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March Issue 2003
Cameo Fine Art in Columbia, SC, Features Works by George "Griff" Griffith
Cameo Fine Art in the historic Congaree Vista of Columbia, SC, will be featuring a solo exhibit titled, Painting the Canvas, Singing the Blues by the ever popular artist and musician, George Griffith - aka, Griff. The exhibit will open Mar. 19. The exhibit will remain on view until Mar. 30, 2003, but Griff will only perform at the opening of the exhibit.
Griff is widely known for his nostalgic paintings of SC - wildlife, dogs, Charleston, floral, nautical scenes and golf which has ultimately become the foundation of his reputation as a realist painter. His love of golf finally spilled over to the canvas and it was from that point that it became apparent Griff had launched an artistic pattern of his own. After infinite commissions, PGA events and international sales, Griff earned the reputation as one of the leading and most prolific golf artist in the nation. He was also the featured artist, a prestigious honor, at one of the largest golf resorts in Japan.
Growing up in the "Mill Hill" of Lancaster, SC, it was expected Griff would be a ball player like the rest of the male Griffiths. Another facet of this view of Griff's assumed future would have entailed working in the Mills in Lancaster. However, Griff's dream of being an artist interfered with pragmatic expectations. The hand of fate intervened when Bea Sisson, an art teacher, recognized a phenomenal talent in Griff and gave him free art lessons to encourage and enhance his artistic ability, thereby providing him with the opportunity to pursue his career in art.
Griff has had many varied experiences in life ranging from college, military, welding, sales, singing the blues, golf, teaching and advertising which have provided a rich basis for his palate. At the age of thirty, Griff returned to college to earn his Bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina in Studio Art. After approaching forty, Griff realized that his dream was more than just being a painter, so he opened his own gallery and studio in Lexington, SC. However, the demands of running a business interfered with the two passions of his life, painting and singing the blues.
Griff paints day and night throughout the week creating works of art for his admirers and collectors. His weekends are dedicated to art exhibits, playing music for private parties or in varied venues all over the southeast with his musician friends. In 1995, Griff released his first of many CDs which are entirely written, composed and produced by Griff. The popularity and sales of these CDs has been a satisfying and rewarding experience for Griff, but it has not lessened his love for art and the pursuit of his career as an artist. In Nov., 1999, Griff achieved a musical milestone when he won "The Best Blues Song" award at the Cammy Awards for the song, Bang All Night (that's the piano of course). A second thrill of a lifetime happened in Nov., of 2001 when he won "The Best Album" award for Painted Blue 2. He was also inducted into the R&B Hall of Fame in 2001.
Who says you can't be both artistic and musically adept?
Approximately 30 works will be on display consisting of acrylics and watercolor on masonite, 300 lb. arch paper and canvas. There will be a wide spectrum of subject matter (for which Griff is well known for) in a variety of sizes from small to relatively large. Each of these pieces has rich and vibrant hues that coincide with the subject matter Even though there will be new pieces in the exhibit, Griff will have some of his earlier works on display as well.
We invite you to view this exhibit by this renowned artist. Griff and his female singers will entertain you with songs from his latest CDs while you enjoy viewing the exhibit. This exhibit will travel to our sister gallery, The Arnold Gallery in Aiken, SC, in Apr., 2003.
For more information check our SC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at 803/799-8869 or e-mail at (artcam@aol.com) or The Arnold Gallery at 803/502-1100 or e-mail at (arnoldfinearts@aol.com).
Carolina Arts
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