Jeffrey Craven

Jeffery H. Craven was born on an upper Snake River Valley on the Idaho side of the Tetons. His life has been a wealth of materials to draw from in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Jeff grew up fishing along the banks of the Snake and hunting in the valley tributaries under the tutelage of his grandfather. He and his childhood sweetheart still live along the Snake River in a studio that he built himself by renovating an old homestead house.

Throughout high school and college, Jeff worked on a cattle ranch on the Fort Hall Indian reservation which instilled in him a love of the Shoshone and Bannock people and their ways. This would influence his early work. After attending Idaho State University for Fine Art, Jeff returned to self-instruction and focus on the Hudson River School style. He worked for a few years as an illustrator for the U.S. Department of Energy, but with the help of supportive friends in the business, Jeff was able to become a full-time professional artist.

Jeff had been a successful professional artist for over 40 years, with shows and exhibitions crisscrossing the country. As a member of the American Indiana and Cowboys artists, Jeff has received numerous awards and honors.

To Jeff, a great painting is not only technically correct but makes us feel something that is lacking in humanity. Jeff recently turned 70 and has been looking forward to this time his whole life, when his passion, practice, and experience have all come together.