C.L. "Chris" Cardin was 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 were passed onto C.L. His work is dedicated to her memory, and to the Native American spirit of his ancestry.
C.L. studied and painted the Native American for over 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 see and feel the passion, the pain and the triumph of the Native spirit that flowed from him, through the brush and onto the canvas.
His work won many art awards, and appeared on the cover of several art publications including Sunshine Art, October, 1988. C.L. was honored to present his portrait of Iron Eyes Cody to Iron Eyes Cody 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.
Chris' life on this earth ended in September, 2007. His presence and ongoing work are greatly missed. He lives on in our hearts and his spirit is kept alive in his paintings.
