Red Roses (n.d.), watercolour on paper, 22.6 x 16.5 cm., gift of Mrs. N.A. Ashman, London, 1953 Peaches, Plums and Grapes (n.d.), watercolour on paper, 17.1 x 25.2 cm., gift of the Estate of Misses Mary L. and Margaret E. Scott, London, 1971 James Griffiths (1814-1896) was born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, England and died in London, Ontario. He was apprenticed as a china painter at Minton's factory where he probably received his early training as a "flowerer" (flower painter) perhaps under James Steele. Griffiths remained there until 1845 when he became the owner and operator of Sanfield House, a private lunatic asylum. Why James and his brother, John, decided to leave England and emigrated to London, Canada West in 1855 is shrouded in mystery. On arrival, he found work in the office of the deputy clerk of the Crown and Pleas, in the Court of the Queen's Bench and stayed there for the rest of his working life. Griffiths rapidly became involved in the artistic and political life of his new city and country: he served in the creating and advancing of the new Western School of Art and Design, the Western Fair, the Ontario Society of Artists and the Royal Canadian Academy. His own work was mainly in watercolour with an occasional oil, pen and ink or sepia work which was almost always a floral or still life subject. These were portrayed in his rich robust romantic style based on earlier Dutch and French floral traditions. Like his brother, he forwarded the idea of the artist/craftsman through the painting of china and porcelain in London and Canada. He was honoured as one of the initial members of the Royal Canadian Academy in 1880 and during his career, had his work accepted in many important international exhibits.