ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES - ANGUS MACPHERSON

Angus MacPherson (1952-) juxtaposes the chaos and absolute serenity of nature in his dramatic landscapes, many of which are derived from the balance of ever-changing skies to earth over his native New Mexico. As in nature, his paintings reveal explosions of color in which the results are not necessarily predictable yet radiate possibilities in all directions, creating breathtaking beauty.

A third generation New Mexican, MacPherson was certain about his commitment to life as an artist from the age of twelve yet struggled for years, a self-described "student of chaos," working whatever jobs would allow him the opportunity to paint. The artist was able to devote his energies to his painting full-time beginning in 1983, living and working in a studio on the top of the home he shares with his wife and two daughters in Albuquerque.

MacPherson's acrylics on canvas embody many of the qualities of the watercolor he first worked with: "The event is unique as wet color mixes with wet color. The results are not predictable. When paint acts on its own, it can be very instructive. The artist will manipulate the paint, but the random behavior of the paint may best represent the random behavior of the world. The painter's job is to learn when to hold back and when to let go." Although he makes no notes or advance sketches as he begins a painting and prefers to work directly from his experience, MacPherson recognizes completion as he begins to paint less and look more.

"In our skies we see the drama in constant production. Patterns and chaos. Colors constantly changing, cloud shapes of very configuration, with light forming lines around them, or forming halos about them, or reflecting off them...patterns of rain that are then disrupted by lightening or sunlight or landscape... Nature is never finished. Everything, every event is unique. Our work is never done."