I think lonelier people become artists. It's a way to express themselves. Also sometimes it feels like art that I am working on is like a friend who resonate with whatever I am trying to express. It's like the drawing is saying "I know right? I agree. I mean, just look at me."

@anigemini3958

6 ай бұрын

So well said!! Exactly, my pictures feel like friends to me - good to know that I am not the only one :) greetings to you from Germany!

As Billy Joel would sing ""we're sharing a drink called loneliness, but it's better than being alone"". Thanks guys for offering your perspective. It can be lonely inside your head 🙏❤

I actually feel alone around artists. I tried getting involved in local exhibitions, the artist society and taking classes/workshops and it was almost always awkward, I just couldn't be myself in that crowd. I guess I'm just not an artist's artist. lol I actually prefer being alone most of the time, but the pandemic killing all group activities has been difficult.

@elizabethrobbins9639

Жыл бұрын

A.very supportive conversation on this subject!

Great podcast. I agree that recognizing the difference between being alone, feeling lonely, and isolation is key to understanding what solutions, tools, behaviors, and techniques will ultimately help us in the end... and help us determine the outcome and change we are hankering after. Love you guys! You are good creative peoples doing lovely human type things and you make my heart go squooshy. Thank you both

For me, I’ve tended to draw in women who like the idea of dating an artist until they realize they’re dating a working artist. It got to be the most self-destructive thing I could have possibly done for my art path. They hated it when I’d disappear on a project for a couple of weeks. Or actively guilt me for being in the studio almost every night. I’m enjoying the alone time now but occasionally it does get lonely. But it passes. I don’t know. The alternative- I seem to be a magnet for high maintenance relationships and I don’t know how to tamp that down. It’s encouraging and beautiful to watch you two interact in a healthy supportive relationship. Perhaps some day I’ll find something like that.

Thank you so much for answering my rambling question! I'm actually actively trying to understand myself better and get a hold of my insecurities and anxiety. Things you said really made me feel better and made me realise that I'm not doomed into some dark and lonely path of misery. You said so many things that made me go "Oh I get it" or "That sounds like smt I do/have done." I'm insecure and put enormous expectations on myself. I too had a habit of crying it the bathroom, but the fact that I'm aware of my feelings and myself has really lifted me off of the bathroom floor. And I don't want to go back, (it's kind of dirty anyways.) Also, loved the way you said "Kilu." It's an estonian last name and means: Bristling/European sprat.

@NliART

4 жыл бұрын

@@Rafiwashere no worries about the name 💕

Watching this, I was reminded of Steven Pressfield talking about not feeling alone when he is writing because he is with the characters he is writing about.

I miss my art community. My apartment is right across from a really awesome art studio complex. We had been having gallery open houses once a month. And while I wasn't showing there and don't have a studio there - i'd go in & support my friends and 'talk shop'. But covid shut that down. And I live alone. So it's been me and the cat for five months now. Just staying in and painting. Last month one of my pieces sold to someone in Scotland - so that was good. But I can't wait to go have a beer with my fellow artists again.

i'm so glad this podcast lives on the internet. i've just happened upon it and it's right on time for me. loneliness is something i've felt since i was a kid. i don't think it's something that will ever go away, even when i do finally find my community (still working on that, it's looking promising, but i know it will take time to develop). i actually lean into my loneliness now. as i go through life, i pay attention to the things that don't just soothe me, but bring me true joy. things that make me feel grounded; what makes me feel the most like myself. sometimes that's watching my favorite show with characters i identify deeply with, or belting out a song that's meaningful to me to get the feelings out of my body. but it's mostly creating art. there is something deeply connecting and powerful about bringing something into existence that wasn't there before. when i feel lonely, i lean into those things. it doesn't make the negative feelings go away (they subside on their own with time and understanding). and the feelings will come back again eventually. but creating art helps me cope with the pain, and get clearer about what's really going on underneath the loneliness. in the end, i understand myself a little bit better.

Dealing with loneliness is a tough thing. For me, I sometimes don't feel good about simply messaging or touching back with my art friends with non-art related questions because I worry about wasting their time.

