Walter Inglis Anderson Blog

Welcome to the Walter Inglis Anderson blog, where we dive into the life and legacy of one of the Gulf Coast’s most visionary artists. Whether you're a long-time collector or just discovering his "Realizations," here is everything you need to know.

Are Walter Anderson prints valuable?

Yes, they are highly sought after, though the value varies significantly depending on whether you are looking at an original vintage piece or a modern realization.

• Market Value: Original watercolors and hand-colored linocuts have fetched anywhere from $100 to over $40,000 at auction. His works on paper have averaged around $8,700 in recent years.

• Accessibility: Anderson’s own philosophy was that art should be affordable. In the 1940s, he sold his large linoleum block prints for just "a dollar a foot." Today, the Walter Anderson Museum of Art and the family-run shop, Realizations, continue this mission by offering prints that allow anyone to bring a piece of his nature-inspired world into their home at accessible prices.

What is Walter Anderson famous for?

Walter Inglis Anderson is famous for being a premier American Modernist, naturalist, and reclusive genius. He is best known for:

• Horn Island: For the last 16 years of his life, he lived a reclusive existence, rowing 12 miles in a small skiff to Horn Island to live in "primitive" conditions and paint the local flora and fauna.

• The Little Room: After his death, his family discovered a padlocked room in his cottage. Every inch of the walls was covered in a breathtaking mural depicting a single day on the Mississippi coast—a masterpiece now preserved at his museum.

• Stylized Nature: His unique style—vibrant, rhythmic, and geometric—captured the "spirit" of animals and plants rather than just their physical form.

What happened to Walter Anderson?

Walter Anderson’s life was marked by both profound creativity and personal struggle. In the late 1930s, he suffered a mental breakdown and was institutionalized several times, once even escaping a hospital to walk 1,000 miles back to Mississippi.

Seeking peace, he eventually separated from his family and lived in a small cottage at Shearwater, spending long stretches in solitude on Horn Island. He died on November 30, 1965, at the age of 62 from lung cancer. It was only after his passing that the true extent of his genius—thousands of watercolors and the secret "Little Room" murals—was revealed to the world.

Are Walter and Peter Anderson related?

Yes, they were brothers. Peter Anderson was the eldest brother and a master potter who founded Shearwater Pottery in 1928. Walter worked as a designer and decorator for Peter’s business for decades, often applying his intricate nature-inspired designs to Peter’s hand-thrown pottery. Their younger brother, James ("Mac") Anderson, was also a talented artist and decorator at the family business.

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Explore the Realizations

If you are looking to add his iconic style to your collection, you can find a variety of his famous block prints and designs here:

• Blue Heron Block Print – A stunning depiction of the coast's most elegant bird.

• Alligator in the Marsh Grass – Capturing the power and rhythm of the Mississippi wetlands.

• Pelicans in Flight – A classic motif from Anderson’s Horn Island logs.

• An Alphabet Series – Whimsical and bold designs originally created for children.

For more information on the artist, visit the Walter Anderson Museum of Art or browse the full collection at Redkalion.