Craig L. Haupt

Visual Artist

"The major shift has been being able to exhibit artwork."

Tell us about yourself what you're currently working on.

I'm a visual artist and author living in Baltimore, Maryland. As a visual artist I work primary with oils and where a project dictates Watercolor/Pen&ink. As an author I have self-published, funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign, an ArtStory book "The Journey to Ukazoo" in 2019 comprising of 37 vignettes and 150 full color images.

I am currently working on a series of oil paintings and researching, writing, and designing a second ArtStory book.

Has your work shifted in response to the pandemic? How?

Actually my painting and writing work has not shifted very much other than canceling some out-of-home locations where I had joined two painting groups. I do miss the companionship of the other artists and seeing their artworks in progress. The major shift has been being able to exhibit artwork. Paintings submitted and accepted to MFA and Creative Alliance have been relegated to online exhibits. I have a few other submissions that, if accepted, will either be on-line or be delayed until they can be held in person. The online exhibits have their place but I prefer the in-person exhibits and the ability to meet and mingle.

In your opinion, what is the role that the creative process can play in helping us confront our "new" reality?

For the certain artists who work with political narratives it can heighten their ability to create awareness of various assaults on our Democracy. For myself my work is more whimsical and maybe that can serve a purpose as well, maybe to brighten up our day.

See more of Craig's work here. Learn more about his campaign to self-publish "The Journey to Ukazoo" here.