WELCOMING IN 2024...

In a war-torn world, we all grow weary and become fatigued by the incessant heartbreak over innocent lives lost. I am one of the lucky ones who still lives in a free nano-world, far from all this mass violence and destruction. So what can I do? What little contribution can I make since I don’t have my boots on their grounds? Simply enough, I can donate money to important charities, while hopefully bringing more awareness to all sorts of tragedies out there, not just the ones we keep hearing about.

I know that not everyone is in a position to donate, but for my profession, I look at it like this: A gallery’s commission is 50% and an art advisor is typically 20%. I have actively chosen not to sign with a gallery these past several years because I got burned real bad last time (although interested art advisors, please reach out!), and selling from my studio has not only given me confidence, but has allowed for me to make a better living. Since I’m not having to part with my income as much as before, I’d rather give a portion of profits to a charitable organization who does have boots on the ground and systems in place to help people in desperate need get the most help as possible. So, just as I have done every year since the Pandemic in 2020, I will be doing the same in 2024.

Every month in 2024, 20% of profits from sales of paintings over $1000 will be donated to a different NGO, with January being Children in Conflict. * Please click on the link to read about the good work they do and the many countries they help.

It’s a win-win-win all the way around: You live with art you love, I continue to make a living doing what I was meant to do, and in this month, children in war-torn nations get help with life’s basic needs & necessities.

As always, proof of the donation is provided. If you yourself want to do the donating under your name, then donate 20% of the cost to this charity above, show me evidence that you have donated, and I will deduct 20% of the final cost* of your purchase, and then you have that amount to submit for your 2024 taxes. Same rules above & below apply.

I’ve written enough here. Let’s do our best to contribute to better our world and let Love shine whenever and wherever it can.

Peace + Love,

Randi

*please note: commissions, shipping costs, taxes are excluded.

Happy New Year! (should I say Happy Belated New Year when it hits the 12th?)

I’ve been meaning to post a blog since the New Year hit. Funny how it never seems like there are enough hours in a day, even during a pandemic, even when you are your own boss.

Just an update:

My Get And Give 2020 initiative raised hundreds of dollars for NAMI, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, MusiCares, cerf+ The Artist Safety Net, Direct Relief, Feeding America and Frontline Foods! Feels good to help out! Not to mention, sell THIRTY works in 2020!

It’s an absolute heartwarming joy for me to help others and it has always been part of my mission to help others through my art and music. …Not only by what art & music does for our souls, but using any money raised to go to organizations that help people directly with aid to address their urgent needs.

Looking forward to a successful, healthy, peaceful 2021 for all!

With LOVE,

Randi

Lost in Transition

I had a very close friend who passed away almost three years ago. He was such a dear friend to me that I think of him everyday, several times a day, and I miss him terribly as I go through a new phase of my life. He, of all people who could tell me not to complain (he had one of the most tragic lives of anyone I've ever known), would always listen patiently to me and with love.

He had a song (has? ...songs do live on) called "Lost in Transition" and it's been playing through my head a lot lately. His song was about being lost between being a boy and a man, as he struggled to find himself after his father's early death (when my friend was only 17). My friend David was so smart and talented, and although the verses sing about all the particulars, the chorus sang the universals, as the best songs have both those elements as part of the DNA in the lyrics.

In a world where people post all the good things, the happy things, the things that can spur on feelings of inadequacy in so many people... I just long for a world that is real. Real everywhere... online too. Right now, I feel like I'm apologizing for this post and I don't want to apologize for it. I don't want to apologize anymore...

Here is David Lang's song "Lost in Transition" (I'm sure he wouldn't mind me posting). He recorded all the parts himself on a 4-track cassette-recorder, ping-ponging all the tracks down to get more than four. He was the first person to show me how to record and even gave me his 4 track recorder years ago... over 20 years ago.

He was quite young when he wrote and recorded this, without all the home technology people have today (there I go, apologizing again! But it's true, listen to the song beyond the recording quality). This may be circa 1994 or 1995...

Thank you, David, for being a wonderful friend. I miss you.

dave, me and his dog, sweetie pie II

dave, me and his dog, sweetie pie II