Marc Anderson

Artist's Statement:

The metaphoric duality of light and dark has been present in the human consciousness since the time of our early ancestors.  Similarly, light has been the protagonist of painting since artist first put pigment to substrate. I carry on that tradition through observational, representational painting. Light informs so many things—more accurately, everything—we see. Fixating on light allows me to describe form in color temperature, value, saturation, and hue in a way that gives the viewer a sense of place. That’s the underlying goal. To communicate the feeling of a space with which the viewer’s connection is undeniable.

The rich hues and luminous qualities that oil paints provide have been an inevitable, if joyful vehicle for me to express what I see. Using a combination of thin, translucent washes coupled with thick, impasto paint application, the sculptural quality of the paint itself brings an image beyond a static, two-dimensional plane.

These tools and techniques lend themselves well to illuminating the beauty in the landscape as well as the tranquil, candid moments found in everyday life. Both subjects contain a sense of narrative. Some are more heavily implied than others, but ultimately the viewer shapes that narrative with their own personal experiences. With that in mind, it is my hope that we can meet somewhere in the middle and make that connection.

Artist's Biography:

Marc was born and raised in central Wisconsin in the Rockwellian town of Wild Rose. He has three brothers and much to his mother’s chagrin, no sisters. She wanted the Von Trapp Family, but what she got was closer to a cheesy barbershop quartet with excessive body odor. Nevertheless Marc’s parents were abundantly supportive of his and his brothers’ endeavors, creative or otherwise.

After graduating second in his class from Wild Rose High School, Marc packed up his brushes and moved to Menomonie, WI to study industrial design at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. After two years in the design department, Marc switched majors to focus on illustration. Working largely in pen & ink and watercolor, he found an interest in political, satirical illustration and editorial cartooning. Marc continued on this career path for several years until, almost by accident, he discovered the mysterious world of plein air painting. While Marc loved the comfort and convenience of his studio along with the abundance of distracting Youtube videos that could be found there, nothing could compete with this newfound passion. Unsavory politicians were quickly replaced with painterly depictions of the Wisconsin Landscape, as well they should be. Notwithstanding, the Wisconsin winters would once again drive Marc back into the studio, where he would hibernate for several months, only emerging for rations of cheese and lutefisk.

Marc has continued to broaden his scope of painting techniques and subject matter. He currently resides in Elmwood, Wisconsin where he has been participating in the local art scene while keeping active with art shows regionally and nationally.