American Fine Art Editions: Steve Kaufman

Steve Kaufman was born in the Bronx, New York, in 1960. At the young age of eight, he had his first exhibit, and by the time he was 12 he had a job painting faces on pet-rocks for NYC’s Macy’s department store. Steve Kaufman then worked as an assistant to Andy Warhol in Warhol’s factory. In 1989 Kaufman opened his own art studio and hired many NYC homeless to work for him. He then painted the portraits of three homeless people which went on to help raise $4,720,000.00 to benefit the homeless. While operating his own studio Kaufman employed the homeless and ex-gang kids from the Los Angeles area.

Kaufman believed in creating works that are unique not only in subject matter, or style but even within his limited editions. For this reason many of Kaufman’s editions are hand embellished. In other words, Kaufman in many cases chose to hand paint on each of his limited editions so that no two paintings are exactly alike. Kaufman was renowned for his charity work, contributing to many worthy charities through his artwork and by personally visiting with the underprivileged and disabled. Kaufman supported over 150 charities annually and was considered a man of the people.

Kaufman's artwork hangs in the White House, the Smithsonian, as well as hundreds of other public and private collections around the world. He made a name for himself in the art market and is internationally acclaimed as the 21st Century’s POP artist icon. Kaufman has been featured on Fox TV and MTV, and was the winner of the Underground Artist of the Year award for creating 55 racial harmony murals. He also created an AIDS Memorial in New York City, and a Meals on Wheels mural on the walls of the famous Spago Restaurant in Los Angeles. The Picasso Academy of Fine Arts commissioned Kaufman to create a portrait of Picasso, one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. Kaufman was also commissioned to create a portrait of Van Gogh for The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. He has been so fortunate to be the only American to be honored with the Picasso Ring which is an annual award given to an artist the Picasso Academy feels has the spirit of Picasso.

Since 2003 Kaufman had experienced several difficulties with his health including several major strokes, mini-strokes, and even battled with cancer. On the morning of February 12, 2010 Kaufman was found dead in his hotel room in Vail, Colorado due to heart complications, at the young age of 49. That day, the world lost one of it's greatest American Pop Artists and a generous humanitarian. His paintings have found their way into the homes and hearts of so many, capturing the true American pop art experience.

The legend lives on at American Fine Art Editions, Inc. where you can find a variety of Kaufman’s unique and limited edition works on canvas in addition to the works of Kaufman’s mentor and the Prince of Pop, Andy Warhol. Visit our 12,000 sq. ft. showroom in Old Town Scottsdale, AZ or call one of our International Art Consultants today. Our website is offered only as a limited place to browse or refresh your memory and is not a reflection of our current inventory. If you need to learn more about collecting, pricing, value or any other art information your International Art Consultant will assist you and give you the one on one attention you deserve. We hope you find our website helpful and look forward to seeing you in Scottsdale soon.