This is a good conversation around the topic. Great points made from everyone regarding distinctions, self awareness and obv with the comments and views, it shows that we are not “alone” so to speak. An aspect that I didn’t hear or see here is that when we are on this path, we are super focused on the creativity, developing our craft, ambitions for success, working on projects all the time to eat, etc. that a byproduct is the sacrifice in relationships with family and friends. Not intentionally, but that somehow this life communicates a message especially when we’re in that creative period. And like you’ve mentioned when we’re out of it, we feel out of the loop with many things. In my experience on this path, people fall through the cracks, you don’t get invited to things anymore, people stop messaging you. And as mentioned “outsiders” cants relate which further creates separation. This journey communicates to others something with unintended consequences if you really are seriously following it, and as a result of all this, the feelings of loneliness and isolation. I don’t know, how could someone or people you’ve known for long period of time, with many good memories now all of a sudden become like a stranger? Anyway this is what I’ve been going through, for some reason feeling of being left out wasn’t issue before, as gotten older it hits differently. Social circles, communication have become very lacking lately which further amplifies the feelings. And Of course personality tending towards introvertion helps with all this. Part of me says opportunity to focus on creating, developing, but also part says somethings off, and looking back now, where have my relationships/friends gone because of this? Anyone else? How are you dealing with this aspect of following the creative life? What is everyone doing when longtime friends/family drifting away?

I hear you. I used to feel the same up until I had to shift the feeling of loneliness. We’re also going to factor in some deep emotional wounds that people had to go through and heal for themselves. Although, I don’t feel lonely when I’m in my home studio. I feel joy, peace and happiness when I’m creating. I appreciate my solitude between 12-3am. 😂 🦉🖼 The feeling of loneliness can be painful to some. I now reframe my relationship with loneliness and accept it in order to keep me on track. Although, I feel whatever emotions are trying to come up and be released in a healthy way. 🙏🏼🖼😀

I think that some of my struggles have come from the fact that I really am an omnivert; I crave my solitude, especially when doing artwork, but also crave social interaction a lot, at other times, while also being rather socially awkward most of the time. This has contributed to my avoidance of personal work once my professional stuff was done. I hope I am not being too negative with my recent comments, but I have been going through a difficult stretch in recent years, trying to figure out my relationship to art. Mid-life crisis and all in the mix as well.

I must be different. I never feel lonely when in my studio, I feel peace, excitement, happiness. I feel comfortable with me. I am productive when I am with me, alone and no interruptions getting in my way. I love what I do and have waited all my creative life to be where I am!

@Ngoziscreativity

2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful 😍

@Ngoziscreativity

2 жыл бұрын

I love your comment

@e_i_e_i_bro

Жыл бұрын

No childhood trauma I'm guessing?

So much I relate to. I often feel more alone when I'm around other people then when I'm by myself. I have very little in common with the people here where I live, even those I work with, It;s real easy for me to isolate. I could ramble on, so I'll stop here. When you spoke of music changing a scenario, I was reminded of the movie Return of the living dead. Instead of the normal eerie music, they used rock and roll, loved it.

For me, loneliness has become part of a yearly cycle. My husband's job is seasonal, so we spend all winter together (almost to the point that I need some space) and then mid-spring he goes back to work and I'm home alone all day with my dogs, chickens, and art. Every year I struggle with feeling lonely during the spring and first months of summer because I spend most of the day without him. This year it was worse, I think because during the heavy lockdown we really leaned on each other for support, and then I felt like he was suddenly gone, back out into the world without me. But I have found that if I put these feelings into my art it helps me work through them. Great talk on loneliness artists experience, I really like it. Thanks guys!

