Artist Life With Rafi And Klee

When The Sh-t Hits The Fan In Our Artistic Life

Every once in awhile, taking a break is important. Especially when you are pursuing this crazy thing called artistic living.

Let's Talk About Having An Artist Website This Month

This month (February 2020) is going to be artists website month. Over the last few years, we have received a lot of questions about opening up your own website and for the most part, we try to stay away from that very broad discussion. This month we are going to open to questions and bring people who really know what they are talking about. Send your website questions to https://rafiandklee.com/patreon/question/

How To Stay Motivated To Create Art When It Is Not Selling

This week Klee and Rafi discuss ways the mindset they use in order to stay creative during the slow times. Art selling can be fickle and it is important to recognize methods to keep moving forward, even when things may not be working out. 

What Do We Think About When Setting Up Our Own Art Events

This week Rafi and Klee discuss preparations for a February art event and talk about the most important thing they keep in mind when getting ready. Find out more about Rafi and Klee at www.rafiandklee.com 

Is My Art Any Good If It Doesn't Sell?

In this podcast, Klee and I talk about the difference between art thinking your art is not any good and believe it is not good because it doesn't sell.

Believing In Yourself As An Artist

Klee and I discuss the importance of believing in yourself as an artist. It is the singe most important thing you can do for your career as an artist. 

The Difference Between Making A Living Or Making A Life As An Artist

Today Klee and I have a conversation about the unnecessary struggles of making things way more complicated as an artist running a business. We discuss making a life as an artist, versus making a living.

When You Feel Robbed By An Art Event Or Gallery

Have you ever done a show or event where you felt like you were robbed by the gallery or show coordinators? Klee and I answer a question about this and how we deal with it as artists. 

Staying Creative While Having A Soul-Sucking Job - Artist Podcast

This week we answer a question about staying creative while still maintaining a soul-sucking job for a living. We talk a little about how easy it is to lose creative motivation and how to stay creative as an artist.

Dealing With Social Interactions As An Artist

We answer a question from a fellow artist who asks about dealing with social interactions at events and whether or not it is important to becoming a successful artist. You can also find my 2020 Calendars at www.rafiwashere.com 

When Did You Start Selling Art Consistently - Artist Tips Podcast

Today we answer this question from Pablo: How long did it take you to make consistent sales in your art career? We talk about how we started and what our focus was when we first started our art career.

Money And Motivations To Create Art - Artist Podcast

Everyone wants to make money with their art, but I think it is important to make sure you are not chasing a carrot on a stick. When making creative choices second guess your money motivations because they may lead to the wrong place in your creative career.

Speaking About You And Your Art In Public

Recently Klee and I gave a talk in front of a couple of hundred students at a local school. I'm pretty comfortable talking about myself and my art, yet Klee has had stage fright in the past. In this podcast, we talk about talking one on one or in front of large groups of people about you and your art. Find out more about us at https://rafiandklee.com/

How We Are Preparing For The Holiday Sales Season As Artists

We were asked how we prepare for the holiday season that is coming up. Both Klee and I have a different approach because we sell different types of art, but it all comes down to one thing. 

Get Comfortable With Pricing Your Art And Jewelry

This morning Klee and I have a conversation about pricing your art and being comfortable with the price. We talk about peeling back the layers and why pricing art can be so confusing. We also talk about what is ultimately the most important factor for us when pricing your work. 

Passive Aggressive And Condescending Comments About Your Art

Today Klee and I answer some questions about how we deal with condescending or passive-aggressive comments about your art or your art career. 

Not All Art Galleries Are Created Equal - Predatory Galleries And More

In this episode, Klee and I talk about some of the different types of art galleries you may find and what to look out for when running into a predatory gallery. This is just some of the information in my book which is available for preorder https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-rogue-artist-s-survival-guide-by-rafi-perez/x/22188901#/

Are Galleries Dead? Our Perspective As Artists

Klee and I have a conversation this morning about galleries and the fact that we keep hearing the news that the gallery system is dying. We talk about the shift and how artists and galleries could possibly work together to create an experience that is more than typical. 

What is success? Fear Of Success And Self Sabotage

In this episode, Klee and I discuss our thoughts about what it means to be successful and how fear of success can cause you to self sabotage your art career.

Real Art Collectors Vs Fake Art Collectors Myth

Today Klee and I had a conversation in response to a youtube comment about real collectors vs fake art collectors and what that means for your art career. As always, I challenge the status quo of the art world and we give our opinion on what people call the real art world. 

 

Unmotivated Morning And Art Stock Market Vs Real Art Market

This morning we talk about waking up unmotivated and how we handle that. We also talk about the art stock market vs the real art market and how artists have more opportunities than ever. I also talk about why I'm writing the book I'm writing. 

Talking About Time, Lack Of Time, Having More Time, The Concept Of Time And Being Creative

In this episode, Klee and I talk about time. We talk about the concept of feeling overwhelmed and time shortage-ness, and how that can kill creativity. We also talk about how a simple change in perspective can have a huge impact on time.

Why We Think Creative Stigmas Are Crap - Age, Education, And Digital Creations

In this episode, Klee and I discuss creative (music and art) stigmas that other creatives or professionals use in the art world to criticize you or your craft. We discuss three specific stigmas that are usually used as a weapon against creatives. These Stigmas are:

Age, you are either too young or too old.

Education, You lack the credentials, thus you are no good.

Digital Equipment, You use a computer to create your craft, thus you are not a real artist.

There might be a bit of a rant in there, so be prepared.

When Disaster Strikes At An Out Door Market

Klee and I have a conversation about out door art markets and festivals. We discuss some of the struggles that come along with displaying art outside.

What Are Artists Most Afraid Of In Starting An Art Career

In this episode Klee and I talk about fears that can stop people from pursuing an art career. We talk about a Patreon pole and other fears.

Being Selfish As An Artist? Humble Brags, And The Artist Myth!

In this conversation we talk about the final three things to give up when you are looking to become a successful artist. The idea that you are selfish, humble bragging, and believing in the artist myth.

How To Keep Going When The Going Gets Tough

Hola! Today Klee and I had a conversation about being persistent in the face of adversity and difficulties. We also talk about what it took to get our career off the ground as full time artists. Klee also discusses a blog I wrote this morning based on the experience with 8 things that I do when things are overwhelmingly tough.

https://rafiandklee.com/when-the-going-gets-tough-just-keep-going/

Creating An E-commerce Store And What To Do With Etsy When We Leave

Hola You amazing artists! We've spent all day working on our e-commerce site since we decided to leave etsy. In this podcast we talk about which platform we decided to use and why, and also what to do with our etsy shop once we have transferred our products over. 

Sorry if I sound a little tired, it's been a long couple of weeks. YouTube Live stream on Wednesday at 7pm central this week. 

-Love Rafi and Klee 

Give Up Perfection As An Artist

Perfectionism can be one of the most harmful things an artist can do to themselves. Especially because there really is no such thing. 

Taking Advice Or Negative Comments As An Artist

There are a lot of people who love to give advice to artists, especially people who have never sold a work of art in their life. Always take advice with a grain of salt and consider the source. 

How Hard Should You Work As An Artist

This is one of those issues that I am constantly looking at. I tend to work very hard, but to be honest working smarter is the key. 

Stop Making Excuses As An Artist

In This episode we discuss the pitfalls of making excuses to not do something you love. Enjoy this as we follow up on the series. We are currently uploading our episodes back to back. 

Comparing Yourself To Other Artists

It's never a good idea to compare yourself to other artists. In this episode we continue our series of what sets successful artists apart. 

Have An Exit Strategy For Your Creative Career - Etsy Free Shipping Policy Update

This is where we are at after our announcement of being opposed to the Etsy Free Shipping Policy via three videos on YouTube. In this podcast we discuss where we are going from here and why. We also discuss what we learned from this experience and why it is important to be prepared to move your business to the next level.

We will continue the series from yesterdays podcasts this week until we are caught up with the most recent podcasts. 

Feeling Not Good Enough As An Artist

An artists worse enemy is not believing you are good enough.

When Family Discourages Your Art Career

Sometimes family is not very supportive of your career to pursue art, why is that?

Having Job Security As An Artist

As artists we know that job security is an illusion. So how do you cope with not feeling a sense of job security as a creative?