I was just talking to my art dealer and she told me Steve Kaufman died. I'm sooooo shocked cuz he passed several weeks ago and I haven't heard ANYTHING about his passing. I had the pleasure of exchaning e-mails with him over the years when I bought some of his pieces, which he was gracious enough to personalize for me, and he was always so sweet. I was thinking about buying his recent works that I saw in Vegas in November which were some awesome tributes to Michael Jackson and just never got around to it.

Turly the end of an era. RIP Steve

Steve Kaufman, a world-renowned pop-culture artist who had many ties to Las Vegas, died early Friday morning in Vail, Colo., after a battle with health problems. He was 49 years old.

Kaufman is known in Las Vegas for a recent installation of several works of art at Caesars Palace. Richard C. Perry, the owner of Centaur Gallery at Fashion Show Mall, said Kaufman also was commissioned for a piece at CityCenter.

Perry’s gallery holds the largest exhibition of Kaufman’s art in the United States and Kaufman was a frequent visitor to the gallery for shows based around his art.

As an artist, Kaufman was never one to shy away from a challenge, Perry said. Kaufman worked long hours to paint a 144-foot-long canvas with the names of those who died in the 9/11 attacks.

The New York City native used a basement of Caesars Palace to paint the giant work, which would later tour the country. Kaufman started the tribute painting shortly after 9/11 and completed it in early 2002, Perry said.

“Probably no one in the world has ever done anything like that,” he said. “It was just unbelievable.”

At the time of his death Kaufman was living in Los Angeles, where he spent much of his adult life. Kaufman lived a largely “bi-coastal” existence, Perry said, also keeping a small residence and studio in New York City.

According to a statement from the Vail Police Department, Kaufman had arrived in Vail this past Thursday to take part in a show featuring his work.

Police said a friend found Kaufman dead at about 8:20 a.m. the next morning in his Vail Village Hotel room. His friend became worried when Kaufman didn't attend a breakfast meeting. He went to Kaufman's hotel room, where the artist was found unresponsive on the floor, police said.

The Eagle County (Colo.) coroner will conduct an autopsy, but police said it appears Kaufman died of natural causes.

According to a biography on Kaufman's Web site, the artist had suffered from health problems in recent years.

In a biography entry dated April 2003, Kaufman wrote: "I had a stroke, my cholesterol was 576, I’ve been told I flat line died. That night I had 6 jelly donuts, during my sleep I saw quick flashes of my life like I was on VCR tape recorder rewinding my life story very fast, then it stop, everything when black."

The next year, Kaufman suffered two minor strokes and a bout with cancer. Five years later, in February 2009, Kaufman had a second major stroke while in Las Vegas, he wrote in the online biography.

"I was seeing spots that day, I woke up in Las Vegas and being paralyzed couldn’t get into a wheel chair," he wrote.

Kaufman got his start in the Pop Art movement years ago, when as a teenager he began working as an assistant to Andy Warhol.

“His early days of art really began when he was 9 or 10,” Perry said. “He practiced; he worked; he got very excited about the time in which he lived.”

Kaufman was prolific, producing between 200-300 paintings each year, Perry said.

“If you looked at his portfolio you would say: ‘My God, this guy painted everyone and everything,’” Perry said. Kaufman painted many Las Vegas icons, including Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Elvis.

Kaufman also was known for his charitable work. In Los Angeles, he was known for hiring men who were recently released from jail to help in his studios.

Perry was a personal and professional friend of Kaufman’s. Perry said he admired how Kaufman maintained his down-to-earth personality in spite of his fame.

“He’d give you his heart and his soul,” Perry said. “He’s probably the most generous guy I’ve met in the art community.”
[Edited 3/10/10 12:52pm]

I googled his artwork...he seems heavily influenced by Warhol...if not a copycat...?

BlackAdder7 said:

He worked for Warhol for many years and was obviously influenced by him but he's been world renowned for his own artistry for YEARS.

of course he's no Johnart...but...
[Edited 3/10/10 12:38pm]

BlackAdder7 said:

Different strokes, different folks . . . it's art everything ain't for e'rybody

And he was the ONLY artist authorized by Frank himself to create those portraits of him or anything using his likeness. He became close friends with Frank while working on them.

Same with Ali, who commissioned him to do a piece for his museum as did BB King.

These are my Kaufmans that I don't even display cuz I haven't gotten around to framing them. I may need to expand the collection ASAP.

BlackAdder7 said:

Johnart wishes he had half the success of Kaufman.

He's workin on it tho.

