Walt Anderson’s work to be featured in Canadian festival.
This is the sixth time Anderson has submitted to AFC, and his work has been accepted each time. Last year, Anderson was honored by with their highest award, the Simon Combes Conservation Artist Award. AFC’s mission is to support wildlife and habitat conservation and environmental education through art that celebrates nature.
A retired environmental studies professor from Prescott College, Anderson was inspired to draw the king penguin after seeing thousands of them on South Georgia Island in the sub-Antarctic and the Falkland Islands.
“When you begin painting wildlife, you start to relate to it,” he said. “The features of the king penguin, its soft feathers and leathery feet, were a nice contrast with the rocks on the beach.” He says the most challenging part of drawing the gentle creature was making sure he didn’t make any mistakes.
“You really need to focus. You don’t want any stray marks. You want to create a feeling of depth.”
Onlookers would not know that Anderson is retired when they look at his schedule, as he continues to mix art, science, photography, writing and teaching. He taught two classes this summer at Playa at Summer Lake in Oregon, focusing on the convergence of science and nature.
One class was “Great Birding in the Great Basin.” The other was “A Naturalist’s Way of Seeing.” There were no requirements for getting into the classes, but students were at different levels of knowing about nature. Most were retired; some were younger, but none were college age, which Anderson was used to teaching.
This was the first time Anderson taught at Playa, but he has served two residencies there and served on their Science Council. “It was a way of giving back to a place that means a lot to me. It’s a beautiful location that is inspiring.”
Playa at Summer Lake brings scientists and artists together. The residencies provide lodging and meals. He says a number of Prescott College teachers and students have been to Playa.
Anderson’s classes involve field work. “A Naturalist’s Ways of Seeing” gave each student the assignment of studying a different plant in the woods for 90 minutes and provided students a chance to offer their classmates a deeper description of the plant.
“People see things in different ways, so this gives others a different way of seeing. I call it informed imagination because it combines learned knowledge and information,” he said.
The students at Playa would use their experience in the field to write, paint or assimilate the information. “The students gave shockingly kind testimonials. They love the place and class. There is a wildlife refuge full of birds nearby, so there is a lot to see. Some said the experience had really changed their lives.”
Conservation remains a key to Anderson’s work, whether it’s engaging with Artists and Biologists United for Nature (ABUN) in Africa or preserving the Dells locally.
Life-Changing Opportunity
When I was 14, I had the chance to teach nature and conservation-related merit badges as a Boy Scout. I was the only young merit badge counselor, and it set me off on my career.
Backup Career
I am living my backup career. When I was teaching at Prescott College, I didn’t have a backup plan because I was 100% invested. Since I retired from Prescott College about eight years ago, I have been creating art, photography and writing.
Who I Would Take to Lunch
I had the chance to visit with Jane Goodall in Tanzania. She’s an inspiration, and I would love to have lunch with her, if our paths crossed again.
Favorite Hobbies
Doing my art, writing and photography.
Most Relaxing Vacation
My residency at Playa was a restorative vacation because I was away from devices and in close touch with nature. I love being a naturalist. QCBN
By Stan Bindell, QCBN
Photo courtesy of Carly Taylor: Retired Prescott College instructor Walt Anderson leads nature walks at The Dells in Prescott.
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