The Artist
75+ Years of Making Art
“We feel so privileged to own paintings by Victor Steven Rosenberg. He tells stories through his artistry. Depending on lighting, our paintings tell us a vivid new story every day! His use of dramatic color provides a focal point for our guests to engage in and enjoy.”
Eadie and John G., Arizona
Many years ago as an artist, I discovered through painting different stylistic nuances that a lifetime of work could be based on. This is what most artists do. Artists find a stylistic niche and repeat it over and over, i.e. ninety nine shades of the same color. The academic art community, both art makers and buyers, operate in this circle of reality. This is the clever way. And usually the financially rewarding way.
But instead of falling into the trap of repeating myself over and over, which ends up in slick surfaces without substance, I chose, many years ago, to be honest especially with myself in this world of 'The Emperor's Clothes'. I chose 'the path least traveled', never getting stuck or falling into the trap of becoming a 'hollow artist and man'. It certainly is not a recipe for becoming a rich artist, though.
There is a stylistic connection to all that I create, but it is not on purpose. It is natural. Natural style and true substance. I am always exploring and discovering through paint, pen, pencil, brushes, and materials. Every time I face the surface to paint or draw something new, it is like the first time. No stylistic crutches. Always a beginner's mind.
My subject matters are landscapes, shamanic figures, animals, the cosmos, and the power I find in the land that reflects this beautiful place on earth. I’ve been called a visionary, but it’s not true…I’m an explorer. The adventure of art for me is to discover, through materials, a way to bring a new and different eye to an everyday idea, to re-create nature not just copying or imitating what is seen, but by making visible what is not yet seen, discovering the unknown waiting below the surface where the paint talks to me and hopefully to you.
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For example, take a Yaqui Deer Dancer or a Mountain Landscape. To a certain degree I paint the way a Yaqui Deer Dancer appears however, my emphasis is to reach for the essence, the magic, the transformation, the unseen, the natural blending with the supernatural.
Although, I know I always fall short of the mark, I leave a record of my exploring, reaching, and aiming. My goal is not to paint a picture but rather to paint a window into a universe often obscure from everyday eyes.
"One of the best artists, I have ever known."
Bill E.
Sometimes I start with painting a very graphic image of the land, a person, an animal. Then, I negate the obvious to separate, distinguish, define, and discover. I don’t seek because seeking implies one knows the image sought. Instead, I eventually discover a vision, an essence, a secret waiting below the surface. I paint until a little voice says, “Whoa! Take a look, Victor. It’s Father Kino." "It’s an angel."
Then, if it calls for it, I refine and tighten the image, bringing the work into focus. Now the paint is talking. But words are not enough. The painting must have a resonance, a depth that goes beyond words or pictures. An 'X' Factor. Then the work can leave the studio.
"The greatest natural painter I've ever met."
Paul Heald, Seattle artist
Making art for me is an act of wonderment and wonder is a large part of my religion. Within that wonder is the seat of my humility and having a relationship with the Creator.
"[This wonder] is what makes you a great artist.
I always enjoy seeing your work ."
Elizabeth T-S, Artist, Mexico
The Environments That Helped Shape My Art
Northwest
I attended the Cornish School of Fine Arts in Seattle, WA, which unzipped the outer shell of my family’s traditions and expectations. The Northwest became the foundation for my journey as an artist. I painted in a variety of places from a house on Capitol Hill in Seattle close to where I went to art school, to a storefront close to downtown Seattle, to an old farmhouse in Skagit Valley without heat and many broken windows, to a waterfront studio/gallery in La Conner. In the Northwest my palette was limited, mostly blacks, grays, off-whites, and earth reds. I painted in the Northwest for 8 years.
By Southeast
I moved to the Southeast in 1977 and began to explore with color, expanding the palette I was using. I also started to explore my own inner space, seeking, always seeking to discover a vision. I painted in the Southeast for 12 years.
By Southwest
While visiting the Sonoran Desert in 1989, I heard the desert call me. I’ve been painting in the Southwest now for over 30 years. The Southwest, in particular the Sonoran Desert, has been a powerful muse for me, influencing my art through osmosis, flowing through me, offering its essence which becomes my vision, and helping me celebrate color in my work.
Three sensibilities, three different lights, three different environments; all synthesized into what I create today.
Northwest By Southeast By Southwest
Each environment added to my work,
ever expanding what I bring to each canvas.
