200 posts on Contemporary Art Blog this year!

Wow! Artist Jay Rolfe ends the year with his 200th post of the year since starting his Contemporary Art Blog in February of this year.

Today's photo is of a beautiful and well-known painting by Pierre Auguste Renoir that artist Jay Rolfe saw at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Renoir Landscapes exhibit and lent to the exhibit by the Art Institute of Chicago. The title is "Luncheon at La Fournaise" and it was painted in 1875. It's a beautiful painting, with many figure painting/portrait elements set in a beautiful landscape. The restaurant is located in Chatou, the subject of many Renoir landscapes as was remarked upon in yesterday's post, a popular location along the Seine River for leisure activities such as boating. The restaurant was also the setting for Renoir's large masterpiece "Luncheon of the Boating Party" owned by the Phillips Collection in Washington D.C.

You can still see the Renoir Landscapes exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art through this coming Sunday, January 6, 2008. Artist Jay Rolfe believes it is worth the trip to see the Renoir Landscapes exhibit.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Renoir's "The Bridge At Chatou"

Pierre Auguste Renoir's "The Bridge At Chatou" from 1875 is artist Jay Rolfe's selection for photo of the day. Artist Jay Rolfe saw this painting at the Renoir Landscapes exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This Renoir painting is on loan from the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. This is another beautiful landscape painting by Renoir. Chatou was a frequent subject of Renoir for his landscapes, and I have already posted paintings of the railway bridge and the Seine River at Chatou.

Before seeing this Renoir Landscapes exhibit artist Jay Rolfe hadn't seen enough landscapes by Renoir to appreciate his skill and the beauty of his landscapes that artist Jay Rolfe recognized for Renoir's still life, portrait, and nude paintings.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Renoir's "Duck Pond"

Artist Jay Rolfe's photo of the day is Pierre Auguste Renoir's "Duck Pond" painted in 1873 and lent to the Renoir Landscapes exhibit by the Dallas Museum of Art where it is part of the Wendy and Emery Reves Collection. Artist Jay Rolfe admires the way Renoir paints water, sky, and light.

The Renoir Landscapes exhibit which artist Jay Rolfe saw at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, its last stop, is nearing its close. Sunday January 6, 2008 is the last day for the show, and artist Jay Rolfe heartily recommends you attend and see all these beautiful paintings which have been assembled from all over the world for this show.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Renoir "The Seine At Chatou"

Here's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Today's photo is another from the Renoir Landscapes exhibit that artist Jay Rolfe saw at the Philadelphia Museum of Art last week. It is Pierre Auguste Renoir's 1881 painting "The Seine At Chatou." It has a delicate beauty to it. As with any painting, it looks much better in full size and in person.

Renoir "Woman With A Parasol And A Small Child On A Sunlit Hillside"

Here's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Today's photo from artist Jay Rolfe is of a painting he saw at the Renoir Landscapes exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The exhibit is on display through January 6, 2008. The exhibit was previously at the National Gallery, London (February 21-May 20, 2007) and the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa (June 8-September 9, 2007). Philadelphia is the last stop for the exhibit, so you have about 10 days to see it in Philadelphia.

Today's photo from artist Jay Rolfe is "Woman With A Parasol And A Small Child On A Sunlit Hillside" from 1874 by Pierre Auguste Renoir. Although there are strong portrait elements, the landscape element is very strong. It's a strikingly beautiful painting, and somewhat similar to a couple by Monet. This painting was lent to the exhibit by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Renoir "The Grand Canal, Venice"

Here's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Artist Jay Rolfe saw the Renoir Landscapes exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art last week. Today's photo is from that exhibit and by Pierre Auguste Renoir from 1881 titled "The Grand Canal, Venice" and is on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. It's a beautiful painting, although very unlike the popular Canaletto scenes of the Grand Canal.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Artist Jay Rolfe wishes you a Merry Christmas, or Happy Hanukkah, or Happy whatever you celebrate near the winter solstice. May you and your family have a joyous season and a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year. And may the spirit of love, peace, happiness, hope, and generosity accompany you throughout the rest of your life!

The photo of the day is artist Jay Rolfe wishing you a Merry Christmas!

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Happy Holidays on Christmas Eve!

Today's photo is of artist Jay Rolfe using his playful imagination with lights on one of his paintings ("Girls Just Want To Have Fun") and a child's reindeer hobby-horse. Happy Holidays!