Ok,... im not one to understand alot of art.... But people like this steve guy, and andy warhol make no sense to me... Honestly, it looks like they took a picture someone else had taken and just added tint to the face and color to the background... how are they famous for that? Please correct me if Im wrong cuz like i said, I love art, i just dont always understand art...

Oh, and im really sorry for his passing

Wow, I was going through my emails and found an exchange I had with Steve about him doing a Prince portrait at the time but saying he could only do 3 without his permission. I wonder what happened to do those.

tinaz said:

The art is in the silk screening process and the embellishments they do and in Steve's case his use of collage. There's tons of info on the web explaining it. Like I said, everything ain't for e'rybody
[Edited 3/10/10 12:56pm]

Considered one of the top "pop" artists in the world, Steve Kaufman's silk-screened canvases should instantly bring to mind the work of the most famous pop artist of all time, Andy Warhol. This is no coincidence. For the better part of a decade, the young Kaufman was a friend and apprentice of the great Warhol, gaining such trust from both the artist and his supporters that Kaufman finished a number of Warhol's incomplete commissions after the master's passing. Yet, while the influence is undeniable, Kaufman's work takes the genre's sophistication a step further, bringing the image into a greater context through a sort of "collage philosophy" that's apparent in the offered work.

Steve Kaufman's talents repose in such collections as Calvin Klein's and Steve Rubell's, among many other renowned patrons. As well, he's provided compositions for Las Vegas' Caesar's Palace, The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, and the Vincent van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. In 1996, Kaufman was commissioned to create a limited edition series of Muhammad Ali portraits titled "The Greatest." Ali himself said of the series, "The style and dynamic color that Steve Kaufman used in these portraits really captures the memory of my boxing career. These are the best I've ever seen." Kaufman creates each print individually with a combination of silk screening and hand-painted touches, providing each one to express a greater sense of immediacy and fluid meaning. Kaufman also added his initials and the edition number to the back of the Near Mint canvas. A magnificent piece, measuring 31" x 45". The offering is numbered 89/100.

SCNDLS said:

does that mean he could only produce 3 separate portraits then stop, legally?

The Loss of an American Pop Artist, Steve Kaufman aka SAK dies at the age of 49

On February 12th, 2010, the world lost one of it's greatest American Pop Artists and a generous humanitarian. Steve Kaufman, former assistant to Andy Warhol, passed away due to heart complications. His memory as well as his paintings will live on forever. From his warm smile, and generous heart, to his ability to tell a great story and his incredible knack of making every day an adventure filled with humor, drama and laughter. Steve Kaufman was a legend. His paintings have found their way into the homes and hearts of so many, capturing the true American pop art experience.

Kaufman painted such timeless pieces such as: Coca Cola, Marilyn Monroe, Mozart, Beethoven, Frank Sinatra, Mohammad Ali, his money series and his paintings of famous singers, actors and icons. His audience was vast and large, and his contribution to society was enormous. Kaufman began and operated the "Give Kids a Break Fund," a successful charity which helped inner city kids from troubled homes or straight from jail. Kaufmen gave these kids a job and his trust, when no one else would, allowing them opportunities that they would have never had. Kaufman lived for forty nine years, and in that time, he lived the life of 10 men. He will be so painfully missed but his art will live forever.

Steve Kaufman's paintings are exhibited in 9 museums including the Zeughaus Museum in Germany, Museum of Contemporary Art in Hot Springs Ak., The Motown Museum in Detroit, MI , The Blues & Legends Hall of Fame Museum in Memphis, TN., The American Sport Art Museum and Archives in Daphne, Alabama, The Coca Cola Contemporary Art Museum in Atlanta Georgia and 2 presidential libraries.

The Life of Steve Kaufman

1968 Sponsored by a Jewish temple in the Bronx, creates Holocaust paintings which were
later donated to the Jewish Holocaust Museum in Brooklyn.

1972 Works for Macy's painting dog and cat faces on pet rocks.

1975 Participates in group graffiti show at Whitney Museum.

1978-81 Enrolls in the School of Visual Arts. Meets Andy Warhol and becomes his assistant at The Factory. Designs theme parties at Studio 54, The Mud Club, Underground and Magique. Sells his art to Calvin Klein and Steve Rubell. Meets Keith Haring at School of Visual Arts (SVA) show. Participates in group show at Club 57 with Haring.

1982 Creates graphics for NBC's Saturday Night Live. Graduates from School of Visual Arts (SVA) with a BFA. Holds art shows at the Air Gallery in London, White Freud and Fiorucci store window in NYC.

1983-1985 Arrested with AIDS demonstrators for chain-locking New York City's mayor in his office. Exhibits Sex, Rock & Roll at Off Centre Gallery in London.

