Ron Anderson creates abstract paintings that develop over a long period of time and involve much change and correction. Compositionally they employ an all over strategy that entails a patient build up of brushwork and lines incrementally layering over each other. The viewer’s focus shifts with the weaving colors, lines and gestures that push forward out of a shallow depth. Anderson has stated; “ They usually are heavily worked, and are in some ways parallel to what I see around me every day: complexity of the competing lines and shapes in trees and other objects.”
Anderson’s paintings vaguely resemble the leaves of trees, places or objects. However, what they share with the dense leafed area, for example, is a sense of independent movement. Looking at them you can imagine sunlight dappling through or the breeze blowing, revealing layers of color and light. There is a definitive structure to a tree, yet the sun and wind ignore that. Anderson’s paintings are obviously built through improvisation. A visual give and take that accepts the growth of the painting without a pre-disposed order. Anderson states that ; ”I am at my best when I can move and swing my arm in gestural or lyrical movements.” He allows accidents to remain and varies the weight, density and direction of his color and lines as he paints. He continues his give and take process until an order appears where Anderson can: “find the final equilibrium and essence of the work.”
Anderson’s drawings follow a similar improvisatory trajectory. He employs lines and other marks to open up possibilities rather than definition. These are engaging works that will encourage prolonged viewing and offer genuine rewards for doing so.