Artists Who Have Influenced My Work
Artist Influencer: Chaim Soutine
"As a young artist in my formative years, dozens of painters in the past influenced me. As time went by those influences sink back into the subconscious and only when you dig deep into the history of the artist will you see those influences as subtle as that may be. "
VSR, 2022
Art Influencer: Van Gogh
The Art
What is Art with Victor
90-10 Rule in Victor's Art
What Is A Giclée Print?
A giclée (zhee-CLAY) print is an individually produced, high-resolution, high-fidelity, high tech reproduction done on a special large format printer. Giclées are produced from digital scans of existing artwork and create a whole new vibrant medium for art and investment.
Giclées are superior to traditional lithography in nearly every way. The colors are brighter, last longer, and are so high-resolution that they are virtually 'continuous tone', rather than tiny dots. The range or "gamut" of color for giclées is far beyond that of lithography, and details are crisper. Each one of Victor’s giclées is taken one step further with a UV coating which insures that as time marches on the print will retain its original crisp, clear, clarity of image.
Giclées use inkjet technology, but far more sophisticated than your desktop printer. The process employs six colors--light cyan, cyan, light magenta, magenta, yellow and black (sometimes TWO blacks)--of lightfast (fade resistant) pigmented inks and finer, more numerous, replaceable print heads resulting in a wider color gamut. The ink is sprayed onto the page, actually mixing the color on the page to create truer shades and hues.
Giclées can be printed on any number of media, including canvas and watercolor paper. Since giclée printers can use media in rolls, large print sizes are available, limited only by the length and width of the roll. Billboard sizes are possible.
Giclées were originally developed as a proofing system for traditional lithographic printing presses, but it soon became apparent that the presses were having a hard time delivering the quality and brilliant color of the giclée proofs. Thus, giclées evolved into the new darlings of the art world. They are coveted by collectors for their fidelity and quality, and desired by galleries and artists alike because they don't have to be produced in huge quantities with their large layout of capital and storage. In addition, giclées are produced directly from a digital file, (which can be remotely uploaded) saving generations of detail-robbing negatives and printing plates used with traditional litho printing.
For More Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giclée
Why Buy Original Art and/or Limited Edition Prints (Giclées)?
Purchasing Art by Victor Steven Rosenberg
When buying a piece of art, investment should always be secondary. The real reason and the only reason to acquire a piece of art is because something within your soul connects with what you are seeing. There is a craving, a need to have a particular image (original or giclée) in your life. If the connection between you and the art is real, then you will never tire of it or be bored with your acquisition.
Investment is a secondary reason for purchasing art. Original art, if affordable, is always a good investment both spirtually and monetarily. Limited edition giclée prints (generally in editions of 100, signed and numbered prints with a Certificate of Authenticity) are also good investments. Both original art and limited edition prints come with Certificates of Authenticity, proof that I am the artist. The Certificate will be especially useful to your heirs to prove the authenticity of the artwork. Here is an example of a Certificate of Authenticity (opens as .pdf in separate window).
Two kinds of giclées are available on this website. Both are made through the same process (see What is a Giclée Print?). The first kind of giclée print is a signed, limited edition giclée print. The majority of my images have editions of 100; a few images have more. Over time this print will increase in value and is considered an investment. It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. Limited, edition, signed prints are available here.
The second type of giclée is available on the Art for Sale: Prints, etc. page and is simply an unsigned and un-numbered print without a Certificate of Authenticity. While this kind of giclée is not considered a financial investment, it is an investment in yourself and your surroundings.
Every image (painting) you see on this website is available as a limited edition giclée. So far, no one painting has been closed to signed and numbered prints.
"Always a fan of your art."
Lili T.
About This Website
This is an ever evolving website, and work in progress. If you are interested in purchasing one of my original paintings or drawings, please see my Art for Sale.
ALL of my images are available as giclée prints whether signed or unsigned. Various print sizes are available depending on the size of the original painting. Every purchase comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee as I want to ensure your happiness with your purchase. I am here to personally help you determine the print size that will fit your needs. Please contact me with any questions or book a zoom call to discuss my art.
Giclée prints done on canvas are printed onto a premium canvas and then stretched on a wooden frame of 1.5" x 1.5" stretcher bars (gallery wrap) or 5/8" x 5/8" stretcher bars (museum wrap). Your canvas print will be delivered to you ready to hang.
Framed giclée prints are assembled, packaged, and shipped by expert framing staff and delivered ready to hang.