His entry into the world of serious pop art began in his teens when he became an assistant to Andy Warhol at The Factory studio, who nicknamed him "SAK".

Kaufman was the middle child, surrounded by an extended family, many of whom were painters and sculptors that were a significant influence on him and his views on art.

[2] Kaufman designed theme parties for various nightclubs, sold his paintings to Calvin Klein and Steve Rubell, and participated in a group art show with pop artist Keith Haring, whom he had met at the SVA.

[2] In the late 1980s, Kaufman participated in an AIDS demonstration in order to lock the New York City mayor in his own office, during which he was arrested.

Kaufman campaigned for AIDS awareness with art shows featuring 5'x 5' paintings of Trojan condom wrappers.

[2] Leaving Warhol's Factory, Kaufman established his own SAK Studio, hiring homeless New Yorkers to assist him.

[2] In 1993, Kaufman moved his studio to Los Angeles and began painting in a new style he called 'comic book pop art'.

[2] Reportedly, the ailing Sinatra ran his frail hands over the completed paintings and nodded his appreciation, tears in his eyes.

He released works such as Sinatra's Rat Pack and Mug Shot, Al Pacino as "the Godfather" and "Scarface", New York City radio personality Howard Stern, Barbie, and two new editions of Marilyn Monroe.

An example of Kaufman's museum art includes the September 11 Memorial Painting which was a tribute to the heroes of the World Trade Center attacks.

Kaufman created a 20 by 500 feet (6.1 m × 152.4 m) series of paintings to commemorate the 35-year history of Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, drawing 10 million visitors in the first 4 months.

[1] He recovers to show in Las Vegas where he was honored by Mayor Oscar Goodman, the Nevada governor and senator for Steve Kaufman Day on May 31.

Kaufman donated art and participated in "Love Ride" with Jay Leno and Peter Fonda for the tenth consecutive year.

Kaufman creates "mini-heart paintings" to present as gifts to children who attend his shows and free framed plates for those who purchase.

Kaufman visited Ellis Island as a guest of Lee Iacocca and meets TV anchor Ernie Anastos whose portrait he paints and presents on the set of Fox News, New York.

King,[7] Sammy Davis Jr., Al Pacino, Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), President Barack Obama, Jay Leno, John Travolta, mobster John Gotti, Beethoven, Napoleon and such icons of Americana as the $100 bill, Coca-Cola images, and artwork for the Campbell Soup Company.

[1][8] Kaufman suffered a series of debilitating strokes beginning in 2004, dying of a heart attack in Vail, Colorado, on February 12, 2010, as he prepared for an art show.

Since his death, Steve Kaufman's artwork has appeared in several television programs, art tourism hotels, and a number of international exhibitions including: