The Canadian artist Michael Swanson loved art from childhood. He was born in Mecklenburg, Germany. His family got trapped behind the Iron Curtain but finally, in the 1960s they escaped to the West and moved to North America. This move saw his talented career flourish. It started by having fun painting pictures, then on to the deadline-driven and demanding world of commercial illustration. He’s now back once again to having fun painting pictures, and what great pictures they are! Swanson mainly credits two things that have made it possible for him to live the lifestyle of an artist: a natural artistic talent and an extraordinary insight. He also credits mentors who instilled confidence in him early on with his artistic abilities. Swanson won several awards and became a member of the American Society of Aviation Artists and The Society of Illustrators.
Largely self-taught, his original paintings have sold through numerous galleries in Canada and the United States, including in Laguna Beach, Boca Raton, Mississauga, and in the Galleri du Tertre in Vence, France. He participated in many shows and exhibitions where his work became the center of attraction. His work has been featured in publications like international Artist magazine and Brush Stroke. Swanson’s work has been published in fine lithographic editions, and he has had several group and one-man shows. His prefers to use oils on canvas and his favorite pastime is painting landscapes, particularly of the Mediterranean region of Europe which many great artists before him have also chosen because of its unique ambience and light quality.
