Biography

Andy Sjodin was born in 1981 in Pipestone, MN and grew up in Forest Lake, MN.  He attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN where he received a B.A. in Philosophy.  After two years of AmeriCorps service in Washington State, teaching for a school year in Thailand, and then living in Homer, Alaska for a couple of years, Sjodin returned to school in 2010 to begin his formal training as an artist. Sjodin spent four years studying the drawing and painting methods of the old masters at The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art in Minneapolis, MN, graduating in 2014.  In the fall of 2015 Sjodin began teaching part-time classes at The Atelier and in 2018 he joined the The Atelier’s full-time program teaching staff.  Sjodin currently lives and works as an artist on a small farm in Isanti County, north of the Twin Cities.

The Work

Sjodin’s work combines a French Academic drawing foundation with an impressionistic approach to seeing and interpreting color. His subject matter focuses on the figure, portraiture, still life and interiors, as well as the occasional landscape.  Through his work Sjodin strives to honestly represent nature and light while exploring human expressiveness, thoughtful composition, and aesthetic beauty. 

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Education

2014        Graduate, The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art, Minneapolis, MN

                        Trained under Dale Redpath, Cyd Wicker, Kim Monahan Dady, Laura                           Tundel, and Jeff Larson

2008       Kenia Peninsula Community College, Homer AK

                        Studied painting under Asia Freeman

2004       BA in Philosophy, St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN

Teaching Experience

2019 -      Full-Time Program Instructor

                        The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art, Minneapolis, MN

2018         Portraiture,  Basic Drawing and Painting Courses

                        The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art, Minneapolis, MN

2017         Basic Drawing Course
                        Grand Marais Art Colony, Grand Marais, MN

                  Portraiture, Basic Drawing and Painting Courses

                        The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art, Minneapolis, MN

2016         Portraiture Course
                        The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art, Minneapolis, MN

                  Basic Drawing Workshop and Basic Figure Drawing Workshop 

                        Homer Art & Frame Company, Homer, AK

2015         Portraiture Course

                        The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art, Minneapolis, MN

2014        Oil Painting Workshop

                        Homer Art & Frame Company, Homer, AK

Awards

2021         Finalist (x2)

                       15th International Art Renewal Center Salon

2020       Minnesota Figure Study Collaborative Award

                       Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition

2020       Ron Merchant Award for Oil Painting

                       Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition

2019        Master Framers Award

                       Studio Pintura Spring Juried Floral Art Exhibition, St. Paul, MN

Exhibitions

2021          15th International ARC Salon

                       Art Renewal Center

                   4th Annual Juried Floral Show

                       Studio Pintura, Minneapolis, MN

                   47th Annual Northern Lights International Online Juried Art Exhibition

                      White Bear Center for the Arts, White Bear Lake, MN

2020        Annual Small Works Show

                       Studio Pintura, Minneapolis, MN

                   State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition

                        Fine Arts Building, Minnesota State Fair Grounds, St. Paul, MN

                   Annual Juried Floral Show

                        Studio Pintura, Minneapolis, MN

                   Northrup King Nights

                        Studio Pintura, Minneapolis, Mn

2019         Larson, Sjodin, Schweiger, Brenny, Harkcom Group Exhibition 

                        Private Residence, St. Paul, MN

                   Artists for the Atelier 

                        The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art, Minneapolis, MN

                   Annual Juried Floral Show

                        Studio Pintura, Minneapolis, MN

                   Annual Juried Small Works Show

                        Studio Pintura, Minneapolis, MN

2017          Kallos: The Order of Light Group Exhibition 

                        Rogue Buddha Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

                   Larson, Sjodin, Schweiger, Posey Group Exhibition 

                        Riverview Towers, Minneapolis, MN

2016         Larson, Sjodin, Schweiger, Posy Group Exhibition

                        Chindean Cafe, Minneapolis, MN

2014          Atelier Full-Time Student Show

                        The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art, Minneapolis, MN

                   Riverview Towers Painter’s Process Exhibition

                        Riverview Towers, Minneapolis, MN

2013          Atelier Full-Time Student Show

                        The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art, Minneapolis, MN

                   Riverview Towers Drawing Exhibition

                        Riverview Towers, Minneapolis MN

2012         Atelier Full-Time Student Show

                        The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art, Minneapolis MN

                  Riverview Towers Painting Exhibition

                        Riverview Towers, Minneapolis, MN

2011          Atelier Full-Time Student Show

                       The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art, Minneapolis, MN

Representation

The Grand Hand Gallery, St. Paul, MN