Crawford's Bio

Pop Artist CRAWFORD lives and works in Downtown Orlando, FL, where he is fast becoming a more
visible and dynamic presence on the local art scene. After years of moderate success with small shows in
obscure venues, the artist took a year's hiatus to hone his talent and refine his vision, hoping to catch the
public's attention with his newest body of work. The results of those efforts were put on display in his
"return to the scene," the one man show OBSESSIONS OF A POP CULTURE JUNKIE. The show was an
overwhelming success that saw the sale of over forty pieces of work and sparked the public's interest in
this rising artist's talent.

Since that show, Crawford has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity, and his work and presence have
become a hot commodity in Orlando's downtown community. He and his technicolor acrylics are
increasingly familiar sights around town. He was recently the top-selling artist at September's Nude
Nite, garnering attention and raves for his satirical piece, NUDE NITE TOONTOWN. He also recently
launched the successful monthly event Canvas & Cocktails, which combines an art gallery aesthetic with
a Happy Hour atmosphere to help promote other up-and-coming local artists; and he is a fixture at Third
Thursday events in Thornton Park

Crawford's style is instantly recognizable, and is characterized by bold, bright colors, a distinctive
graphic sensibility, and an obvious love for popular culture. His signature celebrity portraits and pop
illustrations were first introduced to the Central Florida public during his time as a freelance illustrator
for WATERMARK. Since that time, he went on to help found the alternative artsts' guild FloridaQUACK,
and has displayed his work at the Orlando GLBCC, Nude Nite, AKA Lounge, Southern Nights, The Erotica
Show, The Orlando Museum of Art, Urban Think Bookstore, and the GPFF Peace on Earth exhibit at
DMAC. He was twice voted Best Local Artist in a WATERMARK readers' poll. His work is collected
throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.

Crawford can be contacted through the email link on this site.
Artbycrawford@cfl.rr.com

ARTISTS' STATEMENT

Having grown up in a very small town remote from theaters, museums, and "culture" at-large, my only connection to what I perceived to be civilization
were the things that funneled the "real world" to me: TV, movies, comic books, etc. I grew up on a diet of disposable entertainment, and I guess that's
maybe why I'm so drawn to Pop art and pop culture in general. I paint what I know and what I love. The obsessions of my childhood, and indeed my daily
life, inspire me! I believe that art should be fun and involve the viewer, and I think it's ridiculous that there is this notion that Art is something to be hung
behind a velvet rope and whispered about with oohs and ahhs. One of the most boring things in the world to me is to have to go to galleries, or museums,
or other artists' openings. They can be real snoozefests--with everyone standing around sipping wine and talking in hushed tones. Give me loud music,
smoke and light effects, some videos in the background....something multisensory to really give an audience something to connect to on more than one
level. The greatest thing to me at one of my shows is when someone walks up to me and says about one of my paintings, "that was my favorite tv show
when I was a kid," or "I used to love that comic book. He/ she was always my favorite superhero." Then, after a minute or two of discussing the work, the
conversation evolves into a friendly, nostalgic chat about shared memories of growing up in our American culture: TV, movies, music, celebrities...At
that point, I know I've reached my goal as an artist. I've evoked in the viewer a pleasant memory from his or her past, and for a brief moment we've
connected on an almost spiritual level. As we stand, and smile, and laugh, and reminisce about why GILLIGAN'S ISLAND was the greatest show in the
history of television, or why it is that WONDER WOMAN kicks ass, I well up inside with a sense of accomplishment and serenity. For that one instant,
however quickly it passes, I've brought to the viewer that same sense of excitement, wonder, and love of my subjects that caused me to put brush to
canvas in the first place. We are instantly bonded because of the work. As an artist, I couldn't ask for anything more fulfilling. It's the greatest feeling in
the world.
---Crawford