RACHEL WOLFE ARTIST

Endear Portraiture.

My Passion Project.

about endear PORTRAITure

Endear Portraiture is more than just a pet portrait business – it's a passion project fueled by a profound love for animals and a commitment for artistic excellence.

Rachel Wolfe’s mission is simple: to create timeless works of art that celebrate the beautiful bond between pets and their human companions. Rachel understands the profound connection you share with your pet and she pours her heart and soul into each portrait ensuring that your pet's spirit is captured and shines through for generations to come.

My Artistic Journey.

ABOUT RACHEL WOLFE  

Rachel Wolfe is an emerging artist residing in Hobart, Tasmania.

Born in Brisbane in 1974, she later lived in far north Queensland before moving to Tasmania. She began her career with a Bachelor of Laws in 1995, practising as a property and commercial solicitor in private practice and in various roles in the property industry. She later served as a Police Prosecutor in far north Queensland.

In 2017, Rachel's passion for art reignited when she attended a botanical watercolour lesson held by Julie McEnerny at the Cairns Botanic Gardens. It was during a challenging period whilst grappling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that Rachel discovered solace and healing through painting animals. Seeking further artistic development, she pursued a Certificate III in Visual Arts in 2019 and a Diploma in Visual Arts in 2020 at TAFE in Cairns.

In 2021, Rachel received a significant opportunity to study oil portrait painting with acclaimed Australian figurative and portrait artist Elizabeth Barden. This opportunity was made possible by a RADF Professional Development Grant, a collaborative initiative of the Queensland Government and Cairns Regional Council, aimed at supporting to regional arts and culture.

Rachel's lifelong dream came to fruition in 2022 as she commenced her Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Arts) at the School of Creative Arts, University of Tasmania. Embracing her status as a mature-age student, Rachel reflects on her past experiences and personal growth, feeling that she has arrived precisely where she was always meant to be - immersed in her passion for art and fully dedicated to her artistic journey.

See Rachel’s Fine Arts practice at rachelwolfe.com.au.

ARTIST CV

Rachel Wolfe

EDUCATION

2022 - present Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) (Visual Arts), University of Tasmania, Hobart

2020 Diploma in Visual Arts, TAFE Qld, Cairns

2019 Certificate III in Visual Arts, TAFE Qld, Cairns

2015 Company Director Course, Austn Institute of Company Directors, Brisbane

2015 Certificate Project Design Essentials, Tafe NSW, Sydney

2013 Foundations of Directorship, Austn Institute of Company Directors, Brisbane

1995 Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane


GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2022 Fifty Squared Art Prize, Brunswick Street Gallery, Fitzroy 

2022 Cairns Art Society 74th Annual Art Awards, Cairns Art Gallery

2021 Rock It, The Kite Gallery, Cairns

2021 Art Show International 3rd 'Animal', online exhibition

2021 Cocoloco Electro, Laneway, Cairns

2021 Australian Watercolour Muster, Gallery 247, online exhibition

2021 Grown-Nostalgia, Artview Gallery, Cairns (funded by Regional Arts Development Fund https://www.arts.qld.gov.au)

2021 InkMasters International Print Exhibition, Tanks Art Centre, Cairns

2021 Art Show International 2nd 'Animal', online exhibition

2021 Float, Laneway, Cairns

2021 Pressing, Vivo Gallery, Palm Cove

2020 Open Doors, Banggu Manjaany Art Gallery, Cairns

2020 Pop-up Heads, Banggu Manjaany Art Gallery, Cairns

2020 Five Feet Apart, Banggu Manjaany Art Gallery, Cairns

2020 International Women’s Day, Banggu Manjaany Art Gallery, Cairns

2019 Extract ’19, Banggu Manjaany Art Gallery, Cairns

2018 Rusty’s Botanical, Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns


AWARDS

2022 Finalist Best Watercolour Painting - Cairns Art Society 74th Annual Art Awards

2022 Finalist Best Mixed Media Artwork - Cairns Art Society 74th Annual Art Awards

2021 Talent Award - Art Show International Juried 3rd 'Animal' Awards

2021 Shortlisted - Whitewall Art Prize 'Into the Light'

2021 Finalist - Australian Watercolour Muster

2021 Talent Award - Art Show International Juried 2nd 'Animal' Awards

2021 Regional Finalist - Qld Training Awards 2021 (Tropical North Qld Equity VET Student of the Year)

2021 Finalist - InkMasters International Print Exhibition

2021 Nominated - Qld Training Awards 2021 (Equity VET Student of the Year)


GRANTS

2021-22 RADF Individual Professional Development Grant 

2021 RADF Small Arts Grant 

2020 Flying Arts Alliance Inc Bursary


COLLECTIONS

Private Collections nationally (Qld, NSW, Vic & Tas) 

Private Collections internationally (Germany & San Francisco, USA) 

ART EMPLOYMENT / APPOINTMENTS

2022 Hadleys Art Prize, Hobart TAS : Exhibition Volunteer

2021-22 Courthouse Art Gallery, Cairns Qld : Front of House Gallery Attendant

2021-22 Courthouse Art Gallery, Cairns Qld : Gallery Technician 

2021-22 Tanks Art Centre, Cairns Qld : Front of House Gallery Attendant

2021-22 Tanks Art Centre, Cairns Qld : Support to Curator in Gallery Technical & Operation Coordinator Role

2021-22 Tanks Art Centre, Cairns Qld : Gallery Technician

2021 Inkmasters, Cairns Qld : InkFest 2021 International Print Exhibition Support Co-ordinator

2021 Courthouse Art Gallery, Cairns Qld : Front of House Gallery Attendant Volunteer

2020 Cairns Art Gallery, Cairns Qld : Assistant to Curatorial Team

2020 InkMasters, Cairns Qld : Committee Member


COLLABORATIONS / OTHER

2024 Endear Portraiture established

2021 TAFE, Cairns Qld : Presentation to Students: ‘My Transition from Student to Artist / Artworker’

2021 Generations Café, Redlynch Qld: Established Wall Gallery of own Artwork

2021 Collaboration with Cairns printmaking artists: Inkmasters 'Locked Down, Looking Up' Calendar

2020 Collaboration with fashion designer: Sally Smith Studios

2020 Nova’s Bids to Help Sick Kids Auction & 2020 Nine Telethon: Contribution of Artwork as a prize

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Reach out to discuss your vision and collaborate on a lovingly detailed portrait that honours your pet's unique character.