Meet Joe Craighead | Representational Oil Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joe Craighead and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joe, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Continual improvement. To be a small shred better than the day before. I find it essential to always be improving your skills in anything and that is no exception in art,. We live in a world that on one hand says art is subjective and its all about reinventing ways to make a statement and you need a unique idea or concept. It’s almost as if what is written about a painting is where the value is. I don’t completely reject this but as a representational artist I feel its important to say something convincingly. Just because I am painting something that has sentimental value to me doesnt mean it will have visual value to another person. There is also the danger of painting a work just to make the clouds float or the portrait look real and forget to make an exciting, interesting, and meaningful work. So i am personally drawing everyday to improve but also planning and working to make a painting with lots of intention. I don’t think its worthwhile to just throw paint around and say this is how I feel or on the other hand, just render something until it looks like a photograph. So I paint things, places, and people that I love but that’s not enough. I need to be working on my ability to say something visually.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was inspired to paint by my Abuela growing up in New Orleans and seeing all of her paintings from cuba, venezuala and puerto rico. In order to improve my paintings I sought out my favorite landscape painter Joe Paquet to learn from. I attended his workshop in Madeline island Wisconsin and learned about the prismatic palette and the importance of the human experience with the place we are painting. I spent a few years digesting and applying the lessons while I painted around southern california but after moving across the country to upstate South Carolina I had to find all new locations and terrain. Instead of rocky california coastline I have discovered waterfalls, lush greens, cloud filled southern skies, barns, lakes and rivers and the list goes on for new experiences to paint. In 2023 I started painting weddings on location except I don’t opt for the traditional poses of bride and groom kissing or the first dance. Instead I paint the wedding itself be it the outside of the venue, ceremony interior, or even the inside of the reception in full party mode. My goal is to bring couples a painting that could be in a gallery and something they will be proud to own for a lifetime or longer. The challenge is that with bridal magazines and viral social media trends many young couples gravitate to what they have already seen and usually don’t have much of an eye for traditional artwork that composes a story and sets a mood. I could paint 5 times as many weddings if I painted the traditional wedding fare but I’m happier painting and delivering something I believe in. When Im not painting weddings I paint many fleeting light effects such as sunsets and nocturnes as I gravitate towards the glowing lights and colors. I am always reminded of my faith in God when I see the majestic skies at sunset or the image of God Himself reflected in people. Recently I took a workshop in Brooklyn with renowned artist Casey Baugh as I am going to be working on some portrait series later this year. I am always working on trying to improve my skills so that I can better communicate what I want my art to say, I fully believe that all art has value in the message it holds and reflects but is only strengthened by the ability the artist has in the intentional creation of it when the marks on the canvas tell the story convincingly,

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Eat – Foxcroft. Great food and being a previous sommelier and in wine distribution in California, we need a great wine selection. Hang out – sorry to sound like a tourist but everyone needs to walk through falls park. You can get some espresso and hang out for hours just hanging out.
Visit – I would want to see if there is a concert at bon secours arena or a great show at the peace center.
I am still new hear myself so I am exploring more everyday.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Family. My wife picks up my slack when Im painting, out of town taking workshops and my son Joel and daughter Noel love seeing what Im up to but also giving me honest feedback. Without their constant support I wouldn’t even want to paint let alone be able to. The joy of their presence inspires me to paint.

Website: joecraighead.com

Instagram: @joecraigheadart