Inspired by the beauty of the great outdoors, his passionate brush strokes and sensitive palette capture the true essence of a scene - from horse races in Italy to the idyllic coast of Southern California. - Informed Collector
I paint to express myself. I feel compelled to share the inspiration that I feel when I see a beautiful scene- to be inspired and inspire in return. I want to translate the beauty around me- a fleeting moment- into something permanent and timeless that brings those same feelings to life for each viewer.
Collectors Say:
" His eye is the window to his soul and with that light he then moves his painting hand to respond to the beat in his heart and all is well on the canvas again." -Kirsti
Other Artists Say:
Dear Clint,
You were correct in all you said about Jim Wodark. Three years ago I had the privilege of meeting him accidentally in a local frame store. A week earlier I had noticed a tall artist with a hat, packing up his gear, leaving the Montage, where a friend and I were painting the ocean scene. Jim looked like he knew what he was doing-we didn't! At the frame store, I asked him if that was him at the Montage, (I didn't know who he was then). It was him and he was surprised I recognized him from a distance. He was conducting a 3-day workshop, gave me his card and info, but I couldn't attend his workshop. He later set up a 4-hour personal lesson with me at Balboa Island. I watched, listened, took notes and photos of him painting some boats. He was so polite with all the people walking by, interrupting his painting (and my lesson!) in a very public spot. I not only learned lessons in plein air, but also a lesson in kindness and patience. We left for chicken tacos at noon and after eating, Jim reviewed the morning class and wrote lesson notes in my art journal. I treasure them and refer to them many times. I knew that day Jim was one of the best artists' (and nice guy) I would ever meet and that one day he would be well known for his wonderful plein air paintings. Many thanks and success to Jim.
Welcome to my website. Thank you for visiting. I frequently update my site with new paintings and events. If you have any questions feel free to contact me and I will answer them as soon as I can. Thank you and enjoy! Jim Wodark 714-633-4312 "Oak Valley Ranch" 16x2o oil on linen panel. Near Julian, CA. Hunting around for new painting material.
My entry
in the
BoldBrush Contest At Rest II by Jim Wodark
See larger July 2010 _____
The BoldBrush
Painting Contest
Sponsor:
Artist Websites
by FASO
Biography
Jim Wodark is an award winning plein air artist who was born and raised in Colorado. Throughout childhood, his parents, both artistic in their own right, were incredibly encouraging of his creativity, but drew the line (so to speak) when he filled his 2nd grade teacher's shoes with paint. He went on to earn his Bachelor's degree in Marketing from University of Northern Colorado and attempted to fulfill his passion for art by taking an art class each semester. After several years of working real jobs, and trying to fit art around his schedule, it occurred to him that he either was or was not an artist. Luckily for his many fans and patrons, he chose the former.
He started out putting his keen observation skills and humor to use as a cartoonist. Fourteen years later, attracted to the attitude and economy, He moved to Southern California. He found true love in Julie, now his wife of 14 years, and in fine art, as he began to explore the plein air technique, originally using watercolors and acrylics. "When you grow up in Colorado, it's hard not to love the outdoors. For me, being outside and capturing the light, mood and atmosphere on a canvas for other people to enjoy, is just an incredible feeling."
His next breakthrough came with the birth of his first child, and his discovery of oil paints as his medium of choice. As his family grew (twin girls!!!) so did his commitment to being a great father, husband and prolific painter, painting out in the field or in the studio every single day. "I paint to express myself. I feel compelled to share the inspiration that I feel when I see a beautiful scene, to be inspired and inspire in return. I want to translate the beauty around me -- a fleeting moment -- into something permanent and timeless that brings those same feelings to life for each viewer.
Having dedicated himself to art for the last 24 years and counting, Jim continues to challenge himself creatively by approaching each painting as an opportunity to try something new. "My intention is to paint my masterpiece every time I paint a picture. This gives me never ending room to grow and experiment with my art."
