“J. Steven Manolis is truly one of a kind. When you meet him, there is a calming aura when you are in his presence, and it is reflected in his amazing work. His art speaks to me, and I enjoy looking at it every day when I need some balance. I am looking forward to adding new pieces to my collection.”

Adam Goodkin, Publisher, Simple the Best Magazine

“South Florida, and especially the City of Miami, is very fortunate to have local start J. Steven Manolis as a resident artist, businessman and muse. As local collectors and museums acquire his wonderful paintings, we all benefit”

Peter R. Ehrlich, Jr. Co-Founder, Scenic Miami. Miami, Florida

“J. Steven Manolis is a force of nature. To experience his language of color and form is to open your mind to his timeless message and raise your psyche to new levels of awareness. I have known few artists with such power of expression and with such ability to impact their audience.”

Daniel S. Mckitrick, PH D. Professor Emeritus. Graduate School of Psychology, Pacific University.

“A J. Steven Manolis painting will light up any room – his vibrant and characteristic use of color and patterns create a modern yet timeless aesthetic that immediately catches the eye. Every piece is inspiring and relatable. We are proud to be Manolis collectors!”

Daniel Benavides and Carla Isaias. Partner, Shutts & Bowen LLP, Miami, FL

“The art J. Steven Manolis is pure genius! His abstract paintings happily communicate to us in a very exciting way, every day. They have remarkably and aesthetically transformed the look and feel of our antique English Barn space in Southampton, New York.”

Christl & Kenneth Meszkat

“If music is the passion, then lyrics are the soul. So, too, it is with color on canvas J. Steven Manolis carries art’s libretto yet another step forward”

David B. Brode, Brode Asset Management; Theatrical Producer

“J. Steven Manolis love of life and all things creative has shown since our early days together in South Dakota as a musician and artist. His sophisticated, abstract paintings today show that same excitement through vivid combinations of color and technique that distinguish his work – inviting the viewer to experience the pleasure it brings without hindrance.”

Gary Myers, Professor Emeritus of English. Mississippi State University, Young Harris College, Georgia

“Congratulations to J. Steven Manolis on his new career as a successful artist. We have one of his early works, and are very happy about the recognition he is receiving.”

Harry and Gail Theodoracopulos

“J. Steven Manolis is a rare painting commodity, producing amazing color-filled works in an array of sizes. When one wants to dramatically improve the décor in one’s room, we suggest adding color, and there simply is no one better for color that the extraordinary and magnificent Abstract Expressionist painter, J. Steven Manolis”

Brian S. Long, Déjà vu Décor, Co-owner. Miami Design District, President BL-PR Inc.

“J. Steven Manolis uses creativity, brilliant colors and vision to clearly and unequivocally stamp out his mastery of abstract expressionism. Rich colors, innate application and commitment to excellence destine him for artistic greatness that is yet unheralded!”

LT. GEN. (RET.) and Ambassador (RET.) Dell L. Dailey

“For over two decades, I had the privilege to witness the art of J. Steven Manolis. His artistic skills go beyond the abstract category, as the audience sees layers of paint creating an unforgettable tri-dimensional masterpiece. Steven is passionate about colors, driven by his flight of imagination that manifest into beautiful splashes of reality.”

Alex Vignoli. Alex Vignoli Studio, Miami, FL

“J. Steven Manolis lives in many worlds of color. I am thrilled that for my home he painted a major work that reflects what I love about my life in Laguna Beach. The color of the water at my home is extraordinary, and he captured the glorious blue of the Pacific with all its undertones and overtones, just like the gran master of abstract expressionism, Jackson Pollock. He is an amazing talent that the world is blessed with, and I feel very lucky that he has captured the qualities of where I call home.”

Toni Alexander, Collector. Laguna Beach, California.

“I have known Steven Manolis since high school, when our passion for music brought us together to form a rock band. We developed the Torres into a touring group and took it on to the University of South Dakota, touring and recording during that time. I have seen Steven’s early passion for music reflected in his art over the past decade. His development as a colorist has been impressive as his work has achieved national recognition. Helen and I have enjoyed having his work in our home. We are pleased to see his art displayed at the University of South Dakota, where we have many fond memories.”

Fritz and Helen Leigh

“I knew J. Steven Manolis was something special when I first met him on the University of South Dakota campus in 1996; he was smart and driven. I felt the same when I first saw his artwork, stunned by its beauty and his flair for presentation. I believed then – and still do – that he will go down as one of the greatest American abstract artists. I am proud to won four of his pieces, and call him my friend.”

Rich Huffman, Lawyer, Land developer and Art lover. Demersseman Jensen Tellinghuisen & Huffman. Rapid City, South Dakota

  • J. Steven Manolis took private painting lessons from Wolf Kahn from 1984 -2013
  • Manolis’ public art career began 9/27/2014
  • 3 Solo Museum shows, 16 solo gallery shows, 16 group shows in 5 years
  • Manolis has over 360 private collectors in 5 years
  • Manolis paintings currently reside in permanent collection of several museums
  • Paintings are exhibited in 13 corporate installations
  • J. Steven Manolis’ art has received great critical acclaim.
  • Manolis Projects is the largest private studio – gallery complex in Florida

 Black is another color, as Matisse said. Manolis’ mastery of black confirms that he is a modern master … and with that an abstract expressionist…

…Manolis reminds us of the paradise of nature-a paradise almost lost… Manolis is an environmentalist: his art is a defense of nature at its most regal and vital, a homage to nature under extreme duress…

Indeed, Manolis’s color-saturated abstractions breathe fresh life – fresh feeling —- into abstract expressionism…

Manolis’ Miami abstract expressionism is a welcome relief from New York abstract expressionism, and just as authentic. That is, the happy self or happy consciousness that informs Manolis’ art is just as “true” as the miserable self or unhappy consciousness… But, the contemporary question is whether we prefer the self-destructive despair of the Age of Anxiety…or whether it’s time to welcome a more emotionally constructive, delightful kind of abstract expressionism.

— Donald Kuspit, Renowned Art Critic

Film Documentary (16 Minutes)

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