THE ARTWORKS COOPERATIVE FEATURED ARTIST for March will be Dan Parsons. One of the newer members of the co-op, Parsons specializes in wildlife paintings. Ducks, deer, pheasants, geese and even bears have all found their way into his artwork.

    Born in Aberdeen, Parsons went to Howard Hedger school as a child. His family moved to Mandan, ND where he grew up. For a child who loved the outdoors, this was paradise, just a stone’s throw from the Missouri River where Custer took off for the Little Big Horn and Lewis & Clark wintered with the Mandans. Parsons says, “These stories are still in the cottonwoods if you listen hard enough.” He became hooked on telling his stories and began to paint. Seventeen years ago, he came back to South Dakota and has continued telling his stories ever since. He has hunted in the Rockies, Bighorns and Badlands for elk, mule deer, and whitetails, and fished the Missouri from Williston, ND to Pierre and caught every species in it. He has even been a guide for fishing and hunting. He says, “I learn from every trip and try to bring that detail and emotion to my artwork.”

    His latest paintings tell some interesting stories of their own. A pair of wood ducks huddling together at the edge of the water, a flock of geese flying in the sunset, and a bear walking through the grass, turning to look at a bear skull caught in a branch….each one has its own emotion and story. Parsons’ highly detailed paintings can make you feel as if you are really there, and are a delight to all art lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Along with his paintings, Dan will be displaying many of his wildlife and waterfowl mounts which he used as reference and inspiration in some of his works. These mounts will be on display to help illustrate the importance of studying animal anatomy which helps a wildlife artist understand his or her subject matter.

    He feels lucky to have lived in this region, and is looking forward to filling up with new memories. The outdoors and wildlife are a constant inspiration to him. Spending his time in his studio in Columbia, he shows work all over the country. Most of his work can be seen at the ArtWorks Cooperative gallery in Aberdeen.

    A reception for Dan Parsons will be held on Thursday, March 8th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to this free event. Hors d'oeuvres and  refreshments will be served. ArtWorks Cooperative is located at the ARCC Gallery at the new ARCC on 225 3rd Ave, SE, Aberdeen. Gallery Hours are Monday through Thursday from noon  to 8 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information contact ArtWorks Cooperative at (605)725-0910 or through the ArtWorks Cooperative website at www.sdartworks.com.