Meet Tyler Wolfe | Illustrator and Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tyler Wolfe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyler, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Playfulness is what drives me to create, I enjoy making my work and playing with color and shape and it gives me an escape from the world around me. I like to approach my craft with the goal to have fun. My background started with illustration and doodles; I enjoyed cartoons, skating, and pop culture growing up so my art reflected those themes. As my art and style developed I learned how to incorporate my art with fashion, global commerce, and graphic design. I explore where imaginative illustration and clean design meet; in confronting this intersection I make art accessible on a daily level. Through commerce I challenge the viewer’s definition of art. Upon further development of this world that I have built, my artwork’s intention is centered around bridging fine art and global commerce.

My strategy is to create absurdity in the mundane and hilarity in the surreal which allows me to force audiences to view the world differently and question their own grasp on reality. My art creates an immersive window into a universe where everyday scenes are infused with humorous, chaotic, and surreal elements that elevate the mundane to a more interesting position.

In my opinion, no successful artist joins the industry because of the money. Art is my passion, and my passion is what drives me to ambitiously create. I touched on my artist statement a little bit, but I am simply happiest when I create and I love that art can create community and conversations.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
From a young age I’ve always been chasing the next idea. I’ve always been artistically inclined, my brothers wanted to watch cartoons, and I insisted on drawing them instead. What sets me apart from other artists is my passion, I am a dreamer and I enjoy life the most when I am working towards a goal; I find creative success to be one of the most fulfilling routes I can pursue.

In high school, I was passing around a sheet in my math class to sell hoodies that I designed and my math teacher got a hold of it. Instead of getting detention for passing notes in class, she actually got me in touch with her husband who worked at a graphic design company called Leapin’ Lizard labels. I started working there and was able to channel my artistry into the world of graphic design. I have always been known as the art kid, and I have been freelancing since I was in high school.

I just recently started my “creatives-for-hire” business: Wolfe Studios which is run by me and my fiancé. Wolfe Studios aims to create one of a kind, sustainable clothing while also using our design skills to build community and branding for local entrepreneurs. This artistic conglomerate allows me to freelance on the side while producing original merchandise featuring my art and building creative community in the Noco area. It currently hosts a podcast that interviews fellow creatives to share their stories with the world. Wolfe Studios is focused on community, our tag line is “creativity drives creativity.” Staying motivated and inspired is the most difficult goal for any creative or entrepreneur, anyone can dream big but staying consistent is what sets one apart. It’s hard to chase ideas alone, that’s why it is important to stay in community, and Wolfe Studios aims to build that. Although we are in the early stages of this business, I have a lot of experience under my belt and the drive to learn what I don’t know.

Before I even graduated college I moved from an intern to a full time graphic designer at the Fort Collins design firm: Toolbox Creative where I am currently employed. My work has been presented in half a dozen exhibitions and I’ve sold over 400 t-shirts and hoodies with my art in my communities.I recently got chosen to paint a 9×27 foot mural in the UNC tunnel. I just recently curated and hosted my own art show and drop party where I invited local artists to present their work in a gallery setting. Some of these artists presented and sold their artwork for the first time which was thrilling to be a part of. I am only 21 years old but I am super grateful to own my own business and have so much creative success under my belt.

Creating is not always easy, finding the time for my passions is extremely difficult and time is my most precious resource. Self discipline and drive is not something I’ve always had, but I am grateful for opportunities to learn and better myself. A lesson that I have learned is that nothing comes easy, if I want to accomplish a goal, it’s going to involve a lot of hard work and time. I have learned that you have to take risks as a creative and that we are all capable of more than we know.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First stop is coffee! I’d go to my favorite coffee shop, Lima to order a brown butter latte. There’s plenty of good restaurants in town, but the best are in downtown Fort Collins, because the atmosphere is what makes it. My personal favorite places to eat are silver grill for breakfast; comet chicken, Yampa Sandwiches, or Slyce for lunch; and Austins, Next Door, or Blue Agave for dinner. I’d love to go up to horse tooth for a quick morning hike, or just a drive around it if we’re too full from breakfast. If there’s time, there’s always good thrifting at Goodwill or Brand Spanking Used.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The first person I’d love to thank would be my fiancé, Julie Birge; she is my biggest supporter and to sound the cliche, I could not do this without her. Another organization that has helped me out a ton is Toolbox Creative, they have provided me with wonderful opportunities and resources that helps me grow my skills daily. My mentor there, Paul Lukes, is always excited to share new things and I am grateful to be a part of a creative and collaborative community there. I’m grateful to my parents Kevin and Susan Wolfe who have always helped me kindle my passion from a young age.

Website: wolfestudios.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfe.designs/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-wolfe-30298a194/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyler.wolfe.395891

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHPHuqXiLsKb-1QMhA3E_HA