We recently had the chance to connect with Jacqui Wolf and have shared our conversation below.
Jacqui, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now, my days are all about art teaching. I work at three different art programs, so each day has its own rhythm. I get up, get ready, and head out to share creativity with my students. If I am on my way to Studio Claremont, I am either teaching the young kids’ art class and realistic drawing & painting for teenagers, or helping the walk-in pottery painting event. Recently, my boss told me that a customer left a nice review about me – Yay! Serving others and seeing their smiles are so rewarding! Other times, if the schedule takes me to OBI Art Academy, I am either teaching the cutest preschoolers or elementary students. Last but not least, I just curated a mini student art show at Golden Echo Academy’s 2025 annual concert. As the only art teacher there, the wind beneath my wings are the leadership of the school: Dr. Wenqing Zhang and Dr. Peipei Zhao. They are the after school program pioneers who value both visual and performing arts plus world language enrichment. I can already foresee their students grow up speaking English, Mandarin, and Spanish with the knowledge of using at least one musical instrument and art medium. As an artist who speaks more than two languages myself, I am 100% on board with the all-around education.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a bilingual visual artist and art teacher. I have been in the field of the arts and international education for quite some time now, so I am always between cultures and languages. I had taught in the regular school systems for more than a decade, and now I am traveling to different organizations and homes, teaching art lessons to all ages. I enjoy afterschool programs, workshops, painting parties, one-on-one tutoring, and arts-related events. I love the variety and freedom that comes with working in these unique environments. For me, art is not just what I do – it is how I connect with others and inspire imagination wherever I go. After my 2024 Shoutout LA interview, I also participated in a few group art shows: Springtime Garden Celebration – An ALTA Artists Showcase, ALTA Arts Open Studios, and Free 4 All 1-day pop-up exhibition at the Claremont Lewis Museum of Art. Joining or visiting art shows definitely makes me a better art show planner and opens my eyes to more venues and ideas. Besides teaching art, my other specialty is definitely hosting student art shows. I have organized several all-school level art shows and coordinated with other schools and organizations in the past. I am excited to see new collaborations happening in the near future!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My dad definitely taught me the most about work! If back in the days there were Youtube, Instagram, etc., my dad would have been a social media influencer. I have become a multi-talented professional all because of him. I watched him being a western opera singer (he was a baritone and studied at École Normale de Musique de Paris!) / choir conductor / English and French teacher / song composer / and a Paris jewelry brand’s general manager in Taiwan. I never knew how exactly he managed to be in so many roles, but I know that his entire life strongly influenced my career choices. He was also the first person who supported me to pursue art. I feel that I am following in his footsteps and fulfilling what he always advised me to do – to be your own artist, to become the best version of yourself, and to encourage others to do the same if you can.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering showed me who I really am. When circumstances become tough, they almost always reveal who is truly resilient in the midst of the pain. Success might make me confident and build my image, but suffering made me humble and built my soul. Through painful tests and trials, I learned what grace truly means — that even when everything falls apart, there is still hope, kindness, and growth.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. The reason is because I wear my thoughts and emotions on my sleeve. However, as an artist and art teacher, I often perform a more put-together version of myself at work. Being the most sociable, outgoing, and articulate person on stage can be exhausting. That is why I give myself plenty of time to recover and rest from the daily grind. That being said, the “real” me is also very introverted and solitary — someone who prefers to stay away from anything that drains my energy.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I believe that I am doing what I was born to do now, but it was not always this clear. Growing up, I was told to study hard and chase good grades, so for a while I tried to follow that path. Thankfully, my dad understood my heart. When I failed academically, he knew I would eventually find my way back to art. I still remember taking the art exams for college — I enjoyed every moment of them, never once feeling like they were tests. They were not like the ones I took at school. They felt like an escape from reality. Maybe because of that, I got surprisingly good scores and was accepted into my dream college’s art program. Looking back, I realize that every time I fail — whether academically or in life — if I return to making art, everything falls into place again. So perhaps I have always been doing what I was born to do; I just did not always recognize it. When I follow what I was told to do, I tend to just go with the flow — but when I do what I want to do, I feel like myself again. There were times I felt that teaching and creating art turned into chores. I was not motivated to make new artwork, and teaching became mundane. However, I also learn to accept the off season when I am not being productive as usual. Because that is often a sign of me needing a break and rejuvenation. Rest is as important as productivity!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: jacqui.wolf.studio
Image Credits
Nicole Jaramillo, Dr. Muchuan Niu, Shelly Chao, Gia-Yen Ngo, Vivian Lin, Allen Keo, Eric Wolf
