Artist's Notes: The Inspiration, Themes and Approaches to my Mixed-Media Landscape Cycle of Works

The organic rhythms, earthy textures and hues of this cycle of landscape works reveal a sensualist approach to the use of materials. These compositions are influenced by my awareness that the making of art is a unique and meaningful impulse connected to diverse aspects of human experiences, perceptions and responses.

With varied marks, pigments and textures, I build up the material surface. In addition to the actual layers, there is a layering of processes and themes that contribute to the totality of each piece. These highly textured compositions—which often employ collage and juxtapositions of media—reference my interest in the inter-relationship between that that is visible and that that is beyond the perceptual field of our senses.

I am intrigued by the trace of time upon the surface layers of Earth as it is altered by way of history, geological events and natural cycles. Changes occur undetected beneath the surfaces of contemporary cultures. We may or may not be aware of the unseen changes influencing outermost facets of material reality. And human activity—inclusive of both creative and destructive acts—often is the catalyst of additional changes of appearances and functions.

An awareness of the dynamic interaction between interior and exterior forces, as well as between material and non-material energies, underlies my approach to the creative process inherent to this series. To bring forth the final compositional surface of each work involves the destruction, over-layering and re-creation of the initial strata of marks and materials.
In my approach to creating this body of works, there is a concerted intention to harmonize significant form with significant meaning. That each composition functions as cultural expression, aesthetic experience, and as a physical object of beauty remains an important and foundational intention.

Art Notes:

Artwork posted in this blog post is the original, copyright protected work of Linda L. Anderson.

1. Beautiful Descent, Acrylic painting on wood, mounted on wood panel, 24 x 12 inches.