About Carla J Griffin
“The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention.”
~Julia Cameron
Griffin with her painting “Emerald Lake,” winner of a Pastel Society of Oregon award in 2015
About Carla J Griffin
Thank you for your interest in learning more about Carla J Griffin and her art!
The Pleasure of Painting
I was raised in Eagle Point. My mother was a self-taught artist, and though there were no opportunities for training while I was growing up, due to her influence I have been transfixed all my life by the shapes, colors, lines, surfaces and reflections all around me. While I wasn’t able to take the time to learn art while I was raising my two girls, I was always looking at things, wondering how I would catch the light and beauty of the things I saw.
I spent 19 years in Texas making a living so I could retire to my home state of Oregon. My late husband and I were married 10 years and took wonderful trips to the great museums in Europe, New York, Washington DC, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston and Chicago.
After I retired and remarried, Burton and I moved to Grants Pass. I settled in for a couple of years, then took a year of watercolor from Marshall McDaniel, followed by workshops with Kim Ragsdale, Sue Bennett, Roni Marsh and Jeff Gogue. Jeff introduced me to Ryan Moon at Southern Oregon Art Academy. Because of my appreciation of the traditional art of Europe, the school was a perfect fit. In 2012 I was the first graduate of a three-year program at SOAA with Judy Clayton’s ownership. I have learned so much working with Chris Tullis, Ryan Moon and Judy Clayton.
Artist Carla J Griffin sketches a live model in 2011.
Despite the inherent angst of being inept during the learning curves, there is so much pleasure in seeing progress. Winning ribbons from the Josephine County Fair, The Upper Rogue Artists, Josephine County Artist Association, Southern Oregon Artists Association, Southern Oregon Art Show and Pastel Society of Oregon has encouraged me to continue to grow.
I am finally doing what I have always wanted to do and find total delight in the endeavor. I hope by sharing my work I will encourage others to follow their hearts to their delights, no matter their age.
~Carla J Griffin
Mission Statement
It is my desire to awaken in the viewer the delight that arises from careful observation.
Associations
Carla J Griffin is past President of the Josephine County Art Association. Griffin also holds memberships in the following organizations:
Artist Carla J Griffin sketches the first of many eyes in 2010.
Southern Oregon Society of Artists
Pastel Society of Oregon
The Rogue Gallery and Art Center
Gallery One
Grants Pass Museum of Art
Umpqua Valley Arts Association
Continuing Study
Workshops and classes continue Griffin’s growth in oils and pastels. She studies oil painting with Stefan Baumann and enjoys his emphasis on the play of light. She takes pastel classes with Janis Ellison, and has had the privilege of having workshops with Margaret Dyer, Christine Ivers, Gil Dellinger, Ilene Gienger-Stanfield and Willo Balfrey.
She has won numerous awards in local art shows and is past President of the Josephine County Artists Association. Her art hangs at Gallery One in Grants Pass, OR and at Rogue Gallery & Art Center in Medford, OR.