About

Experience – Ian Anderson Artist Biography

Ian worked as a graphic artist, campaign designer and illustrator with over 35 years experience in a variety of commercial and non-commercial studios. The accolades include being an Assistant Art Director, Creative Director, Fashion illustrator, editorial illustrator, political cartoonist, campaign director and general artist learning the twists and turns of an industry travelling through major changes from drafting board to computers. 

•  2017> Ian’s art introduced to the streets of the world with Vida and Feast Fashion
•  2016> After many false starts and some moments of angst, Ian plunged into full-time fine art as a professional opening his small art gallery/studio in Warkworth, New Zealand. The studio/gallery showcases original art and reproductions viewed on this website.
•  2012> After a major cathartic experience, Ian started the journey to become a full-time fine artist, craftsman, illustrator, and photographer. The following four years he juggled between photography, graphic design, painting, leather carving and setting up a brand ID for the legacy of Ian Anderson Fine Art (IAFA). The full-time goal is painting, poetry, photography, illustration, leather art, book publishing, giftware, reproduction prints, and education.
•  Multi award-winning wedding and portrait photography and oil painting in recognition for excellence Australia, New Zealand, and The USA.
•  Conversant with creative technologies (Mac, Adobe, Microsoft, WordPress).
•  1994> Commercial and real estate photographer.
•  1992> Developing familiarity with trends in management thinking and still learning in the forever changing business environment. 
•  Highly developed graphic, fine art, photography, leather craft carving, illustration, and digital art skills. Graphic designer and illustrator.
•  1992> Managing Director of Legal Graffiti Design Ltd inc. Hot Shots Creative Photography in Warkworth, New Zealand.
•  Moderately successful multi-award winning wedding and portrait photographer.
•  1990> Business Networking International (BNI), Orewa and Warkworth, New Zealand. (Past President)
•  Warkworth Squash. (Past Committee Member)
•  Warkworth Business Association. (Past Committee Member)
•  1987> Solo, invite, group and retrospective exhibitions of paintings with works hanging in private, business and government collections worldwide.
•  1983> Political and editorial cartoonist/illustrator for The Christchurch Press, Wellington Evening Post, and The Dominion.
•  1982> Successful advertising campaigns, art direction, and project management.
•  1981-1990s> Adult education tutor in creative illustration, portraiture, painting, photography, cartooning and leather work in Christchurch, Auckland, and Warkworth, New Zealand.
•  1981> Ian flew back to New Zealand, a free man. He became a youth leader and worked as a handyman, leather craftsman and commercial studio artist in Christchurch.
•  1979> With a conscience conviction, Ian flew back to Perth fronting up to his past and paid his dues.
•  1976> The lights went on. After a trance (or vision/visit to heaven – no exact words to describe and not drugs related!) and 2 parabolic dreams, Jesus spirit, without condemnation and in broad daylight, replayed his life in a supernatural movie. While sitting on a stolen backpack on the side of SH6 at Lake Hayes, New Zealand Ian’s supernatural God encounter brought the peace and assurance he was searching for. God exposed all his hidden secrets, deceit, lies, thefts, guilt, shame, identity confusion and the bitter loneliness that plagues a proud, self-righteous and stubborn heart.
•  1974> Moved to New Zealand hiding for 7 years (or was it running scared from his past) with a police record and 2 warrants out for his arrest.
•  1970-76> 6 years in the hippy drug scene searching for peace and meaning to life. In and out of eastern mysticism, cults, witchcraft, religions, philosophies, sexual pursuits, personal gurus, occult healing, growing dope, dealing drugs and the roadie and part-time percussionist for Afro Rock band “Mother Lode”
•  1970> Off the rails, artist-craftsman working primarily in leather and drug counter-culture folk art. Suicidal, murderous, anti-social, anti-materialism, anti-capitalism and hungry for love in sexual exploits.
•  1968> Commercial advertising artist and neon designer, Perth, West Australia.
•  1965> First Jobs. Junior clerk, postman, and lineman in training, Perth, West Australia.

Passions

•  Windsurfer in the making. 
•  Squash, cycling, swimming, and tennis keep his heart rate pumping.
•  Music – percussionist and learning guitarist.
•  Unashamed, Ian honors Jesus as the doorway to all his love and joy.
•  Helping the underprivileged and despised ostracized orphans of the world into a better slice of the pie.

Cathartic experience

Have you heard these statements? “Artists don’t make money before they die”, “Being an artist is not a real job”, “Artists are hopeless at business”, Artists are not normal”. Alongside all the other dream stealing conversations ignorantly thrown at many creatives is the opposite dilemma of putting the outspoken ones on a pedestal.

One morning I realized how I had taken all that junk on board and an angry stubbornness rose up within me to blurt out this statement. “Who has the right to tell me I can’t or won’t succeed with my gifts while I still have to pay the accountant and electrician, buy clothes for my back and food for my belly but I won’t make money while I am alive because I am an artist”?

Lumbered with this monkey on my back, it all seemed so unfair to tell me I could not fulfill my dream as an artist. Then to add salt to my wound, supposedly after I am dead others will make the capital gain on my poverty inflicted useless paintings that no one would pay for because it served no real value in our society.

I went to my knees before heaven and asked for some direction and wisdom. A new passion was born with an answer. Ian Anderson was gifted to pursue his dream and no one had the right to destroy the dream.

Wake up call

That morning’s wake-up call put fire in my belly and I set sail to prove the dream stealers wrong. I wrote a poem and story about my revelation and a vision to paint from the insight. I plan to create the painting later in my journey … so watch this space.

At the time of seeing this with my new mindset I realized I am gifted, why don’t I use what I have in stock photography, old drawings, paintings, and leather work to frame up, and display on walls. I had to build a website for the world to see and let you decide its place in our time.

In 2012 I went to Melbourne, Australia to spend 2 days at a Salvador Dali exhibition. My passion was further developed at the National Gallery of Victoria when I realized I was missing out because I undervalued who I was and what I am gifted to do. I stood in front of a Rembrandt and wept my heart out.

My passion was further enhanced on the Yarra River when in conversation over a cup of coffee, my niece blurted out this profound statement. “Just paint what you want to paint and let us decide”. One is never too old to learn. I’m now forever grateful to Jade.

You decide 

So here I am, after a long roller coaster ride of emotions, my presentation, Ian Anderson Artist Biography is here for you to decide.

Just buy before I die so I can pay for my own headstone as a successful artist. I don’t want the Government to foot the bill and pay for a poor artist’s grave. My goal is to leave a legacy behind for other generations to be inspired. This will be in a branded copyright to capitalize on the financial markets want to own a dead artist’s works.

I am currently looking for a worthy compassionate organization to consider for our support.

Thanx to you all.

Ian.