About

Kal Anderson plays along the continuum of impressionism to abstract, showcasing his mastery of color and texture across techniques and mediums. After training in watercolor and oil, he took the techniques specific to those mediums and applies them in a mixed media context—particularly color mixing, glazed layers, and playing with transparency. Through economy of line and movement, the techniques and carefully chosen colors can shine in their simplicity.

The later works of J. M. W. Turner and Monet have influenced Kal, particularly in the use of light, color, and composition. He is influenced by Georgia O’keefe, in her use of nature to such precision as to tend abstract. Laura Aguilar’s Nature Self Portrait series has informed Kal’s work, in connecting the self to the landscape. Additionally, Kal is influenced by Félix González-Torres in his use of quiet simplicity to discuss deeply personal and complex topics.

He is dedicated to supporting his local queer community here in Boston. He started Queer/Trans Figure Drawing in 2016 and ran that until he closed the doors for community safety with the advent of COVID. Kal curated an art show ‘The Figure is Queer’ at the gallery and studio space, Dorchester Art Project in 2018, which was well written up in WBUR. He has donated a portion of proceeds to BAGLY: The Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth, and donates art to auctions supporting queer youth.

Painting is a grounding and connective practice. Much like a meditation practice, he takes the ability to notice and appreciate small details back with him in his daily life. He uses this duality of richness in simplicity and quiet moments to inform his approach to painting and teaching. He delights in facilitating creative exploration and unblocking with others using play, grounding technique to create feelings of safety and joy to tap into creative ease.

Kal Anderson started his art career at the age of fourteen as an artist's assistant painting backgrounds and washing brushes with Timree Gold. He continued by studying Art History and Studio Art at Oberlin College, graduating with a BA. He was Artist-in-Residence at the Chateau d’Orquevaux in October 2019 and was awarded the Denis Diderot AIR grant to attend. Most recently he released the minimalist abstract collection Because it Makes Me Happy is Reason Enough at Said and Done Tattoo in Boston.