The Rogue Artist's Survival Guide

The Rogue Artist Series #1

by Rafi Perez, Klee Angelie Galligan (Editor)

An undisciplined, story-centric, off-beat, and honest approach to demystifying the mindset to becoming a full-time artist. It is designed to help you navigate the clusterfudge that is the art world. This book is all about blazing your own trail and creating your career as an artist, instead of waiting around to be discovered.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art

269 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2019

About the author

Rafi Perez is an award-winning contemporary artist whose Rogue Artist series is an undisciplined, story-centric, off-beat, and honest approach to demystifying what it takes to become a full-time artist in this day and age. He is well known on YouTube and "The Artist Life With Rafi And Klee" Podcasts for talking about artists' mindsets, artist's life, ridiculous art situations, and how to blaze your own trail and blow off the gatekeepers. He also likes taking long walks on the beach and hanging out in his art studio.

His books are meant to inspire empowerment, self-awareness, and mindfulness within creatives so they can succeed. His diverse collection of artwork, books, and music have been described as reminders of personal power and awesomeness!

Rafi Perez's books are laidback, undisciplined, story-centric, off-beat, and honest approaches to demystifying what it takes to survive in the art world as an artist. The books contain the mindset of approaching the world with your art from a full-time artist. He writes books based on his experience and they are not the cookie cutter kind of stuff that just makes the whole art journey confusing.

Reviews

[Maranda Cromwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rafi is a wonderful presence in my life, I love watching his inspirational videos and honest chats about the realities of being a full-time freelancer. The book he's created is no small feat, it's a ton of effort and willpower to self-publish something this ambitious!
It definitely feels like a "first attempt" kind of book, though. I found myself catching punctuation errors, typos, and misspelled words, and incorrect turns-of-phrases. A few of the flow charts could have used a few extra sets of critical eyes before publishing. I think the biggest pitfall of this book is the editing.
I did, however, really become inspired after reading it. Most of the advice reads more like a self-help book than actual art advice, but in a way, that's kind of how it goes, right? In order to be a good artist, you must first be a good human, and some of the advice honestly I've heard my therapist give! So it's good stuff! I was pleasantly surprised.
All in all, I would recommend this book for anyone in dire need of motivation or inspiration. It gave me lots of both! I look forward to Rafi's future written work, because this is an amazing starting place.

[Eunice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent look at being not just a Rogue Artist, but being an awesome person. Although this book is written primarily to creatives, it by no means only for creatives. Many lessons can easily apply to improving your life. It's an easy read packed full of advice, humor, and even a rant or two. A must read.

[Sam Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is loaded with encouragement and advice on adjusting the mindset to be a successful artist.

[Roger L. Boyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read and very down to Earth advice. Rafi has been there and he's telling it like it is. Highly recommended.

[Anya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best art advice out there in my opinion 😉
I've been a fan for over a couple of years now.
Rafi and Klee are one of the reasons I'm pursuing my own art career and I just hit another milestone on my journey - my first group art show.
Thank you from the bottom of my 💜

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a painter, but I am a creative and I found the book to be worth the read. He has some great advice and his personality really shines through in his writing. The writing style is very accessible and pulled me through easily.

There were some parts that were less interesting and didn't seem to fit in the book (like when he talks about all his supplies) but those were usually short and rare.

Overall, I left feeling more inspired than when I started.

[Sonic Skye Spirit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listening to Rafi's encouragement and down to earth advice on the difficulties but possibilities of launching an art career while I destroy myself hauling a heavy load in a wheelbarrow in the frigid rain because our actual equipment for the job broke again because our employers can't be assed to actually fix or replace it is seriously lighting a rebellious fire in me.

[Bria Roché · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't necessarily call this a "survival guide," as it reads more like a self-help book for artist. I went into this book thinking it would be a more concrete guide to getting started with your art career. Instead, I got a 200 page book telling me over and over to "just get started." This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, I think some artist need that extra push and could benefit from hearing it's possible to just start and learn on the go, but as someone looking for more of the in's and out's of the business side of being an artist, it just wasn't what I was personally looking for. I wasn't "seeking permission" to get started on an art career so much as I was trying to increase my knowledge on ways I can expand on my own practices. Overall, not a bad read. Rafi definitely was a character and listening to him on audio read the book was a nice way to pass the time and get some motivation to work on something, but I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone who already has an established art career.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rafi is a brilliant mind. His words are full of character, love, respect, and he truly cares about human beings. I enjoyed reading this book because it was an empowering book packed full with helpful information from his personal experiences. Most of Rafi's experience and knowledge was very relatable.
It helped me believe in myself a lot more than I originally thought before reading. I can say with confidence that I am an artist! Yes, I believe it to be true.

[Yolanda Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't bash this book for offering rudimentary advice. It's a good first step for anyone who wants to approach art in a serious way, more so than say, someone who uses adult coloring books to destress. I was hoping for more, but I feel like I have a new friend in art. Rafi and his wife Klee are people I'd like to meet and chat with.

[Paula Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read - Excellent Advice and Wisdom for Creativity and Creative People

I really enjoyed reading this book - It is a very insightful look into the art world and how to make your way under your own rogue terms - if you are or want to be in the creative world, this book is an excellent roadmap to living your life with happiness and under your own rogue terms!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rafi is awesome at helping you to realize to just be you and your art will show that. I love his take on life and art. This is a great book for any artist whether or not they do it to sell. Thank you Rafi for being you and helping others to see their potential and strive to be their best selves.

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!

This is book is exactly what I needed. He talks a lot about being real and that struck a cord with me. Thanks so much for writing this book! Would highly recommend.

[Chris Shopland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I return to The Rogue Artist Series often — it’s one of those books (and audios) I listen to for comfort and grounding. While it doesn’t give you a step-by-step guide on how to do things, Rafi (who I’ve since gotten to know, though I wasn’t familiar with Rafi or his work at the time ) shares his and Klee’s journey with honesty and heart.

They talk openly about what’s worked for them, the challenges they’ve faced, and the self-doubt every artist experiences along the way. It’s refreshing and relatable — more like a conversation with fellow artists than a “how-to” manual but with a lot of substance sharing openly stories of their journey to turning it from crazy idea with no art supplies to a thriving creative business .

This book is definitely worth a listen or a read if you ever feel alone in this wild, unpredictable thing called an art career.

And as a bonus, the hard copy includes some amazing doodles from the artist that enhance the message — a lovely touch that makes it even more personal.

[K. L. White-Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book every creator needs! From start to finish, “The Rogue Artist’s Survival Guide” is packed with practical tips to help every artist, from the newest novice to the seasoned veteran. I’ll be coming back to this again and again.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not at all bad, I should have taken notes but chose to walk and read. Lots of little nuggets through this guided tour, a lot of already trodden ground but with fresh perspective. This kind of book deserves a re read to get the major points down for future you to refer back to.

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic really good information. If you have doubts about your skills as an artist this little book will help you look at all the work associated with becoming successful. But of course success is relative… what is it you really want— is the question. No BS.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Food for the soul

[Damian C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The realest shit I've read in awhile.