Finding David Riffle, West Virginia Artist - Documentary

This unusual, lyrical one-hour documentary will take you on a journey into the inner world of artist, David Riffle. A Vietnam vet, his prolific body of work creates fantastical worlds of 1960s trailers, giant dogs, the mystical found in nature, and rising waters. The documentary features many works that haven't been seen in public for years - if ever.
He painted every day, as he is compelled to do. He calls creating "a nervous itch he has to scratch." He had a work selected by the Smithsonian, had solo shows at the Clay Center and Sunrise, has won the WV Juried Show three times, as well as Exhibit 280, and a Fellowship from the Mid-Atlantic Arts.
Riffle took a twelve-year pause from his artwork, to build, with his daughter, a remarkable, non-traditional house, high up a West Virginia mountain. They used mainly recycled materials and natural materials from his land. One friend calls it a shrine.
He has now returned to working on art daily, now exploring more 3-dimensional methods and portraiture.
David Riffle is a humble, soft-spoken man of few words, but in this documentary, he speaks as he never has before. After a day of interviews, his jaw was sore from so much talking. He is helped by others including:
Molly Erlandson, former wife and lifelong friend
Harold Edwards, artist and lifelong friend
Ric Ambrose, former Clay Center Curator and artist, now living in California
Ellie Schaul, former Gallery Manager of The Art Store and artist
Nora Riffle, daughter, BFA graduate and an emerging fashion designer & artist
A documentary by WVPB Senior Producer, John Nakashima
#DavidRiffle #Documentary #WVPB #Artist

[@davidwright8665]

😊 very happy artist being him self.

[@colleenanderson1178]

Wonderful in every way.

[@sherigaynorcreativeawakenings]

Beautiful...in every way. Art as healing, not a commodity. Amen. Thank you.

[@raineterno8370]

Wow!, phenomenal. A true artist's Artist. Thanks for sharing.

[@rebeccapitt5745]

A coffee table book of his artwork would be so amazing, I wish

[@kevinkutz9582]

Heavens this is Wonderful!

[@johanaloha]

So touching and Inspiring and uplifting...AMAZING!

[@staceyhypes7558]

I loved this documentary as much as I love his art! I hope it helps people outside WV discover his work.

[@benw-king3380]

Really very interesting. I've not heard of David Riffle or seen his art, but I am very glad I stumbled across this documentary about someone who has led a very full and fascinating life; I find his art incredibly expressive and really very original in its graphic qualities.

[@morganmorgan3904]

Thank you for sharing this, it was a real pleasure to watch and listen to, though I feel I should be thanking the universe for such a priceless gift.

[@Skis-vz3tw]

Wow! I’m so glad I found this doco about David Riffle! What an extraordinary man, creative in every aspect of his life. I love the relationship he has with his surroundings and his loved ones…and the bond he had with his dog, Star. I wish I could see his 1985-7 artworks about Star that were listed in that shot of a gallery catalogue. The video is wonderful, thank you for sharing it and, in doing so, making it possible to find David Riffle all the way down here in Australia. 🍃🐟🍃🐾🍃💙🍃

[@amandaware2704]

Oh I loved this so much! I first discovered David Riffle's work at the art gallery at WVSU (WVSC back then) decades ago, and was so fascinated by it.

[@kalligirl4374]

I loved this documentary! ❤️

[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

No clue how I got here but I’m here.

[@nickschannel9918]

Fantastic. His art is amazing and just wish I could spend time watching him work. Thanks for posting.

[@DavidDowdy877]

Intuitive,introspective,and riddler supreme ~deal me in.

[@jeaniefarley1192]

Loved this!💕

[@ilpezkato]

Fantástico!💫

[@user-mn7of7kd8n]

Ой , красота, какая

[@robertcook2680]

I'm 15 minutes into this documentary of an artist I've never heard of. The work shown so far is astonishing and beautiful! I'm puzzled though: there's a scene where Riffle is visiting his old trailer, supposedly after many years. Yet, there are still paintings of his in the trailer, and there is no dust or rot anywhere. It appears as if someone--even if not him--is either living there or who uses the trailer for other purposes such that he is essentially occupied and kept tidy. If my puzzlement about this is answered further on in the film, I'll acknowledge here.

[@WabiNaka]

No one lives there.

[@susanmann5286]

I enjoyed this so much! It was an extremely unusual viewpoint, very befitting of David and his work.

[@claremaidofthewave251]

Thank you tube for this recommendation, incredible artist.

[@Mudmadien]

Wonderful. Glad to see him getting the attention he deserves. I was thinking during the film I have never heard him talk this much. Good old Tyler Mountain boy.

[@kathleenfredrickson8593]

This program inspired me in a way that I cannot express, but I feel the switch. It feels freeing. Thanks.

[@pty8s]

Gosh he loves his little girl as do I. I missed VN by a year, but my cousin didn’t. Mr Riffles plan is to leave his art, as much as possible in posterity to his beloved.

[@Seth.Shreds]

I remember my pawpaw would always drive me up the hill to see him building his home, saw it get built from the ground up. Riffle is a very unique guy and amazing artist. Never saw the house completed, last time I was there the floors were still dirt about 10 years ago

[@bearbait7405]

Thank you, Lord. Mr. Riffle, God bless you and your kin. A museum needs to be built in the area. His world needs to be on permanent exhibit.

[@tiyanawilliams5070]

Fascinating!!!!

[@leesvision]

I love his art . I'm a artist from Maryland. I send David lots of love ❤️ and healing, I think we would get along really well. Much love ❤️

[@PS-pn9rd]

Fantastic work

[@crusherj3535]

Very well done. Just found this.

[@bigbear8645]

❤

[@Myraroy]

where can I buy David's work?

[@readthetype]

Who do these people think they are?!? I’m not familiar with the artist, nor the organization documenting them, but it seems a tad harsh to publicly declare them as the _“worst Virginia artist.”_ What a bully! Isn’t art supposed to be subjective?

[@Nancy-tr5fi]

If you would bother to show an entire painting instead of these endless CLOSE UPS. When in a MUSEUM do you see paintings as a whole....or chopped up goofy close ups. Just make me dizzy.