Vander McClain
“My paintings are distillations of natural objects and found moments in remote environments. Documented on-site, I relay an objective relationship to my subject, so the engagement remains pure. Field Notes, is a compilation of pictorial documentation from 23 locations in the American West created over the period of ten years.
In 2024, I spent several weeks exploring Iceland. Most of my time was spent in the Icelandic Highlands—a vast, desolate stretch of volcanic desert marked by ice sheets, glaciers, winding rivers, geothermal activity, and multi-colored mountains. I was drawn to the ‘in-between’ spaces—the quiet, overlooked areas between Iceland’s well-known natural wonders. It holds a quiet, compelling beauty.”
Vander McClain received an MFA in painting from Parsons School of Design in New York, studying under Glenn Goldberg. He also studied painting in Umbria, Italy. He received his BFA from Oklahoma State University studying with Marty Averett. McClain was awarded an apprenticeship under master printmaker Bill Goldston at Universal Limited Art Editions (ULAE) in New York, an experience that was instrumental in his development as an artist. While at ULAE, in direct communication with the artists, he worked on lithography editions for Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Julian Lethbridge, and Terry Winters. Additionally, McClain was studio assistant for Jane Hammond, Elizabeth Murray, Carrol Dunam, and Laurie Simmons. McClain’s work has been exhibited in galleries in New York. He currently lives and works in Seattle, Washington.
Click here for Vander American West viewing room.
Click here for Vander’s Iceland viewing room.
AMcE Exhibitions
Locally Sourced (2023)
Stasis (2023)
Seattle Art Fair (2023)
Embodiment May 2024
Hvönn (Angelica Plant)
August 10, 2024
Reykjadalsá, Ísland
Gouache and ink on paper
24 ¾ x 21 ½ in. framed
Click here for the full Iceland series.
Lúpína (Lupine flower)
August 9, 2024
Ishólsvatn, Ísland
Gouache and ink on paper
24 ¾ x 21 ½ in. framed sold
Click here for the full Iceland series
Líparít (Banded Rhyolite)
August 3, 2024
Fannborgarjökull, Ísland
Gouache and ink on paper
24 ¾ x 21 ½ in. framed
Click here for the full Iceland series
Grámosi (Moss)
August 4, 2024
Kerlingargjöll, Ísland
Gouache and ink on paper
24 ¾ x 21 ½ in. framed
Click here for the full Iceland series
Mænisjökull (Ridge Glacier in Basalt & Rhyolite)
August 6, 2024
Mænisjökull, Ísland
Gouache and ink on paper
24 ¾ x 21 ½ in. framed
Click here for the full Iceland series
Stúfa (Devil’s-bit Scabious flower)
August 11, 2024
Reykjadalsá, Ísland
Gouache and ink on paper
24 ¾ x 21 ½ in. framed sold
Click here for the full Iceland series
Kjalfell (Keel Mountain)
August 2, 2024
Kjalfell, Ísland
Gouache and ink on paper
24 ¾ x 21 ½ in. framed
Click here for the full Iceland series
Líparít & Feldspat (Rhyolite & Feldspar)
August 6, 2024
Brennisteinsöldukvísl, Ísland
Gouache and ink on paper
24 ¾ x 21 ½ in. framed
Click here for the full Iceland series
August 10, 2024
Reykjadalsá, Ísland
Gouache and ink on paper
24 ¾ x 21 ½ in. framed sold
Click here for the full Iceland series
Gígbotn (Crater Floor with Flowers)
August 6, 2024
Ljótipollur, Ísland
Gouache, ink and graphite on paper
24 ¾ x 21 ½ in. framed
Click here for the full Iceland series
Skíma (Early Twilight)
August 6, 2024
Hörðubreið, Ísland
Gouache and ink on paper
24 ¾ x 21 ½ in. framed
Click here for the full Iceland series
Gígbotn (Crater Floor with Flowers)
August 6, 2024
Ljótipollur, Ísland
Gouache, ink and graphite on paper
24 ¾ x 21 ½ in. framed
Click here for the full Iceland series
Syðri Háganga
August 8, 2024
Syðri Háganga, Ísland
Gouache and ink on paper
24 ¾ x 21 ½ in. framed
Click here for the full Iceland series
Fjallaskáli
August 4, 2024
Hveradalir, Ísland
Gouache and ink on paper
24 ¾ x 21 ½ in. framed
Click here for the full Iceland series
Basalt & Brennisteinn
August 5, 2024
Ásgarđså, Ísland
Gouache, ink and graphite on paper
24 ¾ x 21 ½ in. framed