1986-88 Forms SAK Studio. Begins campaign for AIDS awareness with art shows featuring paintings of Trojan Condom wrappers measuring 5 feet by 5 feet. Condom art exhibit shown at Main Fine Art, Edinburgh College of Art, Zanzibar Club and the Smith Gallery.

1989-1990 Opens Art Studio. Hires New York City homeless. Paints portraits of three homeless people for Transportation Display, Inc. Portraits are shown in 46 cities on bus
billboards, helping raise $4.72 million to benefit the homeless. Completes unfinished
portraits for Andy Warhol clients. Trojan Condoms/Carter Wallace sponsors 5000 AIDS
awareness buttons to be given away in Greenwich Village and at an art auction for
amfAR. Paints first Racial Harmony Mural in Harlem to bring awareness to inner city
problems. Show at White Gallery, where all art was covered in black cloth in memory
of those who died of AIDS. This show developed the concept for the "Day Without Art"
tribute. Show at Loft Gallery in Tokyo, Japan.

1991-92 Completes 55 Racial Harmony Murals in the New York City area with Malcolm X images. Appears on Fox TV, MTV and various radio stations to speak out on racial harmony. Accepts award as Underground Artist of the Year. Paints Mickey Mantle's portrait for Mantle's Restaurant. Paints Joe Frazier's portrait to raise money for Police Athletic
League. Creates AIDS Memorial in New York City. Drapes red fabric over the letter
"D" on the Hollywood Sign in remembrance of everyone who has died of AIDS. Art
collected by Spike Lee, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Dee Williams, Eddie Murphy and Larry
Mullen of U2.

1993-94 Art Studio moves to Los Angeles, California. Starts a new style called "Comic Book Pop Art." Uses original paintings of Superheroes--Superman, Batman, Spider Man, to name a few--as the icons. Hires more than 100 Los Angeles ex-gang kids from prison to
assist him in the studio.

1995 Published works for Martin Lawrence Limited Editions. Hand paints limited editions,
giving new meaning to hand-embellishment. Creates limited editions of Beethoven,
which sold out and Marilyn Monroe, breaking all sales records for a new artist. Creates
portraits of Muhammad Ali and John Travolta, who autographed their editions.
First artist to form a bridge between Marvel Comics (Spider Man) and DC Comics
(Superman.) Works with Stan Lee, who autographed the editions.

Starts the following programs:
• Works with Los Angeles "South Central" parole officers.
• Hires more than 200 kids from prison to work in the studio.
• Receives award from Los Angeles Mayor Riordan.
• Increases charity work to include 100 different charities.

1996 Contacts the Sinatra Family about painting Mr. Sinatra's portrait. Campbell's asks Steve to paint a limited edition to mark Campbell's Soup's 100th Anniversary. Paints Ali's face on 500 boxing gloves, demonstrating that art doesn't have to be on canvas. By now,
325 kids have worked for the Art Studio and 85% have gone on to a better way of life.
Paints two Harley-Davidson motorcycles: one a Campbell's Soup theme and the other
a Cohiba Cigar theme. Later, the gas tank of the latter was hand-signed by Cuban leader
Fidel Castro. Creates Ali portrait for the 1996 Olympics. Ali signs the edition for the first
time with both his Muslim name, Muhammad Ali and his birth name, Cassius Clay.

1997-98 Tina Sinatra features Kaufman's portraits of Frank Sinatra on Larry King's CNN show. Holds art shows in Japan and Amsterdam. Has boxing exhibition versus Don Diego,
a European boxing champion. After some minor controversy, Kaufman is awarded a
win. Paints a Harley-Davidson motorcycle for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
The bike is driven around Dodger Stadium before each game and televised to millions
of homes. By now, has hired 546 ex-gang kids and homeless. Supports more than 175
charities.

1999-2000 Has a cardiac episode and a motorcycle accident. Quoted afterwards:

"I'm truly blessed to be doing what I've always wanted -- TO CREATE.
I have found a freedom that is hard to put into words. I always
wondered about my projects--which artists are working on what
and which directions should I take? I don't even think of those
things now. I passionately go into my studio and ask myself:
What would I like to create today?"

Releases Sinatra's Rat Pack and Mug Shot, Al Pacino as The Godfather and Scarface,
New York City's radio shock jock icon Howard Stern, Barbie and two new Marilyn
Monroe editions. Releases Van Gogh and Picasso in a new style 100% hand-painted
edition, which gives new meaning to the hand-embellishment process.

