Preston Craig
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DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK
All of the images are dream based in some way.
The "Ode to Rousseau's Dream" is based on a painting by Rousseau called "The Dream".
The second piece "Confessions" is full of symbolic images ( a Chesire-like cat, a face trapped in a door, a lone female figure seemingly overcome by what she is experiencing in her dream, etc.) that occur in dreams and the piece has a very dream-like atmosphere to it.
The third piece "Sins of the Father" is more of a political statement but revolves around a nightmare I had about the destruction of our environment by a political party.
The fourth piece "Fixing a Hole" is based on the Beatle's song "Fixing a Hole". It includes a lot of dream imagery and relates to the kind of dream-like feeling one gets from listening to Beatle's music.
The last one is called "Nightmare" and is as close as I could get to an exact replication of a dream I had. A nightmareish creature gives chase to anthropomorphic fish creature near an ocean floor setting.
ABOUT PRESTON CRAIG
My artistic journey, which has taken me into the metaphysical realms of Carl Jung, Native American mysticism and Aboriginal Dreamtime, reinforces my belief in our interconnectedness.
Preston, who is a published artist, writer, educator and voice over actor, earned an M.F.A. (with honors) in Illustration from the Academy of Art in San Francisco and a B.A. in Applied Arts from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Involved with social issues and an avid artist rights advocate, he has been recognized by the Los Angeles City Council for his volunteer work and contribution to the growth of the arts in L.A. In 2013 and 2014, respectively, one of his paintings was published in North Light Books’ - Acrylic Works: Best of Acrylic Competition and Acrylic Artist magazine and one of his portraits was selected for inclusion in the International Society of Acrylic Painters Best of Acrylic International Competition. His illustration work got an award from the Adobe Design Achievement Awards in 2011 and he received an award of recognition from the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society and the National Scholars Honors Society in 2007. In addition, he was honored twice with the Artistic Director Award for Set Design/Scenic Art from the Valley Theatre League for productions of the Road Theater Co. and he was an Artist-in-Residence for the A.I.E.A.C.
He has found success as an artist in the Los Angeles area and is experienced in creating book and magazine illustrations (digitally and traditionally), digital graphics (DTP), fine art (portraits, landscapes, fantasy) and scenic art/murals. His award-winning work continues to be exhibited locally, nationally and internationally; an exhibition of his “Twisted Teddys” series took place at the Hive Gallery in Los Angeles. He has traveled extensively; living & working at times in Norway, England, Italy and Japan.