DIAA Headdress
“Headdress” by Tony Griffin.

The Deer Isle Artists Association gallery welcomes North Carolina-based painter Tony Griffin as artist-in-residence for April. Griffin’s work — deeply rooted in the tradition of the Renaissance masters — spans portraiture, figure painting and plein air landscape. He studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia and has exhibited throughout North Carolina and beyond for more than four decades. His paintings are held in private and institutional collections including Duke University, and he currently has work on view in “Horizon Line” at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum.

Griffin will spend the first part of his residency painting the landscapes of Deer Isle in the last moments of winter, capturing the region’s distinctive light and terrain en plein air. In the latter weeks he will shift focus to figures and portraits, welcoming local artists and community members as models. He hopes the exchange of painting people who live and make work in the community will open new dimensions in his practice and deepen his connection to a place he has long admired.

Griffin will host a free portrait workshop at the gallery on April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. Participants should bring their own drawing or painting materials. Space is limited; RSVP by April 10 to anna@studiothorp.com. A closing reception and artist’s talk will be held April 25 from 1 to 4 p.m., with Griffin discussing his work and residency experience at 2 p.m.

Find Griffin online at tonygriffinartist.com, on Instagram @tonygriffinart and on Facebook.

The gallery will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and whenever the open flag is flying.

The DIAA Gallery is at 15 Main St., Deer Isle Village. Go to www.deerisleartists.com, or call 207-598-9656 for more information.