CRAIG ALAN
Born in 1971 in San Bernardino, California, and raised in the Atlanta area, Craig showed an undeniable artistic talent from a young age. While his early passion began with crayons ...Read more...
on his parents' walls, his capacity for detailed visual interpretation became evident by age seven. He developed his technical and conceptual skills through diligent self-study, always with the goal of pursuing a formal art education.
Craig's path to art shifted when he accepted a soccer scholarship to the University of Mobile, Alabama. During his first pottery class, he found a renewed joy in learning and was immediately recognized for his artistic potential. To help fund his studies, Craig spent weekends in New Orleans, creating portraits for passersby on the streets for a modest fee. This endeavor not only provided economic autonomy but also refined his skill in replicating the human form. He earned an academic excellence award and had one of his pieces selected for "Art with a Southern Drawl," the university's most prestigious exhibition, out of over 1,600 submissions. His minor in theater further diversified his craft, incorporating techniques from makeup and set design, which is visually apparent in his work's dynamic use of form and color.
Craig's prolific career demonstrates a transition from a "slow and studied" application to a "fast and free of precise thought" aesthetic. His collections range from abstract expressionism to haunting, graphic realism, each reflecting his unique vision. He is best known for his Populus series, which was inspired by a balcony view in Orange Beach, Alabama, where a crowd of wedding guests appeared to form the shape of an eye. This visual epiphany sparked a series that now includes dozens of celebrity and historical icons. Craig explains his creative process, saying, "Inspiration begins with a 'What if…' as I consider alternate imagery, surfaces, effects, results, etc. It comes from the past in conjunction with now. Like a bolt of lightning."
A recognized innovator in the visual arts, Craig has achieved significant milestones throughout his career:
- His work is represented in over 15 galleries across the U.S., more than 40 in England, 9 in Germany, and several in Canada.
- His pieces are held in private and prominent collectioworldwide.
- A Populus portrait of Senator Harry Reid was presented in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C.
- He is a frequent presence at major art fairs, including The Palm Beach Show, Scope, Art Silicon Valley, and Context Art Miami.
- His Populus portrait of Nelson Mandela went viral, inspiring a tribute event.
Craig finds purpose in his work's ability to inspire others, asserting, "Art needs to be responsible to its purpose; to inspire and enhance." His advice to aspiring artists is to "be yourself and do what YOU want to do, not what someone else advises or suggests," echoing the words of his grandfather, "Don't ever quit!"
Craig's path to art shifted when he accepted a soccer scholarship to the University of Mobile, Alabama. During his first pottery class, he found a renewed joy in learning and was immediately recognized for his artistic potential. To help fund his studies, Craig spent weekends in New Orleans, creating portraits for passersby on the streets for a modest fee. This endeavor not only provided economic autonomy but also refined his skill in replicating the human form. He earned an academic excellence award and had one of his pieces selected for "Art with a Southern Drawl," the university's most prestigious exhibition, out of over 1,600 submissions. His minor in theater further diversified his craft, incorporating techniques from makeup and set design, which is visually apparent in his work's dynamic use of form and color.
Craig's prolific career demonstrates a transition from a "slow and studied" application to a "fast and free of precise thought" aesthetic. His collections range from abstract expressionism to haunting, graphic realism, each reflecting his unique vision. He is best known for his Populus series, which was inspired by a balcony view in Orange Beach, Alabama, where a crowd of wedding guests appeared to form the shape of an eye. This visual epiphany sparked a series that now includes dozens of celebrity and historical icons. Craig explains his creative process, saying, "Inspiration begins with a 'What if…' as I consider alternate imagery, surfaces, effects, results, etc. It comes from the past in conjunction with now. Like a bolt of lightning."
A recognized innovator in the visual arts, Craig has achieved significant milestones throughout his career:
- His work is represented in over 15 galleries across the U.S., more than 40 in England, 9 in Germany, and several in Canada.
- His pieces are held in private and prominent collectioworldwide.
- A Populus portrait of Senator Harry Reid was presented in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C.
- He is a frequent presence at major art fairs, including The Palm Beach Show, Scope, Art Silicon Valley, and Context Art Miami.
- His Populus portrait of Nelson Mandela went viral, inspiring a tribute event.
Craig finds purpose in his work's ability to inspire others, asserting, "Art needs to be responsible to its purpose; to inspire and enhance." His advice to aspiring artists is to "be yourself and do what YOU want to do, not what someone else advises or suggests," echoing the words of his grandfather, "Don't ever quit!"
Limited Edition Artwork
Mixed Media
Original Artwork