As an illustrator for twenty-five years, Michael Dudash then devoted himself exclusively to fine art easel painting after his children left for college. He became a painter of "images of dramatic realism that are bathed in a mix of light, hidden shadows and romantic atmosphere". (Wilkinson) Among his subjects are cowboys riding horses in western landscape, western figures, still life, snowscenes, child and adult figures and domestic genre.

Dudash was born in Mankato, Minnesota and attended high school there followed by art studies at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minneapolis. Growing up, he had early interest in art and took offered classes in gra...