James Swanson

Originally from Beloit, Wisconsin James went to college to be a Forest Ranger, but soon discovered that his real talent was painting trees rather than identifying them. That realization prompted him to transfer to The Columbus College of Art and Design, where he found his passion for illustration. After college, he worked as an Art Director for an advertising agency before transitioning to the illustration world, where he created and illustrated posters, ads, book, and magazine covers for major companies.  Since shifting his focus to fine art, he has been represented by galleries across the United States and has won several prestigious awards. James is a Signature Artist member of the top art societies in the US including the Oil Painters of America. In 2022, he was awarded the Artist in Residence of Mackinac Island Historical State Park, where I spent two weeks creating 13 pieces of art and immersing myself in the island’s rich culture and history.

James has been featured in Southwest Art Magazine as An Artist to Collect in their October/November 2021 issue. He is also a sought-after painting instructor, having taught over 200 online classes and videos in the past few years. He’s known for his sense of humor and positive teaching style and enjoys sharing my knowledge and passion for art with aspiring artists.