Scott Lloyd Anderson

In 2001, after 22 years as a magazine designer, I left my computer to go outside and paint. I soon discovered that nature never fails to reward and challenge an artist: constantly changing colors, light, and atmosphere. Cold and wind. And bugs.

I practice an approach to plein air painting that centers around the “prismatic palette,” a color theory with roots in fin de siecle France. I studied with Joseph Paquet in St. Paul, who had trained under John Phillip Osborne at the Ridgewood Art Institute in New Jersey. Osborne’s philosophy came from his training with Arthur Maynard, who learned under Frank Vincent Dumond, a renowned artist/teacher at the Art Students League in New York. Dumond had studied in the classical tradition at the Academie Julian in France, and was influenced by the new Impressionist ideas regarding color and light. Upon returning to America, Dumond taught in Old Lyme, Connecticut, which became a magnet for American landscape painters.

My practice incorporates the use of the prismatic color palette, an emphasis on accurate draftsmanship, and ideas about composition learned during my years as an art director. My paintings are impressionistic in that they describe the unique character of a particular day’s weather and light, and realistic in their desire to show the world as it is. In addition, I use the language of landscape to express abstract notions about color, form, design—and simply for the pleasing texture of paint on canvas.

When I’m not outside painting, I can usually be found in my studio at my south Minneapolis home studio. This is where I paint large paintings, prepare boards and canvases, and store my junk.

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 helps me with framing, pricing, hanging and promoting shows, and other aspects of my work.

First Place, Telluride Plein Air 2007

Paint the Parks Top 100, 2007

2nd Place, Grand Marais Plein Air, 2007

Best of Show, San Luis Obispo (CA) 2006 Plein Air Festival

Best in Show 2007, 2006, and Purchase Award 2006, Jaques Art Center Plein Air, Aitkin, MN

Judge, Grand Marais (MN) Art Colony Plein Air event 2006

People’s Choice Award, Red Stallion Gallery, Estes Park Plein Air, August 2006

Second Place and Purchase Award, “Minnetonka Magic 2006” exhibition, Wilcock Gallery, Excelsior, MN

Honorable Mention, The American Landscape 2005, Maryland Federation of Art, curated by Stephen Dougherty, editor of American Artist magazine

First Place, Grand Marais Art Colony Plein Air, 2004, 2005

Collector’s Choice Award, Red Stallion Gallery, Estes Park Plein Air, 2005

Second Place, Paintings Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibtion, 2002

Exhibitions

A Russian Night in Taos, Taos Art Museum & Fechin House, August 2007

One-person show, Minneapolis Woman’s Club, March-April 2007

“Drawn To Nature” juried exhibition, Bell Museum, University of Minnesota, 2006

Central Regional Exhibition, Oil Painters of America, 2005

Salon International juried exhibition, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX, 2005

Metropolitan Council (Minneapolis/St. Paul) Community Arts Partnership exhibition program, 2005

Work selected for display at the Minnesota Governor’s Residence, 2004

Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibtion, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

Award for Excellence, Minnesota Artists Association, Fall Open Show 2002

News

Minnesota Public Radio interviews Scott

Reporter Euan Kerr met up with Scott on the 10th Avenue bridge in downtown Minneapolis, overlooking the construction site of the new I-35W bridge, where Scott is working on a series of paintings. The story aired on All Things Considered on Wednesday, June 11. To read or listen to the story, click here.

Laguna Beach Plein Air member’s show: 3rd Place Winner

Scott’s painting, Waterslide, won third place honors at the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association’s 4th Annual “Best of Plein Air” show. The event was juried by artist Gil Dellinger. The director of the Irvine Museum, Jean Stern, judged the awards. Scott’s Karaoke was also included in the event.

Scott Lloyd Anderson: Artist to Watch

Scott was profiled as one of three “Artists to Watch” in the August 2007 issue of Southwest Art magazine

Plein Air Painters of the West

Scott joined a new group of accomplished plein air painters. Their first event is coming up this October (see left).

Paint the Parks Top 100

Scott’s painting Limestone and Melting Snow: The Mississippi in Minneapolis was one of 100 pieces selected for this national, touring show. Paintings entered must “illustrate the beauty and significance of America’s National Parks.” A portion of sales is contributed to the National Park Foundation and the PaintAmerica Scholarship Fund.

First place, Telluride