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Renoir "The Railway Bridge At Chatou"

Today's photo from artist Jay Rolfe is another from the Renoir Landscapes exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It's titled "The Railway Bridge At Chatou" from 1881 by Pierre Auguste Renoir, and also on loan from Musee d'Orsay. The railway bridge is largely obscured from view by the flowering trees in the landscape, but it is very pretty.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Renoir "Arab Festival"

Renoir's "Arab Festival" is another painting artist Jay Rolfe saw at the Renoir Landscapes exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art this week. It was painted in 1881 in Algiers on a trip Pierre Auguste Renoir took to Algeria. The painting is on loan from the Musee d'Orsay in Paris. "Arab Festival" is the photo of the day.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Renoir "Field of Banana Trees Near Algiers"

One of the striking landscapes artist Jay Rolfe saw in the Renoir Landscapes exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art was Pierre Auguste Renoir's "Field of Banana Trees Near Algiers" painted in 1881 on a trip to Algeria. It's quite dramatic and colorful and shows Algiers and the Mediterranean in the background. It was lent to the exhibit by the Musee d'Orsay in Paris and is presented here as the photo of the day.

Artist Jay Rolfe learned that the Renoir Landscapes exhibit was organized jointly by The National Gallery London, The National Gallery of Canada, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

"The Seine At Champrosay" by Renoir

Artist Jay Rolfe attended the exhibit of Renoir Landscapes at the Philadelphia Museum of Art recently. One of the featured paintings, on loan from the Musee d'Orsay in Paris, was Renoir's "The Seine At Champrosay." Jay Rolfe preferred the colors and composition of this painting, "The Seine At Champrosay," to the one he posted yesterday, "The Seine At Argenteuil." This photo comes from the website of the Musee d'Orsay.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Renoir "The Seine At Argenteuil"

"The Seine At Argenteuil" from 1873 is one of the Pierre Auguste Renoir paintings artist Jay Rolfe saw in the Renoir Landscapes exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art this week. The painting is on loan from Musee d'Orsay in Paris France. So today's photo, "The Seine At Argenteuil," comes from the Musee d'Orsay.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Renoir Landscapes at Philadelphia Museum of Art

Artist Jay Rolfe really enjoyed the "Renoir Landscapes" exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. There were many beautiful and famous Renoir paintings on display, including today's photo titled "Portrait of Alfred Berard With His Dog" painted in 1881. Yes, it does look like a portrait and is called "Portrait of ...", but it was included because it has a strong landscape element, arguably more than a mere background. In any event, it is a beautiful painting and is in the permanent collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art where artist Jay Rolfe has seen it frequently.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Renoir "Portrait of Mademoiselle Legrand"

Artist Jay Rolfe will be visiting the exhibit of Renoir Landscapes at the Philadelphia Museum of Art later today. He's looking forward with great anticipation. Artist Jay Rolfe already purchased and reviewed the exhibition catalog, "Renoir Landscapes," so he has good reason to be excited about viewing the exhibit.

Today's photo from artist Jay Rolfe is another Renoir painting at the Philadelphia Museum, a portrait titled "Portrait of Mademoiselle Legrand." It's a beautifully done portrait of a young girl that surely captures her personality. Here's a link to the Museum's web page. http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/82727.html

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Renoir's Landscape "Les Grands Boulevards"

On Monday, artist Jay Rolfe will be viewing the special exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Renoir Landscapes. The Philadelphia Museum has many Renoir portraits, nudes, and even still life paintings. Artist Jay Rolfe is only familiar with one landscape in the permanent collection. And here it is, "Les Grands Boulvards," painted in 1875. Like Monet, Renoir did an occasional Paris boulevard scene, although their friend Camille Pisarro did lots of them and did them well. Here's the link to the Museum's web page. http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/82739.html

Thank you for indulging me while I get in the mood for the Renoir Landscapes exhibit. As an aside, even the Barnes Foundation, with its more than 180 Renoirs, has very few landscapes. It seems that it was early in his career when Renoir painted most of his landscape paintings. Albert Barnes collected later in Renoir's career. Of course, Renoir is most known for his portraits and nudes, especially his bathers. I have been struck by how beautiful some of his still life paintings are.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Duchamp "Nude Descending A Staircase (No. 2)"

Artist Jay Rolfe was in a discussion Saturday about Marcel Duchamp's famous painting at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, "Nude Descending A Staircase (No. 2)" from 1912. The Philadelphia Museum of Art has perhaps the best collection of Duchamp works in the world, and it includes 3 versions of this painting, No. 1 from 1911 painted on cardboard rather than canvas as was No. 2 the next year. No. 3, from 1916, graphite, pen and ink, pastel, crayon, watercolor on a silver gelatin photograph. No. 2 is my favorite, and is a famous example of Cubist technique from perhaps the third most famous Cubist, behind Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso. "Nude Descending A Staircase (No. 2)" is not only Cubist but shows movement, sort of like a multiple exposure photograph taken in quick succession.

