Since 1970, Dr. Craig Nelson has been depicting figures landscapes and various environments in rich vibrant oils. His passion for the subjects relates directly to his brush work, weaving mood and emotion into each work of art.

After graduating from Art Center College of Design with distinction, Craig began his career working in Los Angeles for recording companies and motion picture studios, creating portraits and other subjects with strict deadlines. Craig’s countless movie posters include “The Cowboys”, “Slapshot”, and “Homeward Bound” among many others. His album cover credits include, “Sammy Davis Jr. Live”, “Rick Nelson, Country” and “Natalie Cole, Thankful” along with many more.

Collectors include, James Garner, Neil Simon, Toyota Corporation, UCLA Dental and Law School, the U.S. Air Force, UCSF Dental School and many more. He has won over 200 awards of excellence and several gold medals. The “Arts for the Parks” national competition awarded Craig the Grand Teton Natural History Award for a painting entitled “Dining Alone”. His work is collected in the United States, Asia as well as Europe.

In 1974 Craig began teaching at Art Center College of Design and for the past 30 years has been sharing his knowledge at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco where he is the Executive Director of the School of Fine Art, MFA & BFA, Drawing, Painting, Printmaking and Sculpture.

Craig is currently a signature member of the California Art Club, and a member of the Portrait Society of America. Craig’s books “60 Minutes to Better Painting” and “The Drawing Bible” published by North Light are now available. He teaches two to three workshops a year which have gained in popularity attracting students from all over the United States and Europe. Craig’s annual Figurative Painting workshop and his Sonoma Plein Air Painting workshop are held in Santa Rosa, California. His European Painting workshops have covered many areas throughout Italy and France, Austria, Holland and the Italian alps. Summer 2021 workshop in the Dolomites and Venice Italy was an incredible adventure, painting the spectacular mountains in Alleghe and the colorful canals in Venice. Summer 2022 Italy workshop will be in Amalfi and the island of Capri, more information soon!