Miami, FL – April 2, 2015 – Wynwood Art Group celebrated J. Steven Manolis’ collection of artworks with a solo show entitled “Color Rhapsody”. Dr. Annette Blaugrund, noted American Art Historian and past Director of the National Academy of Design, curated the series of paintings presented in five categories: Surf’s Up, White and…, Biscayne Bay Sun Water and Sky, California Dreaming and South Pointe Park. The night also marked the release of Manolis’ limited edition 48 page catalogue entitled “Color Rhapsodies,” as well as the inauguration of an exclusive collaboration fusing Art + Photography with Miami-based, Fred Love. With plentiful libations and entertainment provided by leading DJ duo, LePham and Dan Tenor-City, this was certainly an evening to remember.

Manolis’ paintings are an expression of the conflict between simplicity and complexity, starting every painting with a natural unstructured plan. He then keeps adding on, going further with each image. More often than not this process quickly leads to either a visual conflict, or worse yet, having already gone too far. When this occurs the visual conflict needs to be resolved. It is then that this resolution becomes a work of art unique to J. Steven Manolis.

Before the big night, World Red Eye caught up with Manolis and heard a little bit about how he got his start, as well as an in-depth look into his creations.

WRE: Have you always known you wanted to be an artist?

JSM: I knew I wanted to be an artist since I was 8 but my family refused my dream. I started painting privately and intensely at age 35. I had twenty five years of private one-on-one lessons from most famous living American colorist Wolf Kahn (who learned from “The Master” Hans Hoffman).

WRE: Tell us about your latest solo show, “Color Rhapsody.”

JSM: I hope that “Color Rhapsody” reflects the philosophy and range of my painting skills in all sizes shapes mediums and surfaces.

WRE: What are you hoping admirers will take away from the “Color Rhapsody” Collection?

JSM: That color (or even the lack of color) can inspire and evoke emotions of joy and beauty, and create a desire to live with these visually stimulated sensations.

WRE: How long does it usually take you to come up with a shows worth of work?

JSM: This particular show has work from the last five years.

Fred Love

WRE: Tell us about your latest collaboration with Fred Love? How did you guys meet? How did the concept come about?

JSM: We are great personal and professional friends and joint members of the Wynwood Art Group. We both felt the need and desire to make certain of his photographic images “one-of-a-kind” and Fred was comfortable with my aesthetic interpretations. We communicated and collaborated every step of the way in each piece.

J. Steven Manolis

WRE: Can we expect more collaborations from you and Love in the future?

JSM: We hope to make LOVEMANOLIS become a leading, cutting edge and collectible Art + Photography effort. We hope to enter the broad base global market with Limited Editions of our works. We are looking to produce a book with approximately fifty images in the near future as well. Through the Wynwood Art group gallery we intend to show in four or five art fairs per year.

WRE: What can we find you doing when you’re not painting?

JSM: I am a real estate investor developer, rock band participant, avid golfer and devoted father and grandfather. I’m now painting seven days a week, however.

WRE: What are some of your favorite things to do while in South Florida?

JSM: I love South Florida’s outdoor environment as well as dining and socializing with the many many interesting people who work, live and visit.

David Leon

Jaqueline Proctor

Fred Love

Alex Korolkovas

J. Steven Manolis

Nicole McCarty & J. Steven Manolis

Nicole McCarty & Fred Love

Taren Casdiy, Fred Love, & Nicole McCarty

Fred Love & J. Steven Manolis

J. Steven Manolis & Nicole McCarty

Alex Korolkovas, Yuri Lara, & Steven Garcia

Erni Vales, DJ Zoe, & Miguel Paredes

J. Steven Manolis

J. Steven Manolis, Myrthia Moore, & Brian Svaldi

Lisset Deval & Richard Sands

Alena Graff, Malinka & Tamara Max

Heather Davis & Alex Korolkovas

Fred Love & Steve Fox

Fred Love & Hamilton Aguiar

Nicole McCarty, Fred Love, Guillermo de Yavoraky, & Hamilton Aguiar

David Leon, Fred Love, J. Steven Manolis, & Hamilton Aguiar

Hamilton Aguiar, J. Steven Manolis, Jaqueline Proctor, & David Leon

Tristan Storm, Melanie Nolan, Christopher Levi, & James Smith

DJ Le Spam