Born in Norway, Andersen emigrated to the United States where he settled in Boston.
He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Cowles Art School, the British Academy and the Academie Julian in Paris where he studied under Benjamin Constant and Jean Paul Laurens.
He moved to Tucson and, in 1934, began instructing at the University of Arizona. He spent his career at the University where, in addition to his role as Professor of Art (1935-1962), he chaired the art department (1940-1962) and served as Director of the University of Arizona Art Gallery.
