SDAN News/Info Main Page
SDAN Home   SDAN News/Info One   SDAN News/Info Two   SDAN News/Info Three   SDAN News/Info Four

AWARENESS: South Dakota Artists Network Newsletter
© SDAN

Volume 17, No. 3: Summer 2010
Published: August 23, 2010

(Click on image for more information.)
___________________________
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR BREAKING NEWS... we'll try to keep you informed!

NEWS UPDATE: AUG. 23, 2010:
SEE PAGE TWO FOR:
FIRST PEOPLES FUND
Calls for Applications:
• Artist in Business Leadership Program
• Cultural Capital Program
2011Community Spirit Awards Call for Nominations:
___________________________
IN THIS ISSUE:
MAIN PAGE- Featured Artist.
PAGE ONE- Area News
PAGE TWO- Area News
PAGE THREE- SDAN membership and dues.
PAGE FOUR- More news and announcements.
_______________________________

© CHRIS MAY (CM)

ONE OF THE ARTISTS YOU SHOULD KNOW...

CHRIS MAY (CM), Pastel Artist...

I am an artist living in rural South Dakota. Living in ranching country, I am surrounded by endless beauty and opportunities for new paintings. My main medium is pastel, I just Love pastel! Its delightfully messy, colorful, and makes the most wonderful 'skritchy-scratchy' sound when I'm working! I have a studio in my home where I paint and frame my works, and I also am getting very hooked on plein aire (painting outdoors from life). Much of my reference comes from our daily life--brandings, round ups, and the landscape itself. I often carry a sketchbook in my saddlebags, along with my digital camera.

I occasionally teach classes on drawing for both children and adults, and some pastel classes for adults only. I have paintings in many states and abroad, and consider all commissions. For my continuing education, I take workshops with well known instructors, which have included Donna Aldridge, Larry Blovits and Doug Dawson. My work can be found at The Prairie Breeze Gallery in Mitchell SD, and Piper Fine Art in Sioux Falls, SD. I am a member of the Mid-America Pastel Society (MAPS), and the South Dakota Plein Aire Painters.
 

© CHRIS MAY (CM)

I often get asked about my studio space, so here it is. Not very posh, is it? But if it were, I wouldn't feel free to do as I please! These cement walls are painted off white. Under the wooden easel is an old carpet to cushion my feet and any pastels that might take a dive. You can see the drawing table, a large shelf for frames, and the dark blob between the easel and table is a chair with a brown velevety cloth to put small objects to paint. A bucket for a trash can is right close to the easel for sharpening those pencils, and behind the easel is an air purifier. The pastels are on those long tables, one is an old buffet, the other a board over 2 file cabinets. The trays on the buffet were made using foamboard and shipping tape.
_______________________________
MAIN PAGE LINKS OF INTEREST:

State arts website -- links you to the action
Chris May (CM) -- Artist: Pastel
MADE IN SOUTH DAKOTA... -- e-commerce site for artists.
Sioux Empire Arts Council -- Horse Barn Arts Center
Arts Opportunities -- "Your one-stop shop."
South Dakota Official Site -- The celebration commemorating the 100th anniversary of our State Capitol
South Dakota Artisans -- Arts Connection Calendar
South Dakota Art Museum -- Museum News and Information
Backwoods Home Magazine -- Article by CM Cernetisch
South Dakotans Art Education Association -- 2010 SDAEA Fall Conference

Badlands Doe
© CHRIS MAY (CM)

(pastel, 12 x 16)

A doe seen on a trip thru the badlands with my daughters on a 'girls weekend out'. It was below zero that day, we had the place to ourselves and it was gorgeous!
________________________________
As for the other parts of my life, my husband and I have 2 kids, several horses, and dogs. I am also fond of my milking goats, using the milk for cheese and soap. Most of my days are involved with either art, family or critters, which suits me just fine! I am so fortunate to have a lifestyle as I do, and I take full advantage of it!

Feel free to contact me at copper(at)goldenwest.net concerning any of my paintings--most are for sale. Custom paintings also possible, from your photos or possibly I can come take photos to work from.

A couple months ago i wrote an article for an online e'zine about homesteading. down at the bottom of the link is my article, and they are considering doing it in the published paper version as well!

http://www.backwoodshome.com/nl/nl1007.html

Currently, you can find my artist web site at:
http://sitekreator.com/cmcernetisch/main_page.html