Norwegian artist Atle Berner Andersen inspired by everyday items

Sensuous ambers and oak-like yellows resonate throughout the work of artist, Atle Berner Andersen. His ability to take ordinary items and elevate them to fine art, is the hallmark of his artistic genius.

“I have been painting since elementary school,” said Andersen. “As I turned 60 in 2009, after nearly 40 years as an art director and graphic designer, I decided it was time to do something else.”

Andersen opened a web gallery featuring his work. His graphic design background still influences his work. “Graphic form and color palette is important to me,” explains Andersen. “I aim for simplicity and clarity. I believe objects have their own intrinsic charm and identity. I try to give each object life with my brush strokes and color palette.”

Working out of a studio in his childhood home, Andersen finds infinite inspiration from the old objects like jars, bottles and tools scattered about. Many of the items are tools of his father’s carpenter trade.

“I think these tools are perfect models for my paintings and I love to make them come alive.”

When Andersen hits a creative roadblock he finds inspiration in other artists/galleries on internet. “Or, I take a stroll in the city visiting bookshops, galleries and just relax with a good glass of wine and a cigar.”

Andersen is an award winning advertising art director taking home a gold and silver award in the international Cannes advertising film festival.

But, when it comes to success as a fine artist he said, “Be active. Use the internet as a way to communicate and to learn what other people think about your work. I have a total of more than 2,000 comments on my Flickr site.”

Like many of the artists I’ve interviewed Andersen wished he had started his fine art career earlier. “Even though I made my first painting as a 10 year old I should started my fine art career earlier. Busy with my career as a designer and art director, I started concentrating on my fine art career only 3 years ago.”

Andersen finds the internet a profitable place to sell his work. Although he admits, “While it is cost effective to sell online, sometimes it is nice to meet your buyers face to face.”

Andersen’s work ranges from 300 euro ($425) for original paintings to 100 euro ($142) for gliese prints. His work is available online at: www.galleriberner.no or by emailing the artist at: aba@galleriberner.no You can also view his work at: www.flickr.com/photos/galleriberner.