My name is Michael Cuffe. I am an artist, photographer, filmmaker, musician, writer, lover, chef, and gardener. My current obsession in life is the world of contemporary art. Art is ever-evolving; I enjoy the newness of it.

2: What do you do and what project are you currently working on?

I’m currently Editor in Chief at Warholian, a press-based arts publication situated in San Francsico, California. I am also a freelance editorial photographer for various magazines in addition to Warholian. I really love taking pictures and getting paid to do it, while building out my own portfolio.

3: Where are you from and where are you going?

I consider myself a dock-and-boat raised Minnesotan. I’m aiming to be a jet-setting, world-traveling, appreciative individual. Pleased with my pursuits, enjoying the contrast, and always asking for more.

4: Who is your biggest hero?

Richard Branson of Virgin with a dash of Gordon Ramsey, Don Draper, Nancy Botwin, and Hank Moody thrown in the mix.

5: What book is your bible?

Ask and It Is Given by Abraham-Hicks, anything by David Sedaris also works when I need a laugh.

6: What are some things you love? And some things you hate?

I love my girl, Lyrica Glory. I love head rubs (by the former, even when she tires of such things), massages, and traveling. I love watching the evolution of things and noticing patterns within systems. I love solutions to problems. I love laughter. I love the creative process.

I try not to hate many things these days. I’ve learned that focusing on a problem only draws it into your existence. I’m kinda over that shit.

7: What is your raison d’être?

Manifesting a wonderful life in this time/space reality, and inspiring others to create.
You can check out the real article here: Michael Cuffe | PMC Magazine.

This curated selection of work showcases Picasso’s diverse artistic skill containing an assemblage of paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings. Emphasizing the fact that Picasso was an artist of many mediums, this collection explores the complex relationship between artist and subject matter. Delving into the personal relationship of Picasso and his many muses – mistresses, wives, war and country are all subject matter which dominate Picasso’s focus in this collection. Containing examples from his Blue, Rose, Expressionist, Cubist, Neoclassical and Surrealist periods  -  the pieces have been curated specifically for the de Young from the Musée National Picasso collection.

John E. Buchanan, Jr., director of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco states, “These works present eloquent testimony to his role as a protean figure who not only created and contributed to new art forms and movements, but also forever transformed the very definition of art itself. Following on the heels of our recent exhibitions of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, this exhibition represents a natural progression forward to the masterworks of the 20th century.”

This show is unlike any other show you’re likely to see, offering an opportunity to see works that were under the ownership of Picasso himself.  These were some of his personal favorites, and highlight the breadth and depth of the artists mind and various mediums.

via Pablo Picasso’s Masterpieces shine in exhibit at de Young Museum – by Lyrica Glory and Michael Cuffe – Warholian | Warholian.

It’s Friday night of Art Basel week, this is it, Basel.

Our next stop is cocktail hour at the W Hotel South Beach. On the 12th floor of the hotel you’ll find the first part of the show entitled “The 6 on 12 Art Crawl.” Welcome to “The W-Model Home,” where units are for sale to interested parties for upwards of a few million dollars. Each condo pristinely decorated with the distinct elegance that has made the W brand name famous.

Beneath the watchful eyes of the hotel staff, art lovers were free to wander the residences with cocktails and hors d’oeuvre’s in hand, taking the art and atmosphere in. The lights of South Beach’s swankiest hotels glittered on the skyline, you could feel the excitement in the air. Miami exuded art – it sizzled with possibility – it was a beautiful summer evening in December.

Artists Hush, Eddie Colla, Mindy Linkous, Casey Gray, Robert Malmberg and Kofie One were the residence’s featured artists, each having their own “solo residence.” Robert Malmbeg’s residence set the scene for The Art’s Fund Expo’s nightly cocktail hour – pairing a lovely mixture of hospitality and ambiance – attendees networked and talked excitedly about art and the Basel experience.

Each artist had something unique to bring to their residence…

Hush’s origins as a street artist have translated with fluidity into the contemporary art scene. His popular works blend a mixture of graffiti, anime, and bold color palates to created pieces that blur the line of “fine” and “street” art.

