Artist Spotlight: Michael Wolfe

We speak with The Block Artist in residence Micheal Wolfe,

who gives us an insight into life on The Block.

Michael Wolfe and Scott Cam with artwork 'Providence Gully' in the entry hallway to Scotty's house. 

Tell us a bit about yourself...

I grew up in Glen Waverley in suburban Melbourne and although it’s hard to believe now, back then it was surrounded by open space, bush, creeks, dams and tracks to explore. This gave me not only a sense of freedom but began a really deep connection with the natural world.

How long have you been producing your art?

I’ve been painting pictures, taking photographs, designing books, magazines and corporate images, writing songs and making music for most of my adult life....so quite a long time!

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I’ve been living in Castlemaine in Central Victoria for 25 years, it’s a great town and community, with many creative people, painters, printmakers, potters, writers, designers, actors and is surrounded by a beautiful natural environment.

From rolling hills, granite outcrops, ponds and rivers, forest and open country, the local landscape continues to fascinate me and provided inspiration for my work.

Tom and Sarah-Jane featured Michael's artwork in their hallway titled 'Hanging Rock' an iconic part of The Macedon Ranges in Central Victoria where The Block Treechange was filmed. Photo credit @davidcookphotography.

How would you describe your art?

I think of my work as contemporary Australian landscape it’s bold, gestural and abstract yet I’m always aiming to invoke the feeling of the landscape the heat, the colours, the energy.

Your art features on The Block this year?

It's been quite the adventure with The Block this year, starting with a visit to my studio and gallery from Scotty and the crew.

Because I’m also a picture framer Scotty brought some treasures they’d found in his house the original farmhouse on The Block.

Really well preserved newspapers, letters and receipts from the McGeorge family, which I framed up to hang in his house. Scotty also asked for some of my paintings for his house two in the hallway and one in his bedroom which was totally amazing.

This lead to Sarah-Jane and Tom from House One choosing a painting of mine for Hallway Week stunning reno and my painting looks pretty good too!

Finally, the producers approached myself, fellow Castlemaine artist Kylie Cuthbertson and Gold Coast artist Angie Summa to be artists in residence for a week on the show. They set us up in Scotty’s pool cabana (so cool) and we painted away and explored The Block, which has amazing views to Mount Macedon, the ranges and local landmarks like Red Rock, an extinct volcano. This was great for me to paint straight from nature and the paintings we created were prizes as part of a contestant’s challenge. Everything you’ve heard about the cold and the mud are true!

It was freezing, wet, windy and there was mud everywhere.

Michael Wolfe, Angie Summa and Kylie Cuthbertson were Artist's in Residence on The Block 2022 Treechange, set up in Scott's house to paint and draw inspiration from their beautiful surroundings. photocredit: @michaelwolfeart

The Block 2022 Artist in residence, L-R Michael Wolfe, Angie Summa and Kylie Cuthbertson. photo credit @michaelwolfeart.

What does it mean for you to have your art featured on The Block and be a Block Shop artist?

It’s huge! The Block and Block Shop reach a massive audience of really switched on people who love great design and appreciate how much artwork can add to their interiors.

I’ve been really fortunate to have had a long career as an artist and designer and selling my work to people who really love it is incredibly fulfilling. I often get to meet the people who buy my work and try to deliver and hang it where possible.

Michael Wolfe Art in the entry hallway to Scott's Country cottage.

What a welcome! Scott's team have chosen the perfect artwork and styled it to perfection, Treechange here we come.

Favourite Block couple?

Sarah Jane and Tom!

Are there any particular artists that inspire you?

I love the landscapes of Fred Williams, John Olsen and John Wolseley and the American artist Richard Diebenkorn

Where do you like to create your art?

I have a beautiful studio and gallery in Castlemaine which is big and filled with light perfect!

Michael Wolfe was originally contacted by Scott Cam to frame "really well preserved newspapers, letters and receipts from the McGeorge family, which I framed up to hang in his house"

Take a look at all of the Artist in Residence artworks here.

Read all about Angie Summa artist in residence over here.

Keep up with all of the latest happening on The Block 2022 here.