Chris Vodnik » All things Vodnik

Michael

Chris Vodnik — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:17:15 +0000

Well I actually completed a painting this year, just not the one I started last year. Some will ask “Are you ok?”, “What’s with you doing a painting of him?”

Well…I was asked to. Now I probably know every song by him. Pretty much my whole life this man was in the spotlight and a household name. Love him, or hate him you can not deny he was very talented and changed the entire music industry, next to Elvis. I must admit some songs I enjoy, I never cared for his personal life, always thought he was very strange, maybe that much talent makes someone that way.

So I was asked to do a portrait for a friend’s child who really loves his music and him.

I thought black and white would fit the mood in this portrait. So I worked with a palette of 5 basic colors. I am not sure why but I love to paint in black and white. I had to work with photos which was a challenge because photos never give you what real life can. I prefer either live or photos I take so I can have the lighting and pose the way I want it. I took no money for the portrait, it was a gift and I hope the owner will enjoy it while listening to her favorite singer.

Where does the time go?

Chris Vodnik — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:05:43 +0000

So I noticed that it is now the end of June and I have not touched a paint brush in several months. I am writing this down to remind me the next time I visit my site and wonder…. wow still no new art.

I have been taking lots of photos during this time of non painting. Hoping that something will inspire me to pick up a brush other than for my teeth. My daughter on the other hand has been inspired to create in the bathtub. She is showing me that creating is a joyful event and shouldn’t be daunting. Maybe I should take a bath…

Waiting to set sail

Chris Vodnik — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:02:21 +0000

Finally.

I have finished this painting. Took a lot of work from where it started, but the painting turned out how I wanted.

Now I just need to let it dry and choose a frame. A larger image is available in the Portraits gallery.

Plein Air

Chris Vodnik — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 18:09:02 +0000

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Not because of all the gifts, but the one gift that we can truly never repay. Since we are called to be thankful, I am thankful for that gift above all things. I am also thankful for my family and their health.

I am also very thankful for my wife, whom puts up with me 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. She also knows I love my art and encourages me to do so.

This year she gave to me a Jullian Easel, a wonderful gift for any artist. I have never painted outside, unless you count finger paints when I was a kid. So since I love to paint the outdoors, it will be great to actually paint outside! Of course at 9 degrees, I think I will wait until spring.

My 15 Minutes…

Chris Vodnik — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 01:24:25 +0000

As Andy Warhol once said…”In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.” Not for my art, for my day job. Technically I was on camera for 10 seconds so perhaps I still have 14:50 left for my art some day. It was a fun experience, for a techno geek like me.

and life goes on…

Chris Vodnik — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:52:44 +0000

July 27 has always been a difficult time for me and my family. My sister passed away on this day, and life changed forever. Our family has always had faith that God is in control of all things. He giveth and taketh but it is always for good. So we worked through our grief and pain over the years with lots of prayers and a ton of faith.

So on this fine Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 5:52 p.m. my wonderful wife gave birth to our new baby girl!

Words do not do justice in what this day has meant. There are no more tears of pain and sorrow, but of joy and hope. I am always, amazed at God’s grace and mercy. I looked to the cross in that dark moment years ago and tried to remember that Jesus went through pain and death and that He also conquered it that day so all could live in light.

Today has shown me again the wonders of God and His eternal love.

Now I have another one of God’s creation to paint on canvas! Amen!

Waiting to set sail continued…

Chris Vodnik — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:03:07 +0000

Such as life. Things get busy, and then there is no time to finish a painting. I am close to completing this painting, however since my eye surgery I have not been able to finish. I hope to start up in the next week or so when I have time. For now here is where the painting is at visually. Still need to work on the boat and her feet and legs. I am very happy with the water and the rest of the girl.

Mark 8:22-26 – No laser machine needed

Chris Vodnik — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:32:36 +0000

I had LASIK (Spivak Vision Center) done this past Wednesday and all I can say is amen! It is amazing. To see 20/20 for the first time in my life is overwhelming. This type of event reminds me of how blessed living today in America truly is. In 10 minutes I went from seeing the world as a blur to clear objects. No more contacts, no more glasses, wow.

Now I would have preferred Jesus’ method of curing eyesight. A little spit from the Savior and two question would have been wonderful. Probably a lot less pain and irritation. I have been using eye drops like an addict and I want to rub my eyes so bad that… well you know, I could scratch them. But you can’t. So you tough it out and learn to perfect the eye dropping technique.

So even though I want to paint I know I shouldn’t. Oil painting probably is not the best thing to be doing while recovering from eye surgery. Not that you ever want to get any oils in your eyes, but always having to hydrate the eyes I figure there is a greater chance of getting something in them.

So for now no painting until my check up next week. I will just enjoy seeing God’s creation with a new perspective.

Waiting to set sail

Chris Vodnik — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:56:56 +0000

So I became frustrated with my portrait painting of “boy with red shirt” and I decided it was time to clear my head and paint something else.

That was a good idea, and I am glad I did.

I now am almost finished with my latest painting of a girl looking over a boat railing at the water.

I love this image. The bright yellow life jacket and the red hair “squishy”. What is she thinking about? Is she anticipating the journey out to sea? Is she looking at her reflection in the water? Did she throw her dad’s keys into the water?

I hope to be finished with this painting by next week. It is a small painting and I tried to use a very limited palette.

Titanium White
Cadmium Red Light
Cadmium Yellow Medium
Yellow Ochre
Burnt Sienna
Burnt Umber
Ultramarine Blue

Inspiring Impressionism

Chris Vodnik — Sun, 18 May 2008 19:15:55 +0000

I took my mother yesterday to the Denver Art Museum were we went to the Inspiring Impressionism show. My mother is the influence for my artistic background. She is a fine artist in her own right but sacrificed a lot of her own time to raise my sister and me which did not allow her to do more art. My belated Mother’s day gift was the art show.

I would highly recommend the show. We had a wonderful time seeing Cassatt, Cezanne, Pissarro, Manet, Monet, and Renoir. Such inspiring work and the reality of how far I am from mastering oils.