Jason Oliva with ‘Promise me a Cat” 2013 Racehorse Portrait

 Racehorse Portraits by Jason Oliva

‘Promise Me a Cat’ 2013

Racehorse Portraits are a time-honoured tradition in the world of art and horse racing. With the Kentucky Derby fast approaching, I thought it appropriate to write something about a portrait I painted of a racehorse, earlier this year.

During my career  I have painted quite a few portraits – some of people, some of dogs,some of myself - but I was the most excited when I received my first racehorse portrait commission. I knew exactly how I was going to paint it. First, as with all my portraits, I would have a single color field as a background to cancel out the noise of time and place. For this work I decided to use Naples Yellow, a color that reminded me of my all time favourite painting Whistlejacket.

Whistejacket by George Stubss in The National Gallery London

Whistlejacket resides in the National Museum in London, in an auspicious location opposite England’s treasured Turner paintings. Whistlejacket was painted by Theodore Stubbs, the artist who knew more about horse anatomy than any other person, Stubbs had been referred to as the Leonardo Da Vinci of the equine world.  I can’t explain why I love the painting so much…best not to question things like that and just get on loving it.

Anyway, I received the photographic source material of Promise me a Cat at the finish line and, just like the single color field, I also knew exactly how the work would look. I would paint out anything that was not the horse, anything not natural, the jockey, the saddle, the reins, everything and just let the portrait simply be about the horse.

I have painted other horses such as Surrey and Three Horses and it is a favorite subject of mine to study but this was the first time that I had been commissioned to capture a specific horse’s image and character. It was a really interesting painting to work on and I was over the moon with the end result.

Racehorse Portrait: Promise me a Cat Jason Oliva 2013

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Chateau Musar Rouge: Flight One

Serge Hochar along with his son Marc arrived at New York Vintners in Tribeca on Thursday, April 25th 2013.  We tasted:

Flight One

Chateau Musar 2001 Rouge
Chateau Musar 1990 Rouge
Chateau Musar 1983 Rouge
Chateau Musar 1975 Rouge
Chateau Musar 1964 Rouge

Chateau Musar Blanc : Flight Two

Flight Two

Château Musar 2005 Blanc
Château Musar 1999 Blanc
Château Musar 1981 Blanc
Château Musar 1970 Blanc
Château Musar 1966 Blanc

…with Serge Hochar and a group of about 20 others at New York Vintners in Tribeca (which also acts as my Art Gallery).

I could say a lot about the evening – the wines, for example, or the experience of having a glass of Chateau Musar wine from my birth year (1970) in my art studio – but I will keep it short because it was a Mountain Top moment meeting, talking to and tasting with Serge Hochar.

Here is what I learned from Serge Hochar:

- Where there is no challenge there is no fun

- Knowledge vs. know how (How you make things is your choice)

- “I make the wines for my own pleasure”-Serge Hochar

- Never follow the rules

- If a wine does not linger or become a memory, don’t waste your time on it

- Wine making is a gamble and so is life

- Don’t drink, taste! If you learn to take the time to taste your wine you will also learn how to better taste your life

- Take a minute..taste the wine..don’t talk..talking disturbs the brain…give your brain a chance to open a window and look at something new, confusing and hopefully attractive.

- Weather, Wine & Woman are the most unpredictable things in life

- Wine makes friends

- Wine is a global drink that is bringing the world together

- Wine is blood

- Wine is a miracle

- Wine is life

- Oohh La-La!

Thank you Serge and Marc Hochar for your friendship – and the best wine and ‘life’ tasting ever.

If you would like to learn more about Chateau Musar and their wines, visit their website and join Club Musar.

If you would like to learn more about life, book a ticket and visit Serge in Lebanon.

Serge Hochar and Jason Oliva with Serge’s Statue of Liberty work on paper.

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Painting: Phone II
Jason Oliva
2013
40″ x 32″
[Sold]

Private Collection: New York

Painting by Jason Oliva & The Fading art of Conversation

The commissioner of Phone II had a dream about the original Phone painting from 2004  but envisioned it in orange. Not wanting to duplicate another similar painting of a a rotary phone we conceived of the idea of a candlestick phone. Stay tuned for pictures of Phone II hanging in its new surroundings and also the opportunity to view and obtain Paper Works based on Phone & Phone II in the future.

