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
James is an accomplished artist originally from Beloit, Wisconsin. After studying to become a Forest Ranger, he discovered his passion for illustration and transferred to The Columbus College of Art and Design. He worked as an Art Director for an Ad Agency before transitioning to the illustration world. James has created and illustrated posters, ads, book and magazine covers for notable brands such as Budweiser, ESPN, US Tennis Open, McDonald's, Kraft, and the Soap Box Derby.
While James still does some illustration work, he has made the transition to the fine art side and has found representation in galleries throughout the United States. He has been recognized for his talent as an oil painter, becoming a Signature Artist member of The National Oil & Acrylic Society, The American Impressionists Society, and The Oil Painters of America, and was also selected as a signature member to the Animal Portrait Society.
James has won several awards for his paintings, including the Quinquagenary Grand Prize in Painting at the 73rd Annual Wabash Valley Exhibition at the Swope Art Museum for his piece "Loaded Down Woman," which was later acquired by the museum for their collection. He was also named the Artist in Residence of Mackinac Island Historical State Park in 2022, where he created 13 pieces of art.
In addition to his artistic accomplishments, James is also a sought-after painting instructor, having taught over 150 online classes and videos over the last three years. He is known for his positive attitude and sense of humor, making him a favorite among his students. James has been featured in Southwest Art Magazine as one of the artists to collect in their October/November 2021 issue.
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
"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
The Lagrange Fine Art Gallery, Lagrange IL
The Arrow Gallery Fort Collins, CO
