We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Addeline Griswold a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Addeline, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I’ve always struggled with the simple task of “do what you’re told”, which is very ironic because I hate being in trouble and that’s typically where that got me. The biggest example of risk taking that stands out to me and really kind of set my life up to where I am now was moving out at 16. Growing up I never felt like I had purpose and always felt like there was something I was missing or that I was behind in some way. Things that everyone else cared about, people I was supposed to look up to and trust, having big dreams, I just didn’t have or feel it, and I didn’t know why but I was aware of this, and I remember feeling left out in life and misunderstood which ultimately got me into tons of trouble in all aspects of my life. Long story short my school asked me to leave halfway through my junior year. I had just enough credits for a GED and to take it or not be able to finish school so that what I did. I literally left in the middle of that day, and I felt so relived because who wants to go to school. Obviously not me. Then I was left to figure out what I was going to do with my time, how I was going to start my life at 16, big stuff, exciting stuff. I then, like any intelligent person would do, took my great grandma’s car out for a ride with my drunk friends and wrecked it on the highway. Not bad enough the car was totaled or anything, but bad enough there was damage and people had to go to the hospital. SO my parents found out and I guess that was the final straw and they kicked me out. I don’t think this was supposed to be a permanent solution, but because I’m stubborn I never went back and fully committed to being an adult as a kid. I got emancipated, was fully financially independent and just so wildly irresponsible, rude, and stupid. I made horrible decisions all the time. I could barely feed myself, partied nonstop, worked at a new job every 4 months, just did absolutely everything wrong. I ended up developing a serious drinking problem and by the age of 23 I felt like I was 45 and fed up with my life. I was exhausted and still had all of those feelings I had when I was 16 of being left out in life, no one who I looked up to, no sense of purpose, on top of real-life adult anxieties. I felt absolutely buried and useless and then for the first time in my life something happened that made my tiny stupid brain turn on and I just went on auto pilot. For the very first time I was able to trust something, and that was myself. I immediately stopped drinking, dumped the guy I was with and made an actual clean slate for myself to start over with and that’s when I began making artwork to cope with this new feeling of not having anyone to hang out with because most people at 23 were still partying, as they should. I used to feel so sorry for myself and not take any responsibility for why my life was the way it was and just blame everyone else for anything bad that happened to me because it was easy, and I guess that’s just what you do sometimes when you’re not tapping into yourself. Now I realize leaving home and allowing myself to make huge mistakes and freak everyone out for years was the biggest blessing and not a sad story at all. It feels like I was given a key to unlock my potential and have a level of understanding for myself that I never knew was possible and I’m so incredibly grateful for that. I think everything happens for a reason and had I not decided to stubbornly stay kicked out as a teenager even though I wasn’t ready, I probably wouldn’t have discovered my passion, to then later take another risk and quit my job when I wasn’t ready to pursue art.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a 28 year old self taught artist based out of Fort Wayne, IN. Most people know me for my paintings of provocative ladies, but I also make silly digital art and paint on clothing.

Getting into the art world kind of happened by mistake. I never thought I’d be an artist, I always loved making art, but had zero plans for it and maybe that’s how it carried me this far because I unknowingly had up blinders. I defiantly am still figuring things out but the one thing I learned pretty quickly for myself was that constantly creating and putting stuff out there is the only way I get better so that’s what I try to do. That can definitely be a struggle sometimes and I’m sure other people operate differently but it’s made me very self motivated hard worker, and that’s definitely something you need to be self employed. I love my job and I’m happy to put in the work daily.

I think that because I didn’t go to school, I have a different understanding of art and it probably translates directly into what I’m putting out. I’m not worrying about if its right or wrong because I literally don’t know, no one ever told me, and I like it that way. Art is subjective and I truly believe there is no right or wrong, good or bad, Its just art. I really like having this sense of ignorance when it comes to being creative. It’s very freeing and harmless.

When you get something from me it’s like a stream of conscious diary and I feel like there is always something to uncover every time you look at it. Alot of the time I don’t even know why I made something until its finished and I’m looking at it over and over then it all starts to make sense. Everything down to the sloppiness is real. I personally enjoy that in other people’s art so I hope that people enjoy that in mine and if they don’t I enjoy that too. Nothing matters.

I have zero expectations when it comes to how I want people to perceive my art, I have no bigger picture, I just want to make art until I no longer can, and I hope I get to do it with ignorance the entire time.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being able to look how I wanna look and say what I wanna say all under the blanket of “I’m an artist” has really given me self confidence and a sense protection I maybe didn’t feel like I had when I was younger. because before art I was just weird or outspoken, which a lot of people view as bad, and I don’t wanna be bad, I’m not bad. The fact that throwing a title on myself has gotten people to hear me out or take me seriously has made me be able to breathe. Which maybe doesn’t sound right or is stupid but that’s the world. It’s so hard to feel like you’re doing something or have value, at least it has for me. Anything that helps me feel I have purpose, that people can lean on me, or relate to is very important in my personal life. It’s made me stronger.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Making friends in the Art World has changed my life. Its free, its rewarding, anyone can do it, and you can take it with you wherever you go. Just having people you can reach out to to vent and who understand the niche struggle of making art, to bounce ideas off, to help promote, and also be spreading the word about you to other people who might love your work is an amazing cycle. Making art may seem competitive but it doesn’t have to be. Not everyone will get it and that’s okay. I have to remind myself to just be you and be open and good things will happen eventually. My art friends and I may not know every detail of each other lives like a regular friendship, but we have a special bond that is incomparable, and I think that’s what makes it work and be so special.

Contact Info:

• Website: burgerbabie.com
• Instagram: burger_babie