Jeff Vola

Portrait in Pencil – When Jeff Vola moved to Grand Bend in November, 2021, he had no idea his life would change as dramatically as it has.

Jeff began working with art at age three, with the encouragement of his mother, Beverly – a talented artist in her own right. Having put away the crayons and pencil crayons of youth, his current art medium is graphite pencil. Because it’s always dry, he’s able to stop and start drawing whenever the mood, or life, allows.

Jeff became quite well known for his drawings in Ontario about 40 years ago and displayed his art in over 20 art galleries throughout the GTA. His father, John Vola, was his business manager and best friend. However, when John passed away suddenly in 1985, so did Jeff’s love for artwork. During those long years, everything he created was put away in a drawer. He focused on raising his family and running his sign-writing and manufacturing business in Burlington ON. Formally trained as a sign painter, he remained in the business for over 45 years. For 35 of those years, he successfully designed and manufactured interior and exterior signage for Loblaws.

Then the Covid-19 pandemic ground everything and everyone. Like so many, Jeff was laid off for three weeks to “flatten the curve”. With nothing to do, he got some art supplies to keep himself busy. A portrait he drew of the 1960’s Batman television character, Adam West, received over 15,000 likes on Facebook! This launched his art interest again, starting him back on a road he was always meant to travel. Since January, 2020 he has created over 1500 drawings and commissioned portraits.

Art is now a full-time occupation, and he’s loving every minute of it! Jeff’s inspiration comes from people’s smiles and their tears. It’s his attention to the nuances and small details in his subject’s face which has become the hallmark of his work.

Every artist, no matter where they are on their artist journey, struggles with some aspect of their passion. Jeff says that for him, it’s getting his subject’s eyes just right. After all, the eyes are the windows to the soul, and his drawings bring to light that spark of life so often missing in other artists’ work. In the summer of 2025, he’ll be offering classes at the Community Centre in Grand Bend with Teresa Marie Phillips, also a well-known local artist. In addition, he’s continue to have a strong internet presence with his art commissions of portraits and pets, along with his wonderful depictions of retro television stars.