Ann Griffith: Embracing the Beauty of Imperfection in Contemporary Abstract Art South Florida-based artist Ann Griffith has built her career on the concept of Wabi Sabi—a Japanese aesthetic rooted in Zen Buddhism that celebrates the beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. This philosophy is central to her artistic practice, where the weathered, the flawed, and the naturally altered take center stage. "I’m attracted to all things weathered by life—they have a history, they tell a story," Griffith explains. Her paintings explore the passage of time and how it leaves its mark on the world, drawing viewers into the rich, textured surfaces of her canvases. Griffith's work is defined by layers, both literal and metaphorical. Each of her paintings starts with stripes or blocks of color that alternate between thick impasto layers and light glazes. She then works back into the paint, scraping away layers to reveal surprises hidden beneath the surface. This excavation process is essential to her work, creating a sense of intrigue and depth. "It's a delicate dance between using a light and heavy hand," she says. "I alternate between the application of paint and the excavation process—scraping, digging, and reworking until the final painting reveals itself." Wabi Sabi: The Philosophy Behind Griffith's Art At the heart of Griffith’s work is the idea that beauty is found in imperfection. The concept of Wabi Sabi—the acceptance that nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect—guides her creative process. This mindset allows Griffith to embrace both control and chaos, which is reflected in her layered compositions. Each painting is a journey, with the artist allowing the piece to take on a life of its own as she adds, subtracts, and manipulates the paint. “My paintings are driven by the layers underneath. Whether it’s subtle patterns or undulating color blocks, the mystery of the layers is what our eyes want to seek out and hold onto,” Griffith explains. Her art invites viewers to explore not only the finished product but the history embedded within each layer of paint. The process itself—scraping, removing, and revealing—is integral to the final piece, just as time leaves its mark on the weathered objects she draws inspiration from. A Lifetime of Artistic Influence Art has always been a part of Griffith’s life, with creativity running deep in her family. Her mother was a painter and sculptor, and her grandfather spent entire Indiana winters sequestered in his attic painting away. "They are the base upon which my art is built," Griffith reflects. "In a real sense, my work is layered on top of what came before me." This connection to her family’s artistic legacy adds yet another layer to her already textured work, creating pieces that are deeply personal and historically rooted. Evolving Artistic Process and Inspiration in 2024 As Griffith's work continues to evolve, so too does her approach to creating. In 2024, she has intentionally stepped away from the overwhelming nature of social media, choosing instead to focus on her own artistic voice. "There are so many sources of inspiration on social media, but I find it overwhelming. This year, I’ve intentionally stepped away so I can hear the voice inside my head without any outer dialog," she shares. Her process has also become more fluid and free. Griffith has embraced what she calls "controlled chaos," allowing for less control of the paint while manipulating pigment densities and paint consistencies to achieve her desired outcomes. “I’ve embraced more freedom and less control of the paint, and I love the controlled chaos that’s emerged in my work,” she explains. Texture remains a central theme in her work, but this year, Griffith is also experimenting with big open spaces and bold splashes of color, a departure from her minimalist color palette of the past. "I’ve always been a color minimalist at heart, but I’m loving the bold splashes of color layered in with texture," she says. This exploration of color and texture marks a new chapter in her artistic journey, as she revisits ideas from her sketchbooks that have been recurring over the years. Nature as Inspiration: A Life Between Quietude and Hustle Living in South Florida, Griffith finds endless inspiration in her surroundings. She resides on a secluded parcel of land that backs up to a preserve, offering her the quietude of nature just minutes away from the vibrancy of city life. “Being surrounded by nature has always fed my soul. I feel very lucky to have the quiet of nature but also everything I need just minutes away,” she says. The sounds of birds and the lush greenery of her surroundings create the perfect environment for Griffith to settle into her creative process. This connection to nature, particularly the greenery and natural textures, is evident in her paintings. She describes her work as an ongoing dialogue between nature and art, where textures and organic shapes play a prominent role. “All the sounds, all the green—I find it very centering and conducive to settling myself into a quiet headspace to paint,” she adds. A Perfect Day in the Life of an Artist For Griffith, the perfect day begins with the sounds of early birds singing in her backyard. "I enjoy a cup of coffee and plan out my day while taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature," she says. Her day then transitions into the studio, where she loses herself in the process of making art. "It just doesn’t get any better than this," she muses. This balance of nature, creativity, and personal reflection is what fuels Griffith's work. Her art is not just about creating beautiful pieces, but about engaging in a process that mirrors life itself—layered, imperfect, and constantly evolving. Looking Ahead Ann Griffith’s artistic journey is a testament to the beauty of imperfection and the power of personal growth. As she continues to evolve her process and explore new themes and colors, she remains committed to her core philosophy: that the most beautiful things in life are often those that are imperfect and weathered by time. Her layered, textural paintings invite viewers to look beyond the surface and appreciate the history, depth, and beauty hidden beneath. With a deeper focus on her inner voice and an ever-evolving relationship with color and texture, Griffith is poised to continue making a profound impact in the world of contemporary abstract art. "Painting has always been part of my life. I can’t remember a time without it," she says. And for Ann Griffith, the journey is far from over.