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"History Through Art" Robert Griffing's presentation will deal with the 18th Century Eastern Woodland Indian's appearance such as dress, body tattoos, adornments, and jewelry.
Robert Griffing Robert Griffing grew up in Linesville, Pennsylvania. In his youth he roamed the fields and beaches around Pymatuning Lake collecting stone artifacts, the key factor for his love of history and native cultures. At an early age, he gained an appreciation for the area's history; it's natural beauty and the region's first inhabitants, the Eastern Woodland Indians, which especially fascinated him. After graduating form the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Robert Griffing enjoyed a highly successful thirty-year career in commercial art. Among his accomplishments are the design of the well-known cowboy hat logo for the Arby's fast food restaurant chain. When he finally retired from the commercial art world, "Griff," as he is known to his friends, devoted his efforts to painting his longtime loves, Woodland Indians, nature and history. He quickly became recognized as one of the foremost historical artists working today and is certainly the premier painter specializing in 18th century Woodland Indians. In 1993, "U.S. ART" magazine listed Robert Griffing as an artist to watch for in 1994. In 1994, that same magazine listed him as one of the top 25 selling artists of that year. The November 1995 issue of "U.S. ART" featured an article on Eastern Woodland Indians and chose Griffing's "Logan's Revenge" for the cover. His artwork has also graced the covers of many issues of "Muzzleloader" magazine. Both Griffing's original art and his limited edition prints are in great demand. Like many of the people in his paintings, Robert Griffing is a pioneer. It was not all that long ago that both artists and their publishers were reluctant to risk producing Eastern historical artwork. The real market, and therefore the profit, was in Western art. Not only were Griffing and his publisher, Paramount Press, the first team to risk doing Woodland Indian art on a large scale, but also they have been innovative in other ways. Along with the print "The Taking of Mary Jemison," they produced an excellent videotape that tells the history of the actual event and also chronicles the progress of the painting. When it comes to historical accuracy, Griffing treats both sides of the conflict with the same care and precision. The clothing, uniforms, weapons and accoutrements illustrated are all correct and authentic to the period. So too are the natural backgrounds, such as the forests, the rivers and streams, and the dwellings and fortifications. The details of both the Indian and white 18th century cultures are researched in minute detail. The resulting accuracy of the paintings comes from Griffing's love of history, knowledge of the woods and his natural talent to put what he sees down on canvas. Another element enhancing his artwork is his participation in "living history," where he is able to actually experience, as closely as possible, how our ancestors lived. It is one thing to read about an historic trek or canoe trip, but it is much better to experience it yourself, covering the same ground, wearing period clothing and using only authentic gear and weapons. Of re-enactors Griffing says, "Some of my closest friends today are relatively recent acquaintances I have made at re-enactments. To tap into the knowledge they have . . . is very important to me." In addition to his extensive library of books, historical papers and journals, he is grateful to his historian and re-enactor friends who provide information and act as models for some of the characters in the paintings. He describes himself as a painter of 18th century scenes that involve or feature the Eastern Woodland Indian. His Paintings focus on a time that marked the beginning years of chaos and uncertainty for the Woodland tribes as they struggled to survive the encroachment of Europeans. Griffing hopes that his paintings shed some light on this time period that has been neglected through society's romance with the American West.
Robert's
Web Page <<click
here>> Examples
of Robert Griffing's Work
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