The artist has a diverse ethnic background. of the Northern Plains are members of the Sioux, or the three allied tribes: the Lakota, the Dakota and
Nakota. It was on the Dakota prairies that Nelson developed his passion for landscapes, star-filled nights and traditional Lakota imagery—"I remember one particular summer night…cricket song filled my ears. Then, shimmering overhead, the Northern Lights came dancing, pale green at first, then in ethereal robes of red and gold; spiraling ever upward…colors vanishing, only to reappear. Although I was staring directly into the heavens, from the corner of my eye, I saw
something. The sacred something that Lakota people believe is within all things. I was only a boy, but I was seeing in a
Wakan manner, in a sacred way." His early influences were the French Impressionists and
N.C. Wyeth who was known for his dramatic and realistic illustrations of classic stories and fables. Nelson taught art in the public schools in
Wahpeton, North Dakota (1975–76). In 1976 he moved to
Flagstaff, Arizona to teach art at East Flagstaff Junior High (1976–2003), now known as Mount Elden Middle School, there he met Alan Jim, a Navajo
medicine man and a Lakota
Sun Dancer. Alan Jim and another Lakota Sun Dancer, Dicky Arias, mentored Nelson in the practice of traditional Lakota ways. The author has lectured at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC and he was the keynote speaker for Read North Dakota 2010 (NDHC). Nelson was chosen as the 1997 feature artist for the
Inter-Tribal Ceremonial – Gallup, New Mexico and for the
Night Visions exhibition in Flagstaff, Arizona
. He is the President of Read at Home (readathome.org), a 501c3 non-profit literacy program for preschool Native American children that currently serves hundreds of children on the Navajo Nation, the
Shoshone-Bannock Reservation and the
Gila River Indian Community. The artist paints with acrylics, which he brushes, sponges, splatters and sprays. His paintings offer a contemporary interpretation of traditional Lakota imagery. SD has painted extensively on animal skins and bone. He has crafted traditional rawhide drums, hand-stitched beads on leather and created ledger book drawings. Nelson's fluid style and traditional Native American art combines bold design, color and texture into a visual celebration of life. The artist has two adult daughters and lives in Flagstaff, Arizona. == Publications ==