Artist at the Plaza Art Gallery: Craig Stephens

Dr. Craig Stepehens will be at the Plaza Art Gallery today.

Biography
My interest in nature and the American West began as a Boy Scout at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. Later backpacking trips, Colorado mountain climbs, hunting, and a love for the West sealed the passion. What started as the recording of events, matured into an interest in fine art nature photography. As a youth I loved to hunt, and I find photography to be similar to hunting in that you have to know where to hunt, wait for the brief moment of optimal light for the capture of nature’s beauty, and know how to shoot.

Before and after my retirement from the practice of Radiology, I have used numerous photography workshops to improve my skills to a point where I felt my work could be shared with others. My introduction was a course on imaging alpine wildflowers above 12,000 feet, I was hooked! Today my interest includes those flowers, landscapes, and wildlife. Living in Colorado nearly half of the year has allowed time and location to pursue the passion.

In January 2000, I was admitted into the Lamar County Artist Guild, and my work is currently shown with the Guild at the Plaza Art Gallery in Paris, Texas. I also show at Top Notch Outfitters in Amarillo and from my homes in Paris, Texas, and Estes Park, Colorado. I have shown in the Snowfire Gallery in Estes Park, Colorado, and I have had one man shows in the Hayden Museum in Paris, Texas, and in the Art Department of Paris Junior College. I won “Best of Show” in the Professional Fine Arts Division of the Paris Art Fair in Paris, Texas in the years 2004 & 2005.