"Yellow Brick Road" ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Yes, Jay Rolfe is working on another "Yellow Brick Road" painting. I painted part of the mortar between the yellow bricks today, all in one direction. I'll do the other direction in a few days. Here's a photo of progress so far.

I also painted more of the swirling universe and some stars on the smaller "Black Hole" painting. I still have to find a title for it, and I'll probably name it after one of the many named black holes in the universe.

I spent 4 1/2 hours painting this afternoon. So this evening I'll take off and spend it with my fantastic wife Randy Rolfe (http://www.randyrolfe.com/).

That's today's step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You can see some expressions of my unique artistic idea on my website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Ode to Vanilla Ice...

...yes, I think he is HELLA FINE! Hey, I posted Kevin Federline before, I can do Vanilla Ice. Some pics, a video and thinking he should have been a model. ;-) peace

Gesso, painting, and discussion ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Yesterday afternoon I gessoed several canvases. Here's a photo of Jay Rolfe starting to apply the gesso.

In the evening I went to the Art Forum at Ben Gall's The Arts Scene. It was moderated by Jeff Schaller, a local pop artist. The biggest revelation to me was by David Oleski who said he has painted for the last 8 years in front of a live video cam which streams to his website, http://www.davidoleski.com/! I showed my new painting "Attraction."

This morning I finished the gessoing I started yesterday. Here's another photo.

This afternoon I worked on another smaller "Black Hole" painting. I've already painted the black hole, and here I'm painting the swirling universe around it. I still have to add the stars. Here's a photo of my progress.

That's today's step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You can see some expressions of my unique artistic idea on my website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Doing the work

I talked last weekend about vision, future, ideas.. Today I read a blog post from a prayer group I regularly participate in and I was struck by its reality. How often do we get caught up in the flash, and compromise the work. With relationships, with committments, family, church, school, etc.. The list goes on and on. We need to trust and leap on faith, but not act foolishly.

For Tracee and I with Da Capo, and for the staff and faculty, it is time to do the "work". In the end, that is what makes the difference.

I attended a lecture last night presented at the Modlin Center of U of R by Michael Keiser, Executive Director of the Kennedy Center. His words of wisdom for Art managers:
1. Never compromise your Artistic initiative.. invest here...
2. Must have a strategy for marketing and growth...not to just stay alive
3. Invest in marketing.. institutional and programmatic.
4. Support arts education, our culture is desperate for it. Do the "work" with the children.

Carpe Diem

Jesus said, "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? (Luke 14:28)

Link to the blog I referenced..

I think I'm in love...

I got a new file cabinet a couple of days ago. You’d think I’d gotten the best present ever. I’ve spent days (am I’m not kidding you) organizing, re-organizing. I’ve been to Wally World to buy matching folders and labels—I’m such a dork.

Okay, I didn’t spend DAYS organizing. I don’t want to sound like Monk or anything. I’ve spent smidgens of time each day. And now I’m happy to say, its beautiful, its alphabetical, its color coordinated—I think I’m in love.

"Attraction" and pinking shears ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Newsflash - Jay Rolfe assembled and completed his latest painting titled "Attraction" this beautiful morning. It's made up of 5 separate stretched canvases. When properly assembled, they form a rather well-loved symbol. Here's a photo of the assembly process. And one of cleanup, yes, that's part of being an artist too. Especially with my studio in my home. And finally a photo of "Attraction."

As you probably noticed, I went wild with the camera this morning. I like my posts better when they have photos, so maybe you will too. I hope so.

Do you know what pinking shears are? Who would have thought I'd be using them. They're scissors that cut in a zig-zag line which prevents the fabric, in this case canvas, from unraveling. They're great for cutting odd shapes of canvas for stretching. Very useful. I've been cutting and stretching more canvas this morning for other paintings you'll see soon.

That's most of this morning's step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You can see some expressions of my unique artistic idea on my website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Today's Weather...

...was cold! ugh! aren't we in summer yet?! Oh wait it's spring, but not in Cali..there are only two seasons...summer and winter! In any case, it was cold and gray this morning...but it got better. So I decided to stay at my job for three more weeks, as asked. I like the position, the people I work with etc. So why not? Happy Hump Day to all! ;-) peace

Jay Rolfe: Stretching canvas ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Today was another beautiful day. We have a couple of crocuses blooming by our mailbox! On our walk this morning we noticed that some neighbors even had daffodils blooming.

I went out and bought supplies for more paintings, and then cut and stretched canvas. Tonight I plan to take off and relax with my wife Randy Rolfe (http://www.randyrolfe.com/).

This is today's step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You can see some expressions of my unique artistic idea on my website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Jay Rolfe: My journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Yesterday Art Professor Virginia da Costa of West Chester University visited my studio and left a nice comment on yesterday's post on this blog. You can read it by clicking on the "comment" label at the bottom right.

I also talked some more with the reporter from the Philadelphia Inquirer yesterday. Apparently it won't be long before the article appears.

Today I worked on a couple of new paintings while some of the ones I was working on get dry enough to take the next step. It is a beautiful warm day today - my thermometer says 81 degrees at 6:00 p.m. - so I did errands in the car with the top down and worked outside awhile.

This is today's step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You can see some expressions of my unique artistic idea on my website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Look to the future

Below is the outline and references I used in my Sunday School lesson on Sunday 3/25


Focus on the future… God is here, today, now, tomorrow and forever

Discuss... Bad/Horrible experience from the past… holocaust, suffering, lack of control

Isaiah 43: 16-22 Where we have come from?
Bible is full of pain and suffering, people of God suffered and continue to suffer..
Exodus
Exile Jeremiah 29 – 4-14

Salvation/Paradise is not about no work, it is about what you work for, what is the goal…Genesis 2:15

Joshua 24: 11-18 The choice before us…
Choices we make
Other idols
Our plans, God’s plans… discernment is key.. how do we do that? Pastor gave us the answer last week in his sermon.. quiet time, prayer… Was your week different this week from previous ones?

Jeremiah 33:3-6 Promise for the future…
Do we ask for help?
Who do you rely on?

Romans 8:36-39: more than conquerors…
Do you feel secure in Christ?
Saving Private Ryan… earn this. Correlate to sacrifice of Christ

Confidence in who you are and what you believe will translate to..ability to tell others about God and how he IS working in your life.

Luke 4:30-45 – Jesus knew who he was.. Do you know who he is and can you apply that knowledge to your life today.. make things happen, cast out demons, help those around you, lead your family, are your “results not typical” are you attempting to “earn this”…

Dream to a nightmare

How often our dreams can turn into nightmares. I watched a special on Discovery on the "Liberace of Baghdad and I was struck by the comment.. "it was a dream, and now we are living a nightmare" I wonder if this is a function of attempting to control too much with our own capabilities. This artist lives in fear, every day. he leaves his house with a weapon. We are so privileged in our world... I don't know what to say about it.

Jay Rolfe: Multiple projects ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Don't you just love the future Jay Rolfe's projecting for himself? I do!

In my earlier post today, I mentioned my "drying rack" which allows me to move work in progress aside so I can work on other things while the work in progress dries enough for the next step. This is a partial and temporary solution to my limited work space. Well, I bought another shelf today. Here's a photo of parts of four projects on the drying rack.

I got word today that the article I was interviewed for may appear tomorrow in the Philadelphia Inquirer. I'm excited.

This is the next step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You can see some expressions of my unique artistic idea on my website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Jay Rolfe: More painting ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Don't you just love the future Jay Rolfe's projecting for himself? I do!

On Thursday I took a step to solve part of my limited working space problem. I bought and assembled a set of shelves which I use as a drying rack to move wet paintings out of the way of other projects. It's working out well.

I painted a lot on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Friday night my wife Randy Rolfe (http://www.randyrolfe.com/) and I had dinner in Philadelphia at The Oceanaire Restaurant with a business associate of Randy's from out of town. We had fun. Then, for the first time in decades, I suffered from food poisoning. I had a rough middle of the night and Saturday morning. Then we visited out month old grandchild and our son and daughter-in-law. Then off to ballroom dancing, which we've done for more than a decade, with friends.

