George Griffiths was born in Ryhill near Wakefield, Yorkshire, and having an interest in drawing, he won a scholarship to Wakefield School of Arts & Crafts aged 13 followed by 3 years architectural work and study.  He left painting behind and joined the Royal Navy, where he spent 7 years before going into the insurance industry, which took him to Leeds.  His son joined the local art group, and he went along with him, and began to paint again for the first time since art school.  18 months later when sales of his watercolours began to exceed his sales of insurance he opted for a career as a professional artist.