2001 Continues to support more than 170 charities each year. Has hired 759 ex-gang kids
to date to work in the studio. Creates two new styles called "Portrait Collage" and
"Museum Art," thus becoming his 14th and 15th distinct style, comparable in number
only to Picasso's many different styles. "Portrait Collage" style is emphasized in his Rat
Pack, Hollywood Marilyn, Van Gogh and Jackie Kennedy by adding a collage of images
to the main portrait. "Museum Art" includes a September 11th Memorial Painting,
which was a tribute to the heroes of the World Trade Center attacks. Created a 20' x
500' series of paintings to commemorate the 35-year history of Caesar's Palace. Both
hung at Caesar's for all to enjoy. Created a 10' Fender guitar for The Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.

2002 Donated Princess Diana portrait to Elton John AIDS Foundation. Starts new program
placing paintings of his icon images in public places around the country for all to
enjoy. Includes a Muhammad Ali in Brooklyn's famous Gleason's Boxing Gym, a Sinatra
portrait to Hofstra University, a Marilyn to the Foundation Fighting Blindness and
gifted a painting to David Letterman to inspire heart recovery. Exhibitions in New York,
Las Vegas and Maui.

2003 Suffers a major stroke following Art Expo, New York. Barely recovers to do exhibition
in Las Vegas hosted by Robin Leach. Honored by Mayor Oscar Goodman, officially
declaring May 21, 2003, Steve Kaufman Day in Las Vegas. Also honored by Nevada
Senator Ensign and Nevada Governor Guinn for his philanthropic donations over
the years. In December, meets President Clinton at his Office in Harlem for a holiday
party for artists whose art hangs in his private office collection. Donated art to and
participated in Love Ride with Jay Leno and Peter Fonda for the 10th straight year.

2004 Creates and releases President Clinton's portrait. Donates many suites and all proceeds
from his sales to "Give Kids A Break." Feeling ill again, curtails his painting and
exhibition schedule.

2005 Introduced "Uniques," which are multiple originals of his most famous Icons: Marilyn,
The Rat Pack, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Einstein, etc. Exhibitions in New York, Las
Vegas, Philadelphia and Maui. Donates 100% of his proceeds from a $100,000 gallery
sale to "Give Kids A Break." Pope John Paul II accepts painting of himself to hang in his
private office at The Vatican. Paints portraits of Lance Armstrong that are displayed in
galleries during Tour de France. Created painting and limited edition to raise money for
victims of Hurricane Katrina. Created paintings of Mercedes SLR McLaren to honor the
100th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz.

2006 Feeling healthier, drastically increases his exhibition schedule with New York, Las
Vegas, Washington, D.C., Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen, Denver, Santa Fe, Rancho Mirage,
Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Key West and Maui. Introduces "Mini-Heart Paintings"
as gifts to all kids who attend his shows and free framed plates for all those who
purchase. Returns to creating one-of-a-kind originals to be sold exclusively at shows.
Goes to Ellis Island as guest of Lee Iacocca for New York Society Event. Meets Ernie
Anastos, creates his portrait and presents them on the set of Fox News, NY.

2007 Continues exhibition schedule with New York, Washington, D.C., Vail, Beaver Creek,
Aspen, Denver, Rancho Mirage, Maui, Toronto and Europe. Gives Free Peace Sign
paintings to all the kids who attend his shows and free sculptures to those who
purchase. Creates portraits for David Caruso of CSI: Miami fame, which he autographs
at the studio. Interviewed on TV in Denver, Aspen and Vail to discuss not only his art,
but more importantly, his philanthropy. Continues to sell out uniques of his most
famous icons including: The Rat Pack, Frank Sinatra, Las Vegas, Marilyn, The Beatles,
James Dean, Einstein, John Lennon and $100 Bills, to name a few. Continues to hire
more gang kids for the studio. This opportunity represents a second chance in life
for each of the kids, who now exceed 1,950 in number. Golden Boy Promotions
commissions paintings to commemorate the De La Hoya/Mayweather Championship
Fight.

2008 Eighth Annual Exhibition at Centaur Gallery in Las Vegas where art hangs next to
Neiman's, Rockwell's, Picasso's, Chagall's and Dali's. Unveils and sells new stained glass
uniques of The Las Vegas Sign, Homage To Lichtenstein, and Homage to Picasso. Other
exhibitions include New York, Denver, Washington, D.C., Vail, Beaver Creek, La Jolla,
Laguna Beach and Newport Beach. NYC Art Expo. Las Vegas Visitor's Bureau sets up a
display of Kaufman art seen by two million people a year. Caesars Palace asks Steve
to paint portraits of Cher, Bette Midler and Elton John. Steve unveils his stained
glass art at July 4th show in Las Vegas. Steve creates a new painting art style with
his Coca-Cola and Apple iPod campaigns. Xmas gifts to Steve Wynn, Cher, Bette
Midler, Elton John, Penn and Teller, Carrot Top, Blueman Group, Rita Rudner,
Wayne Brady, Xao Yang, Jamie Gold, Neil Diamond, Tom Jones, Mayor Oscar B.
Goodman of Las Vegas, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles, Mayor Michael
Bloomberg of New York City, Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago, thirty-seven world
leaders, Frank Langella, Sean Penn, Mickey Rourke, Kate Winslet, Meryl Streep, and
Anne Hathaway.

