Mike D Wodnick

Born Minneapolis Minnesota. I've always had an interest in the arts. In school I took every creative class offered.                                                                                                          Attended Minneapolis College of Art and Design for a year. I left because of my frustration in their lack of instruction in traditional art. Attended Normandale Cummunity College for a year. Left for the same reason. I joined the work force but my desire to create soon had me taking Adult Education Classes so that I could at least draw from a model. The instructor, Kirk Ricards a student at Atelier Lack, encouraged me to pursue my studies there. I studied with Ricard Lack and Steve Gjertson for four years. Not knowing anything about framing I worked in a frame shop learning the art of traditional frame making and finishing including restoration and gilding. When I left there I was approched by so many people for the conservation and restoration of paintings and frames I went into business for myself. I continue to paint mostly still-lifes, landscapes some figure and portrait work. An early influence was the work of Jean Baptiste Chardin. He was a master at leading the viewer through his compositions. This is something that I strive to do. I have no desire for my work to look 'photographic'. I focus on the 'Big Look' and the adage 'Less is More' is what I keep in mind when I'm painting.

* This statement has been provided directly by the artist in association to their 16^th International ARC Salon entries. This content has not been edited for typos or grammatical errors and has not been vetted for accuracy.