Finding wonder in small things again

Esther Griffiths, Small Things, 2009

Acrylic and pencil on MDF board, 60 cm x 60 cm

Esther Griffiths, What IS That?, 2009

Acrylic and pencil on MDF board, 60 cm x 42.5 cm

...What could be more delightful than drawing young children totally absorbed in something small??

Random images from 2007

Here are a few random images of work that I produced during my first year of studying for my Bachelor of Applied Arts at NorthTec.

These two small test paintings were my responses to the work of artists Colin McCahon and Michael Smither. See if you can guess which is which…






The following is a (make-believe!) set of billboards designed to advertise my proposed evolution of the St John logo… I had a great time doing this!






And the following images are digital photographs, as supporting images for an imaginary magazine article titled “Flower Power”.

‘Taming the Land’, 2006

Esther Griffiths, 'Can You Hear Him?', 2006
Acrylic and modelling compound on canvas, 60 x 17.5 cm
Artist's Collection

Through this series of works, I investigate my personal response to how Christianity is viewed in New Zealand. I have used the familiar New Zealand imagery of a small wooden country church surrounded by vast expanses of empty landscape to explore and contrast the relationship between the physical, metaphysical and the spiritual nature of Christianity.

Esther Griffiths, 'Nestled Church', 2006
Charcoal on paper, 24.7 x 15.5 cm
Artist's Collection

This series is predominantly a lament, with a dark and somber feel to many of the works. These works cower in shame over horrific deeds done in our country in the name of God – both historically and currently. They grieve over the many misunderstandings and accusations surrounding God, His purposes, and His people.

Esther Griffiths, 'Eternal', 2006
Acrylic on paper, 14.4 x 38.3 cm
Artist's Collection

But the works are not all gloom and despair. They also carry a message of hope. This hope is symbolized by the cross, which in the natural world represents a tortuous death, but in the spiritual realm, the giving of life to those who will receive it. God has promised that His church will survive, and it has and will.

The prophet Isaiah said that “a bruised reed He will not break, and a smoking flax He will not quench.” Jesus told Peter “’on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.’” We may be weak, but He is strong, and He will continue to keep His church.

Esther Griffiths, 'Things Unseen', 2006
Acrylic and modelling compound on paper, 30 x 21.2 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$80

Paul, in a letter to Corinthian believers, said, “Therefore we do not lose heart… For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” As followers of Christ, “we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Esther Griffiths, 'What is Unseen is Eternal', 2006
Acrylic and modelling compound on paper, 29.7 x 30.1 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$80

I have enjoyed exploring this concept of looking at “things unseen” in this series of works. While we may despair when we look at the physical world around us, we can take comfort in knowing that God is in ultimate control over it all, and that He has purposes far beyond our limited understanding. Praise God- we can trust in Him totally and completely!

'Potting Around', 2005

Esther Griffiths, 'Lazy Morning', 2005

Acrylic on paper, 20.8 x 14.7 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$40

This series of works, entitled 'Potting Around', was based on my life as a secondary student in 2005. Guitars, flax weaving, books, jars, paintbrushes, and fabric are all motifs that are repeated throughout the works, and represent the things that I was learning at this time, and how I was discovering balance between study and other activities. The works in this series romanticize Saturday mornings, portraying laid-back and productive activities… when in reality a student's life is a frantic and deadline-driven rush of study for the end of year exams...

Esther Griffiths, 'Bedroom Still Life', 2005

Graphite on paper, 14.7 x 20.8 cm
For Sale, unframed, NZ$30

Esther Griffiths, 'Bags', 2005

Graphite on paper, 14.7 x 20.7 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$30

Esther Griffiths, 'Unfinished Weaving', 2005

Charcoal, chalk and oil pastel on paper, 17.7 x 20.6 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$20

Esther Griffiths, 'Jars on the Windowsill', 2005

Chalk pastel on paper, 20.9 x 21 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$30

Esther Griffiths, 'Absorbed', 2005

Acrylic on paper, 20.9 x 26.9 cm
Artist's Collection

'There is a Season', 2004

Esther Griffiths, 'For Everything there is a Season', 2004
Oil and acrylic on card, 59.5 x 80.3 cm
Artist's Collection

This series of works was based on the imagery surrounding the mundane chore of chopping wood during the cooler months. These works are a celebration of hard work and diligence – without which we would have had to purchase several more blankets and a heat pump. I enjoyed finding the beauty in what I had thought to be a drab (and terrifyingly weta infested) corner of our backyard.

One of the major concepts explored within this body of works is the idea of “seasons”, paralleling the winter season with a season of hard work or bitter cold in a person’s life. But, as we all know, seasons come and go… And there is a season for everything.

Esther Griffiths, 'Weta', 2004
Graphite on paper, 14.6 x 20.8 cm
Artist's Collection

Esther Griffiths, 'Energy to Burn', 2004
Oil on paper, 29.6 x 42.6 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$80

Esther Griffiths, 'It Will Only Last for a Season', 2004
Acrylic on paper, 29.7 x 50.7 cm
Artist's Collection