Thank you

The Fading art of conversation

by Sophie Oliva

It is strange to think it was not that long ago when mobile or cell phones were a personal possession of the few, rather than the masses. And before they were a personal possession of the few, well … even the few did not own them. Instead we had landlines and telephone boxes – if you wanted to speak to someone you had to pick up the phone and dial their number and then … wait for it …. speak to them! (or else put a letter in a postbox). That’s right kids, it really is true.

But oh, how times have changed. Isn’t it easy (too easy?) to communicate with someone or be communicated with, in this day and age. And the funny thing is, although we still refer to them as our ‘phones’, nobody really uses them to properly speak to each other. Just like the email replaced the letter, the text has replaced the telephone conversation.

I wonder how many people we would speak to on a daily basis if we actually had to speak to them?

And so the telephone above (Phone II. 2013) and the telephone below (Phone. 2004), apart from being fine paintings, also capture something of a fast-fading past, when communication required a little more effort and as a result, was perhaps a little more real.

Phone
Jason Oliva
2004
40″ x 40″

For sale by the Artist

Contact JasonOliva for price and information

Contact [Jason]

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A Turtle with an Elephant on its back carrying the world

22″ x 30″ Edition of 50 hand painted on Arches Paper

$475 (add $125 for Larson Juhls double frame)

Contact: Jasonoliva@gmail.com

View works on paper that are available for purchase. 

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…this Saturday February 16th. I will be showing people around my latest exhibition on the 7th floor within the John Allans Mens Club. If you would like to come by send me an email and arrange a time. 

[ JasonOliva@gmail.com ] Saks 5th Ave between 49th and 50th

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Jason Oliva
2013
Octopus Oil on Canvas
54″ x 54″

Hello everyone,

Meet me at Saks!

Starting today I will have paintings and works on paper hanging at John Allan’s on the 7th Floor of Saks Fifth Avenue (5th between 49th and 50th) Feel free to reach out to me at JasonOliva@gmail.com and set up a time for a private tour.

Thank you

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Jason Oliva (1970- )
Moose Tell a Lie. 2011
Acrylic on Canvas, 36 x 70

[Sold]

Private Collection: Brooklyn, NYC

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Happy Holidays everyone. Thanks for a great Holiday Season.

Cheers

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Hello Everyone,

Last call for alcohol! There are less then 20 bottles of Stripey Horse available out of the original 250 bottles and 20 Magnums(sold out). I will be offerring these remaining bottles until December 25th after that they will go into the wine library to be used for future wine events and tastings. If you are interested in collecting one of these remaining gems please email me at: Jasonoliva@gmail.com

Have no fear though the next vintage is just on the horizon and now is the time to reserve your allocation of [Astronaut] 2009! Click Here for more information and to also contact me with questions or orders.

It has been an amazing holiday season and I would like to take a moment and thank everyone for their support! I will be in the studio (Below New York Vintners 21 Warren Street) up to and including Xmas day to help provide you with all your last minute gift needs so drop in have some wine and see what I am working on too.

Thanks and Cheers

Sterling Silver Rose tinted Lion Jason Oliva Jewelry

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Hello Everyone,

Happy Holidays! Just wanted to let everyone know I will be having an open studio from now until Xmas Day so come on down and have a glass. Relax on the couch and take a break from Holiday shopping and watch as I toil away on a large commission. Shane the owner of New York Vintners will be there and can help fulfill all your Holiday party wine needs as well!

Send me an email: JasonOliva@gmail.com or just drop in…groups welcome

Location: (Below, New York Vintners 21 Warren St. between Church and Broadway in Tribeca, NYC. All subways to either City Hall or Chambers Street)

Happy Holiday!

Cheers

Jason

The Jason Oliva [Online] Holiday Catalog

            [Silver, Wine, Art & Gold]

 Browse all that is available this holiday season.

Large commission I will be working on between now and Xmas. Jason Oliva 2012

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