Chris Dudley, an award-winning artist born in 1976, began drawing before preschool and has never stopped. Over nearly 30 years, he has completed countless commissioned portraits, been accepted into numerous juried exhibitions, illustrated children’s books, and taught art. While passionate about drawing and illustration, Chris also explores a variety of artistic mediums. He and his wife, Tawana, have three daughters, all of whom have learned to draw, though Chris jokingly notes it wasn’t simply inherited!

Their daughter, Alayah Dudley, is a Grand Rapids native who began her creative journey at age fourteen interning at CDA. Since then, she has expanded her skillset to illustration, graphic design, layout, and publishing. Alayah launched Grand Rapids’ first Black-owned and female-owned online publishing company and has worked on a range of publishing and design projects. With nearly a decade of professional experience, she has also taught drawing, painting, and entrepreneurial workshops across the state.

Together, the Dudleys bring a blend of experience, creativity, and teaching to their work, sharing their passion for art with audiences of all ages.