'Playing with Composition’: A Workshop with Jim Wodark

Demo & Painting Workshop: Wednesday September 23nd 7:30am-3:30pm

Explore Minaret Summit & learn essential tips on designing a mountain painting by award-winning plein air painter, Jim Wodark. Bring along your sketchbook for a morning demo ~ take notes, and block out potential compositions, as you observe how Jim approaches painting on location, how he simplifies big mountain vistas, and how he manages the endless sky to create an organized and dynamic composition. In the afternoon, Jim will provide some one-on-one feedback and continue to share his color palette and brush stroke techniques along the way. This workshop is structured as a demonstration in the morning, and a workshop with one on one instruction in the afternoon.  

Class Fee: $300 Demo & Workshop

The plan is to meet at Mono Arts Council for check-in at 7:30am, then caravan to location; Location subject to change pending weather conditions. MAC will update workshop attendees with any changes. 

Bring a sketchbook & soft pencils for the morning, and personal paint supplies & plein air gear for the afternoon.  Pack some water, lunch, snacks, sunscreen, hat, chair and clothing to layers.  

Suggested supply list will be sent to registrants two weeks prior to the Workshop

About the Artist: 

Jim Wodark was born in 1958 in Denver, Colorado but grew up near the flatirons. Both of his parents are artistic and he was tremendously influenced by them and the natural beauty of the environment. Cartooning was his first love and he worked in that field for 15 years. In 1990 Jim moved to California and a few years later met his wife, Julie. It was at this time that he began to paint with oils. The birth of their first child, Clint in 1998, focused his desire to paint while being a stay at home dad. In 2000 they had twin girls, Sophia and Gwen. Believe it or not this helped him focus even more! For the last 24 years he has been able to paint everyday and has had great growth and success. Jim paints both “En Plein Air” (on location from life) and in the studio. “I want to inspire and be inspired through painting. To bring beauty into people’s lives. I have been blessed with a passion to create. I am thankful that people respond to my work and that it makes a difference in their homes and businesses. Everyday I look forward to what I will paint next."

Jim has won many awards at the local and national level. One of the most prestigious being the Grand Prize Winner of the 7th Annual Plein Air Salon yearlong competition. He belongs to several painting groups: the California Art Club “Artist Member”, the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association “Signature Member”, and The Oil Painters of America and the American Impressionist Society.