Artist Jay Rolfe enjoys spending time in the Duchamp gallery at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and really looking at the paintings and sculptures. You can search artist Jay Rolfe's blog for references and photos of Duchamp's "Bicycle Wheel" and "Fountain."

Today's photo from artist Jay Rolfe is Marcel Duchamp's "Nude Descending A Staircase (No. 2)." Here's also a link to the Museum's website for more information. http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/51449.html

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Ferraris Completed!

Yesterday artist Jay Rolfe completed final assembly of his Ferrari car 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings. We need an available wall for a good photo, so it will have to wait a few days for a photo to be posted.

Today's photo of the day from artist Jay Rolfe is 2 paintings by Lucas Cranach the Elder from the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena CA, Adam and Eve. Apparently Cranach found these to be popular, and did about 30 similar paintings. I have seen others at other museums. Do you see the resemblance in my Adam And Eve paintings? Or at least the inspiration?

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

LACMA and 2 versions of Brancusi "Bird In Space" Sculpture

Artist Jay Rolfe reports the news from LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) that it is receiving a major donation of modern art, a partial and promised gift of 120 works from the collection of Janice and Henri Lazarof. Included are 20 works by Picasso, 3 Cubist paintings by Georges Braque, a number of works by Paul Klee and Wassily Kandinsky, and sculptures by Henry Moore, Alberto Giacometti, Jean Arp, and Louise Nevelson. Also included are 2 versions of the sculpture"Bird In Space" by Constantin Brancusi. You may recall artist Jay Rolfe's posts on "Bird In Space" by Brancusi on December 2, 3, and 4, 2007. Those posts include a number of photos of the sculptures, so feel free to go to those posts and see them.

Yesterday artist Jay Rolfe finished painting his Ferrari 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas Paintings. Today artist Jay Rolfe is installing the windshields, the last assembly, on those 3DSSC paintings. Today's photo is from yesterday showing artist Jay Rolfe putting the gloss coat on the painting to make the metal areas look polished.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Ferrari Gets Glossy

Artist Jay Rolfe painted the chrome bits on his Ferrari 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings yesterday. Today he worked on making the body shiny, like a highly polished classic car. Today's video is of artist Jay Rolfe applying the gloss coat to his 3DSSC painting.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Painting Red Ferrari 3DSSC Painting

Yesterday and today artist Jay Rolfe has been painting the chrome bits on his red Ferrari 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings. This is the time-consuming detail painting. Today's photo is of artist Jay Rolfe at work painting these chrome bits on his 3DSSC paintings of red Ferraris.

You may be interested to see artist Jay Rolfe's first video on YouTube. Just search "Jay Rolfe" and a video of artist Jay Rolfe painting his 3DSSC Ferrari painting red will come up. Or, click this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvOtBjc5om8 Okay, it's not a slick video, but it's the first and a start.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

More Van Gogh at Norton Simon Museum

Artist Jay Rolfe really enjoyed his visit to the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena CA. Another Vincent Van Gogh painting, this one from 1889, that Jay Rolfe liked is "The Mulberry Tree." The color and vitality were especially impressive. Today's photo is "The Mulberry Tree" by Van Gogh. Here's the link to the museum's web page for this painting. http://www.nortonsimon.org/collections/browse_title.asp?id=M.1976.09.P

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts

The second event attended by artist Jay Rolfe and his wife on Friday night was the Member's Party and open studios at the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts (DCCA). The event was well attended, with lots of food and drink. Many artists had open studios, and the variety of styles was very interesting. One artist painted primarily nudes and had a couple dozen empty champagne bottles in his studio. I joked with him about it, calling him Mr. Champagne. He replied, "How do you think I get the models to pose nude?" His girlfriend, who wasn't the model in most of the paintings, feigned getting mad and punched him (playfully). I guess you had to be there, but it was funny.

