Bohemian Rhapsody
Before it was cool...
Jeanne Griffin was born in Colorado and has always felt connected with the creative verve and fortunate synergy surrounding Denver’s art community.
She immersed herself in Denver’s lively version of Bohemia in 1990 when she moved to the now trendy LoDo. Back then, most of the buildings were dark and abandoned, the midnight trains passing through the desolate rail yards nearby wailed freely without regard to curfews or sleeping neighbors. The viaducts still guarded a sparkling secret; beneath their seedy, mysterious charm, Denver’s fledgling arts district thrived. Scenes straight out of Kerouak lived in the inspired cafes and obscure bars, and the culture encouraged street side fashion shows and outdoor speakers piping classical music.
Before Coors Field sent LoDo real estate into orbit, city officials referred to the neighborhood as a ‘dilapidated blight’, but Denver’s creative souls called it “home” and at it’s heart, 13 art galleries called it “First Friday”- Denver’s original art walk. Still, finding space required a bit of ingenuity, and a lot of determination. Short of neither, in March of 1990 Griffin began working in her first “real studio” - a 10 x 10 chicken wire storage cage in the basement of RedShift Framing. Her “apartment” was across the street on the 2 nd ½ floor of the Wazee Supper Club in Westword's abandoned offices...not even a kitchen - the bath across the hall.
The community gave her a sense of belonging, the atmosphere encouraged her passion and the easy camaraderie obliged her own Bohemian disposition. All of it inspired her painting and nurtured her creative soul.
She has proven to be one of the most popular up-and-coming artists in Colorado. She was recently awarded Best Emerging artist by esteemed jurors at the annual Colorado AIDS Project Art 4 AIDS Auction and 1st Runner up for Pick of the Fringe at the Boulder Fringe Festival.
© 2007 GRIFFIN FINE ART, LLC. All rights reserved. Site design by Shine On Communications. Inc.
