My name is Chad Creighton. I am currently working and living in Westbrook, Maine with my family both two legged and four. I am a graduate of Maine College of Art with a degree in printmaking. I’m originally from Greenfield, New Hampshire where I lived for most of my life. Growing up in a small town in the country I found myself constantly immersed in nature with my head buried in field guides.
I started working on pallet wood and immediately fell in love with the material. The idea of giving new life to an old, battered material is interesting to me. I like to think of where the pallet had been, or where it could have ended up while I pull the animals out of the wood(s).
Artist Statement
My work focuses on anthropomorphizing the animals that I portray using the fundamental emotions that we all feel. I work to create a better understanding of who we are and what we do by relating humans to every other living being on the planet. I pursue the “everyday” scenarios in larger than life formats. Making these scenarios seem more interesting than they actually are while celebrating the mundane.
Forcing the viewer to find relation to the animals to better tell the story without words.
I use pallet wood for many reasons. I love the idea of giving new life to an old material. The wood contains all these layers of detritus of where it came from. Each scuff and crack another badge of honor. I also relate them very much to people, every piece is generally uniform (they come typically in 3.5″ x 40″ slats or 5.5″ x 40″ slats) but the variety within the uniformity is tremendous, no piece is ever alike. Finally I feel better about working on a material that is recycled, I like that my work is not simply adding more “stuff” to the world but rather looking at an old material in a different light.
Chad, this is awesome! congrats on following ur dreams, u give great inspiration to those looking to expand on their ideas/creativity, like myself… look foreward to your work, good luck with everything you do!!
Chad this site is nasty!!! I love being able to look at so much of your work all together. Your paintings are amazing as always. im really digging the installation piece with all the boxes, reminds me of work(in a good way). And that 180ft wall holy shit!!! SO SICK!!! i bet that was a blast. Congrats on all the good work, clearly you’ve been busy. Hit me up next time your in nh ive got a stack of boards for you.
Hi Chad,
I was just talking to your dad. He told me how well you’re doing in school and with your artwork; I’m really glad to hear it. I had seen some of your early work and knew you had talent, but this stuff is really impressive. Keep up the good work and best of luck in the future.
Charlie Stevenson
Each day Cuz…you amaze me more and more. This is absolutely great. Congrats!
Right on.
Chad,
I recently saw the owls you have up in Local 188 in Portland- They are amazing. I would really love to give one (maybe a print if you have them) to my sister as she is definitely an “owl person” and was ecstatic when I showed them to her. The use of pallet wood as your base is really interesting and different. Keep it up!