Shock the Monkey - Todd and Kiaralinda celebrate 50th years with a BIG Deal Whimsey Twins Party

Joanie and I traveled to Safety Harbor on Sunday to celebrate with new friends, Kiaralinda and Todd (of Whimsey fame). It was their double 50th birthday party celebration. And it was super fun. Meeting new people, seeing art everywhere (on people, as food, in the gardens, on stage, in the air) ... click HERE to view the slideshow of the grand event. I was inspired. I am inspired. I am grateful ... for friends, color, art, laughter, craziness, courage, eccentricity, beauty, great food, new experiences, and so much more. Happy Birthday Kiaralinda and Todd. Thank you SO MUCH for being who you are, continuing to raise the roof on life, and for including me in your life.

Thirty-Five Years of Devotion to Spiritual Inner Awareness: 11-15-1975 through 11-15-2010

I'm celebrating today. It was 35 years ago today, on November 15, 1975, that I experienced a dramatic spiritual awakening and consciously began my journey of walking the path of soul transcendence. It's taken many forms over the years, and my personal devotion to my continued inner spiritual awakening has not wavered since then.

Celebrate with me in whatever way feels right to you - prayer, glass of wine, dance, sing, take a walk in nature, think of me, congratulate yourself on your own chosen spiritual path, do nothing, or ... whatever works for you.

Enjoy! With Love and Blessings, Raphaella

"Vines 2" watercolor on paper by Raphaella Vaisseau wins Merit Award at Venice Art Center Show juried by R. Andrew Maass

The Venice Art Center, located at 390 Nokomis Avenue S, Venice, FL 34293 is having a "Show Us Your Best" Members Only Show, opening this Friday, Nov. 12th and continuing through December 10th, 2010. My painting, Vines 2, won a Merit Award from juror (and musuem professional) R. Andrew Maass. Join me for the opening reception Friday from 5pm - 7pm. Call me at 941-993-7001 if you'd like directions.

The original watercolor painting (on paper) is 22" x 30" (not including a maple wood frame). Limited edition giclée prints, numbered and signed by Raphaella Vaisseau, are also available via special order (up to full size).

There was a Vines 1. It was much smaller, in hues of blue, and was painted with my signature layering of color on color. It was sold to a collector in Los Angeles before the age of digital photography and archival prints. It was for my love of that painting that I was moved to recreate the form and movement of vines reaching for the sun in this painting. Enjoy!