Craig L. Wentz

I have enjoyed painting, drawing and printmaking since childhood.

Generally my work is representational, representing Mountain streams, water scenes, landscapes, figures and portraits and a few trips into surrealism. Living In Albuquerque, at an early age I was able to experience the works of the Taos Seven artists. Much of their work could still be found in Restaurant lobbies and at Galleries in Old Town and Santa Fe. Paintings by the likes of Ernest Blumenschein, E. Irving Couse and William Dunton were especially influential in my appreciation of what painting was all about. When in College I enjoyed the works of Chuck Close, Harmony Hammond (who taught drawing at UNM for two Semesters ) and Frank Stella. Some of my most influential Professors were Nick Abdalla for drawing and painting, Garo Antreasian in Lithography, John Sommers for painting and lithography and Harry Nadler for drawing and two dimensional design and composition.I was also very lucky to have the the privilege of taking The History of Photography from Beaumont Newhall .

My latest work, represented in this show, is inspired by my love of the West and Southwest, its mountains and Streams, the desert, the Gila Wilderness, Olympic National Park and The Grand Canyon. I hope you enjoy.

Born July 15, 1950, Sacramento , CA

Family moved to Albuquerque, NM in 1954

Graduated from Del Norte High School 1968

Earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts at the University of New Mexico 1981

Have been a resident of Silver City since 1986

Vista from Point Sublime, North Rim of the Grand Canyon

acrylic on stretched canvas with masonite border . 34x43in . $4200
So many views under an ever changing light, I will never tire of experiencing, painting and drawing that amazing landscape!

Meadow Creek Composition No. 3

acrylic on canvas with masonite border . 44x33in . $4200

A nice little pool of water on Meadow Creek. I've enjoyed many a hike and overnight camp out on this creek in the Gila National Forest.

Hermosa Creek

acrylic on canvas . 38x62in . $8000
Inspired by one of my favorite streams for fly fishing, Hermosa Creek in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado just north of Durango.

Willow Creek Composition No. 1

acrylic on canvas with masonite border . 44x33in . $4200

Below the Willow Creek Campground, nice hiking and fly fishing.

Sunset on the Sangre de Cristos

acrylic on canvas with masonite border . 33x42in . $4200
A vista from the north side of Taos looking northeast.

Ely Creek Falls - Spirit in the Rock

acrylic on canvas . 73x30 . $6000
About two and one half miles down the Jones Hole Trail on the north side of Dinosaur National Monument you will arrive at Ely Falls. A nice little side creek of Jones Hole Creek just above the Ely Creek Campground.