This Holiday Season is most assuredly a time for reflection. 2020, the year of  pandemic and isolation, has nonetheless been a productive year for me: in mid-June, I embarked on a 6-month self-challenge to create a small drawing everyday.

While not a huge stretch for many artists, I felt a need to refocus, prioritize production and commit to solidifying my artistic voice. These past months have given me much more than I could've anticipated: not only a body of work, several series and numerous springboards for future projects, but a deep sense of confidence and insight.

I've selected a few pieces from this journey, and look forward to sharing additional selections as this collection grows (279 and counting!).

Sending out prayers of love and health to you, and my fervent wish for a creative and healthy 2021.

"Up From the Depths"

"Flying"

"Watching and Waiting"

"Tree Dancer"

"Ancestors"

"United- Our Fingers Crossed"

Starfield

This Moment

3AM anxieties give way to morning sunshine 

and the plaintive mewing of my feline companions.

Friday has dawned amid

challenges,

frustration, 

and fear

Yet,

I am suffused by a touch of grace:

hot soup for breakfast,

a window sill of sprouting lettuce leaves straining toward the light,

and my love, softly snoring in the next room.

I am fueled by and filled with 

Gratitude.

-SRasfeld

050120

Artwork for challenging times.....

Sending out a wish of hope, calm and health to all.

Simple Pleasures (collage card) - March 2020

Where In The World (acrylic/canvas) - April 2020

Happy summer! I've been dragging my feet on this, but I have two new coloring books I am prepping.  I've included a free coloring page (plus one of my colored versions) for your  enjoyment.

My take on "Interior Monolog":

Monday morning inspiration

I've been reading some very inspiring books on painting and creativity.  I recommend these three for starters:

1. ) Daily Painting: Paint Small and Often To Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Artist by Carol Marine

2.) Celebrate Your Creative Self: More than 25 exercises to unleash the artist within  by Mary Todd Beam

3.) The Creative Artist by Nita Leland

And, as always, I recommend subscribing to the Weekly Bob Blasts from painter Robert Burridge at his webpage:  www.robertburridge.com/

Have a great week!

Inner Outer Mandala (S. Rasfeld archives)

Catnip for Twinkletoes

Unverified factoids float through the air,

electric breadcrumbs illuminating a chimera of titillation and desire.

Voracious need and insatiable curiosity 

feed on

doppelgängers of smoke and mirrors, built

a pixel here,

a pixel there and 

breach the threshold of consciousness

while infiltrating the world mind.

see me

hear me 

watch me

touch me

know me 

But 

don't look too hard behind that curtain;

don't dig for the gristle, blood and bone.

Just come now:

gather around, chickadees --

I will tell you the BEST stories 

and all you have to do 

is sleep.

"It may seem that you have no external validation for your art, but you must persist in presenting it to the world. Above all, you must know that it is your job to make the work. As a creative person, you must show up, focus, work, make more work, and present it to the world in order to be truly balanced and whole." 
- Laura Cater-Woods, MFA 
"Balancing Acts: Walking the Tightrope Between Your Creative Path and Daily Life," from Inspiring Creativity

http://www.amazon.com/Inspiring-Creativity-Anthology-Practical-Successful/dp/0976737108