Houston-born Craig Lesser graduated with an art degree from the University of Houston in 1978. His work was included in the 1985 landmark Fresh Paint show at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. He was represented by Meredith Long Galleries, with his first solo show being at the gallery in 1985. Lesser moved to Los Angeles in the late 1980s and died in 1989. 

His painting style is described as a combination of abstract and figurative images, with a preference of bright colors and mixed media, including watercolors, oil crayons and markers.