Unfortunately, water damage and pests ruined much of his art. His wife, Sissy, found hundreds of drawings and watercolors littering Anderson’s cottage. It was not realized until he passed away how many pieces of art he had created. Walter Anderson painted because he had to, with no concern about what happened to his completed works. His paintings, much like the barrier island that inspired them, were not made to be permanent. Bob returned to the mainland, only when supplies ran out. He spent his days like this, sometimes for weeks at a time, while he lived on the island. Anderson wrote in his journal, “one image succeeds another with surprising regularity on Horn Island.” Inspiration was endless. He painted with watercolors, quick to dry, so that he could capture fleeting moments before they were gone. It was painting that captured Bob’s heart and consumed his time. He would explore, take in all the sights, journal about his days, and find peace among the other wild things. Rising with the sun, Bob would marvel at the light and colors on the island. Despite these challenges, he experienced Horn Island. army testing biological warfare during World War II. On these journeys his skiff capsized, he slept through hurricanes while nestled in the sand, and even stumbled upon the U.S. In the last 20 years of his life, he rowed his small wooden skiff 12 miles to Horn Island 100 times or more.
The other she fears, who irrationally insists his children are not his own and refuses to live in the same home as his family. One that she loves, who opens her eyes to the natural world around them and lives at ease surrounded by wilderness. His wife’s memoir paints a picture of two men. In the wilderness, he found an escape from the pressures and personal demons that plagued him on the mainland. In 1944, Bob fell in love with the Mississippi islands, especially Horn Island. Eventually, Bob found a balance living a life of recluse in coastal Mississippi.
Once, he even disappeared for months and walked 1,000 miles from Maryland back to his home on the coast of Mississippi. He escaped from several mental health hospitals. Hospitalized against his will, Bob received a new form of shock treatment for mental health concerns. During this time, it became evident that Bob struggled with mental illness. He married Agnes “Sissy” Grinstead in 1933. Yet, Bob did not treat his works of art with care and most of his work was unseen during his life.īob worked as a decorator at his family’s pottery shop. He created thousands of paintings and sketches inspired by the Mississippi island wilderness. Known by the locals as “that crazy artist,” his family called him “Bob.” In the later years of his life, Bob rowed to Horn Island as often as possible. I only suggest this in hopes that no one else experiences this.Image used courtesy of the family of Walter Anderson.īefore Horn Island became part of Gulf Islands National Seashore, it was a refuge for Walter Inglis Anderson. (I am 39 years old and physically fit - so that's not the issue). Not only that, but this also caused right sided cervical spine issues - more specifically uncovertebrael osteophytosis at C5-C6 and C6-C7 which as resulted in bilateral neuroforaminal encroachment at both levels. This fall ultimately caused a biceps tendon tear as well as never ceasing nerve pain in the right arm and shoulder that months of physical therapy has not helped whatsoever. Due to this I unfortunately rolled my left ankle as I stepped down and fell down the steps and onto my right outstretched arm - injuring both my left ankle and my right arm and shoulder. I was visiting from out of state this summer July 2021 and visiting in the evening, I had no idea that there were three steps leading down into the walled in area as there are no lights, nor any signage to alert someone to be cautious of the steps. Considering this memorial is open 24 hrs, it really should be well lit at night. This is a beautiful memorial, however I wish my experience were different.īecause of my personal experience and injury, I do have a suggestion.
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