Published Apr 3. 2011 - 12 years ago
Updated or edited Oct 28. 2021

Craig Bertram Smith

The first time Korrie Broos saw one of Craig Bertram Smith's works of art was a pencil sketch he'd made to commemorate a trophy giant kingfish he'd caught, posted on a fly fishing forum. The sketch was magnificent, and Korrie immediately sent Craig an email 

Quick on the Trigger -
Ambush -
Digging In -
Craig Smith's art
Craig Bertram Smith

The first time

I saw one of Craig Bertram Smith's works of art was a pencil sketch he'd made to commemorate a trophy giant kingfish he'd caught, posted on a fly fishing forum.
The sketch was magnificent, and I immediately emailed Craig, to find out more about him and his artistic work.

With commissions

from all over the world, it seems that he is better known abroad, than in South Africa.

As a youngster

, growing up with a dad who instilled a love of fishing and respect for nature. Craig spent most of his free time outdoors, catching fish and sleeping under the stars. Depending on your outlook on life, life can't get more perfect. The little time he spent indoors was divided between sketching and homework.

Show Time -
Spanish Armada -
Bluewater
Craig Bertram Smith

Craig describes his

artistic development as follows: "As an artist my career has been a stop start affair stretching back over 13 years. In the beginning I painted on a part-time basis in between sketching and illustrating for children's educational books and other illustration projects, after a few years of struggling to make ends meet, I got a "real" job at a printing company as a graphic designer for 4 years and then moved to NutriLida healthcare for another 4 years as their in-house designer. In the last 2 years while still stuck in the office, I decided to get back into my "first love" - painting. I began receiving private commissions almost immediately and every painting that I completed, led me to another commission. I felt alive again! But this double life started catching up with me and soon, all I was doing was work - I would have my day job, then nights and weekends would be consumed with building my painting career.

Turned On - Sailfish and dorado - a huge painting almost 2 meters or 6' long.
Sailfish and Dorado
Craig Bertram Smith
Bluefin, sketch -
Electric Blue, Bluefin Kingfish, preliminary drawing
Craig Bertram Smith
Electric Blue -
Electric Blue, Bluefin Kingfish, finished painting
Craig Bertram Smith
American bison -
The artist - Craig Bertram Smith at work
Underway - GT and popper in the making
Pencil - The artist drawing a carp
Craig Bertram Smith

Things were going well

though and my art was being published all over the world and, with all the requests coming in, I soon had to make the daunting decision to fly solo. At the beginning of this year I handed in my resignation and began living my life-long dream as an artist. I didn't have much time to savour the moment, I was flooded with private requests and commissions and although there have been one or two slack months, I have constantly been busy working on two or three projects at a time. It is a gift to be able to do what you love doing and that fulfills you and then still get paid for it. Equally special are the people that my art has led me to, the friends that I have made through this, and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that have taken me to exotic places in Africa".

Kingfish drawing -
Brown trout rising -
Justin & the kingfish -
Nembwe -
Yellowfish -
Snapper -
Pencil
Craig Bertram Smith
Flyfisherman landing a brown trout -
Two friends netting a fish -
Pencil
Craig Bertram Smith
Fish collage -
Pencil fish
Craig Bertram Smith

Craig's preferred media

are pencil and acrylic. Tuna and pelalgic species are his preferred subjects, but he enjoys painting all fish species.
His underwater fish scenes have become very popular. Living in Africa, its wildlife has now also become part of his repertoire.
As a fishing nut, preferring to fish with light tackle - fly and lure - his favourite fishing locations are Mozambique the Indian Ocean islands and the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
His most memorable fishing moment -- a Giant Trevally engulfing a popper -- is captured on canvas.

The reef kings -
Iggy Pop - Kingfish chasing a popper
The riverkeeper -
Yellowfin Torpedo - Yellowfin tuna
Acrylic and oil
Craig Bertram Smith

If you wish

to commemorate a special fish or special moment fishing, feel free to call (083 519 7969) or email (craig.s@burst.co.za or craig@wildlifeartist.co.za) Craig or visit his website to see examples of the work of this talented fisher-artist. You won't be disappointed.

Artist and yellowfish -
Artist and kingfish -
Artist and trout -
The artist fishing
Craig Bertram Smith
Boatside -
Boatside -
A different canvas
Craig Bertram Smith

Comments

very good, l like it...

very good, l like it.

Well done! You will ...

Well done! You will always have people gasping at the quality of your work.I still do to this day.

Bertus

Jonathan's picture

The photo's don't do...

The photo's don't do justice to his work.
Once you see one of his pieces in front of you, you will be blown away!!

Absolutely BRILLIANT...

I've been taking a c...

I've been taking a careful look at Craig's artwork. Gees, I've never seen a fish artist 'get' fish like he does. The attitude, the energy, the moment, it's all there ... wow!

Craig's art is pheno...

Craig's art is phenomenal - I say that owning a true original!!! It can only add class to your home:-)

In my opinion Craig ...

In my opinion Craig is the number one fish artist in the world. Buy one of his paintings now if you can because soon they will be worth a lot more!

Mind blowing stuff C...

Mind blowing stuff Craig!!!! My house is going to look like an aquarium once I have collected enough pieces of your art work!!!!

Tom Biesot's picture

Incredible pieces of...

Incredible pieces of art, beautifull in detail , my favorites are the pencil drawings.
When I had the money I would buy them all !

Tom Biesot.

Tom Biesot

This is absolutely a...

This is absolutely amazing work!

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