I have been battling this alone feeling my whole life. Now that I have a family and married and work as a full time artist. I have to bring my creative space into the garage to create my work. Sometimes I do feel SO LONELY because I don’t really have that creative “vibe” with anyone right now. I have friends but honestly there is NOTHING more special than having a few art friends that cross your path in life that really just don’t need to even talk to relate. I have never been good with words or writing due to my dyslexia , I have since a little girl communicated to myself with my piano and art. So I REALLY appreciate from my heart when I have that connection with someone. I PREFER to CREATE art and music alone. Yet I’m still feeling that sense of abandonment from the world, and not in a Pitiful way.. just in a way I think I’ve adapted from childhood…… ( I don’t know) I’m starting to ramble but I completely get this. And appreciate your videos

Thanks you two, for another great video. I used to be horribly depressed in the past and can relate to listening to really good depressing music Lol that only amplified the sadness... For the past 3 years, I've found ways to not spiral further down during sad times.... Always play happy music, comedies etc.. and recently, free audio books on KZread on uplifting topics in the background while I paint ... It works amazingly well! For the record Klee... How I wish I could speak as beautifully as you do... You just have a wonderful way of using words👌💗. Can't believe you had insecurities about that.

This is such a great topic. Rafi and Klee you both hit the nail on the head with this episode. It's interesting because even though artists are solitary by nature for the most part, we still experience lonliness from time to time. The painting looks so powerful and goes so well with the topic!

I kind of love being by myself, but one of the things I really miss about art school is being exposed to and surrounded by other people's creativity and work as well as having those awesome brainstorm sessions, discussions and critiques with my peers. I love your videos so much, on one level because you invariably discuss so many things that resonate with whatever I've experienced or am currently struggling with, but on another level I'm a little envious of the relationship you two have. I wish so much I could connect with other artists and even find someone who I could be partners with. You two are the awesomest.

The loneliness stays, but the creativity makes it bearable and even takes it away for a bit so that it becomes aloneness rather than loneliness. Being with other people who think the same sometimes helps too, to make you see there are other ways of doing and thinking. But generally accepting the loneliness is there, and turning it into aloneness - enjoying your own company and liking what you see - instead, is a good aim to have.

Perfect timing for this subject. I've been feeling lonely lately too. I live by myself and am staying in my home except for important things (like shopping and going to my 99 year old Mom's to help her out 3 mornings a week). I couldn't even do my art for awhile, but I took the advice of another online artist to "go back to the basics and start there." That worked for that part. The other thing I did was meet my friend outside (we tried for a park but they are still closed) and sat in the back of his pickup truck being socially distant and with masks with the breeze blowing through and it was wonderful. We talked for over an hour just going over things we wanted to catch up on. Plus, we can both be introverts. It was good for both of us to get together and just talk.

I love that you are taking about the creative artistic process. Not many people do. More people need to get off social media and lost in books and art space.

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤RAFI & KLEE: KEEP CALM AND PAINT ON!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

"Choosing fear over love", thats one of my greatest foibles :(

Klee Rafi HI. You know what? I feel lonely with people. Because I love the interaction and I actually love people. My problem is the interaction ends and for me i feel very negative sad and lonely. Where as being around people and not interacting strange BUT I honestly feel EMPOWERED And Only ALONE. The word is HAPPY And JOYFUL. Seriously.. Thanky for this Video..

You guys are AMAZING and sharing this topic was so cathadic for me. You've have expressed much of my struggle about myself in the world. Now I'm an emerging artist so to be in public arena more and a late bloomer in Art. I get to be home fulltime now doing Art. I struggled with love and acceptance and the things you shared all my life. Getting it sorted lately. Enjoyed you both ..amazing and feeling connected. Thanks Rafi and Klee.

Great topic, also: Rafi, its totally hypnotic watching you paint!

I felt alone as a artist as since high school. I am a conservative artist and seem to be constantly told I don't have a place in the art world because of the type of art I create. I can relate to this so much . I had to decide that my art was to important for the conversation to give up.

@GAWells-lj7qo

Жыл бұрын

I totally get what you’re saying!

I love listening to you while I'm drawing. You two are such an insightful and wise people! You really give such a value to all the artists out there! 🧡

You two always know what to say and right when I need to hear it! Happy to see the creation of that awesome piece, too... Thank you both soooo much!

