About James
James Swanson
Signature Member of
American Impressionists Society
Oil Painters of America
National Oil & Acrylic Society
And Member of
Portrait Society of America
Society of Animal Artists
I'm originally from Beloit, Wisconsin and went to college to be a Forest Ranger, but I soon discovered that my real talent was painting trees rather than identifying them. That realization prompted me to transfer to The Columbus College of Art and Design, where I found my passion for illustration.
After college, I worked as an Art Director for an advertising agency before transitioning to the illustration world, where I created and illustrated posters, ads, book and magazine covers for major brands like Budweiser, ESPN, US Tennis Open, McDonald's, Kraft, and Soap Box Derby, among others.
I've since shifted my focus to fine art and have been fortunate enough to be represented by a few galleries around the United States. I'm proud to be a Signature Artist member of The National Oil & Acrylic Society, The American Impressionists Society, and The Oil Painters of America, having had my paintings repeatedly accepted into their highly competitive National Juried exhibitions. I'm also now a signature member of the Society of Animal Artists.
I've won numerous painting awards, including the Dorothy Driehaus Mellin Fellowship Award and the Most Original Award of Excellence at the Oil Painters of America's 2023 National Exhibit.
In 2022, I 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.
Southwest Art Magazine featured me as one to collect in their October/November 2021 issue.
I'm also a sought-after painting instructor, having taught over 150 online classes and videos in the past three years. I'm known for my good sense of humor and positive teaching style, and I enjoy sharing my knowledge and passion for art with aspiring artists.
He is also a Rembrandt Oil Paint Ambasador.
Recent Fine Exhibitions James has had work juried in:
2023 Oil Painters of America National Exhibition Reinert Gallery Charleston, SC
Awarded The Dorothy Driehaus Mellin Fellowship Award
& The Most Original Award of Excellence
"A Brighter Day" oil painting won an Honorable Mention in the Water Category in Pleinair magazines Art Competition
"These Boots" oil painting was an Finalist Award Winner in the January 2023 Bold Brush Painting competition
2022 Awarded 3rd place in MVIS National impressionists show at the Cathy Kline Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2022 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, America’s Best Small works show National Exhibition at The Beverly McNeil Gallery, Birmingham, AL
2022 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, America’s Best National Exhibition at Wilcox Gallery, Jackson Hole, WY
2022 American Impressionists Society, National Exhibition at Mary Williams’s Fine Art Gallery, Boulder, CO
2022 American Impressionists Society, Small Works National Exhibition at Wilder Nightingale Fine Art, Taos, NM
2021 Oil Painters of America National Salon Exhibition at Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Gainesville, GA
2021 Oil Painters of America National Exhibition at California Center for the Arts Museum Escondido CA
2021 Yosemite Renaissance 36 at the Yosemite Museum Gallery in Yosemite, CA
2021 American Impressionists Society, Small Works National Exhibition at Reinert Gallery Charleston, SC
2021 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, America’s Best Small Works National Exhibition at Principle Gallery, Charleston, SC
2020 The 75th Annual Wabash Valley Exhibition at the Swope Art Museum in Terra Haute, IN
2020 Water Show at the McCord Gallery in Palos IL
2020 Mackinac Island Art Exhibition at The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum in Mackinac Island MI
2020 Oil Painters of America, National Salon Show held online
2020 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, America’s Best Small Works National Exhibition at the McBride Gallery in Annapolis MD
2020 Yosemite Renaissance 35 at the Yosemite Museum Gallery in Yosemite, CA
2019 American Impressionists Society, Small Works National Exhibition at the Crooked Tree Art Gallery in Petoskey, Michigan
2019 Arkansas Territory Bicentennial Art Exhibition
2019 The Emerald Isle Show at the McCord Gallery Palos IL - Won Best of Show
2019 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, America’s Best Small Works National Exhibition at the RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX
2019 The 74th Annual Wabash Valley Exhibition at the Swope Art Museum in Terra Haute, IN
2019 Virtuosos of the Oil Painters of America at the Cutter & Cutter Fine Art in St. Augustine, FL
2019 Yosemite Renaissance 34 at the Yosemite Museum Gallery in Yosemite, CA
2018 Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition at the McBride Gallery in Annapolis MD
2018 Mackinac Island Art Exhibition at The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum in Mackinac Island MI
2018 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, America’s Best National Exhibition at the Richland Art Gallery in Nashville TN
2019 American Impressionists Society, National Exhibition at the Peninsula School of Art - Guenzel Gallery in Fish Creek, WI
2018 The 73rd Annual Wabash Valley Exhibition at the Swope Art Museum Terra Haute, IN
2018 Oil Painters of America National Exhibition at the Steamboat Springs Art Museum in Steamboat Springs, CO.
Gallery Representation:
The Wilde Meyer Art Galleries in Scottsdale and Tucson, AZ
Reinert Gallery Charleston, SC
The Dutch Art Gallery Dallas, TX
The Little Mackinac Gallery Mackinac Island, MI
Cathy Kline Gallery Parksville MO
The Lagrange Fine Art Gallery, Lagrange, IL
Marine Arts Gallery, Bonita Springs, FL
