C.L. “Chris” Cardin is a self-taught artist of Native American descent.  Raised in Arkansas, he was nurtured to a large degree by his paternal grandmother, a half-blood Cherokee.  Her love of “the people”; her love of their traditions and values have been passed on to C.L.  His work is dedicated to her memory, and to the Native American spirit of his ancestry.

C.L. has studied and painted the Native American for thirty-five years.  Their elegance, their love of freedom, their struggle and ultimate survival are the focus of his art.   When you look at one of C.L.’s paintings, you can truly feel the passion, the pain and the triumph of the Native spirit that flows from him, through the brush and onto the canvas.        

His work has won many art show awards, and has appeared on the cover of several art publications including Sunshine Artist, October, 1988.  C.L. was honored to present his portrait of Iron Eyes Cody to Iron Eyes Cody in person on behalf of “Keep America Beautiful, Inc.” in April, 1985.    In October, 1989, C.L.’s work was featured in the “Auction of the Rich & Famous” on behalf of Beat Leukemia Celebrity Classic ’89.

C.L. is an associate member of the Oil Painters of America, member of the Durango Arts Center , and is listed in Southwestern Art Magazine’s Studio 2005.