Click here for the full Iceland series
Klórítskífur
August 6, 2024
Brennisteinsöldukvísl, Ísland
Gouache and ink on paper
24 ¾ x 21 ½ in. framed
Click here for the full Iceland series
Blátær Jökulvatn
August 9, 2024
Þingeyjarsveit, Ísland
Gouache and ink on paper
24 ¾ x 21 ½ in. framed
Click here for the full Iceland series
Juniper
March 29, 2022
Lava Beds Wilderness, Oregon
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
24 ¾” x 21 ½” framed sold
Aspen Leaf
December 11, 2021
Crucas Basin Wilderness, Oregon
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
21 ¾” x 18 ¼”
Night Sky
March 30, 2022
Coffee Pot Basin, Oregon
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
24 ¾” x 21 ½” framed sold
Pine
December 14, 2021
Hells Canyon Wilderness, Oregon
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
24 ¾” x 21 ½” framed sold
Spider Woman
September 27, 2022
Taos, New Mexico
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
21 ¾” x 18 ¼”
Cattle Tag
December 14, 2021
Wallowa County, Oregon
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
21 ¾” x 18 ¼” sold
Night Sky
September 23, 2022
San Antonio Mountain, New Mexico
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
21 ¾” x 18 ¼” sold
Elk Shed
September 16, 2022
Taos Mountain, New Mexico
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
21 ¾” x 18 ¼”
Mustang & Basalt
April 01, 2022
Whiskey Hills, Oregon
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
21 ¾” x 18 ¼” sold
Ponderosa Stem
March 22, 2022
Lava Beds Wilderness, Oregon
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
24 ¾” x 21 ½” framed sold
Stock Tanks
March 30, 2022
Coffee Pot Basin, Oregon
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
24 ¾” x 21 ½” framed
Basalt
March 30, 2022
Lava Beds Wilderness, Oregon
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
24 ¾” x 21 ½” framed
Basalt
December 10, 2021
Hells Canyon Wilderness, Oregon
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
24 ¾” x 21 ½” framed sold
Petroleum Can
December 14, 2021
Wallowa County, Oregon
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
24 ¾” x 21 ½” framed sold
Rope
December 11, 2021
Hells Canyon Wilderness, Oregon
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
24 ¾” x 21 ½” framed
Ponderosa
December 10, 2021
Hells Canyon Wilderness, Oregon
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
24 ¾” x 21 ½” framed sold
Haskett Point
December 30, 2021
Catlow Valley, Oregon
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
24 ¾” x 21 ½” framed sold
Deer Sign
December 11, 2021
Hells Canyon Wilderness, Oregon
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
24 ¾” x 21 ½” framed
Lithic Drill
September 8, 2022
Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness, New Mexico
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
24 ¾” x 21 ½” framed
Night Sky Long Exposure
March 29, 2022
Coffee Pot Basin, Oregon
Gouache, ink, and graphite on paper
24 ¾” x 21 ½” framed
Ponderosa
December 15, 2021
Hells Canyon Wilderness, Oregon
Gouache, ink and graphite on paper
24 ¾” x 21 ½” framed sold
Ancient Limber Pine
December 8, 2021
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Oregon
Gouache, ink and graphite on paper
11 ¾” x 9” sold
Basalt & Lichen
July 5, 2019
Lolo National Forest, Montana
Gouache, ink and graphite on paper
11 ¾” x 9”
Pine
December 14, 2021
Hells Canyon Wilderness, Oregon
Gouache, ink and graphite on paper
24 ¾” x 21 ½” framed sold
Basalt 2
April 24, 2019
Metolius River, Oregon
Gouache, ink and graphite on paper
11 ¾” x 9”
Basalt
October 7, 2021
Diamond Craters, Oregon
Gouache, ink and graphite on paper
11 ¾” x 9”
Pine Cone
April 25, 2019
Metolius River, Oregon
Gouache, ink and graphite on paper
11 ¾” x 9” sold
Shells, Feather & Fly
September 2, 2018
Elk Camp, Colorado
Gouache, ink and graphite on paper
11 ¾” x 9” sold
Stem & Cone
December 8, 2021
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Oregon
Gouache, ink and graphite on paper
11 ¾” x 9”