About the Artist
ABOUT THE ARTIST
I'm Shiv. You might know me as Stoofy.
I'm an independent artist based in the UK. I make bold, maximalist, hand-painted original artworks — layered, textured, foiled, and finished entirely by hand in my studio.
I've been building Stoofy for years: starting with hand-painted signs and cards, evolving into mixed-media originals, collaborations with authors, museums, and musicians, and increasingly ambitious work that refuses to sit quietly on a wall.
Everything you see here is made by me. Conceived, painted, layered, finished, packed, and sent — by me. There's no team, no factory, no print-on-demand shortcut. Just hours of work, a well-stocked studio, and a deep, possibly unreasonable commitment to detail.
What I make
My work sits at the intersection of traditional signwriting craft, pop nostalgia, and maximalist contemporary art. Think bold type, vivid colour, metallic foil, hand-painted Ben-Day dots, high-gloss finishes, and layers you could lose yourself in.
Subjects range from vintage horror icons reimagined with warmth and wit, to music-inspired originals, to statement typographic pieces that say exactly what they mean — loudly, and with excellent kerning.
Each original is one-of-a-kind. When it's gone, it's gone. Every piece is signed, dated, and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
These are not décor items. They're original artworks made with gallery-level craft, designed to anchor a room and outlast a trend.
Why I make it
I believe your space should reflect who you actually are — not who a showroom thinks you should be.
My work exists for people who want their walls to have a point of view. Who choose colour deliberately. Who'd rather own one extraordinary thing than a roomful of forgettable ones.
Art should feel like a decision, not a default. A Stoofy piece on your wall is a statement — about taste, about personality, about refusing to settle for beige.
A bit more about me
I trained as an actor before I became an artist — which means I understand storytelling, commitment, and the particular terror of putting yourself in front of an audience and meaning it.
I'm neurodivergent, proudly LGBTQIA+, and feminist. My work reflects those values: inclusive, expressive, anti-beige by conviction. Some pieces are playful. Some are political. Most are both.
I've collaborated with authors, musicians, and cultural institutions. I'm interested in ambitious projects, gallery relationships, and working with people who understand that original art is an investment — in craft, in story, in something genuinely irreplaceable.
Working with me
Collectors: If you're interested in a specific piece, or want to be notified when new originals drop, get in touch or join the mailing list. I occasionally take on commissions for the right project.
Interior designers & stylists: I work with trade clients directly. Original works can be reserved, and I'm happy to discuss your project. Head to the Collector & Trade page or drop me a line - hello@stoofy.uk
Galleries & curators: Always open to a conversation. Reach out.
Follow the work on Instagram. Read what's going on in the studio on Substack. And if you want to see what's currently available — the shop is here.