Focal Point: Jim Wodark
  |
|
The Artist Says:
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.
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 Web Pages With Info About Jim Wodark
Jim Wodark's Main Artist Website
Art Galleries Representing Jim Wodark
Chemers Gallery
Tustin, CA - 714-731-5432
Sanders Galleries
Tucson, AZ - (520) 299-1763
Studio 7 Gallery
Laguna Beach, CA - (949) 497-1080
The Waterhouse Gallery
Santa Barbara, CA - (805) 962-8885
Willow Gallery
Scottsdale, AZ - (480) 424-7300
Overview
Click Here to go to the website for artist Jim WodarkWelcome 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 "Quiet Mission" 24"x30" oil on canvas. I am really excited to participate in the 10th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational on October 18&19, 2008! Look at my events section to see all shows that I will attend.
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 11 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 22 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: Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, Southern California Plein Air Painters Association and just recently he was juried into being an "Artist Member" of the prestigious California Art Club.
Shows and awards:
"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
Art-a-Fair Laguna Beach 2003, 2004, 2005
Upcoming Events and Exhibits
The 10th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational 2008Laguna Beach Art Museum, Laguna Beach
10/17/2008-10/19/2008
Reception: ()
This is a great Plein Air Painting show at the Laguna Art Museum in Laguna Beach, California. On Saturday the 18th, I will participate in a "Quick Draw" at Hiesler Park from 9-11 am. There you can watch me and the other artists paint a picture with a two hour time limit. This year you can preview the major paintings for the show from 9-12 on Saturday. There will be a dinner on Saturday evening, tickets required, where collectors get the first chance to buy the paintings. On Sunday the show will be open to the public and all available paintings will be for sale. This is a great event filled with quality artists. It should be quite a show.
Celebrate the Craft Plein Air Painting invitational at the Lodge at Torrey Pines
The Lodge at Torrey Pines, La Jolla, CA
11/1/2008-11/2/2008
Reception: 11/1/2008 (5:00 pm)
This is the Sixth Annual "Celebrate the Craft" show at the beautiful Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California. I won Second Place last year! There will be a "Picnic in the Park" on Saturday morning at Torrey Pines State Park, next to the hotel. All the artists will be painting out and you can watch them create while your ticket buys you lunch! Saturday night is the reception dinner. The winners will be announce and there will be silent auction on the other entries. Sunday will have an art sale along with food and wine tasting at the Lodge. All these events require tickets which can be purchased through www.celebratethecraft.com website. It is really a great event and one you should not miss!!
Sawdust Winter Fantasy Festival
Sawdust Festival Grounds, Laguna Beach, CA
11/22/2008-12/14/2008
Reception: ()
This is my annual Christmas show. The Festival lasts for 4 weekends in a row, 11/22-23, 11/28-30, 12/6-7 and 12/13-14. This show is all decorated for Christmas with a real Santa Claus. It is a lot of fun. I will have about 25 paintings to show.
Upcoming Workshops
Other Web Pages that Jim Wodark Recommends you visit
(These pages are not necessarily about Jim Wodark)
Content Copyright - Jim Wodark Fine Art