What are Driftwilde “views”?

Whatever the creation, I find the mental process of the journey beguiling. I think of the views along the way with affection. They are my “views of getting lost“. Do you have this experience? When you’re standing in front of an art piece that captivates you, do you take in a full view that is larger than the art piece? Possibly you sense an unspoken dialogue and a connection forming between you and the artist. I encourage this by offering a narrative in the painting’s description. I base the narratives of each Driftwilde artwork on a paired excerpt from my personal journals. This is a way to authenticate our humanity as we bare our souls.

Driftwilde reflects a daily art practice

I’m fortunate enough to be retired from the “grind” of working hard for someone else. It was a woefully long spell then when I didn’t have enough time for a daily art practice. There are always ways to keep your fire lit. Mine is to live with a keen sense of making life better visually. Hey, whether you’re up to your eyeballs in spreadsheets and report writing, or celebrating life’s events of all sizes there is always opportunity for creativity.

As I look back, it was wonderfully cathartic stopping that career grind. Almost immediately, I could turn a few dozen pages in life that were burdening. That’s when my art practice really came alive, fueled by the new experience of my time now being my time. And for that I’m deeply grateful. 

Now as Driftwilde launches, I hope it doesn’t matter to you that I’m not trying to make a living by selling art. I hope what matters is the integrity of my voice as an artist.

“Undersea”; gouache

Now, I paint something, somehow, somewhere every day. Generally, I paint with watercolors for days and days for the pure challenge and for the medium’s dynamic fluidity. Then, I start missing using gouache because it I rarely feel like I’m overworking it. And when I want the richness of texture I move to acrylics. Regardless of the medium, it’s a joy to be able to paint for hours on end in utter freedom. I simply am lost in my thoughts. It’s a complete package of meditation and journeying altogether.  

Repurposing as art on Driftwilde

Another facet to my creative expression is a love of repurposing with aesthetic. I’m drawn to repurposing in life, and am thrilled when I can coax beauty from salvaged, reused and vintage materials. I blend these into one-of-a-kind creations in my home, which typically are for decor or function. I view them as creations with a new soul. In their new home settings, I ponder them and give a nod to the essence of hygge and wabi-sabi.

Driftwilde’s blog

Somewhere in these travels, it dawned on me how much I wanted to share and engage with others about my artwork and my love of repurposing with aesthetic. I saw myself becoming an “artistpreneur” by bringing my art to the marketplace, and as importantly to me, building reverberating connections on Driftwilde’s blog. I hope visitors find it to be a worthwhile space for sharing musings, lifeviews, and tips. As Driftwilde comes into being, the journey continues.

Big thanks for Driftwilde’s landing!

Driftwilde’s launch also involved a tech journey to reach you. I want to give a huge shout out to With Grace and Gold (withgraceandgold.com) for their award-winning website design work in helping bring life to my Driftwilde vision. They epitomize being positively professional and supportive. Ever grateful to you all!

So much has happened to support Driftwilde’s launch. I want to thank my two closest business confidantes: my daughter and small business owner Honorée (wanderingducksphotoandfilm.com), and my eldest brother Mark, who are each so multi-talented they simply rock. Their constant support and input is foundational to Driftwilde’s being. Honorée, who is a wedding and portrait photographer/videographer, took all of the “better” photographs of me sprinkled on Driftwilde, as well as the flat lays and key close ups of my textile and repurposing artwork. You can follow her here: instagram.com/wanderingducksphotoandfilm. 

I offer a special note of appreciation to several of my favorite inspirational resources: Jenna Rainey (@jennarainey), a delightful creative known for her talents with water-based media and also being a very generous art educator; and Sara Larson Buscaglia (@farmandfolk) a truly inspiring and “all natural” muse, neither of whom may know my esteem for them.

Deeply felt thanks go to my friends who’ve listened throughout and continue to marvel at the many components of bring Driftwilde to life!

I believe that whether creating or viewing art, we tap into the same creative passion. I hope you enjoy all that Driftwilde has to offer. And, if you feel like it, I’d be most appreciative if you’ll let me know in the comments if it rings any of your bells.

Anne-Cressey (“A.-C.”) McGraw