American-Czechoslovakian abstract painter. Born in Czechoslovakia, Bodnar moved to the States a year after and identifies as an American while maintaining Slovakian ancestry. He began to paint from the age of twelve, and was introduced to art by his one-room schoolhouse teacher. The school was located in Mount Morris, Michigan. His teacher, Helen Miller, and her sister took him to the Art Institute in Flint, where he began to paint. Known for red acrylic paintings. Taught at the University of Illinois around 30 years, until he retired in 1992.