Sunday, yesterday, I painted before and after going to the open studio event of my fellow artist and friend Antonio Puri (http://www.antoniopuri.com/). We had fun seeing some new work and a lot of artist friends.

This is the next step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You can see some expressions of my unique artistic idea on my website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Annnnd it's Sunday...

...weekend is over. I went out last night with my girl Mecca, it was her birthday. We had a great time, got tore up and had a lot of fun! Girl is crazy!! Woke up this morning with a mad hangover!! That always happens with her! She a bad influence, dang, bitch is older now...needs to restrain! :-) Ok here is the last of my faves...have a great Work Week! ;-) peace

Happy Saturday!~

I did nothing, well I did a lot of driving and visited my cousin for a bit.She said I looked great and not lose another pound! LOL, I was like oh no, I got the whole body image complex, I still got a ways to go! :-) actually a few more pounds and I'll feel great! As promised here are some more of my faves. Along with a video of the Gay Pimp (oooooh, it's lik Bonus Night!!) ;-) have a great weekend! ;-) peace



Got Damn!! After I posted I was like, shit, these really are my faves! whew!!

The meeting of all meetings...

...today was my Judicial Council meeting. The meeting I have been planning for over a month, the meeting in which I had to facilitate, I did the agenda, I researched all material for the agenda...I worked my ASS off to get this quarterly meeting together. *drum roll* it went GREAT! People flew in from around the state for this meeting and it went so well. I knew my content, I was able to answer all questions with confidence and the meeting ran smoothly. 6 hours...but it flew by. I feel great, I really feel like I did the best I could and it paid off. Now, why is this such an accomplishment? Well at the last quarterly meeting in January, I "sat in" as a trainee with the person who is the judicial council manager(the person I am covering for) and the council was asking me questions! I knew nothing, I was not familiar with the processes or the code of ethics of our organization...nothing. So it felt great to be in the leading role and just rock it! So it was a long day and a bit stressful but very self fulfilling and I'm so glad it's Friday! Next Friday is my last day on this assignment and not sure what I do after that...should be interesting to see where I go next! So I got an email from a reader the other day who said he loved the pics and which ones were my favorite? Hmmm..I felt a sense of de ja vu because I think I did this a few months ago, but ya know...my blog, my faves...here we go (maybe again). Have a great weekend all! ;-) peace

Some of my faves!









Um, ok I have to many to post at once...WELCOME TO THE WONDERUFL WORLD OF LEONARD WEEKEND OF FAVE HOT GUYS! MORE TOMORROW! ;-) peace

Front Street Reviews

Hey, I got a review for Model Spy. Here’s a snipet:

“The Specialists: Model Spy is a great, fast-paced read for teenage and mature tween girls.”

If you want to read the whole things it’s at www.frontstreetreviews.com

Too-da-loo!

Jay Rolfe: What colors? ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Don't you just love the future Jay Rolfe's projecting for himself? I do!

Today I'm struggling with the colors to use on one of my new paintings. I can't decide yet. I do know what to do - I have to turn it over to the universal power and attract and listen for the answer. I often get ideas while driving my car, which I usually find relaxing. Since I'm driving to Philadelphia with my wife Randy Rolfe (http://www.randyrolfe.com/) for a dinner event tonight, I'll have plenty of time in the car. How much time I'll have to think I don't know, as Randy and I usually have lively discussions on our car trips.

I'm also lining up other artists on short notice - deadline approaching - to speak to the reporter from the Philadelphia Inquirer about my painting.

This is today's step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You can see some expressions of my unique artistic idea on my website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Hearts and Minds

We have heard a great deal in the past few years about "winning the hearts and minds" of the people of Iraq, Afganistan, etc. As I drove into work this morning I thought about this in the context of ministry and the music of the Da Capo Institute. How exactly do you do this? I guess the answer to that is truly the question.