Thank you for being so honest and transparent

I'm still listening this, but i must tell my "Escape" from loneliness. I listen music, its always there when i need it. Sometimes it doesn't help but it is so easy to relate to music or song lyrics. I didn't have many friends to hang out with (also being more introvert doesn't help), so i've grown to be independent. I don't regret my past but feeling lonely is totally ok! I think that everyone should have someone to talk to whenever you feel how you feel. Sometimes i'm too much carried away with my online friend's struggles since i'm the "Theraphist friend". But thats life, there is bad days and bright moments. I'm very optimistic about future and the present. I just wish that everyone who is struggling would understand that things will get better. (got carried away but still) Thank you for reading about my thoughts. Have a wonderful day /morning/evening or night! Where ever you are, stay safe and remember that you matter 😇

This was super validating. And I need to find that easel haha. Thanks you guys. 😘

Excellent vid. Thank you. And I So agree as a singer songwriter also. Music is so powerful. And I so agree that music can TOTALLY set ur day. 👍🏻 now that I’m a full time artist working in my “studio” aka home dining room, I don’t go to a job everyday where I used to blast this positive loud sing along music in my way to work. I need to play music while I do my art. Thanks for reminding me. 🙏

Thank you so much for this video! You went into such depth and I relate so much to most of it 😣 Your insights and advice were reassuring!

I love you guys!!! Thank you for reminding me that its okay to be ourselves COMPLETELY!!!! Love that painting Raif!!!

This video is right in time. Powerful, thank you. You're SOO motivational, you're very helpful.

Wow what a great talk. We moved a lot growing up and even now I find myself feeling lonely. I got bullied sometimes and made to feel different. I felt and sometimes still feel like I don't have anything to offer. I need to think about how I am contributing to my own loneliness and my own role in it. Learning to realize my negative self talk and stop it has been helpful. But I have to keep taking the time to pay attention to it and stop/deal with it. I live in a rural area and so finding someone to talk shop with is hard. But I now tell people that I am an artist and it is wonderful when they ask me about it. Sometimes I can even forget my shy self and get excited talking about it. It is like a whole new side of me comes out.

What a great topic.!! I love the way your easel swivels!! More!!🏅♥️🎨

Love you easel, and also all you two put out for us to enjoy. On another subject, I used to show at Palafox Market on Saturdays. I don't remember meeting ya'll but when you are there you get busy and don't wander much. I haven't shown there for close to five years now I live in OK. but I sold jewelry there for about 10 years I was located close to the Martin Luther King statue. I really miss the Market and the people. Keep up the good work.

Thanks so much for talking about this guys!!! I'm a Jewelry model maker and since the pandemic I been working from home. I'm blessed to have a studio in the basement but working there for 8hrs a day is super lonely! My wife is a non artist and at this point we have nothing to talk about so we just don't talk... Listening to good podcasts, music and some good documentaries is super helpful I would say!

I just do relate to everything u guys share!!!! Thank u! Thank u🙏u guys r my “tribe”

Thank you for the wonderful discussion on a topic that really impacts me right now. I am an artist who lives alone and I have a physical disability which affects my ability to walk. I love my studio time and my time alone in nature. I really do love having the freedom to work the hours that I choose to, but it would be nice sometimes, if I was having a rough day (like today, where tech issues were just bonkers) when someone could just give me a hug and say I know that sucks and that I've got this. I agree that being in a room full of people can be super lonely too. It would be nice to have that one friend where I can just call them up and be a bit supported. Of course I have to be willing to do that for the other person too...and if things are good I am deeply into my painting. I love that you folks are there and I often spend my dinner time with you and that helps a lot.

SO HELPFUL- thank you!

Thanks for sharing. It hits home

This was a year ago, but man I can relate with some of this! I'm not "lonely" as in the sense of being with oneself, bit lonely as I haven't anyone like me. I live in a rural area, I started a KZread channel during the pandemic, doing videos that was "popular" I enjoyed it but what I wanted to take from it was to find a friend. ....still looking a year later.

Thanks for talking about this topic in such an honest and relatable way! it's a topic wich doesn't get enough attention in the 'art communitie' in my opinion

Every time I think it you guys make another video. Thanks.

Really like the easel!

Love watching you paint. And I adore the Arrrrg! painting :-)

Great video guys. Sending hugs for the lonely times...❤️

❤❤❤❤❤ Thank you guys❤❤❤❤❤My favorite part of the day I love to create art early in the morning where it’s super quiet in my Art Studio and have your videos as background noise…I am the only artist in family…which I think can be a blessing to me more than a curse❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ THANK YOU: RAFI & KLEE❤❤❤❤❤

@Rafiwashere

Жыл бұрын

You Rock HyperSis!

I was a performing singer songwriter in Austin and really again spent any time I had listening to new music. Taking a class on songwriting, watching live music and learning and soaking it all in. All the time or I was home all day drinking coffee and writing songs and am soooo blessed to have met a fellow singer songwriter who understood the isolation and need to do your music/art and immersed in it. We r married now and he’s my Biggest supporter. He understands my need to B creating constantly and understands my obsession and also is able to actually brainstorm marketing ideas etc. thank u for all ur wonderful vids. Ps I like “my tribe”. 😄😍👍🏻🙏

Thanks for sharing. I'm really enjoying listening and relating to you two 😁! I enjoy being alone and just spending time with my husband and sometimes family (lol), but I feel immensely lonely around others that you would say "aren't my people". For example, I try to be myself and say something funny at my job and just get crickets. Like Jack's Mannequin's Dark Blue lyrics, "have you ever been alone in a crowded room". I'm very shy, so I am still trying to just keep speaking up with who I am, but it gets difficult sometimes. Thanks for the laughs and insights!

I like my social and alone time so I want to be able to go to events more often once a Sars-Cov-2 vaccine is out and about and safe

Thank God I have found your channel

I am so happy this question was asked. I relate to her question 1000000000%

That’s a great subject. I also discovered that if loneliness is a serious discomfort for you, there are many great therapist who can give you tools to help- not judgment or labels, but good tools to help. I found that in Internal Family Systems therapy years ago, and am quite happy alone or - not alone. There are other wonderful new helping methods available and sessions can be by phone or in person in most cases. Being at peace with yourself is delightful.

Awesome painting and podcast!!🥰

You guys are so Awesome ❤️

Especially this past year I felt lonely when doing art. Although I did like that I could zoom on one screen and continue art-ing on another screen, which helped. I'm more outgoing & feel energized around others. But I always feel the tug-of-war between being productive on my art VS going out & being social.

I so wish I had a partner or an artist’s group that Truly supported each other ......I really get what y’all are talking about it’s really lonely when you can’t find any artists that you resonate with.

Great video!!!

Aloha Rafi n Klee. We love you guys. Stay positive! My kids are homeschooled and we watch you often. We are off grid Artists and musicians and homesteaders. Still waiting on Klees " old bald fat " song mix. My kids say it all the time and sing it! Lol. They would go nuts for a song with that audio sample Aloha , Eli, Caleb, Isaiah and Mele

Nothing but pure truths here!

Hi guys glad to have found you. Love your artwork. Would be good to see some jewellery too☺️ thanks for making this video Preparing to get my art in some cafe walls. Fear getting me for sure. Feel reassured by this and video on getting your work out there. Have a little more courage than I did b4 Feel better about me too. Thanks v much for your lovely combination of the two of u 🙏☮️🙌✌️✨

Try moving to Australia from the US. I was so lonely when I first got here. I still don't have many friends, but I can rely on myself, now after 28 years. Thanks for this video, I needed it.

I have been planning ways to protect my anonymity yet share my art. Unfortunately, I think it will be isolating. I am glad this topic is being talked about. I will have to remind myself lonely times will be normal and like other artist I will get through the lonely times. A little scary though. I hope I can find a friend I can completely trust with my secrets.

Ugh, so many feelings, I am inspired to go paint them out, 🖌🥴

I can identify so much with this.

Great podcast thanks. WOW to that piece of Artwork!! :-)

@debbie9113

3 жыл бұрын

@@Rafiwashere You're very welcome! :-)

the source of lonliness often times can be spurred by expections given birth in times of reflection. the ego doesnt like being suspended at will in order to create these things, it is an impatient child that must be coerced to play nice

Nice please give us more

Just give me dependable fiber optic interwebs and I'm good to go. I've got plenty enough of friends I could go see in person if I really wanted to. I get anxious in gatherings anyway. lol I LOOOOOVE my alone time. Being alone, enjoying being with my self and in the zone..I LOVE IT. It doesn't mean lonely at all. My Honey has his own set of hobbies that keeps him busy and he appreciates my artwork. I can join him in his hobbies anytime I want to. I think the feeling of lonely is something completely separate from doing art while being alone. Loneliness is more about a true longing for human interaction which you can have when you decide to have it. Blaming the art sounds more like just another excuse to not change the current paradigm or belief or lie a person believes in. I am my own best friend and anything I want or need I believe I can have ....and if I doubt myself and believe some limiting belief, I talk myself out of that lie.

