Emilie Chiasson turns driftwood into art
Emilie Chiasson, a senior development executive at the Coady Institute in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, has discovered a hobby that blends creativity, nature and community. On the beaches surrounding her small town, Emilie collects driftwood that she then transforms into stunning pieces of art.
Antigonish has an abundance of beaches and lots of driftwood washes ashore. Emilie has a keen eye for specific shapes of wood that she can turn into driftwood wreaths and other art pieces. “I find pieces that look like the body of a whale and pair them with pieces that resemble a fin and water for the blowhole. Voila, a driftwood whale!”
Working with her dad in his woodshop, Emilie also creates garden art, combining pieces that look like trees and birds. “My dad makes the base, and I attach the ‘tree’ to it and add a bird in the branches,” she explains.
Emilie’s artistic journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic. With local parks closed, she spent a lot of time walking on the beach with her dog, finding solace in the driftwood she collected.
The beaches on Route 245 are particularly fruitful for her craft, because a private landowner granted her access to their property where driftwood accumulates. Emilie says, “It has become a bit of an obsession. I stop at most any beach I drive by and check for driftwood. My car is always full!”
Emilie’s driftwood wreaths are not only a creative outlet but also a source of joy and connection. “Honestly, when I am done with a wreath, I think, ‘Wow!’ I love them all. They are bright, joyful, unique and fun!” she says. Each wreath requires at least 50 pieces of wood, making the assembly process akin to solving a puzzle. “You need to fiddle and try different pieces, until finally, you find one that lays right,” she explains.
Her passion for driftwood has led her to host workshops to share her craft with others. “I just did a workshop for a group of 13 gals a few weeks ago. They had a blast! I make the bases, and they paint and decorate them,” Emilie says. She is also showcasing her driftwood art at The Tall and Small Café in Antigonish through July 2024.
Reflecting on her hobby, Emilie says that she loves being out in nature, spending time with her dog, watching the beach change. She enjoys seeing eagles and other birds. “I love creating something fabulous out of random pieces of wood and seeing how happy it makes people.” One woman even told her that her wreath brings joy every morning as she drinks her morning coffee.
For those inspired to try driftwood art, Emilie offers this advice: “The more you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change! I never paid much attention to driftwood before, and now I see it as a thing of beauty.”
Emilie’s journey with driftwood art is a beautiful reminder to stay curious, try new things and appreciate the beauty in everyday objects. “Don’t wait. Keep your mind open and keep moving!” she says.
