Pictured is an artwork by Steve Creighton. Photo provided.

By Darla McCammon

If you have ever seen a work of art by the great Dutch artists, especially those done by Rembrandt, then you will appreciate the paintings wrought carefully and imaginatively by an artist who grew up in Warsaw: Steve Creighton.

I have long admired his expertise and the excruciating detail Creighton puts into his consistently winning paintings. His incredible still life and landscape oil paintings are a threat to any artist who sees his work in competition in which they’ve submitted a work of their own. Creighton invariably walks away with honors, usually best of show.

I have known Creighton for many years and consider him a friend. He is not only an award-winning artist but he is so generous with his time and talent that he puts the rest of us to shame. His education included a major in both art and business at Valparaiso University, followed by graduate work at Indiana University. You really must go see this exhibit showing the quality of his work during November and December at the Warsaw City Hall art gallery. Incredibly, he is planning to give away one of his paintings during this show. You may be the fortunate winner of this awesome gift. Be sure to visit the exhibit so your name will be in the drawing at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13.

It is a sign of success when an artist, such as Creighton, has collectors all over the country clamoring for his work. The list of his accomplishments just keeps growing. He is a “signature” member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society, the famous Hoosier Salon and a member of Oil Painters of America. His work is achieving fame as he is asked to exhibit in places all over the U.S.

We are fortunate Creighton and his wife, Sue, keep his studio in Warsaw. This allows us to keep track of his winnings, which is a list too long to publish here.

“Painting is about solving problems of light, design, value, form, color and edges,” said Creighton. “It requires an initial concept…an original idea for a particular painting. Still-life painting is my passion. It provides me with all the visual concepts and challenges that fascinate me.”

I hope you will take the opportunity to collect a Steve Creighton painting at this wonderful exhibit. I predict it will continue to rise in value as most of his work has done, not to mention how much you will enjoy viewing it in your own home. The City of Warsaw’s gallery is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays except holidays. Parking is available on the street on in the parking lot to the rear of the building.