. Let me know what you think, I’ll be releasing new designs in November.

Clothing By Rafi Perez
Clothing By Rafi Perez

Then, today I found out that I was voted “Best Of The Coast 2016 Artist” by inweekly. Which is so awesome to me, and I am so grateful to all the people that voted for me. I literally froze in disbelief, so amazing.

inweekly Best of The Coast 2016
inweekly Best of The Coast 2016

Then, I got an email telling me that my book has been approved for national distribution. It is now carried by Barnes & Noble, Amazon Books, and other national book retailers. Check it out!

The Art Of Rafi First Edition
The Art Of Rafi First Edition

So, basically it’s been a pretty awesome week. Thank you so much for your continued support, I appreciate you so much!

I’ll write a little more about these exciting things in detail at some point. For now, we are getting ready for a two day festival, and the studio is electrified with energy.

But, I just couldn’t help myself, I had to share with you.

Posted on Leave a comment

Downtown Pensacola Mural Is Finished… Kinda

Recently someone asked me:

“hey, did you ever finish that mural you were working on downtown?”

“Yes… Kinda… Well, I still have to varnish it.”

Mural Design By Rafi Perez
Mural Design By Rafi Perez

The mural is officially finished, and ready for your viewing pleasure, but I have to put the protective coating on it. I was going to wait until it got a bit cooler, but based on a recent text message I received, I think I’ll do it next week.

This is kinda how the message went:

James: Hey, I think someone kissed the mural.

Me: Haha, yes, she’s beautiful.

James: No, I mean someone put lipstick on the mural.

Me: What??

mural-kissed

Now, I’m not worried about a little lipstick, in fact I’m kind of honored that someone would press their lips to my mural in adoration… but I should probably protect it sooner than later.

So, I’ll be out there around 10am on Friday, October 14th and rolling on the protective layer. The thing I am most looking forward to is the change in contrast that takes place when you varnish something. Deep colors get deeper, and light colors seem to glow, let’s just say, it’s going to look amazing.

To all my peeps in Pensacola, come see it after that date, it should be pretty amazeballs. To all my awesome interweb folks, I’ll take pictures.

I explain my reasoning behind the mural in this video, enjoy:

To view pictures of the mural process Click HERE

Thank you so much! You are awesome!

-Rafi

Posted on Leave a comment

Look For Article In Pensacola News Journal on Saturday Aug 29th

Rafi and Klee Interviewed By Pensacola News Journal Eye On Art Mike Roberts

Last Saturday if you happened to come by the market you may have noticed that we were engaged in an intense conversation with someone in our booth. You may have been wondering if we were figuring out the cure to world hunger, or how to bring about world peace. Although those are on my bucket list, it wasn’t anything like that.

Pnj Rafi and Klee
Pnj Rafi and Klee

 

We were actually talking about ourselves, Klee and I were being interviewed by Mike Roberts who writes for the Pensacola News Journal. “Mike Roberts Eye On Art” had his eye on us for next Saturday edition (Aug 29th).

So with much anticipation, I wait and hope I didn’t say anything ridiculous, which I tend to do when I get a little nervous. Honestly, I doubt that will be the case, Mike Roberts was really cool and easy going. Klee and I had a lot of fun answering some really thought provoking questions and showing him some of our more recent pieces.