Charles Craig
Born Ohio, 1846
Died Colorado, 1931

Charles Craig was born and raised on a farm in Morgan County, Ohio. Throughout his career, Craig earned a reputation for his detailed western landscapes and genre paintings of Native American life. In his youth, Craig was nicknamed "Pink Face Charlie" due to his warm, optimistic attitude, which is also reflected within his works.

At age 19, Charles took his first trip west, traveling up the Missouri River. He spent four years living among numerous Indian tribes and even traveled as far as Fort Benton, Montana. These travels proved to be a significant source of inspiration for his paintings.

In 1872, Craig entered the Pennsylvania Art Academy. He also went to work with Peter Moran, younger brother of Thomas Moran, both of whom had established themselves as well-respected painters.

In 1881, Craig moved to Colorado Springs where he settled for the next 50 years. At this time, he earned a reputation as one of the first artists-in-resident for the Colorado Springs area. He often traveled to the Ute reservation in Southwest Colorado, drawn to the land and people as a source of inspiration.Encouraged by his contemporary, Jack Howland, he also traveled to New Mexico and became known as the first western painter to capture Taos. Along with his increasing popularity, this period in his career is noteworthy because his active role in the art circles in Colorado. However, in 1885, an unfortunate fire destroyed a significant number of his works.

Exhibited: American Watercolor Society; Denver, 1883; Minneapolis Expo, 1886-88; St. Louis, 1889; Omaha, 1894-96.

Works held: Denver Art Museum

Further Reading: Who Was Who in American Art 1564-1975: 400 Years of Artists in America, Vol. 1. Peter Hastings Falk, Georgia Kuchen and Veronica Roessler, eds.,Sound View Press, Madison, Connecticut, 1999. 3 Vols. (Original Listing 1940).; "The Illustrated Biographical Encyclopedia of Artists of the American West" Peggy and Harold Samuels.

Biography courtesy of David Cook Galleries, www.antiquesandfineart.com/davidcook