Sodenkamp Art-About Len

Len Sodenkamp

Len Sodenkamp started painting when he was nineteen years old. Art has always been his passion and StarScapes is an extension of his artistic vision. Len has been an accomplished artist for over 40 years and has had many art showings in galleries in several states.

StarScapes is a great way to make the sky shine. StarScapes is a national chain in all 50 states.viole

Biography

Len was born on July 10, 1949 in Ogden Utah. Len’s grandparents immigrated to Utah from Amsterdam, Holland in 1908. His grandfather was an accomplished artist.

In 1972, at age twenty-three, Len enrolled in The Burnley School of Professional Art, now known as the Art Institute of Seattle. In 1975, Len received a diploma in professional art and opened his graphic design studio in downtown Seattle. In 1977, Len moved his studio to Kent Washington. In 1987, Len moved to Boise Idaho with his family.

In 2000, Len became acquainted with Idaho landscape painter Fred Choate. Fred introduced Len to the world of plein air painting. In the fall of 2002 and 2003, Len attended two week long plein air workshops with the renowned Idaho oil painter Robert Moore. In 2003, Len was introduced to Tricia May, another great Idaho painter and teacher. Tricia was the original founder of the Plein Air Painters of Idaho. Len has attended work shops and classes with Tricia up to the present time. In 2004, Len attended a three day work shop with Greg Packard. Greg has also become a mentor and friend. He is a native of Idaho but now lives with his wife and family in Colorado.

In 2005 Len became a founding member of the Plein Air Painters of Idaho. He is very excited to have become a part of the PAPI group. Its members are made up of some of Idaho’s premier modern day painters. He is proud to have his work represented with these wonderful painters on their web-site www.pleinairpaintersofidaho.org.

In 2004 Len was juried into Idaho Paints Idaho with his painting of Castle Rock City of Rocks Idaho and he received honorable mention with three paintings at the Western Idaho State Fair. Len is currently represented by Dunville Gallery, Seattle, Washington. (206) 935-7557.

You can contact Len by email at

Artist Statement

Some of my earliest memories go back to visits at my Grandparents home. My Grandfather was a painter. His paintings hung on the walls of their small modest home. I can remember just laying on the living room floor and staring at Grandpas paintings

One painting was of special interest to me. It was a landscape of a river with rocks and trees lining the shore. The reflections of the trees and sky in the water were mesmerizing. I was in awe over the fact that Grandpa painted it. I made up my mind that some day I would also be a painter.

My Grandfather passed when I was seven. He died very unexpectedly and I would not accept his passing. Eventually I came to realize he was not coming back but his memory and my love for him has never faded. My Grandmother lived well into her 80’s. She was aware of course that Grandpa had touched the artist in me. She also knew how much I loved his river painting. When I came to see her one afternoon in my early 20’s she took the painting off the wall and handed it to me. She said she realized it was to be my painting from the time I was three years old. I was so happy to have the painting, it was as if she handed me a million dollars.

Today I have acquired through the family ten of my Grandfathers paintings. It is my hope that the reader of this artist statement might understand how the artist’s torch was passed. Painting is in my blood, it is my life, as it was my Grandfathers life