TONY GRIFFITH - STATEMENT

Growing up among a family of artists, gave Southern California native Tony Griffith his early background in the arts. His mother and father were painting hobbyists and always encouraged his artistic development. After earning a degree in computer science and years of working in the industry, he decided to resume his love of art and pursue a career as a painter.

Griffith has studied with art educators in addition to being self-taught. Abstract art has been the most compelling way to express his love for the outdoors, which has been his primary inspiration in his art and has led him to the mile-high art community of Idyllwild in the San Jacinto Mountains above Palm Springs California, where he lives and works out of his studio.

Griffith calls his work "Surreal landscapes and mindscapes of the southwest". His influences include surrealism, minimalism and Pop art.

Selected Exhibitions: 

2007: Modern Masters Fine Art. ‘Rock the Desert’.  Palm Desert, CA   
2006: Don O’Melveny Gallery. Group show. West Hollywood, CA
2005 - 2004:
           Don O’Melveny Gallery. Group show. Los Angeles, CA
           Elizabeth Edwards Fine Art.  Palm Desert, CA
           Courtyard Gallery.  Idyllwild, CA
2003: Don O’Melveny Gallery.  ‘Evening Becomes Eclectic’.  West Hollywood, CA
           Don O’Melveny Gallery.  L.A. International Biennial art walk.West Hollywood, CA
           Idylart Gallery. ‘Recent Work’.  Idyllwild, CA
           Orange County Public Library. ‘Ghostwood’.  Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
2002: Reher Fine Art. Idyllwild, CA       
2001: Life Reflections Gallery. ‘Ghostwood Players’. Idyllwild, CA

Awards:

1st Place – abstract. 5th annual member’s show – July 2003. Art Alliance of Idyllwild.
1st Place – abstract. 5th annual juried show – Oct. 2003. Art Alliance of Idyllwild.

Selected Private Collections:

Ms. Diana Gold. Newport Beach, CA 
M/M Stephen Crane. Houston, TX
Dale Statina. Boulder, CO
M/M Steve Merksanier. Charmichael, CA
Mr. Fred Livingston. Redwood City, CA
Mr. Ray Zemon. Madison, WI
M/M Gary Howard. San Jacinto, CA 
M/M John Diebold. Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 
M/M Richard Reher. San Antonio, TX 
M/M Peter Nauert. Santa Fe, NM 
M/M Thomas Nowakowski. Desert Hot Springs, CA 
M/M Craig Krause. Burbank, CA 
M/M Richard Appel. Palm Springs, CA
Ms. Patricia Wood. San Diego, CA

Periodicals:

Palm Springs Life, May 2007.
Desert Entertainer, May 2007.
Idyllwild Town Crier, Aug. 2004, July 2003, 
Press Enterprise – Hemet Section, February 2003.
Orange County Register – RSM News, December 2002