More Vincent Van Gogh

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 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Here's the 4th Van Gogh painting at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow which gave me a different view of Vincent (the first three were posted earlier this week). It's titled "The Red Vineyards At Arles" and was painted in 1888. It's not my favorite of the group, but it shows a different palette and a number of people - as there were in "The Prison Courtyard."

Today I'll try to finish creating the frameworks for the 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings I'm working on.

Creating Stretcher Frameworks

Artist Jay Rolfe has a garage full of materials for his 3DSSC paintings. He spent yesterday and this morning creating the stretcher frameworks for 2 of his 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings. Here's a photo of Rolfe cutting some wood for a stretcher framework.

Then, of course, Jay Rolfe has to clean up after himself. Sawdust is messy, and failure to clean it up yesterday led to it being tracked all over the garage (into the house would be next). He's tried a big broom, but it turns out that's harder than the shop-vac. Here's a photo of Rolfe vacuuming the driveway. (Wouldn't Martha Stewart be proud!)

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 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Keep Working

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 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

I've been working on some new paintings, but don't have any photos to show you yet. I'll be busy on them today. The late summer weather is fantastic day after day.

Today's photo is another Van Gogh from the Pushkin Museum in Moscow. I think it's very beautiful. The colors are vibrant and the texture accents the ocean waves. I apologize that my photo doesn't do it justice - sometimes the camera just doesn't get the colors right. Van Gogh painted this in 1888 and the title is "The Sea At Saintes-Maries."

This painting, along with the other 2 I posted photos of the past 2 days, gave me a much greater appreciation for Vincent Van Gogh. Now I see his genius.

Vincent Van Gogh

Today is another beautiful day - bright blue sky, sunny, warm - perfect top-down driving weather. And the pool is a wonderful 80 degrees.

Today's photo is another of the Van Gogh's at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow. "The Prison Courtyard" from 1890 is one of the most unusual Van Gogh's I've seen. It's very well done, but unlike any others of his I know of. (The other Van Gogh that seems unusual to me is at the Barnes Foundation in Merion PA and is an oval canvas of a nude arranged much like Manet's "Olympia" except that Van Gogh's scene is somewhat shabbier than "Olympia.")

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 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Rested And Ready To Paint

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 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Wow! A bright sunny day, a new week, the pool at a very refreshing 78 degrees, and memories of a great BBQ party Saturday night. Life is good. After a couple of days off from painting, I'm eager to get back to it. I just looked at my staging area and noticed several frameworks I've made for paintings that I haven't gotten to assembling, let alone cutting and stretching canvas for. Since they're started, I think I'll work on finishing them.

For today's photo, here's one of 5 Van Gogh paintings I saw at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow in February 2005 (Yes, Moscow winters are cooold!) that led me to change my previous idea of Vincent Van Gogh as mostly "Sunflowers" and "Starry Night." This is a colorful and detailed country farm scene with a steam engined train puffing smoke across the horizon. It was done in 1890 and is titled "Landscape At Auvers After Rain (Landscape With Carriage And Train)." It is beautiful to me.

Pablo Picasso, "The Lovers"

One of artist Jay Rolfe's favorite paintings is this 1923 painting at the National Gallery in Washington DC titled The Lovers by Pablo Picasso. I like the colors, the theme of the lovers, and the composition.

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 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

"Black Hole"

Artist Jay Rolfe went to a gallery opening reception on Thursday evening for 2 Philadelphia artists he knows, David Foss and Michelle Marcuse. The opening at Gallery Siano, Luella Tripp Managing Director, was well attended and the paintings were well displayed in the great gallery space. Both David and Michelle displayed strong work. Michelle works in encaustic (a fancy name for wax) and David in AbEx paints.

Here's a photo of artist Jay Rolfe painting a Black Hole 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas painting. The second photo is of the completed Black Hole painting.

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 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

"American Gothic Uncovered"

Artist Jay Rolfe's 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas painting American Gothic Uncovered, pictured here, is the full scale version of American Gothic Nude, which is about half the size and also a 3DSSC painting, featured in yesterday's post. Here's a link to that photo on Rolfe's website, http://www.3dssc.com/agu_p.htm. American Gothic Uncovered is 96" high, 36" wide, and 12 7/8" deep.

