Craig Reynolds
Craig Reynolds is an Alabama-born plein-air and landscape painter celebrated for his evocative depictions of Southern light and atmosphere. Working primarily in oil, he captures the quiet beauty of rivers, marshes, and rural scenes with expressive brushwork and a keen sense of mood. Influenced by masters like Emile Gruppe, Andrew Wyeth, and John Singer Sargent, Craig combines impressionistic energy with classical structure. He paints both on location and in the studio, continually exploring the connection between nature, light, and emotion.
Gallery
Biography
Craig Reynolds is an Alabama-born plein-air and landscape painter inspired by American masters such as Emile Gruppe, Andrew Wyeth, and John Singer Sargent. His work captures light, mood, and atmosphere directly from nature, focusing on Southern rivers, marshes, rural architecture, and mountain scenes.
Primarily an oil painter, Craig works both on-site and in the studio, recognized for expressive brushwork and strong composition. He regularly competes in plein-air events and conducts workshops, sharing classical technique and observational skills. His style blends impressionistic vitality with a realist respect for structure and light.
Selected Exhibitions & Awards
2017–2020: Multiple honors including Best of Show at Pike Road, Paint the Town, and Ballyhoo Festival; First Place awards at Artist on Location, Paint the Beach, and St. George Island; Harbor Award at Paint Annapolis; and recognition at Shadows on the Teche, Door County, and Noaps Small Works Show. Featured artist at High Cotton and participant in major events such as Plein Air Easton, Wekiva Paintout, and Paint Annapolis.
2021–2022: Continued national presence with top awards at Pike Road, High Cotton, and Artist on Location; featured at Plein Air New Bern, Shadows on the Teche, and Paint Annapolis. Earned 1st and 3rd Place at Pike Road and 2nd Place at Noaps Showcase.
2023–2024: Featured or award-winning artist at Shadows on the Teche, High Cotton, and New Smyrna Beach. Judge at Dauphin Island Paintout. Received Merit and People’s Choice Awards and Best Architecture at North Carolina Plein Air Festival.
2025: Inducted into Plein Air Painters of the Southeast (PAP-SE); awarded Best of Delcambre, Second and Third Place at Shadows on the Teche, and a Merit Award at North Carolina Plein Air Festival.
Representation:
District Gallery, Knoxville, TN
McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD
Live Oak Gallery, Apalachicola, FL
Dauphin Island Gallery, Dauphin Island, AL
Water House Gallery, Pike Road, AL
Artist Statement
My painting process is deeply rooted in the essence of life, as I find inspiration by capturing the intricacies of subjects in real-time. The vitality of observing and interpreting essential elements like lighting, values, and color harmony in nature becomes the bedrock of my artistic expression. Through this immersive approach, I elevate my work to new heights. Despite accolades and recognition, my current focus centers on the gratifying journey of evolving to create expansive artworks based on my field notes and plein-air experiences.