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Jeff Wolf poses for a photograph in his home in Benjamin on March 29, 2013.

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Jeff Wolf eyes up a cowboy hat on a new sculpture he works on at Hone Studio in Benjamin, on July 21, 2010.

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BENJAMIN – Artist, rancher, buckaroo, bull rider, teacher, humanitarian … those are the words that best describe artist Jeff Wolf.

From his earliest memory, Wolf had a strong appetite for creating and drawing pieces about the West. At the age of 6 he began molding little Western figures out of clay that his parents bought him for Christmas. At age 8 he had his first piece published in Western Horseman, which was a soap carving of a buffalo, and in 1975 he cast his first piece — a rodeo scene of a bull and its rider.

“I have never considered this a blessing or a talent, which most people say it is,” Wolf said. “I call this a gift that I have been given.”

School was not always easy for Wolf. Due to dyslexia, it was a big struggle at times. It was when a friend encouraged him to read a particular inspiring book that he found a way to succeed.

“This book helped me to teach myself to be a better reader through my struggle,” Wolf said. “I bluffed my way through high school and three years of college.”

During high school he continually shared his artistic talent while competing in another love, rodeo. During his senior year he attended the National Finals in bull riding, and at the age of 17 he left the family ranch in pursuit of a full-time professional rodeo career. He competed in bareback and bull riding events for the next eight years, and came to realize he could make a living doing something he loved.

Although he loved the rodeo life and that of a buckaroo, Wolf decided to return to using his creative talent. He entered his first national juried art show, where he won best in sculpture and best of show. Since that time he has won the top honors at 23 of 27 national juried shows, as well as countless local and regional shows.

“The sculptures I create are actual memories I have viewed and experienced with my own eyes in my life,” he said.

Years ago, when Wolf learned about the percentage of people who have gifted minds, his struggles finally made sense to him. Such people see things differently; their talents distract them from what they do.  

Wolf is part of that group, and it is displayed in his passion and love for sculpturing.

“I visualize something over, over and over again,” he said. “Then my hands are the tool to bring it to life.”

He does not make a plan before starting a sculpture. He just begins creating and works until a project is complete.

“I am currently working on a deer that I can remember seeing when I was 12,” Wolf said. “It is as clear as it was when I saw it 30 to 40 years ago.”

Over the years Wolf has had the opportunity to share his gift with others.

“It brings me joy when I can help someone along with this gift I was given,” he said. “It is a wonderful feeling.”

People will bring Wolf pictures of loved ones, or something very special to them, and through his gift he is able to bring the picture to life.

“I was out to dinner the other night and I kept finding myself staring at the waitress,” he said. “I kept seeing her in bronze, because that is how I think. She was Indian, and to me that is such a beauty.”

Wolf has been invited to attend numerous charity events, where he works on pieces of art that are auctioned off at the end of the events. His work has raised more than $950,000 in charitable contributions. The price for a Jeff Wolf bronze can range from $600 to $45,000, and the value of the pieces continues to increase over time. Auction prices for Wolf’s works have exceeded $30,000 each.

“Nothing is more peaceful to me than going out to my shop and working on sculptures,” he said. “I forget the world and everything going on and get so into my work that nothing else matters.”

Wolf was one of three featured artists chosen by the Utah State Fair Arts Board to be honored at the unveiling of the arts displays at this year’s fair in Salt Lake City. It was an opportunity for people to come and meet the artists and visit with them in person.

“This was a real honor to me,” Wolf said. “I love to share my work with others.”

Wolf had 14 sculptures on display at Thursday’s reception, and they will remain on display throughout the entire fair, which comes to a close Sept. 14.

For more information on Wolf and his work, or to talk to him about making a sculpture visit his website at www.jeffwolfstudios.com.