The DCCA is a relatively new non-collection museum in the revitalizing Wilmington DE waterfront area. It has several large, high ceiling contemporary spaces for exhibitions and all the accessory things like an auditorium for presentations, an internet cafe, and a gift shop.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

"Atmosphere" Richard Chalfant

Artist Jay Rolfe went to two events yesterday. The first event enjoyed by artist Jay Rolfe and his wife was an opening reception for local artist Richard Chalfant. Rich paints primarily Chester County landscapes, and he really captures the feeling and beauty of this area's rolling hills, streams, and sky. The title of his show is Atmosphere, and today's photo is of artist Richard Chalfant's 2007 painting "Atmosphere" of the night sky and the still quaint Marshalton Inn. As an aside, the old wood paneled bar at the Marshalton Inn is utterly charming and is artist Jay Rolfe's favorite watering hole.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Van Gogh at Norton Simon Museum

Artist Jay Rolfe found "Portrait of a Peasant (Patience Escalier)" from 1888 a striking Van Gogh painting at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena CA. Artist Jay Rolfe really likes the dramatic coloring. It's one of a number of beautiful Van Gogh paintings artist Jay Rolfe has seen at the Norton Simon Museum.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

First Snow of the Season!

This is the 175th post of artist Jay Rolfe this year! Yesterday artist Jay Rolfe set up his work table in his studio in preparation for painting his 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings. I didn't actually paint yesterday, as it was a day of celebrating the birthday of a family member and we did a lot of that. And it snowed for the first time this winter! Just over an inch. That was cool.

Today's photo is an out the window shot of two birds at the bird feeder this afternoon with the snow in the background. The birds take quick turns feeding at the feeder, snow or no snow. We are entertained, as is our cat. Jay Rolfe's cat, Buttercup, treats the windows overlooking the bird feeder and the fish aquarium as her private zoo.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Happy Hanukkah!

Artist Jay Rolfe wishes all those who celebrate it a Happy Hanukkah!

Today's photo is one of artist Jay Rolfe's 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings titled "Star of David." It is 8 feet across from any point to the opposite point, about 8 inches deep decreasing to about an inch deep at the end of each point. "Star of David" is one of 4 canvases which make up Jay Rolfe's monumental 3DSSC painting "Give Peace A Chance" (also known as "Peace In Our Time").

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

More Brancusi "Bird In Space"

Artist Jay Rolfe has also - aside from the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art mentioned in yesterday's post - communed with sculptures by Constantin Brancusi at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, and other places. The Met has a white marble "Bird In Space" from 1923 by Brancusi which is also beautiful and elegant. Here's a photo of it, and a link to the Met's website. http://www.metmuseum.org/Works_of_Art/collection_database/Bird_in_Space_Constantin_Brancusi/ViewObject.aspx?depNm=modern_art&pID=-1&kWd=Matisse&OID=210006973&vW=-1&Pg=1&St=0&StOd=1&vT=1

Artist Jay Rolfe saw a bronze bird sculpture by Brancusi with a slightly different shape titled "Golden Bird" from 1919-20 at the Art Institute of Chicago. This polished bronze shape is also beautiful and elegant. Here's a photo of it and a link to the Art Institute's website. http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/eurptg/citi/object?id=91194&collcatid=10

Finally, the third photo is a different view of the Philadelphia Museum of Art's "Bird In Space (Yellow Bird)" from 1923-24 which was featured on yesterday's post. This view shows the bird and the base from a different angle, really showing off the base.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Brancusi "Bird In Space"

Yesterday artist Jay Rolfe featured the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Brancusi sculpture "The Kiss" as his photo of the day. In the background were the bottom portions of 2 versions of "Bird In Space" by Brancusi. Today's photos of the day are both complete sculptures. This is the link to the Philadelphia Museum of Art's website for the 1924 bronze "Bird In Space." http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/51057.html Here is the link to the Philadelphia Museum of Art's 1923-24 yellow marble "Bird In Space (Yellow Bird)." http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/51114.html I find these sculptures, like "The Kiss," beautiful and elegant.

