Chris Griffin was born in Maesycwmmer, Mid Glamorgan. He graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1975. He is a member of the Welsh Group, the Royal Watercolour Society of Wales and has a studio at Oriel Canfas in Cardiff where he is a member of the Old Library Artists Ltd.
Primarily his work is motivated by the landscape, the history and the culture of the South Wales valleys. Latterly he has included poetry and environmental issues to inform his work. His working methods incorporate a rich colour palette and subtle accumulated textures.