10
community
july18
2019
Remembering Dave Anderson
By Scott Laird
A number of years ago local artists were invit-
ed to create a piece of art from several historic photos
of Vernonia, with the completed artwork raffled as a
fundraiser. I don’t remember what the fundraiser was
for, but I do know that I bought several tickets and put
them all in the jar in front of a painting of the old Ver-
nonia railroad station done by Dave Anderson. I had
met Dave on several occasions, one of those at his art
exhibit “To Break a Butterfly,” and was deeply moved
and touched by his art work.
My name was drawn, and I received that paint-
ing. The next time I saw Dave I told him how lucky and
honored I felt to have received this beautiful piece he
had created, and he in turn told me he was happy that
I was the person who won it. That was Dave – he had
a way of making everyone feel special. That painting
hangs in my living room and will remain one of my
most cherished and treasured possessions for as long as
I live.
I, like so many others in our community, was
saddened to learn of the passing of Dave Anderson on
June 29. I didn’t know Dave as well as I would have
liked, but I know the world is less rich without him.
Many people knew Dave, and his wife Cleone who
passed away in 2017, as members of the community,
and knew him better than I did. He was well liked by
those who knew him, loved by his family, and respect-
ed as an artist.
I was first introduced to Dave when the 22
pieces that make up “To Break a Butterfly,” were on
exhibit at the Vernonia Community Learning Center
in 2013. I had read about him previously here in Ver-
nonia’s Voice when Evan Doyle previewed the show
when it was on display at Pacific University in 2008.
Dave was a professional musician, worked for
national corporations as an ad director, and had owned
his own graphics art business. I know Dave was much
more than his paintings to many people, but it was
through his art that I knew him.
“To Break a Butter-
fly “ is a tribute to the chil-
dren of the Terezin Con-
centration Camp. Through
collage, Dave created a re-
flection of their art, writing,
and emotions; from 1942
to 1944 15,000 children
were imprisoned at Ter-
ezin, Czechoslovakia dur-
ing the Holocaust and less
than 100 survived. While
imprisoned, the children of
Terezin were allowed to ex-
press their emotions through art. Their work was then
hidden in walls and cases so that someday it might be
found and their experiences shared. Dave was touched
by their story and moved to create art from it when his
business partner found a twenty-five-cent book at a ga-
rage sale and gave it to him. The title of the book “I
Never Saw Another Butterfly,” was compiled poetry
from the children of Terezin.
“It is not an easy sub-
ject matter – each piece
takes a lot out of me,” Dave
told Evan in her interview
Imagineering Old to New Again
with him.
I remember the ex-
hibit and the way Dave was
able to set the tone with his
use of colors and images
that was both respectful to
the subject matter, while
telling a most intimate sto-
ry of death and suffering.
His use of dark maroons,
purples, and black, along
with bits of text and relat-
ed objects, left you deeply
saddened. Bright colors
minimally inserted provid-
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ed some glimmer of hope,
even though you knew the
57695 Pebble Creek Road (971) 258-1948
ending to this story was truly horrific. The power of
Dave’s art in this exhibit was how deeply he allowed us
to look into the fragile minds of children who were bru-
tally losing their innocence, all shown with such beauty
and grace.
When Cleone passed I spoke with Dave and
helped him publish her obituary. I saw him several
months later and he didn’t seem well – he looked thin
and tired. He told me he was really struggling. I prom-
ised myself I would invite him to come for dinner. Life
got busy, but just a few months ago I picked up the
phone and called him. He said he had been battling
cancer, but was doing much better. We made plans for
a dinner, but our schedules didn’t mesh, and sadly that
dinner never happened.
I’m not sure I’ve ever met anyone with as much
talent as Dave, who was so humble and genuine. For
someone so accomplished, he was always so gracious
and unpretentious. He seemed so caring and authentic,
a really kind and gentle man.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who knew Dave
as really just an acquaintance, who was also touched by
his talent and his loving soul, and who felt like he was a
life-long friend. He will be missed, and the world now
feels a little more empty.
A Celebration of Life for Dave Anderson will be held
on July 20 at 12:00 pm at the Natal Grange.
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