Artist David Griffin shares ‘happy accidents’ in exhibit

ALBANY — For local artist David Griffin, persistence finally paid off.

After unsuccessfully trying over the course of several years to get his work displayed, the stars aligned and Griffin got the message he’d been seeking: There was an opening and an opportunity to exhibit his work at the Albany Area Arts Council Gallery.

“I’ve been in a couple of shows before, but this is the first time I’ve pulled my work together to create an exhibit,” Griffin said at an opening reception for his “Thoughts, Memories & Visions” exhibition. “This all started for me when I was a young boy. I’d do crude comic book drawings and sell them for a nickel. But it wasn’t until I got to Georgia Southwestern (State University) that I began to grasp the concept of art.”

“Thoughts, Memories & Visions” includes works from several series that Griffin created, including a “Pawn” series, a “Who I Want to Be When I Grow Up” series, a “Tall Tales” series and a series of religious-based works.

“The ‘Pawn’ series — and I know it’s cliche — is about how we all are pawns, with no control over our lives,” he said. “My favorite is the collection of paintings about popular individuals who inspire me. I think my favorite is the one of ‘Clark Kent,’ the reporter, not as Superman. I read a series of books when I was younger about important people in history, and that inspired many of the works in this series.”

As for inspiration, Griffin said it’s all around him.

“The one of the turtle, there, I was driving on Dawson Road and I saw a turtle trying to cross the busy street,: he said. “I’m one of those people who stops to try and help animals, so I got out of my car to help him get across. But before I got to him, somebody clipped him with their car. I picked him up, although he was injured, and took him to Lake Loretta.

“A lot of the things I do are kind of like Bob Ross’ ‘happy accidents.’ They are of the moment.”

The works in Griffin’s exhibit are available for sale, and persons interested in his art can contact him at [email protected].

“I’m really horrible at marketing,” the artist said. “This tonight, having other people look at and judge my work, it’s exciting but it makes me nervous. But having this show is a big step for me. I’ve generally just created these works and stacked them in a corner. It’s nice to get this opportunity to show them.”

Griffin’s exhibit will remain at the Arts Council Gallery through Sept. 19.

Staff Photo: Carlton FletcherStaff Photo: Carlton Fletcher