Artist Profile: Craig Britton

Craig Britton, 55, was born in Chicago, Illinois and has been painting since the age of 17. He began creating art after his drum set was stolen. Art supplies were cheaper than a new drum set.

In 1992, Britton attended the Lacoste School of the Arts in France for the autumn semester. He received his BFA from the Art Academy of Cincinnati in 1994 and his MFA from Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1998.

By 1999, Britton was commissioned by South Eastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority to create a permanent installation at the Erie-Torresdale elevated train station in Philadelphia. As a staff muralist for the Philadephia Mural Arts Commission, Brititton taught art at elementary and high schools as an Artist in Residence and at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

“I choose subjects as jumping off points to explore intellectual and emotional responses to what I am observing,” explains Britton. “It is a dialogue with things seen and felt, because they are often inseparable.”

Britton primarily uses oil paints but still uses acrylics for murals and interior decorative work. “My aim has always been to make work which is compelling in its beauty, or at least intriguing, in the way that a piece of music can be. “

He's been exhibiting since 1981 and his first solo exhibition was in 1995. Britton's work can also be found in private and corporate collections including Cincinnati Bell Telephone, Arc International, the University of Cincinnati. Recent Exhibitions include The Falkirk Cultural Center in San Rafel, Benicia City Hall and the Frank Bette Center for the Arts in Alameda. Last March Britton was hired by the city of Walnut Creek to jury a plein air show.

His day job doing custom carpentry and remodeling keeps Britton busy but he finds time for his other loves, riding his bicycle and cooking. He's an enthusiastic recreational rider around the East Bay hills. 

Although Britton lives in Crockett, he made the Benicia art community his own when got involved with Da Group, the plein air painting group started by artist When and Turner started the , Britton joined the co-op.

Britton is also a member of and SF MOMA. This month he had an art opening at the Rominger West Winery and will be the featured artist at Benicia Plein Air Gallery in September.