Jeff Soifer
Jeff Soifer is a self-taught artist, illustrator, and graphic designer whose vibrant, eclectic work is rooted in storytelling, playfulness, and personal history. Drawing inspiration from pop art, graphic design, and children’s book illustration, his work blends whimsy and emotion creating pieces that are both immediate and deeply expressive.
With over two decades of experience as a graphic designer and illustrator, Jeff’s creative practice spans painting, printmaking, digital art, photography, and collage. He is particularly drawn to linoleum block printing and etching. His visual language is informed by graphic artists such as Joseph Müller-Brockmann and David Carson, fine artists such as Alice Neel and Jean Dubuffet, and illustrators such as Lane Smith and Oliver Jeffers. More importantly though, his creativity has been shaped by the joy and curiosity he enjoyed through the raising of his own children.
Since returning to Washington, DC in 2024 after years in Maine and Washington State, Jeff has focused full-time on his art practice. He is an alumnus of the Sparkplug Artist Collective at the DC Arts Center, and he teaches etching, block printing, and digital art at Sitar Arts Center, sharing his love for accessible, hands-on creativity with emerging young artists.
Website/Portfolio: Jeff Soifer Art
Instagram: @jeff_soifer_illustration
About the Artwork
The works I’m showing here are all block prints (or block-print based) and drypoint etchings.
If there is a binding thread among them, it’s a sense of whimsy and connectedness. None of these works take themselves too seriously. The characters I create seem to be caught at a moment being themselves. They feel comfortable in their worlds, connected to their environments, at ease, welcomed, and accepted. While many of the pieces are visually simple and fun, I like to think they carry an inner warmth that goes beyond that simplicity. Ultimately, the reaction I hope to evoke is a smile.
Urban Dwell
Urban Dwell is an independent, veteran-owned, boutique gift shop featuring carefully curated merchandise following the latest trends in home decor, women's and men's accessories, books and stationery, kitchen items, baby gifts and more. Merchandise spans the spectrum in variety and price range, offering unique, hard to find and interesting gifts designed by both local and worldwide artists and designers. If you need a gift for anyone, of any age, for any occasion, they have you covered!