Also pictured here is the painting from 1930 by Grant Wood titled "American Gothic" which inspired both of my 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings. The painting is owned by the Art Institute of Chicago. Here's a link to their website description. http://www.artic.edu/artaccess/AA_Modern/pages/MOD_5.shtml

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 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Settled In

Well, I've been living in my new home (RV--see previous post) for about a week now. Here's a recap:

1) I've moved campsites 3 times.
2) Unrolled and rerolled my awning 6 times (learned this morning I was doing it wrong, hence the multiple times)
3) Dumped my black tank (that'd be the poop tank) 4 times (turns out my RV wasn't leveled and my blank tank meter wasn't reading right).
4) Washed my dog five times (finally figured out what stinky thing he was getting into outside--I won't even go into that.
5) Vacuumed every day (I've got quite a patch of sand out front)
6) Blew a fuse
7) Racked my head on the same cabinet 7 times (I've now learned to duck)
8) Treated 25 mosquito bites (not kidding-and yes I really did count them)
9) Visited WalMart and Home Depot every day for supplies (I'm on a first name basis with the cashier)
10) Managed to yank 2 roll-out drawers from their tracks (resulting in breaking and fixing)

And I can honestly say I've loved every minute of it (not really, but it sure looked nice to type).

AAANNNDDD my new book comes out in exactly 13 days. Yay!

"American Gothic Nude"

Artist Jay Rolfe is pictured here with his recently completed small (relatively) 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas painting titled American Gothic Nude. Rolfe's 3-D painting is 48" high, 21 1/2" wide, and 11 1/4" deep.

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 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Cheerfully Planning!

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 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Since artist Jay Rolfe finished two 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings yesterday and had overnight guests last night, he's busy catching up on everything else and cheerfully planning his next project.

Here's a photo from today of Jay Rolfe cheerfully standing in front of his 3DSSC painting Two Hearts Joined Together and planning his next project.

Fuschia Stiletto Pump Painting and Black Stiletto Pump Painting

Artist Jay Rolfe completed the assembly of two new paintings today. The paint actually was completed a week ago and left to dry. Until I get proper photos of them hanging, here's a photo of them, although not hanging on the wall as they should be, but standing on the work table in my studio. Each is 4 feet high and 4 feet wide and 5 1/2 inches deep, and, as you can see, in the shape of a woman's stiletto pump high heel shoe.

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 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Jay Rolfe Painting

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 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Yesterday I spent the day visiting friends on Long Island. It was relaxing, except for the drive home in the rain which took a lot longer than going up. Today is cool and overcast, with a misty rain in the air. Maybe I'll assemble some of the 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings I painted last week.

Here's a photo of me painting in my studio.

Creative Thinking

Artist Jay Rolfe intends to take a day of rest today. Have you seen the cartoon where the wife says to the artist, "Is that a creative nap, or just a nap nap?" Well, I won't be sleeping.

Here's a photo of artist Jay Rolfe thinking in front of his painting Two Hearts Joined Together.

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 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Finished Painting "Thunderbolt"

Artist Jay Rolfe finished painting his new 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas painting titled Thunderbolt today. I posted a photo if the stretched canvas before painting yesterday. Here's a photo from yesterday early in the painting process. I'm excited that I completed painting it today.

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 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Creating "Thunderbolt"

Jay Rolfe finished stretching the canvas on his new 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas painting titled Thunderbolt yesterday. Here's a photo of how it looks with the canvas primed but not painted. Thunderbolt is 10 feet high. I'm excited about painting it today.

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 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Cutting and Stretching Canvas

Here's a photo taken a few minutes ago of Jay Rolfe cutting and stretching canvas for his latest 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas painting. It's a new idea for me, and I'll show you the completed painting in time.

That's the latest step of Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's unique 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

More painting ...

Yesterday Jay Rolfe finished painting two of his new 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings. After the paint has time to dry, I'll assemble them into finished form. Two days ago, on Monday, August 13, 2007, I posted a photo of me painting them.

Today's photo is another from my visit to the Metropolitan Museum this past Saturday, Ellsworth Kelly's "Spectrum V" from 1969. I like the vibrant color and the simplicity of this 13 panel painting.

That's the latest step of Jay Rolfe on his journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's unique 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Inspiration!

On Saturday, Jay Rolfe went to "The Clark Brothers Collect" at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC. It was an exhibit of Impressionist and Early Modern paintings collected separately by two wealthy brothers who didn't get along. The exhibit was great and very inspiring. I really enjoyed it.

