
ANDY DICKSON

ARTIST BIO
Andy Dickson is a painter and printmaker from Long Beach, California. He grew up in Southern and Central California and was introduced to landscape painting at a young age through his family’s friendships with southwest painter Joella Jean Mahoney and American watercolorist Milford Zornes. In 1998, Andy took a watercolor workshop with Zornes, which inspired him to pursue landscape painting as a career. A year later, he began attending California State University Long Beach, where he was able to study with Yu Ji and Domenic Cretara, two outstanding teachers who emphasized an observational approach to painting and drawing. After completing his MFA, Andy developed a love for teaching art. For the past fifteen years he has been a professor in the Art Department at California State University, Fullerton, where he specializes in teaching foundation courses in painting and drawing.
From the flood channels of the Los Angeles River and industrial landscapes of the Port of Long Beach to remote desert spaces, much of Andy’s artwork can be characterized by its focus on ordinary and unconventional locations that are often overlooked. He has developed a unique body of work dedicated to the landscape of the Salton Sea in the California desert and has participated in multiple exhibitions related to the recognition and preservation of this unique and under-appreciated region of California.

CURATOR'S COMMENTS
Andy Dickson is a master painter and printmaker who teaches both the how-to and the joy of making art. Andy has helped a great many college students on their artistic journeys, both as an instructor and through his work coordinating art studies for students traveling to and studying in Europe.
Andy’s painting style is crisp, giving the illusion of greater detail than is actually on the canvas. This style is effective whether he is painting a coastline, structures or desert landscapes.
Andy believes that good painting springs from developing the ability to observe. Art instruction that helps students see the beauty of everyday things will improve their art and enhance their everyday lives.