Preston, who is a published artist and writer originally from Louisiana, earned an M.F.A. (with honors) in Illustration from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco (2012) and a B.A. in Applied Arts from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He contracts out as an illustrator, graphic designer, digital artist, muralist/scenic artist, art instructor and voice over actor in the Los Angeles area. He is experienced in creating portraits, book illustrations, computer graphics, fine art, magazine illustrations, and scenic art/murals. Involved with social issues and an avid artist rights advocate, he has been recognized by the Los Angeles City Council for his volunteer work and contribution to the growth of the arts in L.A. His illustration work got an award from the Adobe Design Achievement Awards in 2011 and he received an award of recognition from the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society and the National Scholars Honors Society in 2007. In addition, he was honored twice with the Artistic Director Award for Set Design/Scenic Art from theValley Theatre League for productions of the Road Theater Co. and he was an Artist-in-Residence for the A.I.E.A.C. His mural work can be seen in a project dubbed the “Hollywood Night Gallery” and in a mural honoring Bob Barker at CBS Studios. Some of his scenic work can be seen at Venus Fort (a 60,000 sq.ft. shopping center in Tokyo, Japan), the Paris Casino in Las Vegas and other venues around L.A. His award-winning work continues to be exhibited locally, nationally and internationally. A recent exhibition of his “Twisted Teddys” series took place at the Hive Gallery in Los Angeles. He has traveled extensively; living & working at times in Norway, England, Italy and Japan. His online portfolio can be viewed at http://www.prestonc.net. Read Less

Painting allows me freedom to address some of the social ills that plague our modern society and to paint what I feel, not necessarily what I see. Having worked with drug addicts, the homeless, victims of sexual abuse, young people who have been incarcerated, and having friends in the porn industry, I have definitely seen some of the seedier side of life. I’ve seen how people can make a bad decision and get trapped in that decision. They are unable to figure out how to get out of the situation in which they find themselves. With that in mind, I aspire to achieve social change with my art.
Through the use of some varied imagery, classical painting techniques and often humor,
my “Twisted Teddys” series depicts contemporary, socially relevant and fantasy scenes that affect
the human race on a physical and spiritual level. I hope that the viewer is inspired to be more aware of their global connections to each other and to take personal responsibility for effecting positive change in society.
The human race (there is no plural) is a part of the dance of life, not apart from it and my illustrations/paintings reinforce that interconnectedness. My artistic journey, which has taken me into the metaphysical realms of Carl Jung, Native American mysticism and Aboriginal Dreamtime, reinforces the axiom that we are truly our brothers’ keeper, not only for each other but also for the entire planet. Read Less