Sterling Clark had some outstanding Renoir paintings which were on display. His collection of 38 Renoirs (!) was the second largest private collection of Renoirs - to Albert Barnes 181 which are all on view at the Barnes Foundation in Merion. He also had some great Monets. Since one can't take photos of visiting exhibitions, here's a photo of a beautiful Monet from the Met's permanent collection, "Haystacks" from 1891. It was one of about 30 paintings of haystacks under different weather and lighting conditions. The Art Institute of Chicago has acquired six of them and displays them side by side for comparison.

That's the latest step of Jay Rolfe on his journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's unique 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

I'm so cool

Sometimes I’m so cool I don’t know what to do with myself. I am now officially the proud owner of a Sprint AirCard. Plug it into my USB and I’m surfing the web.

(Note: I only recently went to high speed, so this is really something for me.)

I’m a dork. I know.

Painting 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings

Today Jay Rolfe is for the second day applying paint to the canvas stretched over the framework of one of his unique 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings. Here's a photo.

That's the latest step of Jay Rolfe on his journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's unique 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Inspiring Views

Jay Rolfe and Randy Rolfe went for their morning walk, today at the Stroud Preserve a mile from our home. It was a glorious morning and it is always beautiful there. Here's a bucolic and inspiring photo I took.

That's the latest step of Jay Rolfe on his journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's unique 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Creating A 3-D Stretcher Framework: My Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Yesterday was another very productive day for me. Here's a photo of Jay Rolfe creating a stretcher framework for a new 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas painting. Notice I'm wearing my new red leather belt which I had made by Jeremy Bond at Champaign Leather in Burlington Vt. He has also made things for members of the rock band Phish and for Lyle Lovett. The red belt (and yellow shirt) is in line with my love of bright and primary colors!

That's the latest step of Jay Rolfe on his journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's unique 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Stretching Canvas: My Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Yesterday was very productive for me. Here's a photo of Jay Rolfe stretching canvas over one of his unique 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings.

That's the latest step of Jay Rolfe on his journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's unique 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Creating again: My journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Back from vacation, Jay Rolfe is creating, creating, creating. Actually, I have to reestablish the habit of blogging. Here's a photo of Jay Rolfe cutting canvas to stretch over one of his unique 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings.

That's the latest step of Jay Rolfe on his journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's unique 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

New Cover!

Just got the new Cynthia's Attic: Curse of the Bayou cover. I love it!! Award-winning graphic artist, Nathalie Moore designed it. Whoo-Hoo! Way to go, Nathalie! Let me know what you think!

Cynthia's Attic = Shake Out The Cobwebs!

The Gatekeepers: Raven's Gate (Book Review)

The Gatekeepers: Raven's Gate by Anthony Horowitz
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 0-439-85629-9

Matt isn't really a bad kid, he's just looking for someplace to belong and maybe a reason. He is however different from your average kids, and someone out there seems to know that. When he finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, Matt's entire life is ripped apart and he is sent on a journey that is more than a little strange, and altogether terrifying.

Worse yet, when he finds himself packed off to Lesser Malling, things get even weirder. Knowing he needs to escape the nightmare he is living, Matt is faced with mortality and his true self. But everyone who tries to help Matt ends up dead or missing. Is the place he's supposed to call home filled with witches or is there a greater evil at hand?

Anthony Horowitz writes a remarkably dark tale. As an adult, I wondered if it might be too graphic for the kids, but I could not put it down. I can see where readers of the dark and gritty would high five Mr. Horowitz's talent for the creepy. A very good read and I am looking forward to Evil Star.

Reviewed by Karen Syed

See what's shakin' at Quake.
www.quakeme.com

I'll Be Bloggin'

This weekend! Visit The Church Lady
Chris, aka Church Lady, will be hosting an Author's Weekend starting tomorrow and running through Sunday, August 5. Authors Mary Cunningham and Elaine Alexander will be guest blogging. They will be giving away copies of their books as well as their successful query letters to contest winners. Please check it out!


Many Thanks, and hope to see you around over the weekend. And don't worry, the contests are silly, not seriously literary!!

Stop by and see me! No question is too silly! Ask a question about the upcoming "Curse of the Bayou," book three in the "Cynthia's Attic" series!

Mary

My New Home

My new home. No, really it is!