August 2024 Featured Artist Member: Kirsten Anderson

“Raised in California, she has traveled with her palette and sketchbook on 6 continents and her paintings are a personal diary of her travels. “I have a wanderlust spirit  that fits perfectly with an outdoor painter.”  Kirsten ‘s favorite subjects are found along the coast, on the water, or in the water. “Sunlit figures, the ocean, the beach are especially inspiring. I love the sun hitting bodies—it’s like painting nudes, but with bikinis.  And I like to paint boats.”  Painting is an endless pursuit that touches my soul.  My painting process always involves observing nature, providing me a stepping off point between realism, naturalism and abstraction.  I prefer abstract areas and painterly textures and surprises in color palette and value.  I want my painting to be better than the photograph or scene I am attempting to portray.”