Ever since his debut with the small series of paintings titled The Slow Awakening, Jacob Farkas has been one of the most in-demand artists.
His work is so popular that he recently released another body of work under the name of Grey Wolves. The new paintings continue exploring themes related to nature and wilderness – but this time through a more personal lens. These new works are also the first in a series that will expand on the topics explored in the previous body of work.
We had the chance to talk with Jacob about where he gets his inspiration and what was going on in his mind while creating these new pieces.
What inspired you to paint Grey Wolves?
Jacob Farkas: “Grey Wolves are endemic to the Transylvanian Alps of Central Europe, and are the only wild wolves in Europe. I have always been fascinated with wolves and this series is an exploration of these majestic animals through my perspective as an artist. I loved the way these wolves are portrayed as living creatures, with their own rules, traditions, and rituals. Wolves are so important to me because they are a symbol of strength and transformation, and Grey Wolves is a collection of paintings that explore this idea”.
How does Grey Wolves differ from your other paintings?
Jacob Farkas: “Grey Wolves has a much stronger narrative element to it, where as with my previous series of paintings, The Slow Awakening, there is a lot of exploration of color and texture. There is also a much stronger narrative element in this series that focuses on the archetypal nature of the wolf. Wolves are a very ancient species that has been a part of human culture for thousands of years, and for thousands of years people have been fascinated with these animals”.
Why are wolves so important to you?
Jacob Farkas: “I have always been fascinated by wolves. They are a very ancient species, and as a result, there are so many stories and myths surrounding them. Wolves are a symbol of strength and transformation, which is what I look for in my artwork. Wolves are also a very beautiful species with their own language and rituals that only wolves have. Wolves are a very important part of our environment because they are an essential part of keeping our ecosystems healthy and balanced”.
Are there any specific themes that you return to in your artwork?
Jacob Farkas: “I really enjoy painting wolves as they are a very primal species. Wolves are very primal in their behavior and they have their own rules and traditions that humans don’t understand. Wolves are very communal animals and they often live in packs, so I like painting them as a group because it shows how important wolves are as a species”.
What else can we expect from the Grey Wolves series?
Jacob Farkas: “Grey Wolves will continue to be a series of paintings and will explore the idea of nature, archetypes, and the relationship between man and nature. The series will also continue to explore the themes of wilderness and the idea of returning to nature. Grey Wolves is a companion series to The Slow Awakening, and will be followed by more paintings exploring these topics”.
Where can people see your current work and buy art?
Jacob Farkas: “People can see my current work at Pick Fair where they can also buy some of my artworks. They can also follow me on Flickr. For some tips on painting and news on my recent artworks, they can check my blog.
Final words
“Thank you so much for having me! These new paintings are a celebration of my love of wolves, and the forests and mountains of Central Europe where I spend so much time when I am not on tour,” says Jacob Farkas. “I hope people enjoy the work and that it inspires them as it has inspired me. I am very excited for what is next for Grey Wolves”.