February Demo with Preston Craig

The February CAL demonstration program on Tuesday, February 21, at 7pm, will feature Preston Craig who will be demonstrating his acrylic painting techniques, including atmospheric perspective, utilizing a limited color palette, mixing so paints remain fresh and other technical aspects of utilizing acrylic paint.

Preston, who is a published artist, writer and educator originally from Louisiana, works as a freelance illustrator, digital artist, fine artist, graphic designer and voice over actor in the Los Angeles area. He 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. He is experienced in creating book and magazine illustrations, storyboards, computer graphics/graphic design, fine art (portraits, landscapes, fantasy) and scenic art/murals.

Involved with social issues and an avid artist rights advocate, Preston 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 2014, one of his works was selected for publication in Acrylic Artists Magazine and in 2013, one of his landscape paintings was chosen to be published in North Light Books’ Acrylic Works: Best of Acrylic Competition. His artwork has garnered awards from Adobe Design, the International Society of Acrylic Painters, the Society of Illustrators Los Angeles, the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society, the National Scholars Honors Society and other Local, National and International Competitions. In addition, he was honored twice with an Artistic Director Award for Set Design/Scenic Art from the Valley Theatre League for productions at the Road Theater Co.

Preston's mural work can be seen in a project dubbed the “Hollywood Night Gallery” on Hollywood Blvd. (he just recently restored the portrait of Buster Keaton) and in a mural honoring Bob Barker at CBS Studios. Some of his scenic work can be seen at Venus Fort (a 60,000-square-foot shopping center in Tokyo, Japan), the Paris Casino in Las Vegas and other venues around L.A. An exhibition of his “Twisted Teddys™” series took place at the Hive Gallery in Los Angeles and he is presently working on getting 3-D printed figures of a few of his teddy characters and is seeking a licensee. He has traveled extensively; living & working at times in Norway, England, Italy and Japan.

You can see his work on his websites:

www.prestonfinearts.com
www.twistedteddys.com
www.prestongraphicarts.com

The meeting will begin at 7pm at the SFV Arts and Cultural Center, 18312 Oxnard St, Tarzana on Tuesday, February 21. Light refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome. Suggested donation is $5 for CAL members, $8 for guests and visitors.

Please park in the fenced lot at the rear of the courtyard marked “Art Gallery Parking.”