About James

James Swanson

Artist Biography

Originally from Beloit, Wisconsin, James Swanson first went to college to become a forest ranger. He soon discovered, however, that his real talent was painting trees rather than identifying them. That realization led him to transfer to The Columbus College of Art and Design, where he found his passion for illustration.

After college, James worked as an art director for an advertising agency before moving into illustration. His work included posters, advertisements, books, and magazine covers for major brands such as Budweiser, ESPN, the US Open Tennis Championships, McDonald’s, Kraft, and Soap Box Derby.

James later shifted his focus to fine art, where he found the direction that felt most true to his voice as an artist.

He began painting Golden Retrievers after the passing of his studio companion, Atticus. As a tribute, James painted one dog each day for a month, sold the full series, and donated the proceeds to a local dog shelter. Although he was initially hesitant about becoming known as a painter of dogs, he has since embraced that identity and made it a meaningful part of his work.

Today, James is represented by galleries across the United States. He is a Signature Artist member of Oil Painters of America, the American Impressionist Society, and the National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society, and his paintings have been accepted repeatedly into highly competitive national juried exhibitions.

James is also a sought-after painting instructor, having taught hundreds of online classes and instructional videos in recent years. Known for his sense of humor and positive teaching style, he enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion for art with aspiring artists. He is also a Rembrandt Oil Paint Ambassador.

Painting Awards

2026: Gold Medal Grand Prize, “Destiny of the Rising Sun,” Oil Painters of America National Exhibition
2026: Best Technique and Handling Award, “Water Mage,” National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society National Exhibition
2026: Western Art & Architecture Award of Excellence, “Eye on the Prize,” American Impressionist Society National Exhibition
2026: Best Technique and Handling Award, “A Quick Dip,” National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society National Small Works Exhibition
2026: Honorable Mention, “Spring Awakening,” American Impressionist Society National Small Works Showcase
2026: Second Place, “Eye on the Prize,” June BoldBrush Competition

2025: BoldBrush Award, “Water Mage,” September BoldBrush Competition
2025: Honorable Mention, “One Wet Dog,” Oil Painters of America National Exhibition
2025: Third Place, “Coming at Ya!,” National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society National Small Works Exhibition
2025: Top Dog Award, “Sound of Silence,” Artists Magazine

2024: Best in Show, “The Water Guardian,” National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society America’s Best Small Works National Exhibition, Sugarman Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2024: Third Place, “The Lily Pad Retriever,” Animal Category, International ARC Salon
2024: Best Animal Painting, “The Ball Boy,” Oil Painters of America National Salon Exhibition, James Ross Fine Art Gallery

2023: Dorothy Driehaus Mellin Fellowship Award, “Morning Swim,” Oil Painters of America National Exhibition
2023: Most Original Award, Oil Painters of America National Exhibition
2023: Best in Show, 36th Annual Northern National

2022: Artist in Residence, Mackinac Island Historical State Park, where James spent two weeks creating 13 works of art while immersing himself in the island’s culture and history.

Recent Fine Art Exhibitions

2026: Oil Painters of America National Exhibition — “Destiny of the Rising Sun,” Gold Medal Grand Prize
2026: International ARC Salon exhibition at Sotheby’s — “The Lily Pad Retriever,”

2026: National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society National Small Works Exhibition — “A Quick Dip,” Best Painting Technique and Handling Award
2026: American Impressionist Society National Small Works Showcase — “Spring Awakening,” Honorable Mention

2025: September BoldBrush Competition — “Water Mage,” BoldBrush Best in Show Award
2025: Oil Painters of America National Exhibition — “One Wet Dog,” Honorable Mention
2025: National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society National Small Works Exhibition — “Coming at Ya!,” Third Place
2025: Artists Magazine — “Sound of Silence,” Top Dog Award

2024: International ARC Salon — “The Lily Pad Retriever,” Third Place, Animal Category
2024: National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society America’s Best Small Works Exhibition, Sugarman Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM — Best of Show
2024: Oil Painters of America National Exhibition, Mark Arts, Wichita, KS
2024: Oil Painters of America National Salon Exhibition, James Ross Fine Art Gallery — “The Ball Boy,” Best Animal Painting

2023: Oil Painters of America National Exhibition, Reinert Gallery, Charleston, SC — “Morning Swim,” Dorothy Driehaus Mellin Fellowship Award and Most Original Award
2023: American Impressionist Society National Exhibition, Somerville Manning Gallery, Greenville, DE
2023: National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society America’s Best Small Works Exhibition, Mary Williams Fine Art Gallery, Boulder, CO
2023: 36th Annual Northern National — Best in Show
2023: PleinAir Magazine Art Competition — “A Brighter Day,” Honorable Mention, Water Category
2023: January BoldBrush Painting Competition — “These Boots,” Finalist Award Winner

2022: MVIS National Impressionists Show, Cathy Kline Gallery, Kansas City, MO — Third Place
2022: National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society America’s Best Small Works National Show, The Beverly McNeil Gallery, Birmingham, AL

Gallery Representation