The Artiste

May 12, 2023

     Let me introduce my newest friend, Raina Weilenman. She’s French. She’s friendly. She’s smart. She’s an artist. And one hell of a painter! The Artiste.

     I happened upon Raina via Instagram (Artiste-Raina (@lartdesfemmesdumonde) | Instagram.) She was giving away a print of one of her works as a prize for those that commented, followed and shared a post of hers. You guessed it, I won. 

     Before the drawing occurred, we had time to get acquainted with one another. Here’s some snippets from our conversations. 

     She’s from France, lives in New York but travels between the two for family visits. If you’ve followed my Boston Trip ’22 series, you’re aware I went through that very city last year. Yet never departed the train. I asked her, her take on The Big Apple and she replied, “I love New York It has an amazing energy and great museums too.” And offered this on Boston, after learning that’s where I was headed while cutting through NYC, “That is so cool. I have been to Boston only once. Definitely quieter than NYC.”

      ‘La Mer’ above, the print I chose as the winner of Raina’s contest, translated to English means ‘The Sea.’ Right after I publish this, I’ll be ordering a suitable frame for my masterpiece. Thank you again Raina. I love it. 

     ‘L’œil Du Soleil’ or ‘Eye of the Sun’ is another of her paintings, that will never cease to amaze. 

 ‘The Art of the Women of the World’ translated from this abstract piece. In which I say, the eyes have it. Would most assuredly be the focal talking point of any dinner gathering or party.

      Also, a real estate professional she says, “That’s one of my other jobs” with ensuing laughter. Laughing myself, my response was an immediate, ‘Life of a ‘starving artist’ but wonder which one is more difficult?’ In which she opined, ” Well I am starting another on Monday. I’ll let you know (more laughter.) Art is the best. It is difficult but, I am competing only against myself when creating. It is true that artists are critical of their work and hard on themselves. I don’t beat myself up when doing other jobs.” 

     With a new job on the horizon, Raina isn’t putting a hold on her art dreams, as she says, “It will take me longer now that my time will be limited but I shall keep trying to become financially independent just selling my art.” 

     One thing is clearly evident and that she has the drive for success. I’m definitely rooting for her! 

     I have storied several of Raina’s pieces on both (Rick Ollie (@rickollie) | Instagram) and my (Reflections By Rick | Facebook) page, before asking her if it were alright for this blog’s story, ” You’re very kind I’d appreciate all the help I can get. Hope you aren’t overdoing it,” In which I replied, “You’re welcome…I didn’t know one could overdo kindness…” And I mean that from the bottom of my heart. 

     Afterall, without kindness, what are we as a species? I never want to be in a world without art, books, music or the theater and if one small piece written by me can make a difference to just one person, then that’s been my calling. 

     Please, do follow and like our above pages as these are our extended forms of art. 

     Raina can be reached at Artiste Raina | Facebook and you can shop her paintings and much more at My Artwork (lartdesfemmesdumonde.com)  and  L art Des Femmes Du Monde Art Collection (pictorem.com) as well.

     I can be found at Rick Ollie (@rickollie) / Twitter too. 

#whynotsmile