Jan 2009 Six-day art exhibit at Stanfield Gallery at Sundance where 100 kids help paint the
gallery floor with a pop art theme. 400 kids receive 8x8 paintings as free gifts. The
entire event is captured for an independent film for Sundance 2010.

Feb 2009 Exhibit for art gallery in Tysons Corner, Virginia. Dylan candy painting edition. For
the Academy Awards, Steve creates paintings based on the films The Curious Case
of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk, The Reader, and Slumdog Millionaire.
Second major stroke: I was seeing spots that day. I woke up in Las Vegas and,
being paralyzed, I couldn't get into a wheel chair.

BlackAdder7 said:

I almost used my rent money to buy an Ali (signed by Ali) or a Spiderman (signed by Stan Lee) back in '98.
[Edited 3/10/10 13:11pm]

tinaz said:

How is someone famous for painting squiggles (i.e. "abstract" art)?

To me, "art" is a game and Warhol was the true master. A genius.

I wonder if he did some of those pop art commercial break tweaked guest photos

Ace said:

Warhol only painted squiggles, really???

SCNDLS said:

I meant that abstract painters paint squiggles. Warhol was an entirely different animal, altogether. Love Andy.

Ace said:

Oh, I was finnta say . . . but even that shit I won't critique cuz SOMEBODY seems to get it. If they do, good for them, I ain't buying it but there's an audience who will.

I just found this on one of his sites. David was the guy who handled all of Steve's sales. I'm sure he's going through it right now.

http://www.stevekaufmanar.../index.htm

My Best Friend Steve Kaufman Just Passed Away, 2/12/10.

Over the years, I have watched Steve Kaufman evolve as an artist and a person. His kindness and generosity towards others, was part of his day to day life. Steve has lived through more in his young lifetime than most people will ever dream of.

He was a true survivor. As life goes on he, Steve will be the biggest missing part of my heart. I am proud to have had Steve as My Best Friend & 2nd Brother. The World Will Truly Miss This Man.

David R. Davis II

Welcome to the On-line Gallery of
STEVE KAUFMAN

I had a stroke in Sept 8, 2009 I want to thank everyone for the flowers, emails, people asking how I'm doing - wishing me well, I have trouble these days talking and breathing. I don't thank the people that send candy as a get well gift.

Steve had been dodging death for ages.

Cinnie said:

players and playettes of da org??

Ace said:

Art, in a lot of ways, is like the music business. You can be a rock star without mastery or starve with all the skill in the world. Warhol was a major rock star. What he mastered was not necessarily amazing skill (not saying he didn't have any), but an aesthetic, which he basically owned. And he was brilliant at selling himself. So much of his must-have-ness (not a word, I know) was based on his "IT" factor.

johnart said:

Here's the MJ I was on the fence about, double-



This one's nice too


[Edited 3/10/10 14:51pm]

johnart said:[quote]

Ace said:

Art, in a lot of ways, is like the music business. You can be a rock star without mastery or starve with all the skill in the world. Warhol was a major rock star. What he mastered was not necessarily amazing skill (not saying he didn't have any), but an aesthetic, which he basically owned. And he was brilliant at selling himself. So much of his must-have-ness (not a word, I know) was based on his "IT" factor.[/quote]



Ohh ok, i think I get it now...

SCNDLS said:

Aw dayum! These particular works are what I'm most familiar with as well as the special piece below.

Yeah...why so little if anything on his passing?

DesireeNevermind said:

I almost bought that one too! Love that Chanel connection

I just got off the phone with David and he said they've been keeping it on the DL cuz someone is contesting the will. Apparently Steve had a neat, orderly will spelling everything out but a relative is doing the fool. Never fails, it's always one.

I bet he left most of his estate to his charities.

Anyway, now I'm about to buy up some shit cuz he's offering RIDICULOUS prices, no tax, no shipping since I'm a current customer. So, I think I'ma get the MJ and this Hendrix which is a one of a kind piece, so maybe in 30 years I can retire off of it.