Craig Alan

Optical Unity

2021

Craig Alan was born in 1971 in San Bernardino, California. Upon moving to New Orleans as a child, Alan worked as a street portrait artist, using the opportunity to practice his figure drawing, as well as earn money for school and supplies.

The creative vision came naturally to Alan and he continued to develop technically and conceptually through his own diligent studies. It was not until his sophomore year at the University of Mobile, Alabama, that Alan formally began to train in arts. His affinity for the subject was immediately apparent. He continued to concentrate in studio arts, earning an area award for academic excellence. The university’s most prestigious exhibition, “Art with a Southern Drawl,” featured 42 of Alan’s pieces, chosen from a field of more than 1,600 submissions.

A minor concentration in theater provided Alan with additional techniques in makeup and set design. This added expertise supported his exploration of mixed media constructions. His skills combine to form elaborate textures, hues and compositions in his pieces. Alan’s artwork reveals a technical sophistication as well as an elaborate imagination.

Constantly craving new ways to link contemporary expressions to traditional art, Alan hopes to travel to Europe in search of artistic artifacts as well as fresh and innovative ideas. He also intends to explore his own family roots and cultural nuances in England and Scotland. Eventually, Alan plans to earn his master’s degree in studio arts in order to teach at the college level. His biggest dream is to own and manage his own atelier. He continues to exhibit his artwork across the United States.

Find original Craig Alan art including prints, paintings and other work on 1stDibs.