And whenever he hits the inevitable rough patch, he just thinks back to that moment when he decided to commit himself to art. The power of that decision, and the path it created, never fail to get that paint brush moving again. "I am doing what I love and hopefully that joy is reflected in my work. I strive very hard to make each and every piece reflect the person that I am and the artist I am becoming."
Jim is a member of several painting groups: Oil Painters of America, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, Southern California Plein Air Painters Association and an "Artist Member" of the prestigious California Art Club.
Shows and awards:
Juried into the "Signature" membership group in the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association 8/2009
2nd Place at the National Yearlong Raymar Painting Competition 2008-2009
"Lily Pond" 36x36 was accepted into the California Art Club's Prestigious Gold Medal Show 2009
"Mission Bench" 24x30 was accepted into the Oil Painters of America 18th annual National Juried Exhibiton
Best Mission Painting at the SOCALPAPA Paints the California Landscape Show 2009
First Place at the SOCALPAPA Paints the California Landscape Show 2009
"On the Edge" won the top prize "Artists' Choice" Award at the Torrey Pines Plein Air Painting Invitational 2008
"Mission Fountain" won First Place in the LPAPA "Best of PLein Air" Show 2008
Fremont Canyon Sundown" 16x20 won Best of Show at the San Marino Art Matters show 2008. Held in the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens Pasadena, Ca.
"Damn Barnacles" 12x16 was accepted into the California Art Club Gold Medal Show 2008
"Sunset on Morning Light" 24x30 accepted into the Oil Painters Of America National Juried Exhibition 2008
Artist Choice award SOCALPAPA Painting the California Landscape 2008
Anthony Forster Memorial Award "Best Mission Painting" SOCALPAPA Painting the California Landscape 2008
Fourth Place Raymar National Yearlong Art Competition 2007 out of 1,400 entries
First Place University of Redlands Plein Air Painting Competition 2007
Second Place The Lodge at Torrey Pines Plein Air Invitational 2007
Best Of Show SOCALPAPA Newport Peninsula Plein Air 2007
Honoraable Mention SOCALPAPA Newport Peninsula Plein Air 2007
Second Place "Quick Draw" SOCALPAPA Newport Peninsula Plein Air 2007
Honorable Mention Heritage Art Show Irvine Land Trust 2007
Honorable Mention LPAPA "Best of Plein Air" 2007
Two paintings Juried into the California Art Club's Gold Medal Show 2007
Second Place in the Raymar National painting competition out of 1,700 entries.
9th Place in the Raymar National painting competition.
15th Place Honorable mention in the Raymar National painting competition.
28 painitngs of the final 144 in the Raymar National yearlong painting competition.
Second Place in the LPAPA Members Show 2006
First Place LPAPA "Best of Plein Air Show" 2006
California Art Club "Artist Member" (Juried into membership 2005)
Art-a-fair Poster Artist 2006
Honorable Mention Crystal Cove Show 2005
Second Place San Clemente Plein Air Painting Competition 2005
First Place at the San Clemente "Quick Draw" Competition 2005
Honorable Mention LPAPA Members Show 2005
First Place at the SOCALPAPA Best of the Back Bay 2004
First Place at the San Clemente Plein Air Painting Competition 2004
First Place at the San Clemente "Quick Draw" Competition 2004
Artist Choice Award SOCALPAPA Best of the Back Bay 2003
LPAPA members show 2002, 2003, 2004,2005
Upcoming Events and Exhibits
12th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational Laguna Museum of Art 10/10/2010-10/17/2010 Reception: 10/16/2010 (6:00 p.m.)
This is a great event that includes 50 artists from around the country painting en Plein Air in beautiful Laguna Beach! There is a "Quick Draw" on Saturday the 16th and a Gala Dinner Reception on the 16th. I will post more information when I receive it or you can log on to the LPAPA site at www.lpapa.org for more information. Hope to see you there!
Upcoming Workshops
Other Web Pages that Jim Wodark Recommends you visit
(These pages are not necessarily about Jim Wodark)
Artist Websites |
Featured Artists |
®
