“The majestic poetry of the landscape has always moved me at a very deep emotional level. Gazing upon nature's divine light, harmony of dramatic color, and expressive composition, I am inspired to create designs that allow the viewer to enter into the painting on a visual journey that I hope will lift their spirit to Positivity, as it does mine. This is my mission as a lifelong artist.

I owe my love of nature to my late father Henry Freeman, who put a fishing pole in my hand at age five. We fished and camped and hiked the streams and lakes of California for over forty years. Thanks Pops."

At age 14 Craig sold his first painting while in high school. He earned his BA and MA degrees in Fine Art, and received numerous awards in both National and International competitions. In 1982 he went on to create the Northwest College of Art and Design in Puget Sound, Washington. For over 25 years Craig traveled the country as a national speaker on creativity, arts education, and living your passion before retiring to focus on painting full time. His artwork can be found in the homes of collectors throughout the US, Canada, and Europe.

Member: Oil Painters of America

Member: California Art Club

Education:
1967 NASA Scholarship / Space Biology / University California Berkeley

1968 BA Degree Fine Art /Painting , East Bay University

1972 MA Degree Fine Art/ Painting , San Jose State University

1972 Community College Credential / Fine and Applied Art for life / California

Selected Honors and Awards:
1973 First Place Award , Palo Alto Cultural Arts Center, Purchase award

1974 121st Cal Expo , Sacramento, peoples choice

1974 First Place Award , California Arts Invitiational , Cal Expo Sacramento, CA

Sole Judge Robert Bechtel , airbrush 5’x6’ , vine Street

1974 Selected to Exhibit , International competition at Buttler Institute of American , Youngstown OH

Sole judge , John G Hanhardt curator for the Whitney Museum of American Art New York NY

1974 Selected to Exhibit at the Young Gallery , San Jose , CA with acclaimed Celebrity artist Al Capp / creator of Li’l Abner

1992-1995 Elected Board Member , Washington Federation of Private Colleges

1994 Elected President of ICDS /International council of Design Schools/ 22 schools world wide.

1995 Sterlin's Who's Who Award

2000 Award top Honors/ ACCSCT Accreditation Annual Conference , Los Vegas

Owner / Founder:

1982 - Northwest College of Art and Design, Tacoma, WA NCAD Website
1985 - Northwest Foundation for Fine Art, Poulsbo, WA
2013 - Palms Gallery, Kauai, HI
2018 - Freeman Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

Solo Exhibitions:
1974 - Ballas Gallery, Mountain View, CA
1975-1976 - Iraj Parravi Gallery, Saratoga, CA
1976 - M.J Elliot Gallery, San Mateo, CA
1977 - Bob Keck Gallery, San Mateo, CA
1978 - Paul Garnier Gallery, Campbell, CA
1979 - Young Gallery, San Jose, CA
1981 - Paul Addi Gallery at MGM Grand Hotel, Reno, NV
1982 - Peter Long Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1997 - Bainbridge Island Arts Exhibition, Bainbridge Island, WA
1997 - Jim Wise Gallery, Poulsbo, WA
2001 - D'Adamo / Hill Gallery, Bellevue, WA
2001 - Marco Polo Gallery, Carmel, CA
2002 - Philips Gallery of Fine Art, Kirkland, WA
1982 - present - Freeman Gallery at Northwest College of Art and Design, Poulsbo WA / Tacoma WA

Group Exhibitions:
1973 - Cory Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1974 - Lodi Invitational, Lodi, CA
121st Cal Expo Exhibit, Sacramento, CA
Palo Alto Cultural Arts Center, Palo Alto, CA
1975 - Northern California Arts Invitational, Sacramento, CA
1976 - Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH
Arena International Art Exhibit, New York, NY
Los Altos Celebrity Charity Show, Los Altos, CA
1977 - San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
1978 - Isis Gallery, Manhasset, NY
1979 - Saint Lawrence Academy, Santa Clara, CA
2013 - 2018 - Palms Gallery, Kauai, HI
2016 - 2018 - Primary Elements Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR

Current Gallery representation:
2019 - Current - Freeman Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2018 - Current - Kalakoa Kauai Gallery, Kauai, HI
2017 - Current - Freeman Gallery at NCAD, Tacoma, WA