Mike D. Wodnick
Even though Mike D. Wodnick’s work is representational, the underlying abstract shapes and composition is what interests him the most.
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Wodnick has had a lifelong interest in the arts and remembers an elementary school field trip where he was mesmerized by Jean Baptiste Chardin’s Attributes of the Arts. “Chardin was a master of composition. His still life paintings are nothing but still. He guides the viewer through the picture, which is something that I strive to do,” Wodnick says. Describing his artistic process, Wodnick explains, “I have an idea or theme that I want to convey. Many times the title of the piece. This is important because it keeps me focused on the center of interest. I will do several thumbnail sketches. I keep them small so I don’t spend too much time on them. I want the idea to evolve. I try different formats vertical, horizontal or square. This is the stage where I’m concerned about the big abstract shapes, the breakup of space, variation and repetition of form, flow of line and values. I find this to be a very creative and stimulating process.”
As an artist, Wodnick says he is always trying to grow, and he wants to get caught up in the energy of his paintings. Some elements of a scene that he identified in early sketches might get dropped in the moment while painting. He does not strive for photorealism, and says, “I want my paintings to have a soul.”