James Swanson

James Originally from Beloit WI, went to college to be a forest ranger, 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. There, he created and illustrated posters, ads, books, and magazine covers for major brands like Budweiser, ESPN, US Tennis Open, McDonald's, Kraft and Soap Box Derby among others.
He has since shifted focus to fine art, and has been fortunate enough o be represented by a few galleries around the US. He is proud to be a Signature Artist Member of The Oil Painters of American, The American Impressionist Society, and The National Oil and Acrylic Society, having had his paintings repeatedly accepted into their highly competitive National Juried Exhibitions.

He Won Best IN Show for the "Water Guardian" in 2024
He Received the Prestigious Dorothy Drihaus Mellin Fellowship Award at the Oil Painters of America's in 2023, National Exihibit
3rd Place Award for "Lily Pad Retriever" at the International ARC Salon Show, 2024
OPA's Most Original Award, at the Oil Painters of America's 2023 National Exihibit
and so many more!