For those of you nearer New York City, the Museum of Modern Art also has a significant collection of sculptures by Constantin Brancusi, including 1928 and 1941 examples of "Bird In Space." Here's a link to MoMA's website for the 1928 bronze "Bird In Space" by Brancusi. http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=81033 And here's the link to the 1941 bronze "Bird In Space" by Brancusi. http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=81503 I'm not including the photos here today, so you'll have to click on the links and go to MoMA's website.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Brancusi "The Kiss"

Today is a day of rest for artist Jay Rolfe. Today's photo is one of my favorite sculptures at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, "The Kiss" by Constantin Brancusi from 1916. It's sculpted from limestone. In the background are the bottoms of 2 versions of "Bird In Space" by Brancusi, the bronze one with black marble base made in 1924 and the yellow marble one made in 1923-24. I'm also including the official photo from the museum's website. Here's the link to "The Kiss" on the museum's website. http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/51306.html

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Tom Bostelle

Artist Jay Rolfe went with artist Alan Soffer to see the exhibit of drawings and a few sculptures of deceased artist Tom Bostelle at his home and studio Aeolian Palace on the Brandywine River at Lenape, about 3 miles from here. Artist Brett Walker was the guest host and displayed 2 paintings and showed us around. The drawings were mostly landscapes and a few figures, but not the shadow motif of his most well known paintings. Every time I've been to the Aeolian Palace I've been impressed with (and a little jealous of) the amount of work space he had.

Today's photos are from Tom Bostelle's website. One photo is one of Bostelle's shadow paintings titled "Desperado," and the other is a picture of his studio with many paintings stacked against the wall. You can see more on his website. Here's the link. http://www.tombostelle.com/Page_1x.html

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Ellsworth Kelly At LACMA

Today involved much computer work (administrative) for artist Jay Rolfe rather than creating 3DSSC paintings.

Today's photo is "Blue Curve III" by Ellsworth Kelly painted in 1972. It is owned by and sometimes displayed at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), where I have seen it. Here's a link t the painting at LACMA's website. It's another of Kelly's non-rectangular paintings, and it could have influenced me if I'd noticed it first when I was ready to notice non-rectangular paintings (see my blog posts of February 16, 2007, February 27, 2007, and March 7, 2007). http://collectionsonline.lacma.org/mwebcgi/mweb.exe?request=record;id=36405;type=101

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

LACMA - "The Last Supper"

Artist Jay Rolfe went to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) on June 11, 2006 among several times. He saw a beautiful painting from 1495-1500 done by Spanish painter Pedro Berruguete titled "The Last Supper." It's my photo of the day. "The Last Supper" was especially interesting to me because it shows Jesus, the 12 disciples, and Mary Magdalene, and all have golden halos save for one disciple on the far right, who, of course, must be Judas. Here's a link to the painting on LACMA's website. http://collectionsonline.lacma.org/mwebcgi/mweb.exe?request=link;dtype=d;key=108385;page=701900101 It's also my photo of the day, and I can see the one I took better than the one on the website, so here it is.

Today artist Jay Rolfe is involved mostly with administrative matters. Maybe a little painting.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts

Artist Jay Rolfe had lunch at the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts (DCCA) at the Art Salad brown bag program. The program was run by Curator of Education Holly Jackson who was very welcoming. The Executive Director Maxine Gaiber, previously with the San Diego Museum of Art, was also very welcoming. The program was Art:21, the Paradox episode from the PBS series Season 4. It was great to hear artist Robert Ryman, who is a painter, say that the purpose of painting is "to bring pleasure." I agree!

I looked again at what I found to be the most interesting painting to me when I visited 2 weeks ago. It was called "March 2004" by Ben Whitehouse. It was 31 small canvases arranged like a calendar, 7 across and starting on a Monday and ending on a Wednesday. The artist said all 31 canvases were painted outdoors between 7-9 am each day from the same place in Chicago overlooking Lake Michigan. They all showed only the lake and sky. There was quite a bit of variation in the water, big and small waves, calm and stormy, and also in the sky. I liked the idea and it was well executed. I've noticed in a number of small and midsize museums that the curators seem to really go for passage of time pieces like this one. I hope it was alright to take this picture (without flash) which is my photo of the day.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Andy Warhol, "Eight Marilyns"

Today's photo, taken by artist Jay Rolfe, is from a visit to the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh PA. I'm sure you recognize who it is. Yes, it's "Eight Marilyns." There is an amazing number of paintings at the Warhol Museum. One can get a great view of Andy's work there.

Artist Jay Rolfe spent the day doing more reorganizing which he started yesterday. He also made some minor changes to his website.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Painting canvas to look like glass ...

Today artist Jay Rolfe painted canvas to look like the glass of the windshields for the Ferraris he's painting. Aside from that, I spent the day rearranging my studio so one can see some of my completed Hyper Representational 3DSSC paintings in preparation for a scheduled studio visit.

