Chuck Caplinger Artist Resume
With a commercial art career dating back to 1960, Chuck Caplinger, a native Texan of German and Cherokee Indian lineage, relocated from Houston, Texas, to California in 1979, where he operated Caplinger Studio in Hollywood. In 1997 he moved to Twentynine Palms, CA, where he established Desert Art Studio & Gallery. Here, on the edge of the Mojave Desert, next to Joshua Tree National Park, he concentrates on oil portraits, desert landscape and wildlife paintings, and murals of the Southwest.
Chuck Caplinger’s paintings and portraits have been represented in public and private collections, group and solo gallery exhibitions, murals in Southern California and Texas, and featured in Southwest Art Magazine. His “Tribute to Marilyn,” a 3’6” x 8’ mural of the life of Marilyn Monroe, was featured in the Hollywood Entertainment Museum in Los Angeles, CA (2001-2006).
SPECIAL PROJECTS
- Portrait of Bob Burke for the lobby of the Bob Burke San Bernardino County building in Joshua Tree, CA, unveiled by County Supervisor Neil Derry and Yucca Valley Town Manager Mark Nuami.
- Designed the “29!” Steel Sculpture for Twentynine Palms, CA, installed and dedicated by City of Twentynine Palms Mayor pro tem Steve Flock and Public Arts Advisory Committee.
GALLERY & FESTIVAL EXHIBITIONS
- Joshua Tree National Park Art Festival, Oasis Visitor Center, Twentynine Palms, CA, juried art festival exhibitor.
- Hwy 62 Art Tours, Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council, participating exhibitor [formerly Open Studio Art Tours], Desert Art Studio & Gallery, Twentynine Palms, CA.
- Art in Public Places Exhibitions, Twentynine Palms Visitor Center & Gallery.
- 29 Palms Art Gallery, Twentynine Palms, CA, Desert paintings solo show.
- 29 Palms Art Gallery, Twentynine Palms, CA, judged group exhibitions.
- Tumbleweed Gallery, Borrego Springs, CA, featured artist.
- Chaparral Artists judged group exhibitions, Twentynine Palms, CA.
- ArtFx Gallery, Yucca Valley, CA, featured artist.
- 29 Palms Art Gallery, Twentynine Palms, CA, “East Meets West” solo show.
- Art in Public Places, Twentynine Palms City Hall, “Desert Images” solo show.
- “Fall into Winter,” Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council juried group exhibition.
- 29 Palms Art Gallery, Twentynine Palms, CA, “Eclectic Mix” solo show.
- Hi-Desert Water District, Yucca Valley, CA, “Desert Rainstorms” solo show.
- M. Hale Gallery, Palm Springs, CA, “Hollywood Faces” solo exhibit.
- A Roadside Attraction, Twentynine Palms, CA, “Marilyn Visits…” retrospective paintings of Marilyn Monroe.
- Water Canyon, Yucca Valley, CA, solo exhibition.
- 29 Palms Art Gallery, Twentynine Palms, CA, MBCAC “Heads” group exhibition.
- Morongo Valley Art Colony Annual Spring Show, judged group exhibition.
- 29 Palms Artists’ Guild, “Members Show” judged group exhibition.
- City of Norco “Art of the American West” annual judged exhibition, Norco, CA.
- Open Studio Art Tours, “The Mystical Desert” duo show with International night sky photographer Wally Pacholka (three-time winner Time-Life Picture of the Year award), at Desert Art Studio & Gallery, Twentynine Palms, CA.
- 29 Palms Inn, Twentynine Palms, CA, “Desert Dreaming” solo exhibition.
- Joshua Tree National Park 10th Anniversary Exhibition, Gallery 62 at A Roadside Attraction, Twentynine Palms, CA.
- 29 Palms Art Gallery, Twentynine Palms, CA, “Southland Show” judged exhibition.
- Arts on 5th Gallery, San Bernardino, CA, Arts Council of San Bernardino County judged members exhibition.
- Morongo Valley Art Colony 40th Annual Art Show, Morongo Valley, CA.
- Gallery 62, Twentynine Palms, CA, “Open Studio Art Tours Review Show”.
- Arts on 5th Gallery, San Bernardino, CA, Desert Arts Festival preview show.
- Water Canyon, Yucca Valley, CA, “Southwest Images” solo show.
- A Roadside Attraction Gallery, Twentynine Palms, CA, “Oasis” solo show.
- Morongo Basin Desert Arts Festival & Open Studio Tours.
- Edward Dean Museum & Gardens, Cherry Valley, CA, “From the Reservation to the Range – A Retrospective” solo exhibition of Chuck Caplinger oils on canvas, shown with Charlie Russell and Frederick Remington bronzes.
- Hollywood Entertainment Museum, Hollywood, CA, “Tribute to Marilyn” mural by Chuck Caplinger featured in Happy Birthday, Marilyn celebration honoring the late star’s 75th birthday.
- 29 Palms Art Gallery, Twentynine Palms, CA, one-man show of oils and assemblages.
