About Jeannie
Jeannie Vodden lives west of the Northern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California among oak trees and wildlife in the historic Gold Country town of Jackson. Here she dedicates her time to expressing her love of beauty – in her garden, her home and in her watercolors and drawings.
Jeannie works in watercolor, painting floral, still life and portraits, and in graphite, drawing whimsical little people and animals.
Artist Statement:
I love painting the complex textures, forms and patterns found in nature: the scales of a reptile, the random branches of a nest, the tousled hair of a young child, a dried leaf. It’s interesting to compare and contrast man-made textures with a variety of natural elements. I use a very limited palette of staining transparent hues, glazing layer upon layer and letting the colors mix and mingle on my Arches cold press paper.
I have been painting and drawing faces and portraits since I was very young. From the very first it was exciting, even surprising, to see a likeness appearing on the paper before me. Now, many paintings later, casual, sun dappled images of people (especially children) are a big part of my work.
Because of the color I use and my techniques, my work has a magical and cohesive feel. Sometimes I enjoy adding a touch of fantasy, or combining things that you don’t normally see together. Just asking “What if?” is a great way of finding new ideas and inspiration.
Through numerous watercolor demonstrations, classes and workshops, I have been able to share with others: artist’s groups, schools, county and state fairs, community organizations, which is always a delight for me.
I have been very fortunate to have studied with Sacramento artist, Gary Pruner, whose marvelous teaching grounded me in my craft, and whose passion for art inspired me. It is largely due to Gary’s encouragement that I am a full time painter and teacher. I am thankful for his generosity and support.
My Goal:
My desire is to bring to my work, the imagination and curiosity often found in children, and to combine that sense of wonder with an experienced artist’s hand.
Jeannie Vodden – Bio
Jeannie Vodden’s interest in the variety of textures and patterns found in both natural and man-made objects is the starting point for most of her paintings. Her preference for the complex play of form and light is balanced by her use of a very simple palette of three transparent staining hues. She expresses a love of childhood innocence in her portraits of children, and a love of the beauty of the garden in her intimate floral paintings.
Jeannie is a popular instructor of watercolor. For almost 30 years she has taught workshops throughout California, starting in Sacramento. Then branching out into Wyoming, Nevada (Las Vegas and Reno) and Washington State (Sequim and Vancouver). She has also taught in Georgia, Kansas. In 2025 she taught for the New Mexico Watercolor Society in Albuquerque. She enjoys demonstrating her watercolor techniques to art and community organizations and finds the challenge of judging art competitions rewarding and inspiring.
Judging includes:
-
New Mexico Watercolor Society – 2025
-
35th Dorothy Indelicato Fine Art Show in Manteca, CA – 2025
-
Pleasanton Art League – 2024 and 2023
-
Nevada Watercolor Society – 2023
-
Amador County High School Art – 2022
-
Mother Lode Art Association, Sonora, CA – 2021
-
WASH Membership Shows – multiple years, Sacramento, CA
-
Southwest Watercolor Society (SWWS) Vancouver, Washington
-
Sierra Watercolor Society, Reno, Nv
-
Mendocino Art Center Spring Show – 2010
-
Fall Art Competition Watercolor Artists of Sonoma County (WASCO) – 2010
- and many more
Permanent Collections:
California State Fair: “Aviel” & “Riding the Wild Boar”
New Mexico Watercolor Society: “Sunny Duo”
Orland Art Center: “Grape Expectations”
A few of her many awards and activities include:
- In 2026 Jeannie will return to Moultrie, Georgia to teach a 5-day watercolor workshop,
- Her painting Wondrous Visions was included in SPLASH 2021, the Best of Watercolor
- In 2020 Jeannie was awarded signature status at the California Watercolor Association.
- 2019 Celebrate Life benefiting Hospice of Amador and Calaveras, Karmere Winery, donation of original watercolor: “Sunny Window”.
- Her work “Sunshine” was included in California Watercolor Association’s 48th National Exhibition, 2018. and was awarded the M. Graham & Co Award.
- Salis International, Inc. Award in the 2016 California Watercolor Association’s 46th National Exhibition
- Acceptance into National Watercolor Society 95th Exhibition 2015
- Awards in the Stockton Art League’s competition at the Haggin Museum
- Acceptance into the prestigious 2000 and 2002 Crocker Kingsley competition at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, Ca.
- Awards at the “California Works” fine art competition at the California State Fair
- Honorable Mentions at the KVIE Annual Art Auction
- Many Best of Show and People’s Choice Awards
- The State of California has purchased two of her paintings for its archives.
- In 2015 Jeannie’s work was published in both Pratique des Art Magazine in France and Artist Palette Magazine in Australia.
For several years she demonstrated in the “California Works” Fine Art Show at the California State Fair, sharing her work and talking to visitors of the well-regarded fine art venue.
Annually she has opened her home and studio to the public for the Amador County Art Studio Tours.
Jeannie designs a theme fair window at the Amador County Fair in Plymouth, CA each year for the Amador Stars, Amador County’s local Cancer support organization.
For 2010 and 2011 and 2014 wine release she has designed unique and beautiful fine art wine labels for Young’s Vineyard in the Shenandoah Valley, California. Her artwork is also found on Bella Impavida Wines https://bellaimpavidawine.com/
Jeannie’s Website is www.JeannieVodden.com
You can find her on Facebook at Jeannie Vodden’s Art Studio, Jeannie Vodden on Instagram and watercolor instruction on YouTube.