Local Artist Captures 40 Years of Catalina in New Book

By: Chris MacDonald 

A local artist, whose work has been exhibited in Mexico, Italy, Greece, Latvia, Holland, France and the United States, has a new art book on his 40 years of memorializing the beauty that was, is and will forever be Catalina Island.

With passion, Sunset Beach Gallery Owner Bill Anderson has created a marvelous masterpiece showing the magic and magnificence of Catalina. Using realism and abstraction, sketches and watercolors, the artisan puts the viewer on the island, peering out at the boats in the bay by moonlight, hiking through the hills, dining among the bustle of nightlife and gazing in awe at the sweeping Avalon panorama.

Anderson gives particular attention to the jewel's landmark—the incredible, Catalina Island Casino, which some refer to as the Avalon Ballroom. With his pencil and paintbrush, he meticulously documents the majestic structure from every angle—looking at it from the sea, down from the hilltops, at each side from various levels and angles.

He has painted Catalina with internationally-recognized artists—Milford Zornes, whose work is in the Smithsonian, White House and Metropolitan Museum, and Raul Anguiano, once Mexico's most famous living muralist. Anguiano said he liked "Bill's unique and personal style of painting." Zornes said Anderson "is a painter in the true sense of the word." Anderson's sketches and photos of both renown artists are in the book.

This delightful publication—full of contrast from pencil sketches to bright watercolors—will inspire those who have been to Catalina, to return, and those who have never been, to go, and those who live there, to appreciate it even more. Also, it will inspire other artists to paint the unique paradise—from its landscape and nautical life to its charming structures and people. It will give you a glimpse of what makes Catalina magic.

"Catalina Island—Through the Eyes of Artist Bill Anderson" reveals a genuine love affair by a humble man— a retired local school art teacher—who visits Catalina often and gazes at it from his gallery, next to Captain Jack's Restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway in Sunset Beach. For further information, contact Bill Anderson at Anderson Art Gallery, 562-592-4393; aagcollection@aol.com or P.O. 1710, Sunset Beach, CA 90742.

Artist Bill Anderson is pictured in front of his favorite Catalina Watercolor, which is in the book. (Photo By Kerri Petrakis)