Excellent topic, that is so often overlooked. I am a digital illustrator and photographer, whom often invests tens, or even over 100+ hours, on one project. My dilemma is that I am yet to find other artists, whom share the same artistic process as mine, when it comes to digital illustration. And, when it comes to traditional photography, the only people whom use DSLR cameras (like me) vs. just their Smartphones are a generation older than me. This makes me feel so lonely.

@fremontjablonski8577

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks! You can see some of my digital art on my website: www.matthewjablonski.com.

So fascinating Thankyou. In the digital 21st century tech world we have become more isolated & attached to our android phones, it’s become more anti social & isolated !? In the old days artists ie: Francis Bacon & Lucian Freud would communicate & get together physically & crit together! As artists I think we are even more lonely!😢🙏❤️

You offer so much valid content on all your podcasts they also trigger so many questions and I'm wondering if you have formed a group where we can all interact and respond to each other? I did look for any link to communicate with you, but found none other than this comment section.

@Rafiwashere

Жыл бұрын

We have a patreon, but you can also contact us on our website. Look in the description for links :)

Never felt lonely doing my art, in fact I prefer the solitude.

If you're the smartest person in the room, and not mentoring, instructing, or alone, you're in the wrong room.

Rafi, what kind of easel do you use?

That is a very interesting easel! Please tell me about it!

@Rafiwashere

Жыл бұрын

I built it :)

Rafi, is that string gel you are using? I love that painting. :)

@saltwaterjoyskelleyjoyce-f8114

4 жыл бұрын

Rafi Was Here Studios I have some samples of both string gel and self levelling but haven’t gotten around to experimenting w it yet... soon!

I wonder if the artist who asked the question is a anthro artist. Outside those who appreciate it to most trad artist seem to fine it peculiar. At least in my experience

Rafi, I enjoyed this topic very much. I enjoy being alone and rarely feel lonely. But I have a supportive family and I have 5 sons so I dont get to be alone very often. I have an art question for you.. I love to watch you paint. At about 24 min in the video, you are using something for texture. Could you share what it is?

@shannacosper7366

4 жыл бұрын

@@Rafiwashere I will have to think of some ways to try that! Thanks!

Great topic guys. I am an artist and I do have my tribe of like minded people (most in the states with a different time zone which we have to work around), however I am a single woman and have been for a number of years now, through choice I hasten to add. To be open and very vulnerable I have to admit that I would like to not be romantically alone anymore. But I find that it is soooo hard to meet romantic partner these days and like one of your viewers said, I get in my head and tell myself who is going to want to be with me? I’m a creative person I spend a lot of time painting, I love singing out loud, I’m old, I’m not traditionally pretty blah blah blah, anyone who is worth being with is already in a relationship etc The connection to art and my issue is that I do spend a lot of time painting and I’m happy with my creativity and probably fear that being impacted by meeting someone, then there is the issue of when do I meet someone when I spend so much time painting and creative videos? I really don’t want to force anything as that doesn’t work. So I stick with the status quo right and just get on with being me. Oh and my favourite piece of advice, “don’t look for it, it will find you” lol hmmmm what does that even mean? Lol I’ve not been looking for years and Funnily enough I’m still single lol don’t get me wrong I’m not desperate, I am generally happy with how my life is so I am actually ok. It’s just now and then I think it would be nice to not be single. Hope this makes sense. T x

@TartantazCreates

4 жыл бұрын

Rafi Was Here Studios then I will just have to see what the universe has in store for me lol

i always make cute animations because of my loneliness :(

"I used to think the worst thing in life is to end up all alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone." Robbin Williams.