UCC instructor and artist premiers his work

More than four dozen people attended the Whipple Fine Arts gallery premier of literary instructor Pete Anderson’s art work. A gallery of beautifully crafted art adorns the exhibit and displays Anderson’s life long hobby, painting.

The exhibit premiered the evening of April 2, 2010. Wild Rose Vineyard catered the occasion with their Merlot and Pinot Gris fine wine, provided by UCC instructor and winery owner Carlos Figueroa. Anderson was showered with a barrage of well deserved compliments. He took the time to answer a few questions.

Q: How long have you been painting?
A: All my life, it’s like meat and potatoes

Q: Which painting did you enjoy creating the most?
A: The last one (I created) of the Umpqua river (“Above the Confluence”)

Q: What inspires you? Your paintings have a romantic motif to them, getting back to nature, is this your style?
A: What you call romanticism, I call just painting. I’ve a very visual person; I was drawing before I could stand. Nature provided the foundation; it was just a matter of composing.

Q: Why did you choose acrylic over water painting or drawing?
A: Acrylic painting is much more forgiving, oil takes forever to dry, and water is harder to use than the others’ Acrylic is a good medium.

Q: You are retiring after this year; will you be expanding your artistic touch into other disciplines?
A: I plan on continuing painting as well as writing. I may also try new mediums such as oil and water.

Q: Which artist do you enjoy viewing?
A: Winslow Homer

Q: Did you have any training?
A: I have a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts; Art History and Drawing’ Painting was all on my own accord.

The collection portrayed the beauties of many landscapes including both the desert and mountainous regions of eastern Oregon, the lush green of Douglas County and the cold and wet bay area of Daniel’s Harbor, Newfoundland. A few of these paintings were available for personal collection. After viewing the 25 paintings in all, French and Spanish instructor NiAodagain summarized the exhibit in two words: “Just wonderful!”

The exhibit will be open all through April in the Whipple Fine Arts building exhibit.

The Mainstream is a student publication of Umpqua Community College.