Kevin Griffiths shines again

Ahipara man Kevin Griffiths has added to his national reputation as a very talented mouth painter with success at a major New Zealand art competition.

He placed second in the Mouth and Foot section of the Coca-Cola Easter Show Art Awards in Auckland, the country's open art competition.

Kevin's acrylic painting, Wind Surfer, was inspired by a local scene.

"I saw some guys out windsurfing on a stormy day at Ahipara, that made me think it would be a good subject to paint. It took about a month to complete," he said.

Mouth and Foot Painting Association Asia Pacific manager Simon Jackson said several MFPA painters won prizes in the competition.

"We are proud of the work of all our artists, and it's fantastic to have the opportunity to enter competitions such as the Easter Show Art Awards and give our artists the opportunity to exhibit their work to a wide audience," he said.

Kevin was 13 years old when he broke his neck in a swimming accident. He continued his education and became interested in various forms of art, which inspired him to travel extensively throughout the world. That interest also motivated him to try mouth painting, and in 1990 he won the Bruce Hopkins Memorial Award.

He acquired MFPA student membership in 1992, and became an associate member in 2001.