Art of the West digital magazine
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/32473
Buttermilk Falls, oil, 9˝ by 12˝ “The Putney Painters went to this waterfall in Vermont with Richard Schmid last spring and had a great day laughing and painting. It’s so interesting to see everyone’s different concept of the location (Nancy Guzik painted a friend playing the guitar with the water behind him). Richard’s painting will be included in the Amer- ican Master’s exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in New York in May.” directional patterns. I watch how they move, how they twist and turn and [I’ve learned] how to utilize them to create focal points of inter- est within the painting. Leaves and stems are important parts of my garden and still life paintings.” Anderson balances traveling to Putney Painter sessions with attending a select group of shows throughout the country. She enjoys participating in Telluride Plein Air, a week long event where artists spend five days painting in and around Telluride, Colorado. The early summer event culminates in an auction of works produced dur- ing the week. “Many of the other artists paint the mountains, but I like to paint the flowers,” Anderson says. “There are some wonderful gardens in Telluride.” In the spirit of following the flow- ers, Anderson takes her paints with her whenever she travels to shows. When she participates in the American Miniatures Show at Settlers West in Tucson, she finds herself painting the Arizona land- scape. When she flew to Denver last winter to show in the American Art Invitational, she was captivated by the Rocky Mountains. Anderson’s love of music also has influenced the way she paints. She attributes the gentle flow of colors and forms in her paintings to her passion for jazz. A fan of the music of Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans, Anderson plays jazz piano on a weekly basis with an ensemble that includes a bass player, guitar- ist, trumpet player, and drummer. “Art and music are so connected,” she says. “I’m often told by people that they see movement and rhythm in my work. It’s the music coming through.” Anderson finds inspiration in all of her activities and interests, whether it’s music, flowers, or a beautiful landscape. “I view the world with a painter’s eye,” she says. “I find paint- ings in all of my everyday experi- ences and travels.” Emily Van Cleve is a writer living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. May/June 2011 • ART of the WEST 47