www.craigrackleystudios.com

Craig Rackley | Professional Oil Portrait Artist

Craig Rackley is a contemporary artist and educator based in Birmingham, Alabama. As a classical oil portraitist, he emphasizes rigorous detail and realism, bringing his subjects to life through lifelike color and master artistry.

Known for his master craftsmanship and vivid realism, Craig captures both the true likeness and the unique personality of his subjects.

Commissioning an oil portrait is an investment meant to last for centuries. Craig’s meticulous attention to detail and use of premium archival materials set his work apart, ensuring a timeless masterpiece that your family will cherish for generations.

Craig is available for private, corporate, and official commissions.

Artist Background

For Craig Rackley, art has been a lifelong pursuit that began the moment he could hold a pencil. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Art Studio and Spanish from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), as well as a Master’s in Education.

For 28 years, Craig shared his love of learning as a high school teacher, all while quietly cultivating his creative passion. He spent years refining his drawing and photography skills, which naturally progressed into vibrant colored pencil portraits and his first official commissions.

Craig’s artistic evolution took a major leap when he decided to experiment with oil painting. Applying his familiar colored-pencil techniques to the canvas, he quickly became captivated by the rich texture and timeless quality exclusive to oils.

Craig retired from education in 2026 and today, is a resident of Bessemer, Alabama, just outside of Birmingham, where he focuses fully on his contemporary portraiture.

MOD painting in progress

Mama's cup, age 6

Nannie and Grandpa - Oil Pastel, age 13

Richard Marx - pencil, age 17

Artist Statement

Art has always been my passion. My earliest creative memory is sitting with my grandfather at his kitchen table, drawing "Witchiepoo" from H.R. Pufnstuf over and over until we got it "just right." I even still have the little plastic cup I made my mother for Mother’s Day back in the first grade (thanks to my mama for saving it all these years.)

Growing up, I could draw all day long, and in high school, I was rarely seen without a sketch pad in hand. Some of my best memories are of drawing little portraits of my friends or of the greatest 80s rock stars at the lunch table or in the art room.

For a long time, drawing was my whole life, and I happily lived in a world of black-and-white graphite. That is, until I discovered oil painting. Today, I live in a world of vibrant color and the rich scent of linseed oil.

To say oil painting became a passion is an understatement; from the moment I first dipped my brush into the paint, I was completely hooked.

Your memories are precious, and I would be deeply honored to be entrusted with them. I pour all of my joy, excitement, and dedication into the painting process to create a lasting masterpiece for your commission.

Thank you,

Craig Rackley

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse