An Artist Statement from Clif

“My involvement in art and music is the ‘Spice Of Life’ that drives me. As in the different movements of Chopin, the surface of the canvas can show movements with brush, color, and contrast of modulating forms. I aspire to use every brush stroke with form as a note with color. My earlier works reflect my growth as a student at the University of the Arts. At that time, I focused on portraiture; however, after traveling to the Netherlands, France, Italy, and Jamaica—along with exposure to Studio Incamminati—I am now able to broaden my style of painting. Having retired from teaching art in 2007, it freed me up to be totally inspired and at times I let my art lead me to new areas of exploration which is evident in my recent masks and collage/mixed media works.”

Clif Anderson
Clif H. Anderson with painting

Clif’s Biography

Clif graduated from the University of the Arts in 1969. While teaching in Philadelphia Public Schools, he went on to advance his studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Studio Incamminati, Fleisher Art Memorial…and earned a master’s degree in Special Education at Antioch Graduate School.

Despite Clif’s choosing to attend an art college, he had an extensive background in music, studying double bass with Ferdinand Maresh of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Clif has performed with many symphony orchestras.

Currently, Clif continues his involvement in art and music by attending Fleisher Art Memorial classes and is the principal bassist with the Delaware County Symphony at Neumann University, the Thomas Jefferson University Orchestra, and occasionally fills in with the Main Line Symphony.

Taking his music to another level, Clif formed a duet called Duet de Jardin which combines a bassoon player, Edward Ziegman and Clif on double bass. Together they have performed locally at various retirement communities, senior centers, libraries, book stores, and art shows.