Q & A – Questions and Artists – Jack Anderson

“A Weather Break” by Jack Anderson.

The Peninsula Pulse has teamed up with the Door County Art League (DCAL) to reprint portions of interviews conducted by Randy Rasmussen, a DCAL Member-at-Large, with various artists from the league. Featured in this issue of the Pulse is an interview with watercolorist Jack Anderson. To read the interviews in their entirety, to sign up for DCAL’s monthly newsletter or for more information visit http://www.doorcountyartleague.org.

Randy Rasmussen (RR): Were you always interested in art or did the interest and aptitude develop later in life?

Jack Anderson (JA): From my earliest memory I was interested in art. Even at age four I think I would have been considered creative. As my education progressed my interest in art grew.

RR: And how did you "find" Door County?

JA: As a teenager I worked for an Illinois Company that rewarded their employees with a yearly vacation on Garrett Bay in Door County. The first time I saw Door County I thought this area was absolutely wonderful. I think even as a teenager, I knew that perhaps I would someday live in Door County. As my life progressed I became more involved in my career as a teacher but still thought about this area. I had brought my best friend to Door County, and he too fell in love with the area. I told him, "someday I am going to have a house up there." Even through military service, the thought of owning property in Door County stayed with both of us. Ultimately, we both did purchase lots, mine sight unseen, near Gills Rock, and we became neighbors. I built my cottage in 1962.

RR: Your education was at Northern Illinois University. Were you an art major? What made you realize the need for advanced education?

JA: I received both my bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Northern Illinois University and have additional post-graduate credits from several other universities. After graduating from Northern Illinois I had a brief stint (one day) picking cherries for, if I recall correctly, $3.75 per day. The value of education became very clear.

RR: When did you begin teaching?

JA: I began teaching in 1959. And more importantly, I met the teacher across the hall. That teacher across the hall was my wife-to-be, Sue, who has been my guiding light. I really consider myself a "voice in the background." We married in 1965.

RR: Did someone or something inspire you to paint specifically in watercolor?

JA: The Door County landscape and Gerhard Miller guided me in the "right direction." I took several classes with Gerhard and felt very comfortable with watercolor. Gerhard was a very accomplished instructor, and I found his classes helpful. I also think just simply painting allows one to develop a style and learning occurs with repetition.

RR: When and where did you start showing your work in Door County?

JA: My paintings were first "exhibited" at the old Sunset Restaurant (now named the Shoreline) in northern Door County in the late sixties. Sue and I were living in our cottage with no telephone. People would come to the restaurant and see my work and then be sent to our home to see other paintings. All hours of the day and without warning we would have an interested buyer show up. I remember Sue pushing laundry out of the way and inviting the patrons in to view my work. Gratifying to me but still a bit much. We decided we had to find another location to display my work. We found a location in Gills Rock which was in the lower level of a commercial fishing business. We put in pegboards and moved some of the fishing paraphernalia out of the way and opened the door. There were some minor problems but business was good. Phil Austin asked if he could display his work at our gallery, and we were happy to give him space. In 1972/1973 the lake was at an almost all time high and we had a major problem. We were flooded with almost a foot of water. We took our pegboards and work and moved upstairs. Our location changed several times during the following years culminating in the 1990 building of the Jack Anderson Gallery in Sister Bay.

RR: Now, I understand the Jack Anderson Gallery has been sold. Who is the new owner and when will they be taking over?

JA: The sale will be completed early in January. We have operated galleries in Door County for 36 years, and both Sue and I are ready for a change. David Frykman is the purchaser, and he and his family do carving and photography.

RR: Jack, do you think your work has changed over the years?

JA: Well, it is said that as one gets older one uses more red. Unconsciously I think I am using more red in my palette. I also am probably painting a bit "tighter" than I used to. I am always working on staying loose…there’s always something to work on.

RR: How has Door County changed since you first arrived?

JA: Well obviously there are more people, but as we discussed earlier, when one gets off the main roads there is still tremendous natural beauty that remains essentially unspoiled. I do miss many of the barns that have been torn down or collapsed. Some of the beautiful farm scenes have changed.

RR: Do you have reference photos of the old Door County?

JA: I do have a substantial number of slides. Phil Austin’s widow, when Phil passed away, gave me his collection of Door County photographs, so I do have many reference photos.

RR: Considering your long career as a successful working artist, what are you most proud of?

Randy Rasmussen painting a watercolor en plein air.

JA: I am most proud of the fact that people liked my work. It is gratifying to know that my paintings have been appreciated.