Today's photos are two I took yesterday on my morning walk. While I consider myself a painter, I do take many photos and some subjects are rather artistic, such as this tree, one of my favorites. Perhaps one day I'll exhibit some photographs. Meanwhile, I am fortunate to encounter this tree every time I walk in Stroud Preserve. Yesterday was a glorious day as you can see. Today was rainy and foggy, but the rain stopped for a while this morning while we walked.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Hyper Representational 3-D Ferrari Painting

Today artist Jay Rolfe painted more on his 3DSSC (3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas) Ferrari paintings. He painted more Ferrari red, trying to finish up what he started yesterday, and also black like the leather interior, underbody, and tires.

This morning's walk was wonderful, the weather was glorious. Crisp, clear, and sunny. Although it's very early this year - Thanksgiving was the earliest possible date, the 21st - I hung the outdoor Christmas lights as I traditionally do Thanksgiving weekend. It's too early for us to turn them on, but the work is done on a beautiful 50 degree afternoon.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Painting Red Ferrari

Artist Jay Rolfe woke up to 20 degree weather, not only the coldest yet this winter, but perhaps colder than any day last winter too! After his morning constitutional - a walk with his wife Randy Rolfe - artist Jay Rolfe got painting. Paint it red. Sounds kind of like a Rolling Stones tune. Kind of, but the song was Paint It Black.

Today's video of of artist Jay Rolfe painting his 3DSSC (3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas) Ferrari red. Don't worry, it's not like watching paint dry. It's watching paint being applied. It was so quiet in the house, one can literally hear the brushstrokes!

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Creating Ferraris on Black Friday

On Black Friday, artist Jay Rolfe went to his studio and spent the day cutting canvas, stretching canvas, and assembling by bolting together 3-D Stretched Canvas pieces into 3DSSC paintings of Ferraris. Since I've posted several photos of cutting and stretching canvas and a video of bolting together some 3DSSC pieces, today's photo is not going to be another one of those. And, yes, I know I've posted many photos of the artist, and here's another one!

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Thanksgiving Day

Today, like every other day, artist Jay Rolfe is grateful for all the blessings in his life, including that he is an artist. Today marks our national holiday of gratitude, of giving thanks, our Thanksgiving Day, a day when we all give thanks on the same day. My wonderful wife Randy Rolfe has prepared a feast for our extended family, and I'm very grateful for that and for her and her support in everything I do.

Today's video is of preparing for our Thanksgiving celebration.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

Video Of Assembling 3DSSC Painting

Today artist Jay Rolfe went to the brown bag lunch program called Art Salad at the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts. I really enjoyed it. I did a little work in the studio, but spent much time learning about my new camcorder.

Today's photo isn't a photo at all, but a video, the first I've posted. The 11 second video is of artist Jay Rolfe assembling a 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas painting in the primed canvas stage before painting it.

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

More de Kooning

Today artist Jay Rolfe visited Rosemont College's Lawrence Gallery to see the Contemplative Spaces exhibit of sculptor James Fuhrman. It was a strong exhibition and is on display through November 29. I generally like modern and contemporary sculpture and really liked these. Stop in and see it if you can.

Artist Jay Rolfe's photo of the day is another Willem de Kooning painting, "Woman I" painted 1950-52 and on display at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. The link to MoMA's website is http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=79810. Here's part of the description of the painting on the gallery label:

"The hulking, wild–eyed subject draws upon an amalgam of female archetypes, from Paleolithic fertility goddesses to contemporary pin–up girls. Her threatening stare and ferocious grin are heightened by de Kooning's aggressive brushwork and frantic paint application. Combining voluptuousness and menace, Woman, I reflects the age–old cultural ambivalence between reverence for and fear of the power of the feminine."

De Kooning was married. Do you think this painting's depiction of a woman helped or hurt his marriage? I'd bet on hurt!

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.

De Kooning's Influence

Artist Jay Rolfe visited the Baltimore Museum of Art in May. They had a strong and fine collection of Henri Matisse paintings, a number works by Andy Warhol, and some significant modern pieces. One of those is today's photo. It's titled "Backyard On Tenth Street" by Willem de Kooning and was painted in 1956. De Kooning was very influential in the modern art world. Many of his paintings, like this one, give rise to people saying "My kid could do that." Nevertheless, that doesn't diminish his influence on modern art and making New York the center of the art world in the post-war years. By the way, did the title help you when looking at the painting?

That's the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's Unique Artistic Idea, his Hyper Representational 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. Artist Jay Rolfe uses vibrant color, 3-D, recognizable shape, and huge size to reveal beauty, touch emotion in a positive way, and create an Uplifting Conversation Piece.