Melanie Trout Anderson, Artist and Educator

Artist and educator, Melanie Trout Anderson joins to show to talk about teaching during the pandemic, what inspires her, how she got her start, her ADORABLE dog art, and more.

Anderson earned her BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Memphis and her Masters of Art Education from Memphis College of Art.  She began her career as a graphic designer and served as the Director of Advertising for Catherine's Stores Corporation for fifteen years before becoming an art educator.  She is a working artist, high school art teacher, and dog advocate living in Arlington, TN, a suburb of Memphis. She was recently named the West TN Art Educator of the Year.  She serves on the board of the TN Art Education Association, and is Youth Art Month Chairman for the state of Tennessee

Anderson is most recognized for her large scale paintings of colorful, happy dogs. Her personal artwork was published in 2014 and 2016 by North Light Books Incite: Mixed Media Series, and was featured in August 2020 in the a special edition Acrylic Works compilation from Artists Magazine.  Her work and teaching practices were featured in the 2019 college textbook release Teaching and Learning in Art Education by Deborah Sickler-Voigt.  Anderson is in the process of writing a book entitled You Can Be A Maker: How to Find the Time and Space to Create due for release in 2021. Her work can be found in personal art collections around the country. To view or commission her work visit www.melanieanderson.net  

Artist Statement: Why I paint dogs...

"Dogs are gifts wrapped in spontaneity and freshness.  A dog's experience is always new, even when catching the Frisbee for the fifty-seventh time.  With open hearts and soaring spirits, they brightly color our world.  My paintings represent the pure nature of liberation that dogs embody.  They remind me to be fully present and free.  I am lucky enough to have two willing subjects of my own to inspire me daily.  Their antics provide me with an endless amount of subject matter." Melanie Anderson

To learn more about Melanie, or to follow her social media, check out the links below.
Website:  melanieanderson.net
Instagram: @melanietanderson @girlsnightart
FB: Melanie Trout Anderson