Scott painting in the Badlands of South Dakota
how I got here

In 2001, after 22 years as a magazine designer, I left my computer to go outside and paint. As workplaces go, nature is pretty tough to beat. It never fails to deliver inspiration and challenges to an artist: things to paint wherever you look, constantly changing color, light, and atmosphere. Cold and wind. Bugs.

Despite the frostbite and horseflies, I haven't once wanted to go back to a desk job.

I do occasionally paint indoors, but the heart of my work is painting on location, en plein air, as the French (and anyone with a French easel) will say. For more on that, check out this video. Thanks, TPT!:

Scott on Minnesota Original

No, I don't wear a kilt. And here's what I meant to say about painting from photographs.


training

I've been drawing almost all my life, but I didn't know much about painting until I met St. Paul painter Joe Paquet. He taught me the practice of painting outdoors, the Prismatic Palette, and a lot more. My approach to picture-making is also deeply informed by my experience as an art director. The many talented photographers and illustrators I worked with over the years were great teachers as well.


home base

When not outside, I can usually be found in my studio at my south Minneapolis home. This is where I paint large pieces, prepare boards and canvases, and store junk. It also serves as a gallery where I occasionally hold studio sales. (If you’re not on my mailing or email lists and would like to be, please click here.)

And any description of my work as a painter wouldn’t be complete without introducing my wife, Kristi. In addition to running her graphic design business, Two Spruce Design, Kristi is my webmaster, editor, and biggest fan. She is also developing a line of cocktail coasters made by chop sawing my, er, refusés. If you have questions, feel free to direct them to either of us.

Images and text copyright ©2011 Scott Lloyd Anderson