Conversations with Kersteen Anderson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kersteen Anderson.

Hi Kersteen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My creative life began as a kid; I made things, drew pictures constantly, and eventually learned to craft and sew from my parents, who were both European-trained as tailors. I landed in art school at CSULB and graduated BFA in Textile and Surface Design. It’s called Fiber now, I think. After a very long and circuitous career loop through sales, home furnishing manufacturing, scenic art for theme park design and finally my own contract/decorative painting company; (I spent 20 years there), and participating in some exceptional creative projects; I finally came home to my fine art roots after scaling my company back about three and a half years ago.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have yet to find a smooth road in life with the exception of my marriage! 😀

In the earlier days, I was a single divorced parent with 2 small children. Navigating the hectic scenic schedule (I worked in Burbank and lived in Manhattan Beach) to eventually starting a subcontracting business here in the desert was always a challenge. Not wanting to sound cliche; but entering the very male construction world as a woman with no experience in that field was no joke, either. Eventually, I paved my path, developed an excellent reputation and as with all things, proved my worth by delivering excellent results and dependability.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Because of my background, I’m currently obsessed with the materiality and structure of construction materials. The same ones used daily in the building of a home or commercial building. The stuff we rely on to surround us with sanctuary, safety, and familiarity but never see or touch. So, the forgotten……… The many lives that are responsible for all this are also forgotten when its time for the recipient to move in and claim it as their own. I elevate the material as well as the souls who craft these materials, with all their expertise and experience into the final product.

Statement:
Most people never see or touch the material I choose to make my work.
I challenge common construction materials to become vulnerable and transform into something for which they were never intended.
Lath wire, concrete, joint compound, drywall, glass and roofing paper all find their way into my sculpture.
I add color with aerosol, chemical patination, house paint or heat.
Accentuating and introducing patterns, lines and forms through digital photography and print.
The push and distortion of standard forms, scale and the rules of fabrication to reveal emotion, human energy

…….and to begin a conversation

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
German was my first language.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kandersandersonfineart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.andersanderson/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=k.%20anders%20anderson%20fine%20art
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kersteen-anderson-7783998/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0c7gBMiYg7MqsmYK-o55qQ

Image Credits
@visualcache Adam Martinez Palm Springs Lighting & Grip