KEIRA WOLF
‘Bold but tranquil, inspired by the 70’s & 80’s
“I love the 70’s & 80’s, I am a very nostalgic person. I listen to a lot of old blues and rock for inspiration. I am a self taught artist that has been painting since I was very young. I have a highly active and creative mind that does not turn off haha.”
Keira Wolf is a self taught Australian artist based on the Gold Coast, who has been painting since early childhood. As a trained cinemagraphic make up artist, Keira has traded in her make up brushes for paint brushes. With a strong family connection to Hawaiian culture, Keira has been able to use these experiences to inspire and guide her through many forms of artistic expression, from jewellery making to special effects makeup. Whilst growing up Keira frequently visited her family who resided in Hawaii where she would create art collaboratively with her grandmother, who was an avid crafter and artist. Both drawing inspiration from the volcanic mountains and turbulent oceans but more importantly each other. After living in London for 6 years, Keira returned to the east coast of Australia in the mid 2000’s and started making and selling jewellery. Using metal, leather, crystals and stones Keira made distinct and unusual wearable art. Experimenting with various mediums has always been an important practice in Keira’s life. Born into a creative family, art and craft was a daily undertaking. With a thirst for colour and form, Keira uses acrylic, spray paint, oil sticks, pastels and pen to create emotive and vivid pieces by balancing bold design and fine detail. She draws inspiration from elements of the past, textiles, weathered music posters that line the city streets revealing layers of times gone by, the curves of mid century design, the attributes of nature amongst others, while blues, 80’s and old rock music are the soundtrack to her creations. “ My goal when painting is always to create something that sparks emotion. Whether I am painting for me or someone else, art is pointless without feeling. As a very active and highly vivid dreamer, I love to use my art as an extension of my brain. If I can get some of what dances in my head onto a canvas, and then that sparks something in someone else… then that’s my job done, that makes me very happy.” @art.keirawolf /www.keirawolf.com
Where did you study art or how did you train?:
I am self taught artist/ painter but I trained in special effects and cinema graphic make up with Peter Frampton.
Who are your biggest artistic influences?:
I love Basquiat, Hilma Af Klint, Andy Warhol, Joan Miro & David Bowie … I have a big list .
How would you describe your artistic style?:
Bold but tranquil, finding the calm amongst the chaos.
I am definitely influenced by 70’s and 80’s design and detail, the colours and sometimes repetitive design that they used. I like my pieces to be well balanced without being too symmetrical, if you stare at them for a while the shapes and details tend to dance and move around the canvas.
What themes or subjects do you most frequently explore in your art work?:
I like to create other worlds through my art. Almost like you are peering through a window , about to step through the looking glass into another land unlike your own. Tapping into that childhood imagination that we all have- it is so precious but gets lost as we grow older.
Have you won any awards or participated in any exhibitions?:
Yes my work is at Fine Print Co galleries and I have participated in 100/100 Exhibition through Miami Marketta.
Do you have a memorable story or experience related to your art?:
My greatest memories are creating with my grandma. She lived in Hawaii so I didn’t get to see her often but we tried to visit every year or two. She was very creative and talented. She volunteered at thrift stores and would bring home unusual 2nd hand items and turn them into art. She would give my sister and I art and craft projects, like folk art painting old chairs or making Christmas decorations. She also used to make clothing from vintage ties. They were the best times.
Tell us about your first painted ArtBag. What was the inspiration behind this piece. What did you most and least enjoy about working on it?:
Sometimes it’s hard to restrict your idea to a small “canvas” but I actually had a plan as soon as I saw the bag. I wanted to keep some of the rich colour and show off the grooves in the leather. So I used the marking to create a playful board game looking design with the checks. Almost looks like a whimsical snakes and ladders. I loved seeing what colours pop on the leather. It was very satisfying painting with the blue paint on leather. I do love that you can refine, adjust and remove with rubbing alcohol. That allowed me to strengthen lines on the bag.
Keira Wolf chose to custom paint a vintage croc embossed Furla bag with a scalloped edge. This bag is a rich brown leather with a cream interior and teamed with brass hardware. Why not add Keira Wolfs ArtBag to your collection today - available to purchase in our shop or book her for a one-to-one commission on your own handbag.
