We recently connected with Nathan Wolfman and have shared our conversation below.

Nathan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of my more recent and involved projects I recently complete was my Soft Boy design

Back in May of 2020, I was only 3 months on testosterone. Early in my medical gender transition, I was so scared that taking T was going to turn me into stereotypical angry and violent man. I was constantly thinking about healthy masculinity and how society would be perceiving me as a man.

I’m trans masculine nonbinary, transitioning onto a masculine spectrum, I dreamed of remaining soft in my identity. To find a way to go against all that has been portrayed to me as masculine and what it means to be my version of masculine.

I made a piece in my sketchbook at the time stating “I want to be a Soft boy” and for 4 years now I have worked hard to be that soft boy, the sentiment always held close.

I recently decided to try and make a shirt out of the idea, creating my first linoleum block print in many years. I focused my studies in college on printmaking and deeply miss the studio access I had at the time.) I thrifted some t shirts and brought this old idea into a whole new concept. I even created stickers and debuted both at the latest Big Gay Market in Washington Park.

The idea of being a soft boy really seems to have resonated not only with the Trans men and nonbinary masc people of my community but also with all types masculine presenting people. Being a soft and masculine person going against the normal of societies expectation of gruff hard men, its radical and comforting.

Nathan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Nathan Wolfman, I’m a graphic designer by trade, and an artist, photographer, illustrator and zinester in my free time.

I am also Trans, and its an incredibly important part of my world.

I’ve always been around art, ever since I was really young, it was something I always flourished in. I easily decided to go to art school. Focusing on tradition art making methods, from drawing and painting, to sculpture and printmaking. Once I was introduced to printmaking due to a specific curriculum, I fell in love with the multitude or processes and what felt like endless learning opportunities.

Jumping forward almost a decade, I started my transition, and was looking for community. I turned to instagram not knowing where else to go, and I’ve found so much more then I ever expected. Incredible people doing such amazing things. Trans people flourishing in their lived. But this isnt something you frequently see in media, in stores, etc. And I found the urge to do my part to fill in some of the gaps where I can and where I am passionate about. So that other trans folks can see themselves represented. Its such a special moment to feel seen when just out and about.

I want to be able to create cute items for cute trans and queer people, things that align with my interests and bring me joy to create. From my small art business called Wolfbxy Wares I sell, Prints and Stickers, some Jewelry and original illustrations and paintings. I’ve also recently debuted my small collection of Zines. (A zine is a self published little booklet based on any topic you could think of, and are frequently used to distributed information, or tell stories in written or comic format, or anything you could imagine!) They’re a great outlet

I also recently launched an instagram page for organizing zine related events called @518ZineScene its just taking off but we already have our first event planning underway!

Art is such an important binder that brings people together, gives people a space to feel where they belong and I am so happy its something I can do every day

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal with my art is to create items that I wish I would see more frequently in stores. Items that are for the gays and by the gays, t4t art. I want to be able to create cute items for cute trans and queer people, things that align with my interests and bring me joy to create.

I love creating artworks and pieces around things I am passionate about, and those things are always evolving just as I am . I hope to Always feel joy when I am creating, and if the time comes that something doesn’t feel the way it used to, I hope I can continue to grow and evolve along with whatever is driving my creative forces.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The connection with the people that connect to your art. I Love vending for this reason. I struggle with social anxiety, and during my first markets I was so worried about talking with people, but now that I’ve got a few markets under my belt, its my favorite part!

Seeing peoples eyes light up as they reach of something I’ve dreamed up and created. Its like magic!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @wolfbxywares @518ZineScene

Image Credits

Nathan Wolfman