From the get go, I was marked as “the kid in class who could draw the best.” Because I struggled academically, there seemed no choice but to pursue art in college.
Twenty years later, I tried to get a Washington DC gallery to represent my work, but they said I was “all over the place” in subject matter and media. In essence, I didn’t have a theme that was marketable.
But I do have a theme – “all over the place.” I’m a restless experimenter. Perhaps not worthy of a gallery, my works on paper, if nothing else, make an appetizing website menu item.
Click on any image to enlarge and appreciate the detail.
“Taos Pueblo,” 34 x 44. Charcoal on paper
The incredible structures at Taos Pueblo gave me the inspiration to dig into a Cubist-style depiction with this charcoal abstract.
“Fins, Black and White,” 32 x 37. Charcoal on paper
More Cubist-style breakdown, this time of the rock formations I encountered while traveling through Arches National Park in Utah.
“Fins in Color,” 24 x 36. Chalk pastel on paper
After the “Fins” study done in black and white, I went to color.
“New Mexico Landscape,” 19 x 29. Charcoal on paper
An even further breakdown of the southwest landscape.
“Black Paint Palette,” 15 x 23. India ink on paper
My palette of black pigments inspired me to create another painting, this high contrast graphic composition achieved with inks.
“Orchestra at Ground Level,” 15 x 23. Inks on paper
My fascination with musicians carried over from individuals to orchestras, best captured in a limited number or color inks.
“Ranchos de Taos Church,” 19 x 26. Oil pastel on paper
Basically, a study juxtaposing a timeless structure with the fleeting.
“Caps-Maple Leafs’ Bench,” 24 x 35. Markers on paper
One of my first forays into using markers, capturing a frozen moment in time between the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Moving on to a more photorealistic approach with markers.
“Maureen,” 18 x 24. Conte stick on paper
One of my first satisfying portraits, thanks to a great art teacher, and a classmate who chose to model one day in my high school art class.
Mike Andberg 