Stephen Griffin, a Maryland impressionist oil painter, is best known for his portraits of people and his landscapes, especially of Chesapeake Bay and New England boats. Originally from Pennsylvania, he studied at the prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia followed by a move to Maryland to study with renowned portrait artists Cedric and Joanette Egeli.

Griffin's studies have included classical painting and architecture with Alvin Holm AIA, Impressionism at the Cape Cod School of Art founded by Henry Hensche in 1931, and classical drawing and design at Barnstone Studios in Coplay, Pennsylvania.

Stephen Griffin’s study with the Egelis, in particular, shaped his Impressionist style. "They introduced me to Impressionism which ... was a revelation of color and light. I started seeing things as they really are, not the way we think they should be."

Favorite Chesapeake Bay locations are Tilghman Island, Galesville and Deal Island. His landscapes capture the distinctive light caused by the high humidity of Maryland summers. "It puts a haze over everything. The light has to go through the haze and it sets up beautiful screens of atmosphere. Favorite painting locations in New England include Provincetown on Cape Cod, Gloucester, Mass. and the coast of Maine.

Stephen’s portraits are no less remarkable. Recent commissions include the following: "Mural of Justice" for the Hatboro, PA District Court, and a Portrait of Edward F. Burns, Mayor of Bensalem and member of the State of Pennsylvania Legislature. He also has completed numerous portraits of children and adults.

He is a member of Classical America, the Maryland Society of Portrait Artists and the Mid Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association (MAPAPA). He won both the People’s Choice and Best Marine Painting in MAPAPA’s "Paint Annapolis 2002" exhibit and has gone on to win numerous plein air painting awards in subsequent Paint Easton and Paint Annapolis events. He was selected for an Artist of Recognition in 2001 by the Portrait Society of America; also exhibiting his work in the 63rd Annual Juried Exhibition in 2003 at the Woodmere Art Museum in Philadelphia, PA. Stephen was honored to be juried into the 2004 "Sunlight and Shadow" exhibition at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausaw, Wisconsin.

Chesapeake Life Magazine published an article on Griffin’s work, "Outdoor Offices" in May/June 2001 as did International Artist Magazine, "Master Portrait Artist Showcase" in April/May 2002.

McBride Gallery is pleased to represent the work of this talented Maryland artist.