STEVE GRIFFITH
Steve Griffith was born in the mountains of western Arkansas in
1959. From infancy, his family traveled to the Rocky Mountain States
to work in the timber business and the Pacific Northwest to work in
the fruit orchards. The changing landscapes on these long trips
provided a natural backdrop to develop a passion for both art and
travel.
Griffith states, “I cannot remember a time that I did not create art
of one type or another.” Unfortunately, art was not viewed as a
valuable commodity in the culture in which he grew up. As a result,
he worked at a variety of jobs developing many skills that were later
applied to different art techniques. He also gained a deep
understanding of people and objects and their interaction in the
environment.
Griffith studied art in college before developing an interest in
psychology, eventually completing a Master of Science degree. He
practiced full-time for 14 years combining psychotherapy and art
therapy with patients ranging from small children to geriatrics.
However, he produced very little art for the public until 1996 when,
encouraged by friends and colleagues, he began painting
professionally. By 2001, demand for his art allowed him to begin
painting full time. His unique background has allowed him to develop
a strong, loose style that embraces his love of light, energy, and
motion. Griffith states, “I choose not to reproduce reality, instead
striving for an impression of the subject using bold strokes of color
and texture. I want to capture the emotion of the moment.” His style
is brave and sometimes surprising, but tends to find a deeper place
in his heart and imagination over time.
