Check out Dallas Anderson’s Artwork

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

Dallas, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I grew up in Black Forest, CO, and have been drawing since I could hold a pencil. I used to draw Garfield every day and knew I would be a cartoonist when I grew up. In elementary I took art classes at Bemis Art School, but was asked to leave quickly when I was just too hyper for the class. I never took any other art classes except what was offered in the Colorado school system until Senior year of high school when I took a class on Visual Communications at Pikes Peak Community College. After that I didn’t draw as much for a long time. I only seemed to draw when I was trying to impress a girl, as I thought any life made from art is near impossible.

I moved to Phoenix almost a decade ago when I was a 25-year-old professional, all-star alcoholic. Not yet admitting I had a problem, the drink almost took my life, but I was able to find sobriety in the Valley of the Sun and have been sober now for almost 8 years. When I first started getting sober is when I started drawing again. It was not only a great way to spend time, but it helped me let out everything I had inside. I met my wife shortly after getting sober, and she is who pushed me toward art again saying “the world needs to see this”. Now I spend more time drawing, creating, taking photos, painting, anything creative (except dancing, I am no good at that) than I do on anything else.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
The number 1 question I hate as an artist is when someone asks “What do you do?” If I had to choose, I love pencil drawing cartoon characters, and inking them in black ink, but really, I just create. Lately I’ve been painting on wood and wood burning a lot. I still draw with pencil, ink, and marker daily. Photos, I love photos; I take 4 at a time of every moment I can.

More importantly is the meaning behind what I do, and that is just to inspire. We all only have this one life to live, so do what you love while living it. I want someone to see my art and take away whatever they need to inspire them to reach for the greatness inside. One of my favorite comments on my art is “Awesome, this just inspired me!” If we all can inspire each other, every day, imagine the world we could live in.

Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
It is prime time to be an artist today. With social media, you can reach people across the world. Most of my fans are in Phoenix, but 2nd city is New York, and I have a lot of fans in Brazil just because of social media. You can also have all the tools you need to do everything for yourself now, no gallery fee’s, no advertising fee’s, unless you want it. Phoenix is a hub of opportunity itself. With Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, and Gilbert alone, you can go to an art festival every day of the week.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Website in the works and will be out soon. I hope to have my first art show this September in the Phoenix area. Right now, you can find me on Instagram @ifollowturtles If anyone want to work with me on any project, or for commission requests email ifollowturtles@gmail.com

Contact Info:

• Phone: 480-347-6672
• Email: ifollowturtles@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifollowturtles
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ifollowturtles

Image Credit:
Dallas Anderson

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