Craig N Smith

Craig Norman Smith, born in New Orleans, LA, in 1958, is a painter and sculptor living in the northern central valley of California. Craig began painting consistently in 1986. Previous to that he was trained in, and worked with, sculptural processes for most of 10 years. Drawing has been an imperative concern for him in over 30 years of study and mature work. Craig's present work consists primarily of linear inventions based in observation. A partial list of "inspirations" or influences might include:__Courbet, Ryder, Cezanne.__Hartley, Beckmann, Guston.__Alberto Giacometti, Susan Rothenberg__Elizabeth Murray__Park, Diebenkorn, Bischoff.__Auerbach, Kossoff, Kitaj.__Others too numerous to list____".I don't care much about making 'art', but continually hope that I can create an extraordinary version of what I see." __ Craig Norman Smith

Craig was trained in relatively rigorous, academic university programs in the American midwest. During his graduate studies the museum on campus, (the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery,) acquainted him with early American Modernism, German expressionist prints, and Bay Area Figuration. During those three years his concerns shifted from abstraction to observation and he has been working with subject matter ever since.

Selected Recent Exhibitions__
2018, Kaneko Gallery, (2-person,) Sacramento, CA
2016,1616 Gallery, (solo,) Sacramento, CA
2015, SMUD Gallery, (2-person,) Sacramento, CA
2014, Kaneko Gallery, (solo,) Sacramento, CA
2013, Poetry Center, (2-person,) Sacramento, CA
2013, Ponderosa Gallery, (solo,) Sacramento, CA
2013, SMUD Gallery, (group,) Sacramento, CA
2013, Wright State, (group,) Dayton, OH
2010, MAIYA Gallery, (solo,) Sacramento, CA
2009, Union Hall Gallery, (solo,) Sacramento, CA
2008, Marin Museum Of Contemporary Art,
Marin, CA
2007, Exploding Head Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2005, Barton Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2005, Pamela Skinner Gallery,Sacramento, CA
2005, Crocker Art Museum, (group,) Sacramento, CA
2003, Center For Contemporary Art, (solo,)Sacramento, CA
2003, Foundry Gallery, (solo,) Sacramento, CA 2002, 2002, California Arts Council, (group,) Sacramento, CA Numerous other solo, group, and juried shows dating back to 1980.
Collections__
The Oakland Museum, Oakland, CA
Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA
The Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, Lincoln, NE
The Springfield Art Museum, Springfield, MO