STEVE GRIFFIN at Migration in January

Opening on Friday, January 4, Migration: A Gallery rings in the New Year with its first show of 2008 by featuring the abstract paintings of Colonial Beach artist Steve Griffin. There will be an opening reception with the artist from 5:30-8:00 that evening.

Laura and I were introduced to Steve’s paintings following his stint as a guest juror for a local art exhibition. We immediately fell in love with the color compositions and calming horizontal design of his Strata series. Personally, I see his work as a technicolor Agnes Martin.

Although labeled abstract, Steve’s Strata series - by title and by image - relate to the multiple layers of sedimentary rock found throughout the earth’s geology. Although simple and quiet, his work is grounding and natural. And, the color structures are superb studies which dip the work into the expressionist realm of abstraction. I’m certain Ms. Martin would approve.

In Steve’s words… "The Strata series of paintings began in the spring of 2007.  The basic horizontal stripe composition in all these paintings was perhaps influenced by the river view on the beach where I live.  My painting process involves the application of multiple layers of paint, which are eventually sanded and scraped to reveal previously forgotten colors.  The process itself seems similar to an archeological dig, and the end result resembles a cross-section of rock or maybe something microscopic."

Steve Griffin has been teaching photography, printmaking and drawing at the University of Mary Washington since 1983.  He holds a MFA in painting and printmaking from the University of Wisconsin and a BFA from the University of South Dakota.  His work in painting, mixed media, photography and printmaking has been included in more than 100 local, regional and national exhibitions.