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Items of Interest about Dan Woodson

In 1998 the Painting Indiana project was conceived by Dan and his friend, Anne Carter. It was the first undertaking of its kind and has influenced other states to do similar projects. Lyle Denney, Robert Eberle, Ron Mack, Don Russell and Dan Woodson were selected as artists for the project. The names of the 92 Indiana counties were listed on slips of paper, put into a hat and the five artists drew the names out at random. It was up to each artist to decide what sites would be representative of the counties chosen. The exhibit of the paintings set attendance records and the paintings were then sold at auction by Jackson Wickliff Auctions, with some paintings obtaining record prices. Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis received all profits from the Painting Indiana books, with Jackson Wickliff Auctions also making a major donation to the children's hospital.

Painting Indiana Project

Dan is also the co-founder of the Indiana Plein Air Painters Association. IPAPA sponsored the Painting Indiana project and has become the largest and most active outdoor painting group in Indiana. It is open to all artists of any level of skill or experience. Members only need to be interested in painting outdoors.

Indiana Plein Air Painters Association

When Dan's children were young he would take them to the library where they had the opportunity to listen to local author, Dorothy Hamilton, reading her children's books. After Dorothy's death an unpublished manuscript was discovered and Dan was asked to illustrate the story. The book was set in 1836. Dan visited Connor Prairie to get a feel for the time period. His research was aided by Conner Prairie staff allowing costumed performers to pose for sketches and photographs. Dan puts a great deal of effort into deciding on a scene to paint. He may sketch the subject area from different angles to find the right composition. Dan paints on flat, primed canvas and then stretches the canvas after the painting is complete. If he is not pleased with a painting he has started, he doesn't spend extra time with the stretching process.

Painted canvases to be stretched

More Items of Interest about Dan Woodson

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