Craig Tennant’s journey as an artist began far from the mountains and wide-open spaces he’s now known for. Born in 1946 and raised in New Jersey, Craig got his start in the fast-paced world of New York advertising in the late 1960s. What began in the mat room at Grey Advertising quickly turned into a creative career, eventually leading him to a role as Assistant Art Director for the Kool-Aid account.
By 1970, he was illustrating full-time at BBD&O, working on major national campaigns for brands like Campbell’s Soup and Dodge Chrysler. His commercial illustrations soon appeared in magazines for Pepsi, Tareyton, GE, and more — shaping the visual language of a generation.
For the next two decades, Craig built a thriving freelance illustration career. His work was used as high-profile art for TV Guide, Field & Stream, Sports Illustrated, and other companies like IBM and Coca-Cola. In 1980, he was elected to the prestigious New York Society of Illustrators, and a year later, received their Silver Medal Award.
But by the late ’80s, Craig felt the pull of something deeper—something quieter. In 1989, he moved to Colorado to devote himself entirely to painting the American West. His signature oil paintings—rich with light, history, and storytelling—quickly earned attention. In 1994, he launched Cheyenne Press to publish and promote his artwork. That same year, U.S. Art Magazine ranked him among the top 25 print artists in the country.
Craig’s Western scenes have since appeared on the covers of Western Lifestyles, Wild West, The Equine Image, Colorado Country Life, Muzzleloader, and Beef magazine. Stories have also been written in Southwest Art and Art of the West.
His paintings — similar in historical accuracy and detail to the evocative “A Distant Bugle” and quiet, nostalgic “Heading Home” — have been featured in museums including The Anschutz Collection in Denver and the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis. In 1996, he was commissioned to create a Colorado landscape for the Nordstrom entrance at Park Meadows Shopping Resort.
His work has also reached new generations through educational books (such as Crabtree Publishing’s Native Nations of North America series), and in 2023, three of his paintings were featured in Ken Burns’ PBS documentary, The American Buffalo.
Craig is a Master Signature Member of Oil Painters of America (OPA), and his accolades include:
- Bronze Metal — OPA Masters Division (2024)
- Silver Medal – OPA Masters Division (2018)
- Artist of the Year, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (2012)
- Frederic Remington Painting Award, Prix de West (2009)
- Buyer’s Choice Award, Prix de West Invitational (2008)
- People’s Choice Awards at the Coors Western Art Exhibit and Stampede Western Invitational (2000–2004)
Today, Craig paints from his studio in Colorado, where collectors from across the country acquire his originals through his Private Mailing List. His work continues to reflect a deep respect for the American frontier—its people, its history, and the timeless spirit that shaped it.