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Griff Griffiths
Interview with the artist
Do you display your own art at home?
Any of my artwork hanging on the wall is only there for storage its safer than stacking them up against a wall. Any permanent placements are usually rejects that I wouldn't put up for sale but the family have got used to them being there and are spoken for by one or other of them.
How long does it usually take you to complete an artwork?
This is question most painters are asked pretty regularly. I usually answer to the effect that it is like asking a solicitor how long it takes to write a letter, its not the actual doing that counts, its all the practice, study and groundwork that has gone beforehand which gives the final result.
Which is your favourite art gallery and why?
Most good galleries are worth spending time in but a memory I treasure is browsing round the Metropolitan museum of art New York with its variety of rooms, Egyptian collection, Tiffany etc and the added bonus of a Rene Magritte exhibition then strolling the length of Grand Central Park with its autumn tints, a day to remember.
What is your favourite media and why?
I like to work in watercolour, get an idea or see something pleasing to the eye and get it down as quick as possible and keep the freshness without too much labouring.For anyone starting to paint its easy to make mistakes and learn by it and progress quicker. if one can become proficient in watercolour then the rest, Oil, Acrylic etc., is easy by comparison.
Have you ever had an art-related disaster?
Not so much a disaster as an embarassing situation. I produced a greetings card design of Trafalgar square and thought I would add a bit more colour in the form of flags etc,unfortunately not thinking I put the Union flag very prominently on top of the the South African embassy at a time when relations between the countries were a bit strained and nobody at the publishers noticed until it had been released, it had to be withdrawn when some person took offence.I am glad to say they didn't ask for my fee back!.
Are there other artists in your family?
In this category I tend to think of anyone creative as being an artist,I had three great-grandfathers who were coal miners the other one was a farmer but his sons all ended up in the mining industry in one form or another but we produced quite a few musicians myself included.In my children we have successful theatricals and number 2 son is painting fulltime in Cornwall see www.artbygriff.co.uk ( We all answer to "Griff" )and I have grand-daughters who inform me they are going to be artists to which I usually advise them to get a good fall back profession or rich husband first.
Have you ever had a gap where you haven't done any work, what made you restart?
Although I was at Art school on a scholarship at 13 I never did painting until I was over 40.I did a lot of sketching when I was in the Royal Navy usually on the back of signal pads all over the world just for my own amusement and usually gave them away,I wish I had them now!.When I came out of the R.N. art was the last thing on my mind with a young family to support but on my last move in the insurance industry I found the local community cetre within walking distance of my home had a Bar.I joined the local art group who held their meetings there, started dabbling and 18 months later found myself doing it fulltime!.
What are your future plans? What would you like to achieve?
A century and still be able to paint !.
What item could you not do without?
The most useful bit of kit is a pair of Proportional dividers I find them indispensable when scaling up mainly when doing architectural work from plans and elevations to measured perspectives. Now ask me what they are!.
Who is your own favourite artist?
I don't have a favourite artist as such I appreciate any good painting but I tend to gravitate towards the ones who had their roots in illustration e.g. Sir William Russell Flint, W.H.Whiley, Roland Hilder, Montague Dawson I could go on.
Saddly too many people these days think they can get away without troubling themselves with the basic skills.
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