Native American & Midwest

After graduating in 1975 from Valley City State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Art and Physical Education, Michael began his teaching career at Fort Yates Community High School on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in western North Dakota. Michael admits that he learned far more than he taught his first year. Living and teaching in a community and culture where creativity and art was such a strong part of the heritage left a life long impression on how Michael viewed his own art as well as developing a respect for the Native American culture.

The Midwest and it’s topography is often regarded as boring or insignificant in terms of a painting subject. Contrary to this perception the uniqueness of the Dakotas and Midwest often times becomes more challenging to depict as well as to capture the vastness and simplicity of the lay of the land. One again, the viewer must see and not just look at the subject. The theory of less more often applies to the Midwest and its landscapes.

Michael D. Dunn