C Michael Dudash

Born and raised in Minnesota, Michael settled in the Green Mountains of Vermont where he began his full time career as an artist and oil painter in 1977.   Working with agents in New York, he found immediate success as a free lance illustrator which brought him national notoriety and a career that lasted 25 years.

In 2002 he left illustration behind to become a full time “easel” painter, dedicating himself to creating his own work.  This eventually led him to concentrate his efforts on the subject of the old west as represented by narrative paintings of the 1800’s.

Michael says “I love to create paintings that illustrate the 19th century old West and the history of the American frontier.  This gives me the opportunity to paint figures, landscapes, action, animals, interesting costuming and of course dust and atmosphere!  I find that story telling through narrative painting allows me to address both serious and light hearted subjects.

I also enjoy the challenge of trying to create works of art that are moving, beautiful, and timeless in their appeal. Relying upon the good Lord’s inspiration and alot of hard work, I daily try to live up to the challenge.”

Michael has written and published articles for American Artist, and The Artists Magazine; his work has been showcased in Art of the West, Southwest Art and Western Art Collector.  He has been a guest lecturer and instructor at a large number of art schools, art institutions and museums, including the Booth Western Art Museum, Brigham Young University, Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas and Scottsdale Artists School.

Besides Michael’s numerous gallery affiliations, he has shown and sold his work at the C. M. Russell Museum, the Scottsdale and Coeur d’Alene Art Auctions, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, the Booth Museum of Western Art, the Briscoe Western Art Museum and the Eiteljorg Museum.  In the fall of 2016, he was invited to become a member of the prestigious Cowboy Artists Of America.  In recent years his paintings have won 11 separate important awards.

His ever growing numbers of corporate and individual collectors appreciate the draftsmanship, use of light and colorful atmosphere that Michael is able to bring to his work.  In 2013 he published a signed and numbered, limited edition book, which showcases 87 paintings entitled “C. Michael Dudash – Western Collection”.  In March of 2020, he presented a one man 20 painting show at The Legacy Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ which included a presentation called “An American Painters Journey:  From Illustration to Fine Art”.

Michael currently works out of his home and studio in the Coeur d’Alene, ID area, where he lives with his wife Valerie. To learn more about Michael’s art and his career, visit his website at: www.cmdudash.com.