Tag Archives: naive art

Sold!

I’m very happy to find out that my “Sancho” is one of the paintings that have already sold at the Black + White + One show. There’s still lots of art to see at the new Insomnia on Main St in Hillsboro until the end of April!

Mixed media cat painting, "Sancho," by artist Riis Griffen.

Riis Griffen, “Sancho,” mixed media on 12×12″ canvas.

Old Soul

Lisa Griffen, Old Soul, mixed media on 8x8" wood.

Lisa Griffen, Old Soul, mixed media on 8×8″ wood.

This is the fourth of my ten paintings for the Big 500 show at Peoples Art in Portland. There was about half a day when I considered painting over the figure that was emerging in this painting but I kept going with it and I love the way it turned out.

Sunday was the deadline so my paintings are all turned in. This is my third year doing this show and it now feels like an annual tradition: get the Big 500 paintings done and then the holiday season really starts!

Red Scarf

Lisa Griffen, Red Scarf, mixed media on 8x8" wood.

Lisa Griffen, Red Scarf, mixed media on 8×8″ wood.

Baby, it’s cold outside. She’s all dressed up in her scarf but her nose is still red.

This is the third of my ten paintings for the 8th annual Big 500 show at Peoples Art in Portland. It opens Saturday, Dec 12 with a high-energy reception and runs through mid-January.

Pajama Party for One

Lisa Griffen, Pajama Party for One, mixed media on 8x8" wood.

Lisa Griffen, Pajama Party for One, mixed media on 8×8″ wood.

This little piggy has his PJ’s on and he’s ready for fun! My second painting finished for the Big 500 show at Peoples Art in Portland, which opens December 12 at 2 pm with a huge reception.

Handful of Stars

Handful of Stars, mixed media outsider art painting on 18x24" canvas. $270.

Handful of Stars, mixed media outsider art painting on 18×24″ canvas. $270.

This is one of those paintings that didn’t want to come together for ages, until it suddenly did. I’d like to figure out what it is that sparks that resolution, because it would make my painting process a lot faster! And then this little lady lingered on the easel all summer because I’ve been so busy I didn’t have time to put the finishing touches on her. It was great to get back into the studio last week and finally finish her. This isn’t a very good photo, because I snapped it hastily before she went off to People’s Art in Portland for their So Many Days, So Many Dead show that opens on October 17. The show hangs until November 15, so stop by to see her and three more of my paintings in person!

Solo show at New Seasons

Wishbone. Original mixed media outsider art painting on 16x20" canvas. $200.

Wishbone. Original mixed media outsider art painting on 16×20″ canvas. $200.

I’ve had a bad cold since returning from vacation, but made it out of bed this morning to hang my solo show at the Cedar Hills New Seasons cafe with lots of help from my sweet husband. Wishbone and 12 other animal-themed paintings will be there until the end of September.

Visitor from the Dreamtime

Lisa Griffen, Visitor from the Dreamtime, acrylic and ink on 18x24" canvas.

Lisa Griffen, Visitor from the Dreamtime, acrylic and ink on 18×24″ canvas.

I watched the movie Tracks on Netflix. It’s about Robin Davidson’s solo trek across the Australian desert in the 1970s. Then I read her book, which gave a lot more detail, especially about the Aboriginal people she met along her way. That got me interested in reading about the spirituality of indigenous Australians. I’m especially intrigued by the Creation stories about the Dreamtime.

A few days after I finished all that reading, this figure showed up in my painting, clearly emerging from those explorations.

Art Challenge

Simon. Mixed media on 6x6" canvas.

Simon. Mixed media on 6×6″ canvas.

These are my black, white and red paintings for the 6th Annual Art Challenge at Village Gallery. I’m glad I chose to use these colors and I like the way the paintings turned out. The photos look a little fuzzy for some reason but they’re bright and sharp in person.

The reception is tomorrow from 2-4 pm. It’s going to be a fun reception with a good crowd, so if you’re in the area, stop by and see us!

Bertrand. Mixed media on 6x6" canvas.

Bertrand. Mixed media on 6×6″ canvas.

George. Mixed media on 6x6" canvas.

George. Mixed media on 6×6″ canvas.

Francois. Mixed media on 6x6" canvas.

Francois. Mixed media on 6×6″ canvas.

Cat and Kittens

This painting is a little different– the colors are more muted than my usual palette, there’s more going on in the background, and it has three figures instead of one. I’m happy with the subdued colored and the rawness of the mother cat. I’m also happy that it sold the day after I posted it on Facebook!

Cat and Kittens, mixed media 20x16". Sold.

Cat and Kittens, mixed media 20×16″. Sold.