We sat down with Brian Wolf, Art Director at The Communications Group. He shared his artistic journey, creative process and advice for those interested in the field.
Brian’s artistic journey began during his childhood and is constantly evolving. In 2009, he graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor's in graphic design. He joined ComGroup in 2023. As art director, Brian oversees all things design, whether it's billboards, ads or tradeshow booths.
BW: As a kid, I was always drawing with my friends - Ninja Turtles or whatever. My brother and I would draw cartoon characters. I just got sucked into it that way. By the time I reached the end of high school, I thought, “Man, I’m pretty good at this art thing.” I didn’t like doing math, writing, or any of that stuff. So, I went to the University of Arkansas to pursue an art degree. While I was enrolled there, I went on a month-long study abroad trip to Rome, which really cemented my desire to become a professional artist.
Do you have a favorite artist that inspires you?
BW: One of my favorite landscape paintings is at Crystal Bridges and it was painted by Marsden Hartley. The mountains in the painting look a lot like what you would see driving through the Ozarks. He painted using layers of thick oil paint in various colors. This creates an effect where it seems to radiate with actual ambient light. Every time I visit the museum, I make a point to find this painting to see what it has to say.
Has your artistic style evolved?
BW: I started with abstract and geometric paintings but found I didn’t connect with them as much anymore. Recently, I have shifted toward more symbolic work, blending symbolic elements into landscapes.
BW: Right now, I would describe my style as visionary art, incorporating symbolism. I’m working on integrating older works with newer elements to create a cohesive body of work.
BW: The hotel, 21C in Bentonville, wanted an immersive mural for their business office space. I worked on different designs and pitched one to their team, and they liked it. The room had all white walls, about 10 feet tall. I came in and painted it within four days over Labor Day weekend in 2022. It was my first mural, and it was a huge learning curve, but it looked how I wanted it to. So, I consider it a success.
BW: It’s about finding a balance between the tedious tasks and the creative projects. When I have a creative project, I channel all my energy into it, knowing that the more mundane tasks are part of the process. It’s important to stay motivated and remind myself that creativity will come around again.
What skills or techniques do you think are essential for someone looking to enter the graphic design field?
BW: Proficiency with design software is crucial. You need to be efficient with the technical aspects to focus on creativity. Sometimes you’ll encounter something where you think, “I don’t know how to fix this. This is a weird software issue, not a creative one.” Once you learn the technical side, you don’t have to think about it as much, allowing you to be creative and experiment with different designs. Trying all the variations helps you know what works and what doesn’t.
BW: Stay inspired and open to learning. Visit galleries, stay updated with current trends, and don’t be afraid to experiment. It’s important to keep your passion alive. I try to go to local galleries and pop-ups whenever there’s a new show.
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