Paul Charles Anderson, known as Spanky to most, and GrandPaul to his granddaughters, passed away during the morning sunrise on August 5, 2026. He was 73 years old.
Spanky was known for his sunset paintings, which were mostly showcased at the Gallery at Marina Square in Morro Bay, or inside his daughter’s houses. He graduated from the University of West Georgia with a BA in Art, where he was awarded two Permanent Collection awards from Peter Augustini, a world-renowned sculptor from New York, and internationally known painter Donald Cooper.
Upon graduation, Spanky began his career as a graphic designer and colorist with a major carpet and textile manufacturer, but painting and music were always his calling. In the mid-seventies, Spanky accepted a designer colorist position in Southern California where he continued to paint and pursue his love of the local land and seascape. He also continued to play in bands, such as The Southern Fried Band, with some of his lifelong friends who played with him until this past fall of 2025.
Most recently, Spanky lived in the Morro Bay area where he says, “My peripheral vision of the Central Coast virtually dictates the color palette and brushstrokes onto my canvas.” It was not uncommon to see him at the bay or on the beach trying to capture a sunset with his phone that he could later paint. Sometimes, he would stop by to visit his granddaughters, but he had to leave to go catch the sunset if it looked like it was going to be a colorful one. You could also find him on the weekends playing guitar with his band, The SpankyPaul Band, at some of the local wineries and restaurants. His last gig was October 11, 2025 at Mersea’s Port San Luis in Avila Beach on the pier, singing “Midnight Rider” by The Allman Brothers Band and “Amie” by Pure Prairie League, among others.
When not painting and playing guitar, he loved spending time with his granddaughters going on nature walks, making Target and Dollar Tree runs, or getting talked into getting frozen yogurt. In his last months, they got to spend more time together since GrandPaul moved in, and we will cherish those memories forever.
Spanky was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Ruth Wells Anderson and James Robert Anderson Sr., as well as his son, Chad Anderson. He is survived by his sisters, Mary Cody and Missy Anderson; his brother James Robert (Sparky) Anderson Jr.; his daughter Sharon Anderson; his daughter Susan Patterson and son-in-law Scott Patterson; and his two granddaughters, Georgia and Clara Patterson.
We will always remember Spanky as a kind, positive soul who loved everyone, and wasn’t afraid to show it. Someone said that people leave this life the way they lived it. He spent his last days still positive and charmed everyone around him. He left this world peaceful and comfortable, probably dreaming of the next painting he will paint, or the next gig he is going to have.
His ashes will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean off of Morro Bay, where he can keep catching the Central Coast sunsets. A Celebration of Life will be held at Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero Ste 10, Morro Bay, CA 93442 for one last art exhibit to showcase his talents as a painter. Please join us to celebrate on November 14 from 3-5 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Spanky’s memory to Cuesta College’s Music Department.
