Geoff Wolfe

 

Why are you an artist?

 

I’m an artist because of some belief I have that is recurring and enables me to think that what I perceive and the thoughts I think and the ideas and concepts I create might have some purpose or meaning. That’s the start of it and then there is the creating of the “stuff” that becomes the art. I started writing poetry when I was a teenager because there were moments in my life that needed to be captured that seemed to be slipping away or I knew they would disappear. That was the chronicle sort of approach to art. What was happening was passing and could not be kept which is true. Now I’ve become a little more directive in finding my art. Finding the ideas and concepts takes more time now and the decision to make them art has a direction and moves with purpose.

Could you tell us some more about your paintings?

 

My paintings now are exploring the creative state of mind when you are creating poetry and visual art. The words become the brush strokes and the viewer is brought to a state of creating poetry themselves. Not completing poems but brought to the point of being in the middle of creating. I’m trying to touch on a moment in the creative cycle and bring that to a visual timelessness. Using words as themselves and as brush strokes in the painting gives the art many levels of meaning and perception to the viewer.

Is the subject important to you?

 

Right now the subject and concept of the painting is important to me. But I have painted and written to purely express myself at times. I think that is a part of any art on some level. Abstraction is a calling for all artists on some plane at some time.

What artists have influenced you, and how?

 

First would have to be Neal Dwyer who is a poetry professor at a college back east now, but was my first artistic friend in high school and wrote words that brought a chill to my spine. To know someone well and see them create is something that gives insight and meaning to art that can’t be taught. His friendship before we parted ways left me a writer for many years to come. My wife Terri is an artists and her paintings were what got me interested in the visual arts in addition to writing and playing music. Many of my earlier paintings were strongly influenced by her vision. In general seeing all the art being created at the Art Explosion studios has had the most resent influence on me. Seeing real art being made and the progression of different artists thoughts and ideas has brought direction to what I think art needs and is missing.

What inspires you to paint and how do you keep motivated when things get tough in the studio?

 

I love going to the studio and I have to fight for time to get there. Even when things get bad I get a chance to “express” myself. I keep a lot of all sorts of things in the studio to create with and I’ve painted over a few paintings in my time. Something will crack and some new approach or concept will come, but you have to work at it. Don’t be scared to screw something up all over again.

 

How have you handled the business side of being an artist?

 

I’ve painted some “pretty” pictures that have sold and I’ve painted some “concept” pictures I like but couldn’t give away. If I’m lucky I’ll find a style that I like and other people would like to hang on their wall. I hope I can do what I want without too much business pressure.

 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

 

I think I’m looking at the MOMA or bust.

 

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?

 

Be true to yourself because right now you are defining and becoming what you will be able to be true to later. Everything takes time and you’ll get there. My best guess after knowing many artists is about 2-3 years to hit your stride.

 

What do you do for fun (besides painting)?

 

Play with my kids, go skiing, write, watch movies and all the other life stuff.