Three examples come to mind: the aboriginal art of the indigenous peoples of Australia, the native art of Central and West Africa, and some of the cave paintings from Lascaux. Like Anderson, each produced colorful, realistic, yet unique depictions of nature and animals. Shown here from left to right are Australian Aboriginal Art, Folk Art from Tanzania, and a poster of one of the Cave Paintings from 10-15,000 BC in Lascaux, France. Note the similarity in texture and line to Anderson, the fact that the animals almost curve, and that we have an anatomical element within each of the three interpretations. Anderson, however, is far more enveloping than many other primitivists. One can almost sense the hours he spent observing these creatures. And, the sense of movement that is communicated in the flatness by the oscillation of the circles from crab to crab, as if they were imitating sonar back and forth:

In fact, it is this movement that is so fascinating in Anderson's depiction of nature, as well as his whimsical material on children's fairy tales and folk art. Compare the curves in The Red Pot with the emanating lines in Crab2, and one sees that the pot takes on an almost nautilus-like characteristic.

It helps to know Anderson's story, his struggle, his abject...

However, that does nothing to increase or diminish the true psychological warmth of his work, his use of color, his base -- yet complicated -- style in which one can take a quick look and view the image, or a much longer look and "experience" the nature of the image. One must also pause a bit and ask about the nature of madness -- was Anderson's disconnection with humanity part of his genius, or did it simply allow him to tap into some hidden part of his mind that connected with his natural environment. That, coupled with his imagination and passionate views toward the natural history of the bayou, swamp and forests of the South, allows us but a glimpse into his passion.
REFERENCES

The Life of Walter Inglis Anderson. (2009, April). Citied October 2010, from Walterandersonmuseum.org: http://www.walterandersonmuseum.org/frameset3.htm

Hansen, L. (September 28, 2003). "The Art of Walter Inglis Anderson." National

Public Radio. Cited October 2010, from:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1447957

Pickard, Mary Anderson. (1996). Walter Anderson: A Symphony of Animals. Jackson:

Red Pot