- Mt. San Jacinto College, San Jacinto, CA, “Autumn Gathering” group show of Native American arts, curator Lucinda Luvaas.
- Furniture Cafe Gallery, Burbank, CA, solo show of desert oils.
- The Art Factory, Las Vegas, Nevada, solo show of desert oils.
- Gallery 5770, Twentynine Palms, CA, featured artist, ongoing group showings.
- Desert Iron Gallery, Twentynine Palms, CA, group showings.
- Celebrity Center, Hollywood, CA, “Unity Through The Arts” group exhibition sponsored by Los Angeles Visual Artists.
- Playhouse Gallery, Long Beach, CA, solo show “Desert Gothic.”
- Hartog Fine Arts Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, “Paradigm of Ten” group show, “Desert Gothic.”
- American Film Market Gala, theme: “Hollywood’s First 100 Years,” Art Director Jim Saunders.
- Century Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, “Realism: Photo & Surreal” group show, Curator Lee Musgrave.
- Annenberg Gallery, Palm Desert, CA, group show.
JUDGED EXHIBITION AWARDS
- Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo – 1st Place, Artist of Distinction
- 29 Palms Art Gallery, “Members Show,” 2nd Place for “Amigos” (oil)
- Chaparral Artists Spring Show, judged group exhibition, 1st Place, People’s Choice, Best of Show for “Old Friend II” (oil landscape); 1st Place for “Arapaho” (11×14 oil portrait); 1st Place for Animal Category.
- Chaparral Artists judged group exhibition, Best of Show
- Chaparral Artists judged group exhibition, 1st Place
- “Fall into Winter,” Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council judged group exhibition, 1st Place for “Winter Storm Passing” (36×18 oil)
- 29 Palms Art Gallery, “Members Show,” 1st Place for “Caught in the Open” (24×24 oil)
- Morongo Valley Art Colony, 2nd Place for “Running Free” (oil)
- City of Norco 9th annual “Art of the American West” show, 3rd Place, Premier Division
- Morongo Valley Art Colony 40th Anniversary Art Show, 1st Place for “Magic Thumb” (oil)
- 29 Palms Art Gallery, “Southland Show,” 1st Place for “Magic Thumb” (oil)
- City of Norco 8th annual “Art of the American West” show, 1st Place, Premier Division, for “Drygulched” (oil)
- 29 Palms Art Gallery, “Members Show,” 1st Place Under Glass Award for “Long Way Home” (watercolor)
- 29 Palms Art Gallery, “Members Show,” People’s Choice Award for “Ancient Ones” (oil)
- 29 Palms Art Gallery, “Southland Show,” 1st Place and People’s Choice Award for “Old Friend” (oil)
- 29 Palms Art Gallery, “Southland Show,” 1st Place for “Courtin’ the School Marm” (oil)
- 29 Palms Art Gallery, “Southland Show,” 1st Place award for “Bill Key’s Car” (oil)
- Hollywood Arts Council and Hollywood Chamber’s “Hollywood Arts Affair” group showing, voted Most Popular Artist for series of oils “Hollywood Faces.”
COMMISSIONED MURALS
- Twentynine Palms, CA – “Desert Homecoming & Victory Parade” (2021, refurbished the 101’ wide mural)
- Bakersfield, CA – “Hall Ambulance 45 Year Anniversary” 2016, 60’x9’
- Shafter, CA – “100 Years: 1013-2012” – Two outdoor murals, each 10’x50’
- Norco, California – “Galloping Herd” 30’ x 8’ ranch fence mural for Donna Smith, Tonalli Capayo Ranch
- Twentynine Palms, California – Smoketree Building murals, 60’x15’ Lizard and 60’x15’ Roadrunner, east/west exterior walls
- Shafter, California – “Shafter Drug Store circa 1920” 18-8’ x 9’ mural on Rite Aid building for City of Shafter, Community Enhancement Director
- Norco, California – “Mediterranean Island” 57’ x 8’ pool-patio mural for Tyson family
- Norco, California – “A Celebration of Riding” 39’ x 16’ first historical mural, City of Norco Beautification Committee
- Weatherford, Texas – “History of Weatherford, TX” from 1800 to present, 1,300+ sq.ft. of indoor murals, seven scenes, acrylic on canvas
- Santa Paula, California – “Farming & Ranching History” 60’ x 12’ historical mural #6, Murals of Santa Paula
- Yucaipa, California – “The Yucaipa Apple Show 1912” 14’ x 45’ first historical mural, Yucaipa Renaissance Committee
- Exeter, California – “The Monarch Grape Industry” 25’ x 20’ mural #14 Festival of Arts Mural Committee and Exeter Chamber of Commerce
- Twentynine Palms, California – Series of nine indoor murals (oils on canvas) for Desert Ranch Market
- Twentynine Palms, California – “Desert Wildlife” 12’x 60’ mural #14, Oasis of Murals, Action Council for 29 Palms Inc.
