Step into the world of Benjamin Anderson, an artist whose passion for nature, especially water, flows through every piece he creates. From the shifting blues of the ocean to the layered textures reminiscent of earth, Anderson’s art embodies a harmony between abstract forms and natural beauty. In this interview, he opens up about his inspirations, his process, and the meanings that emerge through his distinctive approach to color and composition.

Check Out Benjamin's Works HERE

Can you share a bit about your creative process and how you approach developing a new piece of art?

It's important for me to have inspiration before I begin a painting. Usually that starts with being in nature and observing. For me specifically watching water and how it abstracts and reflects light seems to be an endless source of inspiration. I take that into the studio and find how I can interpret what I've seen using oil paint keeping an open mind on how the paint flows onto the canvas. 

Your work often features swimmers in various forms and settings. What initially drew you to this subject, and what continues to fascinate you about it?

I've always been fascinated by the intrinsic qualities of water and mainly how it abstracts form and light. By using swimmers as a subject matter, it allows me to abstract the human form that seems to have endless variations. In a way, I like that swimmers in my paintings are recognizable even though they are so abstracted. At the same time, I think for most people, swimming in general, whether in the ocean or pool, brings a sense of nostalgia and carefree memories. 

How do you choose the colors and materials for your paintings, and how do they influence the final outcome of your work?

Nature helps decide on colors for me. And once I've decided on a direction for composition and color for a painting the oil paints help me convey a sense of fluidity in my work. Working with large amounts of oil paint allows for quite a bit of movement of oil on the canvas as I manipulate the paint. Some happy accidents happen, as I'm open to spontaneous mixing of color directly on the canvas. 

Can you talk about any specific experiences or inspirations that have significantly impacted your art?

Again, I always head back to nature to find inspiration. I've spent my life in the ocean and am immersed in some form of water almost daily. Studying art classically in San Francisco and Italy, helped me find the foundation for striving to create works that have quality and concept. As a student in the past, seeing how masters have interpreted their surroundings in their work hugely inspired me to find my own vision and interpretation of my experiences in my work.