Kofie One, who also has roots urban subculture, has been gaining a lot of recognition lately. His work pays homage to the draftsman and is highly geometric in nature, almost architectural in style. In a world where artists use reclaimed materials more and more, Kofie is king. The artist makes recycled materials look new, and successfully transitions them into something you’d see hanging in a museum.

Mindy Linkous’ work focuses on culturally familiar events rendered in black and white. The artist found quite a patronage at this years Expo, selling a number of works during the event. Her newest works on display at The Arts Fund Expo came to life through a series of creative sessions that produced the concept and generation of a new and fresh design.

via Review: Arts Fund Expo at the W Hotel South Beach Curated by White Walls – Art Basel Week – Warholian | Warholian.

Classic Sangria
1 (750-ml) bottle dry red wine
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 unpeeled lemon, sliced
1/2 unpeeled large navel orange, sliced
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup brandy
1/2 cup Cointreau or other orange liqueur

Put wine, juice, and fruit slices in a heatproof pitcher. Bring sugar, water, brandy, and Cointreau just to a simmer in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then pour into pitcher. Chill, covered, at least 1 hour and up to 24.

Serve over ice- makes 8 drinks.

Recipe curtesy of Epicurious via Classic Sangria Recipe.

Each sculpture is an amazing piece of miniature architecture, perfectly replicated and exquisitely detailed. Emotionally compelling to behold, the work explores the juxtaposition between organized religion and violence.

Al Farrow’s work is literally on the museum level, and it has been displayed within the walls of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; the De Young Museum; and the private collection of the State of Israel.

His largest piece in the show “Bombed Mosque” depicts a war ravaged mosque – an icon of modern warfare. “Through deceptively meticulous demolition, the artist exposes a deep chasm in the dome covered in scorch marks and riddled with shrapnel – one can only assume the structure has been bombed. The monumental sculpture, which took more than a year to create, is made with over 50,000 bullets and shell casings and weighs 780 lbs.”

via Al Farrow Reliquaries at Catharine Clark Gallery – story by Lyrica Glory for Warholian | Warholian.

The Factory is in reference back to Andy Warhol’s original New York City studio from the years 1962-68. The original Factory artists helped Warhol “create paintings, star in his films, and basically developed the atmosphere for which the Warhol became legendary” a sentiment that Warholian feels is very much represented by this group of artists in WARHOL REIMAGINED: THE NEW FACTORY. This group of artists collectively represent the new artist movement that seems to be centered within San Francisco.

The Warholian Factory Artists were given a 20″x24″ panel, and asked to pick from a selection of over 60 of Warhol’s works. The works were chosen based on their importance in Warhol’s lifetime body of art and prominence. These included his most classic portraits of celebrities, early body of illustrations, self-portraits and his most classic iconic pieces.

via Warhol Reimagined: The New Factory Gala Opening at Project One Gallery – Design District San Francisco – Warholian.com | Warholian.

Featuring a blend of galleries and artists, the fair had a variety of edgy competitively priced works, with the general show aesthetic ranging from pop, to abstract, to new contemporary.

Artist Swoons’ poignantly detailed figurative cutouts were a show highlight, and you could pick up your very own original from 10-15k for a 12″ x 24″ piece.

Also a highlight, Bay Area based abstract painter Carly Ivan Garcia whose style – reminiscent of Basquiat, Pollock and Picasso- conveys the new energy of the abstract expressionist movement. Another notable abstract painter to emerge from the fair was Lindsey Brooke Wilner. Wilners’ work reflects the energy of this vivacious artist, who can be recognized by her tulle fairy skirts. Her paintings present a pleasing palate of bold, bright, and fun colors.

The detailed works of collage and diorama artist Ray Sell have left a lasting impression. Using a combination of mixed media, bullets and collage, each piece of Sell’s has been rendered into a noir inspired piece of pop art.

Perhaps the master of Pop at the Fountain Fair was artist Greg Haberny, who propensity to transform his spaces into detailed installations of pop nostalgia had everyone including his fellow artists inspired. Haberny, gives full attention to his details, offering a full selection of art at all price points to the interested collector.

via Fountain Exhibition 2010 Review and Pictures – Basel Miami Beach 2010 – Wynwood Arts District – Warholian | Warholian.