Craig Cheply
Bio/CV
"If artwork-subject matter is religiously rejected by the Cultural Fiefdoms and their representatives, does that make it "outsider" art? Can those fiefdoms/representatives explain in an understandable language why the rejected/snubbed art's subject matter, caliber of execution and medium were insignificant, irrelevant and not worthy in this 21st Century Arena against the canon of the world's art histories and the mediums used for/during those histories?"
Craig Cheply Born: Elmhurst, Illinois
“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, group of colors, or time/lighting condition repetitiously, giving them an identifiable “look” desired by art galleries and museums for marketing purposes. I consider myself a visual journalist always embracing the challenge to render the endless variety of subject matters in various media, time/lighting conditions therefore allowing both myself and the viewer a greater scope and appreciation of the fine art interaction experience.” AAS - F.I.T. Interior Design ‘75 /BFA-ASU Interior Design ‘80 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 of his can be viewed at the Arizona Museum of Natural history, formally Mesa Southwest Museum. He continues to create his visual journalistic Contemporary Realism fine art, custom murals, trompe l'oeil, faux effects for the residential, institutional, and commercial environments along with having self published limited ed. prints of some of his fine art available for purchasing. Please just Google his name for more informationan d feedback.
The ongoing “100% Natural” Series since 2006 is: Contemporary visual statements of the observed socio/polit/enviro/econo/relig/geo/natural landscapes playing out on the domestic and world stages daily as subject matter in this 21st Century Arena. My artworks are rendered with the triple entendre entity Natural History (Certified) being the classification, subject matter and medium. Natural History tells the story of our living earth. It comprises the systematic observation, classification, interpretation, and description of the biosphere and its inhabitants. Natural History is a primary component of culture. Every society develops some system for classifying, interpreting, and valuing animals, plants, and other natural phenomena. These systems shape our understanding of the world and our place in it. While grounded in the natural sciences, it engages the humanities, social sciences, and the arts, and it informs technical fields such as medicine, agriculture, forestry, and environmental management.
CV
AAS - F.I.T. Interior Design ‘75 /BFA-ASU Interior Design ‘80
Currently working as lead scenic artist for the Arizona Opera since May 2015
Articles:
April ‘08 Phoenix Home & Garden magazine featured artist. May ’08 944 magazine.
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.
Nov. 14, 2004 Arizona Republic a&e.
Oct. 30, 2003 The State Press Magazine: Steve Ganczaruk Oct. 24, 2003 AZ. 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
Burton Barr Central Library-Phoenix, AZ
City of Glendale, AZ
City of Chandler, AZ
Awards/Prizes:
2014 (2013) See.Me Grand Prize Winner –“Creatives Rising”, 2013 Maryland Federation of Art “American
Landscapes” Honorable Mention
2010 BWAC “Wide Open” Brooklyn, NY- Co-winner-People’s Choice Award
2008 Chandler Ostrich Public Art Project-1st Place
2006 Glendale Arts Council 43rd Annual 1st place in Oil/Acrylic division + Best of Show
2002 Wind River Valley Artists Guild WY 53rd Annual Art Exhibition-Honorable Mention in Watercolor Division.
Filmography IMDb:
Art department (17 credits)
2012 Queens of Country (lead scenic)
2011 Take Me Home Tonight (lead scenic)
2010 Everything Must Go (lead scenic)
2010 Piranha 3D (lead scenic)
2009 Maneater (TV Mini-Series) (lead scenic - 2 episodes)
- Part 2 (2009) ... (lead scenic)
- Part 1 (2009) ... (lead scenic)
2009 Middle Men (lead scenic)
2008 SIS (TV Movie) (lead scenic)
2007 The Kingdom (scenic artist)
2007 Hidden Palms (TV Series) (scenic artist - 5 episodes)
2007 Second Chances ... (scenic artist)
2007 Stand by Your Woman... (scenic artist)
2007 Dangerous Liaisons ... (scenic artist)
2007 What Lies Beneath ... (scenic artist)
2007 Mulligan...(scenic 1999 Three Kings (scenic artist)
1997 Buffalo Soldiers (TV Movie) (scenic artist)
1996 Beastmaster: The Eye of Braxus (TV Movie) (scenic)
1993 Harts of the West (TV Series) (scenic painter - 1 episode)- Pilot ... (scenic painter)
1992 Four Eyes and Six-Guns (TV Movie) (scenic artist)
1992 The Vagrant (scenic artist)
1991 Highway to Hell (scenic artist - as Craig Chefly)
1991 Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (scenic artist - uncredited)