Artist Focus: James Swanson

Collectors admire James Swanson’s work for its loose, fresh feel. “Up close, my paintings may look like a jumble of colorful brushstrokes, but from a distance, they come into focus beautifully,” says Swanson. “This magical transformation has been my goal since I left my illustration career to escape the rigid product renderings that felt like work.”

Breaking Away, oil, 20 x 16"

Painting freely is now Swanson’s passion, building on skills he has developed over the last 30 years. “My evolving style perfectly captures the joy of my swimming dogs,” he shares. “My Water Dog series is simply about me and my beloved dogs enjoying the water together. Bjorn, our English cream golden, loves fetching balls and sticks, always competing with our other golden, Fenrir.

Sound of Silence, oil, 30 x 24"

The phrase “paint what you know” really resonates with the artist. “I paint my best friends who are constantly by my side,” he shares. “Creating paintings that bring joy to others is incredibly fulfilling, much like spending time with my furry companions.”

Swanson is represented by James Ross Fine Art in Indianapolis, Indiana; Illume Gallery West in Philipsburg, Montana; Cole Gallery in Edmonds, Washington; Reinert Fine Art and Sculpture Garden Gallery in Charleston, South Carolina; Marine Arts Gallery in Bonita, Florida; and Mackinac’s Little Gallery in Mackinac Island, Michigan.—