Our focus in this article is on western driftwood art, thinking beyond the linen canvas, and transforming nature into masterpieces.
Decorating your home is most certainly a personal preference. You know best what brings you joy, satisfaction, and a sense of peace in your own space. The professional interior decorator will conduct an in-depth interview with a client to capture their essence. She will then skillfully incorporate these findings into the design aesthetics of her final goals in creating the client’s dream room or home.
My question is: what causes an individual artist to create what it is they create? Do they have a room in mind, a home in mind, a business’s overall aesthetic in mind when they begin creating? Why use this color scheme in their painting? What kind of wood best suits building this piece of furniture? Can the material in the construction of this lampshade add that depth and definition to this particular setting, or, does the artist simply create out of their being, and a potential buyer discovers them to purchase their art? The answer is: YES!
When we see spectacular art that feeds our senses, we are tapping into and connecting with our deepest self and that of the creator. Driftwood art is appealing like this and on so many other levels.
For that artist who breathes life into something that would seem discarded by nature, washed up on a lost shore, only to be burned in bonfire flames. This particular artist’s work transcends mere craftsmanship; it’s a testament to a profound connection with the raw elements of nature and a deep reverence for the beauty of impermanence. Webster’s dictionary defines impermanence as the state or fact of lasting for only a limited period of time. I believe this lends our human spirit to the nature of the driftwood artist, thus making that connection. We want a part of the artist’s connection to their craft.
Meet Taylor Whitlock, an enigmatic creator whose artistry revolves around transforming weathered driftwood into soul-stirring masterpieces. To delve into the mind of this artist is to embark on a journey of exploration where nature’s whispers guide each of her meticulously crafted creations. What makes her tick? She would say it’s all in her upbringing. Not just in principle and precept but in location, location, location. Wyoming is a spiritual place with its secrets running as deep as the Yellowstone River, as high as each mountain, as low and windy as each prairie, and as detailed as each stone overturned.
To Taylor, the allure lies in the inherent character of driftwood as each piece bears the story of its journey. Her story. Her journey. Your story. Your journey. A collaboration with nature where the wood itself dictates the form that it will take. She will tell you that each piece tells her where it wants to go and is merely an act of co-creation –to respect the driftwood’s inherent shape and texture, all the while infusing it with a new narrative. This art is deep and connective, going somewhere that cannot be defined with mere words.
Taylor’s studio is a sanctuary echoing with the symphony of local lakes and riverbeds where she takes great solace and finds her peace. The process is equally mesmerizing as her fingers trace the lines and curves, gnarly burls and breaks, and the rough edges made smooth with the power of washing waters. As she pieces together the idea of a fish, buffalo, horse, vulture, lion, hare or antelope, she coaxes out the hidden essence within the wood, giving birth to sculptures that evoke majesty, tranquility, and timelessness.
The transformation of raw, weathered fragments into intricate sculptures is a metaphorical journey –a testament to resilience, adaptation, and the beauty found in embracing flaws. Each stroke of the artist’s hand carries a story of reverence for the natural world and a fleeting reminder of our existence.
Western art has long been favored by many people and avid collectors alike, ascertaining the value in preserving the history of mankind migrating westward in search of a better life. Our local museum, Buffalo Bill Center of the West, does a wonderful job of preserving our Western heritage through various forms of art and purveying the importance of doing so.
Taylor Whitlock’s art seeks to provoke introspection by inviting viewers to contemplate the interconnectedness of humanity and nature. Her sculptures speak a language that most transcends words, whispering tales of the buffalo, the hunter and the hunted in vultures, hares and coyotes, the magical excitement of reeling in the big fish, and the majesty of the ever soul-filling horse or wild mustang. The Wild West has lured many men to their fortune and demise. Who doesn’t love a grand adventure? Taylor’s art feeds into that spirit of Western adventure.
As you gaze upon these driftwood sculptures crafted by this Western artist, you’re not just witnessing art; you are entertaining the invitation to pause, reflect, and marvel at the timeless beauty born from a union of human creativity and the raw magnificence of nature. You can see Taylor’s fine work at in Cody, Wyoming at The Blanca Tatanka, Cottonwood Interiors, or simply visit her website: BohoWesternDesign on Etsy. Or you could contact the artist to view her portfolio. She may even invite you into her studio to allow you a sneak peek at her next divine creation.
Written by:
Diane Whitlock, Freelancer and copywriter