Member Spotlight:
Bert Anderson Collection
It has been said that every artist captures a
bit of themselves in their work. It certainly is true for Lincoln artist Bert Anderson.
Wait a minute you might think, everything Bert creates is er, ah, well, it’s small.
You may look at Bert and scratch your head because by any definition he is a
tall, solidly built man of stature. Let’s just say it, Bert is a big guy!
So where do we find that little bit of “Bert-ness” in each of his tiny
figures? Look closely at Bert’s kind face, the twinkle in his eyes, the
mouth that is perpetually turned up a bit at the corners, ready to explode into
a boyish grin and a booming laugh. See it now? Every one of Bert’s ornaments
and figures appears to be privy to some inside humor or a private joke,
creating an expression somewhere between impish grins and private Mona
Lisa-like smiles.
Since boyhood, Bert has been sculpting ideas
in clay. Anderson has tackled a broad range of subject matter; from Santas, to
gnomes to snowmen and cowboys. Those massive hands of his have tackled them
all. It is a real treat to watch Bert’s broad shoulders intently bent over a
small stand as his huge hands skillfully execute impossibly tiny details that
bring each creation to life.
Michelangelo chiseled away at marble until as
he described, the figure inside the stone was released and made free.
Bert works his magic in polymer clay. But, before there can be a figurine or
ornament, there must be an idea and he says he gets his ideas from “all over’”.
Memories from childhood or a face in the crowd can spark an inspiration. “I
never start with a finished image in mind,” he explains. “I like to let the
clay have a say in what the final piece will look like. Sometimes the best
ideas seem to jump out of the clay as I’m working. I’m always adding things and
taking them away, trying different looks until I’m satisfied with the results.
It’s my hope that this method of sculpting gives a feeling of spontaneity to
the piece.”
When one of Anderson’s new creations is finished and fired, skilled artisans
prepare a latex mold of the original that exacts every detail. Next, a special
resin is poured into the mold. After a curing for just the right amount of
time, the casting is removed from the mold. Finally, after all the seam lines
have been scrupulously cleaned, the piece is hand painted and antiqued. The
added touch of antiquing brings out all of the detail while giving each piece
an old-world look. Careful attention is paid during all phases of the
production process so that each and every one is true to the original. The
final result is an exact copy of Bert’s original work and ready for someone to
enjoy in their home.
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| Available at BuyNebraska.com |
While each collection or subject matter has
its own unique look, one element always shines through and that is his
trademark humor. Look closely and you might catch one of Bert’s gags, puns or a
subtle little smirk that makes you smile – or laugh out loud.
Bert graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts
degree, not really knowing what he wanted to do. All along, he had been
sculpting pieces time for family and friends but never considered that making
figurines was a viable option or a possible career move. Once he found a method
to reproduce his work, everything changed. He was able to produce a line of
items of exceptional quality that could be enjoyed by everyone.
Bert has endeared himself to a huge following of devotees who anxiously await his latest creations. The variety of his artistic expression is almost limitless. From alligators and armadillos to zebras, the animal collection includes his whimsical renditions of fish, birds, turtles, bears, moose, lions and tigers and bears, (oh my!). Another favorite theme among his fans is his lineup of Husker characters like Little Red, Herbie Husker, Touchdown Santa and more.
Bert has endeared himself to a huge following of devotees who anxiously await his latest creations. The variety of his artistic expression is almost limitless. From alligators and armadillos to zebras, the animal collection includes his whimsical renditions of fish, birds, turtles, bears, moose, lions and tigers and bears, (oh my!). Another favorite theme among his fans is his lineup of Husker characters like Little Red, Herbie Husker, Touchdown Santa and more.
According to Anderson, “There are two aspects
of this venture that make all the work worthwhile. First is the thrill of
seeing a personality emerge from a lump of clay. The second is that people
enjoy my work enough that they take one of my pieces into their homes and make
it a part of their lives. As an artist, that is the greatest compliment any
could give me.”
You’ll find an extensive collection of Bert
Anderson’s work in both GROW Nebraska retail stores. In Kearney, the GROW
Nebraska store is located in the Hilltop Mall and in Grand Island, you’ll find
us at the Conestoga Mall. Or, shop 24/7/365 in your jammies at BuyNebraska.com. Bert would
like that too!
GROW Nebraska is a program of Central Plains Foundation Inc., and helps maximize the state’s entrepreneurial spirit and build the global reputation of Nebraska businesses by providing sustainable business environments through business-building marketing and education. To learn more about GROW Nebraska or Nebraska entrepreneurs and businesses, visit www.grownebraska.org.