As a classical musician, I think that maybe we sometimes lose the right focus on reaching our audience's hearts AND minds. I wonder if we continually approach both. Maybe I am referring to my own up and down approach to the discipline necessary to use my music effectively...I tend to plan towards the heart, others often focus on the mind. To be successful, we must have both and we must find a way to make music elite, but never elitist.

Last year's key note sermon at the Lasker Summer Music festival addressed some of this as Dr. David Adkins eloquently addressed the integration of art and faith. Click here to read a transcript of his words.

Dr. Charles Hulin has also written some great words of wisdom on this front in his Christmas 2006 address.

As I have worked to add a wonderful series of articles to the Lasker website in the past few weeks I have been overwhelmed and humbled by the contributions of this wonderful group of scholars and performers. I would encourage you to read a bit when you have time, as these articles are inspiring and instructional all at the same time.

LASKER FESTIVAL ARTICLES

I am encouraged by passages from Jeremiah. I apply them to my ministry and my music and these passages formed the base of our approach to music ministry in the past few months.

There is a continuing role for the pursuit of musical excellence in today’s non-musical world. Communities need a framework to pursue musical excellence in a world that they understand and can relate to…It is our job as professional and even amateur musicians to provide that.

Jeremiah 33:3&6 (From THE MESSAGE)
Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.
“But now take another look. I’m going to give this city a thorough renovation, working a true healing inside and out. I’m going to show them life whole, life brimming with blessings.

Burn out...

...that is what happened with my job. So, I took the last two days off and went bowling and bought a bowling ball! My very first, it's so purty...and I had my name engraved on it! lol I still can't beat an 88 though. My highest is 109, don't laugh, I'm just beginning! I need to find a bowling mentor! My brother, who also took up bowling recently, is at like 169 and he laughed at me and said how does one only do an 88? Um, well when I do like two frames of gutter balls...that really effects my score! I like my new ball, I have more control with it, I just need to get better before my bro comes down to challenge me! My next venture? Golfing! Yes, I went golfing with my bro over the Thanksgiving break and I loved it, but haven't went again. I need friends who are into what I am into, well at least a little bit. So I think I'll post an ad on craigstlist, you just have to be careful of the crazies though. ;-) peace
p.s. Click for bigger huge gargantuan detailed pics. :) which is why I picked them, y'all know I got a thing for hairy legs! ;-)

Jay Rolfe: Painting ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Don't you just love the future Jay Rolfe's projecting for himself? I do!

I spent yesterday gathering materials, stretching some canvases, gessoing or priming a raw canvas, and painting. Today has been more gessoing and painting. Here's a photo of me working today.

Later today I'll paint some more. Now it's time for a break.

This is the next step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You can see some expressions of my unique artistic idea on my website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Gawd, is it Sunday already....?

Really, why can't we work four days and have three off? I mean the Europeans get like a whole month off during the summer for vacation!! Today was a gorgeous day, I went to the huge flea market here in Sacramento to look for a garden hose, a backpack and a bamboo plant. Yes, they sell new stuff too! ;-) Well I found the garden hose. I must say that there were a lot of mexican cowboys there...now y'all know I love me some cowboys, but I love the mexican cowboys...my mexican friend says they are called Tejanos...which means like Texas something or other...in any case..the eye candy was nice. I also saw like this 17 year old stick boy with makeup on selling AVON...weird. He seemed nice though when I walked by his booth, although I did turn down the offer of trying their new state of the art moisturizer. I hope he gets more business. I also saw two lesbians holding hands as they walked around, they were latin also and I admired their openess. All in all it was a good day, I felt like I needed some life around here so I bought a plant. Not an indoor plant but an out door plant that is pretty and supposedly rugged and loves the sun! If I can keep that alive, I'll get an indoor plant. :-) Tomorrow starts the work week, my big meeting is Friday and I'm not as concerned as I was earlier, which is funny because you stress yourself out over something and then you're like mmm...nah..not to important. I worked my ass off on getting this together, that's all I have. I will facillitate it to the best of what I know and that is all I can do. So, maybe an easy week? One could wish.
Have a great week everyone!
(I couldn't find my Tejanos...so these will have to do)
;-) peace