Timothy Griffith
Rockford, IL
ReDirector of Photons and Creator of Eye Candy for over 57yrs! All work available (and priced [US $ only]) unless marked 'NFS' (Not For Sale').
Message
Timothy Griffith was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1958. He began painting in 1968, and in the 1980's briefly attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. However, it took many years to return to education, and he graduated from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in 2020.
Tim's work has been exhibited in New York City, Washington DC, Chicago, Laguna Beach, CA, Bethlahem, PA, Grand Rapids, MI, St. Louis, MO... as well as the Illinois towns of the northern tier, Oak Park [Chicago], Crystal Lake, Woodstock, Elgin, Oregon, Freeport, Galena, South Beloit, Rockton, Mechesney Park, and Rockford.
Tim's work reflects the continuum of Art's long history. In his creations you will see elements of many styles. Believing that art is an evolved craft, and holding on to past aesthetics, he makes his work a modern invention of those past successes. Drama and emotion are forefront in the compositions, and he calls the apparent style Neo-Baroque... and within, you can also see Realism, ( an abundance of ) Surrealism, American Regionalism, Neo Art Nouveau, and Neo Art Deco. His recent efforts are a take on Precisionism (think O'Keefe).
Primarily a figurative oil painter, Tim incorporates the many techniques and styles listed above, and the nexus of these elements is nothing like any artwork you may have seen before. His work has been called bold, bright, severe, and smart. With thoughtful subject matter, skillful use of color, and unique and often forced perspectives, it elicits drama and emotion from the composition.
"My artwork is an extremely well-crafted product. I produce artwork from long-lasting, high-quality pigments and substrates, lightfast, non-toxic paints, heavy-duty stretcher bars, fine cotton or linen canvas, and (forever) lasting acrylic primer. I use gallery-wrapped canvases and continue the composition to the sides and slightly around to the back. I call my method "Painting to the wall." The finished work is thoroughly varnished. They can be hung without framing- and are visually complete from all viewpoints."
After a covid-delayed graduation, Tim relocated from Milwaukee to north-central Illinois for its geographic proximity to art communities from Chicago, Crystal Lake, Woodstock, through Rockford, Freeport, Oregon [IL], and down to the Central Illinois region, Monmouth, Galesburg, Peoria, to Bloomington/Normal Metro.
As of February 1, 2025 (primarily since 2015), Tim has created 133 large-scale artworks (most 24"x30" or larger), entered 147 exhibits, and been successfully juried into 105 of them, totaling 304 invited pieces, earning 12 awards.
Statement
I create art images of moments in time and space, candid glimpses of real events, or detailed imaginings- full of Aristitilian modes of persuasion, meaning, symbology, & mystery. The art is well researched subjectively from evolved and manufactured ruminations. The end pieces are rich with intentions of composition, symbolism, and references to facts and fiction. Each is layered with 'compositional & color experiments', 'art & art history references' & often 'untold stories or revelations'.
I often skew perspectives around subject matter, like a shallow, embracing 2D diorama. The ultimate work happens upon the viewer like a 'lightning-violet bolt from the sky'... other times it is eye candy, the image rippling with dopamine and enphorine producing shapes and colors... and sometimes still, it may take your breath away, evoking pathos, empathy, and deep emotions.
My artwork has been called "bold, bright, smart, detailed, & too detailed"; one close family member told me (after I lamented about my lack of gallery representation) "of course most galleries won't hang your art- your artwork takes the viewer, whether they're and man or woman, by the balls and wont let go!".
[special note for the website: I present a rating for artworks that include nudity => AHN [Artistic Human Nudity] = The composition is a figurative study of adults, not sexual activity (although sometimes sensual or intimate, and portraying emotional love), not intended as pornography.]
{the molecules represented in my logos are 1) dopamine 2) beta Endorphins [both molecules associated with pleasure] along with an eyeball... this is my visual representation of the 'eye candy' sensation my artwork may produce in some.}