Meet Bernadette Craig | Artist, Illustrator & Graphic designer

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

Hi Bernadette, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When it came to deciding to start my own business, it was honestly a back-burner dream I thought I would never get to begin. I always wanted to work freely for myself, able to create whatever inspired me, like so many others I know. Like those others though, there have of course been several obstacles to navigate through first. When I envisioned the kind of art business I wanted to have, I knew I wanted to be able to spark happiness in others with what I was able to create, and with any hope, give some type of inspiration to those out there that see my work. Apart from that, I also have grand plans to work with conservation groups in the near future. It is my hope to create art that compliments their conservations; not only to bring awareness to them, but to also donate proceeds towards their goals from the art I am able to sell in partnership with them. All in All, I simply wanted to create a business that would allow me to pursue my passion for art and support my fundamental goal to help make the world a little better any way I can.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I work as a mixed media artist; I have created art spanning from oil painting to metal sculpture, ceramics to wood work, watercolor, origami, you name it I have probably tried it or have combined it with another medium to create a finished piece. I used to stick solely with 2-D art; for years it was all I created in fact. It wasn’t until I began taking classes in college that I learned you could in fact mix and match art to create texture and dimension. It seems silly, I know, but to a seventeen-year-old who up until then was self-taught through nothing but the three books on art I could get from our public library, it was certainly a revelation to say the least. Since then, I love incorporating 3-D elements into my paintings. I find it to be a struggle in fact to leave a painting as a simple two-dimensional piece. One artwork in particular that I recently finished I have to say is my current favorite. Fujiko is a Japanese inspired oil painting of a geisha with purple wisteria draped in both the background and foreground. The mixed media element for this work came about when I decided to create the wisteria for the foreground of the artwork out of satin in the traditional craft style of tsumami kanzashi in order to further pay homage to Japanese artisans and to also add three dimensionality to the piece. I am proud to say that the painting was even sold in the same student show I had entered it into.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honestly, I don’t frequent the typical local places. I would recommend lynx lake or the Buddhist monetary. Of course, any one of the museums in Prescott or local galleries. Since I love to be inspired, I often explore places filled with art or wander in nature; for it is the greatest masterpiece of all. As for food, I am definitely a sushi girl. The W&Z Asian Bistro in Prescott AZ is fantastic and very affordable. And if you’re craving Indian food, the Taj Mahal is lovely too.

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?
I would love to credit my first art instructor Dana Cohn for giving me the courage to believe in myself and encourage me to find my own art style. He has in so many ways inspired me and helped me grow. Lindsey Masten, my graphic design/technology instructor has been an incredible asset and mentor to me. She is an amazingly brilliant and gifted woman with such a kind heart and passion for what she teaches. My fiancé, without his unyielding support and belief in me and my skills I would not be where I am today. I have done more and come farther in the four years with him by my side than in all the years without him. Yavapai College, honestly, I have had so many wonderful opportunities through their gallery where I have been able to enter into art shows, win awards for my work, and sell my work. To which I will thank Timothy Hull for always helping us wayward artist get our submissions in for the shows, always doing a stellar job staging the gallery and of course for all the times he has thought of me for opportunities to help get my name out into the art community. I have also received art scholarships twice now through the college, which has been overwhelmingly exciting and has allowed me to put towards my double major for an AAFA and ASS for Graphic Design. And of course, my sisters Danyelle, Loraine, and Sarah. They have stood with me and helped me through so many hardships in life, my doubting my art, or sat through one of my venting sessions that it’s honestly a wonder they haven’t been nominated for sainthood yet. Growing up in a home with parents that did not encourage my talent or care much about me, if it weren’t for these gracious, patient, and truly loving people in my life guiding and supporting me with their unyielding and unending encouragement, I may not have the life I am grateful to have today. I truly am thankful for them.

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Facebook: Bernadette Craig

Other: B.craig1026@yahoo.com