http://www.phoenixartspace.com/craigcheply

Craig Cheply

Craig Cheply - Contemporary Realism, Muralist

480-897-9070

“As we go about our daily rituals, we obviously look at and see many things. Some events register in our memories while others do not. Of the “things” that register, have we done a close observational view or just take the visual information for granted? Some artists are content to work with one subject matter, group of colors, or time/lighting condition repetitiously, giving them an identifiable “look” desired by art galleries and museums for marketing purposes. I have always embraced the challenge to render the variety of subjects in various media, time/lighting conditions therefore allowing both myself and the viewer a greater scope and appreciation of the art journalism experience.” 2007 Az. Governor’s Arts Awards Nominee.
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Craig Cheply's Images

Craig Cheply is both a commercial (Artist Environs LLC) and fine artist. His Contemporary Realism paintings are inspired by observations of the certain elements pertaining to the lighting, colors and textures of the southwest environment and other travels. Craig’s focus on southwestern skies, landscapes and flora captures his vision while also addressing social, political and environmental issues related to the dramatic population growth in the region and beyond. Permanent solo mural and scenic work can be viewed at the Arizona Museum of Natural History, formally Mesa Southwest Museum. In 2003 he put on the largest documented solo museum exhibit of any kind (in scope and scale) in Az.'s history. The show "Dawn to Dawn-Past, Present, Possible Futures" utilzed his 8 (now 10) commissioned murals plus 27 of his Contemporary Realism paintings for the theme of the exhibit. The murals are "American Lion", "Desert Walk", "Dinosaur Mountain", "Triassic Forest", "Mosasaur", "Metoposaur", “Kenyata”, “Tropical Deciduous Forest”, “Hands on Discovery Center”, Mesa Grande Ruins, collaborative work in the "Paleoseas" Diorama,. He was one of two muralists chosen out of 35 Az. applicants to work with the New York City based Evergreen Painting Studios team to paint 10,000 square feet of murals on the west side entrance in the Bank One Ballpark in 1998 now known as Chase Field. Educated at F.I.T. (A.A.S.) and Pratt Institute in New York, he received his B.F.A. in Interior Design from Arizona State University in 1980. He has done set design, scenic and special effect painting for the theatrical, motion picture and television industries (member of I.A.T.S.E. local 485). Craig has worked on scenic teams for the features “Kids In America”, “The Kingdom”, "Three Kings", "Buffalo Soldiers", "Beastmaster II and III", "Four Eyes and Six Guns", and "Harley-Davidson and the Marlboro Man” and others. His paintings have been exhibited widely across the U.S. with inclusion into national and international shows in New York jurored by Robert Rosenblum (Guggenheim Museum), Tina Kukielski (Whitney Museum), and Charlotta Kotik (Brooklyn Museum). He continues to create his visual journalistic Contemporary Realism fine art, custom murals, trompe l'oeil, faux effects for the institutional, commercial and residential environments along with having self published limited ed. prints of some of his fine art available for purchasing. Studio visit by appointment only. 2007 Arizona Governors Arts Awards Nominee
Select group exhibits:
2008: Shemer Museum “Landscaped” juror Lindsay Palmer. “Art for Health-Breaking The Cycle” juror Gail Peterson, Herberger Theater “Garden of the Soul” juror Joan Thompson. Tempe Center for the Arts “Masters of Illusion” jurors Michelle Dock, Larry Yanez. Tempe Public Library “Valley Stories”, “Flowers & Fauna” Tempe Public Library Gallery juror Michelle Dock
2007: Coos Art Museum, Oregon, juror Amy Pence-Brown -Boise Art Museum. ViridianArtists Gallery N.Y.
affiliate member group exhibit. “WaterLust” Tempe Public Library Az., curator Michelle Dock. ViridianArtists Gallery N.Y. 18th Annual National Exhibition juror Charlotta Kotik-Brooklyn Museum N.Y. Agora Gallery New York City 22nd Annual International Exhibition, juror Tina Kukielski-Whitney Museum N.Y. Cultural Arts Council, Douglasville, Ga. 21st Annual National Exhibit, juror Dr. Bill Eiland director Georgia Museum of Art
2006: Glendale Arts Council 43rd Ann. Juried, (1st place in Oil/Acrylic division + Best of Show). Art Detour #18 Phx., Az. Coos Art Museum, Oregon, juror Ed Musante. ViridianArtistsInc. 17th Annual National Juried Exhibit NewYork City, juror Robert Rosenblum-Guggenheim Museum N.Y.
2005: Coos Art Museum, Oregon, juror Norman Lundin, emeritus Professor of Art -Seattle, Wa. Vision Gallery, Az. Foundry Art Centre, Missouri juried. Herberger Theatre, Az. juried “Inside -Outside”.
2004: Artlink’s Az. juried 8th Annual Art Exhibition. Grand Canyon University, Az. “Landscape Realisms Visited”. Sky Harbor Art Program, Az. juried-“Flights of Fancy”. Herberger Theatre, Az. juried “Summer Delights”.
2003: Imbeau Gallery, Az. Vision Gallery, Az. Dinnerware, Az. 10th Biennial Juried Nat’l.
Sky Harbor Art Program , Az. juried “Capturing the Wild” & “Fish Stories”. Art Detour, Az.
2002: Artlink’s Az. juried 6th Annual Art Exhibition. Wind River Valley Artists Guild, Wyoming 53rd Annual Art Exhibition (honorable mention in watercolor division). Phippen Museum, Az. 28th Annual Fine Art Show.
2001: Mesa Southwest Museum, Az. “Artists Expansion Exhibit”. Art Detour, Az.
2000: ARC Gallery Az. Sunburst Gallery, Az. Desert Botanical Gardens, Az. juried “Art In Bloom”.
1999: Sunburst Gallery, Az. Desert Botanical Gardens, Az. juried “Art In Bloom”.
Solo Exhibits:
2005: Joan Cawley Gallery, Az. “Some Old Thoughts, Some New Thoughts” 2004: Joan Cawley Gallery, Az
Debut Exhibit.
2003: Mesa Southwest Museum, Az. “Dawn To Dawn-Past, Present, Possible Futures”.Mayo Health Center, Az.
2001: Burton Barr Central Library, Az. “Some Thoughts”
Articles: April 2008-Phoenix Home and Garden Featured Artist. Mar. 2005-Book -“17 Interviews with 17 Visual Fine Artists”, writer James Leonard- Amodeo,Sierra Arts Productions. Jan. 2005 SouthwestArt Magazine “Start Your Collection” column pg. 36 Nov. 14, 2004 Arizona Republic a&e. Oct. 30, 2003 The State Press Magazine: Steve Ganczaruk Oct. 24, 2003 Arizona Sentinel. Oct. 19, 2003 Arizona Republic a&e section: John Villani. Oct. 18,
2001 Arizona Republic, the rep: Richard Nilsen. May 15, 2001 Arizona Daily Star: Helena Elling.
Permanent Collections:
Private, Arizona Museum of Natural History, -10 murals + fine art, Burton Barr Central Library-Phoenix, Az.,
City of Glendale, Az., City of Chandler, Az.