Artist Voice: Don Griffin

WALL STREET SHORT STORIES, 

A STORY of WALL STREET
by Don Griffin

As an abstract painter, I have developed a number of inventive techniques that emphasize Abstraction (color, form, and texture), which mirrors many years of experimentation with various mixed media processes that have become integral to my style. Through the evolution of time from 2005 to 2012, the use of text has taken the form of emulated Cursive handwriting. Interestingly, it has the mechanics of cursive writing without actually forming comprehensive words, ideas, or statements within the composition. The text itself was added as an element, and many times expressed no direct relationship to the work itself,

other than having a textural effect through the font style and word groups. These word groups interest me simply as structures, and produce an artistic desired effect within the work. The scale of the text is another element used for visual interest. Originally, I employed text from various printed material. This included magazines, and novels having aged characteristics with my favorite being encyclopedia pages if printed on thin paper. All of these were incorporated into the work as collage.

At the beginning of January 2012, I became so engrossed with the dismal economic portrait that it stimulated this new body of work entitled Wall Street Short Stories, A Story of Wall Street. It reflects a new direction in comparison to my work created in previous years, mainly via "Fine Parchment Paper" which forms the substrate. "Fine Parchment Paper" was selected for its tactile sense and the ability to be manipulated into a highly textured surface. This, combined with the rich interplay of crumpled, wrinkled surfaces, creates a low relief sculptural quality. The Parchment Paper transcends typical painting in both look, effect, and its wonderful sound which when handled, resembles the crispness of new US paper currency. Creative Titles conjure the short stories developed by the activities that produced the Greed of the ugly beast disguised as capitalism, which nearly brought the financial system of the world on the brink of collapse.

Don Griffin, Financial District, 2012

 

Don Griffin, Investment Bankers, 2012

Don Griffin, Stimulus, 2012

Don Griffin, Wall Street Fire Sale, 2012

  

Don Griffin, Junk-Bond Dealer, 2012