Creating art. Inspiring wanderers.
The Philosophy
What started as a personal reminder to get up and outside has grown into a mission to inspire others to step away from routine, to experience this incredible world and try new things. It won’t look the same for everyone – volunteer in your community, roadtrip with a friend, enjoy a new hobby – but the important thing is to live with intention, exploring and experiencing a little more whenever you can.
The Purpose
The purpose is simple: create original, accessible artwork that stirs your wandering spirit or sense of curiosity. Much of my work involves the great outdoors, landscapes real and imagined, as nature has always provided inspiration and soothing restoration.
The Details
Handmade outside Philadelphia
Every piece sold by Rise + Wander has been handmade here in my home studio in the Philly suburbs. Both my printmaking and painting are focused on the diverse textures and details of nature, and each piece is an original with a direct artist connection. I'm excited to share these with you!
R+W donates a portion of every sale to charitable organizations.
I love to support the amazing organizations creating positive change in our communities and around the world. I periodically pick organizations to support through donating a portion of sales. Generally, the organizations focus on environmental conservation, women's issues, or education.
“Wandering is the activity of the child, the passion of the genius; it is the discovery of the self, the discovery of the outside world, and the learning of how the self is both ‘at one with’ and ‘separate from’ the outside world. These discoveries are as fundamental to the soul as ‘learning to survive’ is fundamental to the body. These discoveries are essential to realizing what it means to be human. To wander is to be alive.”
About the Artist
Hello! I'm Aftyn Shah, the self-taught artist behind the prints and paintings. I grew up a compulsive doodler through high school, and even started painting in college, but art as any kind of career was never in my early plans. I ultimately went into government work and then strategy consulting in Washington, DC after college, with long days of creating PowerPoint decks and endless briefings. In late 2013, a car accident changed everything, eventually leading my family to seek quieter living in St. Louis, where I began exploring my creativity as art therapy.
Rise + Wander started as a personal reminder for me to get up and get outside. My hope is that through my art I'm able to create beautiful and whimsical images that move others to do the same.
My family now lives outside Philadelphia, where I work from my home studio. When not creating, I spend a lot of time outside on walks and hikes, exploring both the city and the beautiful green spaces nearby. Rise + Wander is definitely a family effort, with lots of support and help (and hugs) behind the scenes!
