Committed to creativity

Willow Wolfe, the founder of Willow Wolfe Painting Courses and Art Supplies, has a lifelong passion for art. She read about American actor/artist Richard Grieco's experiments with "abstract emotionalism" painting style, which sparked her interest in painting. Wolfe contacted Grieco, who shared his script for his semi-autobiographical movie The Painter, and ordered her Seneca brushes. Although it is not confirmed if the brushes will be featured in the film, Wolfe is honored to be involved.

Wolfe's passion for art started at a young age. She became interested in art at nine years old and signed up for a two-week art camp at 19. After graduating from University of Winnipeg Collegiate, she planned to study law, but her path changed when she discovered her love for painting.

In the early 1990s, Wolfe opened a shop on Grant Avenue with her mother, Willow's, which marketed art supplies and offered beginner lessons. She also became a coordinator for Graffiti Art Programming, a youth art centre/gallery. Her interest in paint brushes grew, leading her to work in product development for brush manufacturers, focusing on ethical sourcing and brush design.

Wolfe was not a fan of brushes made with natural animal hair, particularly those from farmed squirrels, hogs, and sables. She advocated for synthetic-brush makers to create brushes that exceeded natural hair in quality. After closing her store, she operated from her home, handling sales and marketing for brush companies at industry shows and conventions across North America.

After 20 years of helping create paint brushes, Wolfe launched her own product line in 2019, introducing six lines of brushes with unique characteristics. Her products, produced primarily in Sri Lanka and Japan, are now stocked in stores worldwide, including England, Germany, and New Zealand. Wolfe also creates online courses and painting books, providing resources for her 100,000 students globally.