- Indio, California – “History of the Date Growing Industry in the Coachella Valley” 18’ x 77’ mural #3, Indio Chamber of Commerce Historic Mural Project and Old Town Indio Business Assn.
- El Segundo, California – “Aviation History” 14’ x 72′ mural #6, Heritage Walk Mural Program
- Montebello, California – “Famous Places in Montebello’s History” 10’ x 30’ mural, Metro Rail Station
- Waterworld Company – Sound wall mural 18’ x 15’
- Los Angeles, California – Riveria theme (stylized) 68’ mural for Barbara Mudge residence.
- Twentynine Palms, California – “Desert Storm Homecoming & Victory Parade” 18’ x 101’ historical mural #5, Oasis of Murals, Action Council for 29 Palms, Inc. (1995)
EARLIER MURALS:
- Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas: Sheraton Hotel, 8’ x 18’ mural in dinner showroom.
- Odessa, Texas: “History of Oil Exploration” 6’ x 28’ mural, O.I.L. Co.
- Houston, Texas: The Confederate House Restaurant, 14’ x 8’ mural in oils.
- Houston, Texas: Bogart’s Club Restaurant, eight 6’ x 12’ portrait vignettes, in acrylics.
- Houston, Texas: “The Paper Industry” 12’ x 18’ mural in acrylics, Moore Paper Co.
- Houston, Texas: Finger Contract Furniture Co., murals for six Ramada Inns
- Miami Beach, Florida: The Ocean Club, 20’ x 60’ mural and three 8’ x 10’ vignettes in acrylics.
- Atlanta, Georgia: The Gold Club, two oils on canvas: 4’6” x 8’6” and 4’6” x 6’6”
COMMISSIONED PORTRAITS (partial list)
Major General Les Palm, USMC, MCAGCC 29 Palms, CA; Dr. Hogue, Hogue Memorial Hospital, Newport Beach, CA; Judge Roy Hofheinze; Coach Sid Gillman; Film producer Caruth C. Byrd; Quarterback Dan Pastorini; Dr. Hermann Oberth (Germany’s “Father of Rocketry”) permanently exhibited in Germany.
Actors/Actresses
Tom Ewel, Sal Mineo, Ben Johnson, Lisa Hartman, Mitzi Gaynor, June Wilkerson, Dawn Wells, Mercedes McCambridge.
Singer
Willie Nelson
Comedian
Rich Little
Entertainer:
Sammy Davis, Jr.
OTHER CREATIVE WORK HISTORY
- Art Director/Illustrator for RCA Service Co., contracted to NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama (1961-1965).
- Design and construction contracts for Anheuser Busch, “Busch Gardens, Houston,” creative signage, including the main theme park entry treatment. Design and fabrication of bird show arena set; portable and permanent food and snack bars; and other park features.
- Caplinger/Nations Gallery, The Galleria (Houston Oaks), Houston, Texas. Co-owner, Gallery Director. Negotiated for and purchased prints and original art, coordinated gallery functions and showings. (1970s)
- Designed and illustrated movie posters and ad campaigns for more than 20 feature films for Lone Star Pictures International (Hollywood, CA) and other film distribution companies.
OTHER AWARDS & RECOGNITION
- “Chair Emeritus” honor presented from the Public Arts Advisory Committee, City of Twentynine Palms, CA, “In gratitude for your creative and forceful leadership.”
- “Cultural Contributor Award” from BasinWide Foundation, Yucca Valley, CA, and State Assembly recognition award from Assemblyman Paul Cook.
- Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council Special Award “Thanks to Chuck Caplinger Artist, Cowboy & Visionary for founding the Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council.”
- “Together We Can! Award” from BasinWide Foundation presented to Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council, Inc., Chuck Caplinger, Chair; in appreciation for community cultural efforts and basin-wide event, Desert Arts Festival 2002.
- “Certificate of Recognition in Honor of Service to Communities” presented by State Senator James L. Brulte.
- City of Twentynine Palms Mayor’s Recognition Award presented to the Global Mural Conference 2000 Executive Committee (Chuck Caplinger, Chairman)
- City of Twentynine Palms Mayor’s Recognition Award presented to Chuck Caplinger for “Person who most embodies the spirit of Twentynine Palms, CA.”
AFFILIATIONS
- Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce (President 2012-2013, Board Member 2011-2013)
- Public Arts Advisory Committee, City of Twentynine Palms (2004-2011, Co-Founder 2004, Chair 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, Chair Emeritus 2012)
- Morongo Basin Desert Arts Festival & Open Studio Tours (Exec. Director 2002, 2003, 2004)
- Planning Commission, City of Twentynine Palms (2001-2011, Chair 2001, 2003, 2009)
- Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council, Inc. (Co-Founder, President 2001-2004)
- Global Mural Arts & Cultural Tourism Association (Chair, Global Mural Conference 2000, Twentynine Palms, CA)
- Twentynine Palms Artists’ Guild (Member, Exhibitor, former Board Member)
- Chaparral Artists (Member, Exhibitor)