Jeff McCracken

Jeff McCracken (b. 1952, Chicago, Illinois) is a representational oil painter who currently lives and works in Washington, Connecticut.  

As well as studying at The Arts Student League in New York City, McCracken found his personal passion for painting at the age of thirteen through drawing workshops at the Art Institute of Chicago, and at the South Side Community Center, where he was inspired by founding member, Margaret Burroughs, whose lectures examined the motifs of social injustice through paintings by Charles White and Mitchell Siporin.  This early exposure to the power of art had a definitive impact which in turn influenced and cultivated his narrative work across all visual mediums; including acting, directing, writing, and the producing of feature films, television, and theater. 

Largely self-taught, McCracken’s interest is capturing scenes of contemporary life in cityscapes, landscapes, nudes, figures and portraits. His approach is distinguished by his ability to capture one’s inner emotional life, skilled draftsmanship, handling of color and a sensitive rendering of the interplay of shadow and light.

In 2025, McCracken was awarded first prize at the Washington Art Association Members Show; as well as being selected to exhibit his first solo show at the Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens.