About Elaine Griffith and her Art Is 4 Every1 Method
After art school, I did a lot of freelance artwork of all kinds, entered exhibits and won prizes. My art hung in a few galleries. But the reality was it wasn’t a steady income by any means. Then in 1987 I was asked to do a painting class at a long-term care facility. That was where I suddenly realized I needed to develop a special technique of teaching acrylic painting to allow everyone to have success with painting. Some students had severe physical or cognitive disabilities. Some of my students were over 100 years old! Once I created a way to teach all the types of students I had, my technique became popular with ages 9 to 99 and beyond. It was especially appreciated by those with severe physical challenges or memory impairment. It makes creating art accessible to every one and requires no previous art experience.
“A working artist, whether self-taught or an art-school graduate, usually needs to find a day job, and that day job may or may not be in line with their passion and their unique artistic talents. Why not use your talents?”
- Elaine Griffith
A Growing Need
After that first surprising class, other activity directors from all types of locations heard about the class and wanted me to come teach their group. My classes spread rapidly to other facilities and also many other ages and venues like children’s camps, assisted living communities, senior centers and painting parties.
In addition, I taught private lessons in student’s homes, and to small groups of kids, teens and adults in my home studio.
I also spent my summers teaching painting at private summer camps. I love my work — but I’m only one woman, and there are so many requesting this class!
A NEW MISSION TO FULFILL!
In 2011 I started teaching instructor training workshops but soon requests for an online class came from across the country and beyond! This is why in 2015 I developed my online training program for artists. I have had people take the course from all over the world.
I believe in passing on the power of creating, and it’s my mission to not only awaken creativity and confidence but to help people see the world through an artist’s eyes.
I believe in artists creating artists. I need YOU to join me and learn how to have your own successful business in this rewarding field. Isn’t it time to work doing something you love?
You WILL make a difference in someones life!
UNFORESEEN REWARDS!
I set out to make a living wage teaching and using my creative talents, but there were plenty of other rewards I didn’t expect!
I’ve watched painting make a big difference in people’s lives! There are residents in long term care who went from spending all their time in their rooms to making sure to roll down to the art room every week. They love feeling valued again at a time they feel so incapable.
One student after she finally finished her first painting came back the next week beaming, “My kids were fighting over my painting! I promised to do a boat for my son next!”
There are quadriplegics who are ecstatic there is something so special they can actually do and beam with the honest praise others give them!
There’s been kids at camp who go from learning to paint one summer to enrolling in an art focused high school. Kids who have been shy little wallflowers gain confidence when they show off their work with pride.
I’ll always remember the moment a ten-year-old girl blasted out of the camp crafts cabin with her painting, then turned and ran back to give me a bear hug with a big “Thank you!” and ran back out again.
Have you had anyone hug you lately for doing your job?
Even though we did not speak a common language he understood my gestures and did a wonderful job!
