My Story

As far back as I can remember I have always wanted to be an artist. I was infatuated with comic book art as a child, and it was my dream to someday draw for Marvel or DC. I went to the Creative and Performing Arts high school in Philadelphia. I started to see there were many different careers in the arts. I got into graffiti, and loved the freedom of expression I found within this art form. I graduated from Tyler School of art with a BFA in Graphic Design. After graduating I wanted a career in advertising. I took a cross country road trip and set up interviews anywhere I could get one. After working a few internships I decided I didn't want to work for a design firm, and focused on painting and illustration. For a few years I hustled to sell my work wherever I could. My brother David was graduating with the same degree from the same school, and we decided to team up and sell our work together. We found a good bit of success vending at music festivals and art shows across the country. After 10 years of doing that full-time we wanted to go in different directions with our work. We still work together to sell our work as the Swartz Brothers, but we are also pursuing our own careers with our own work separately.

I work with mixed media to create pieces that reflect the beauty that I find within nature. The human experience has always inspired me, and I aim to portray the conflict and harmony that I see and feel everywhere around me. My process varies greatly from piece to piece. Sometimes I just start painting and creating textures to start forming a direction or concept in my mind. Sometimes I have a specific idea and will sketch and work with reference photos to create an image that captures that idea. My favorite part of making art is surprising myself with an outcome that I didn't have in mind to begin with. I like to think of creating as a conversation or collaboration with the universe. Keeping some form of humor in my work is important to me, and helps to loosen my mind. Poetry is everywhere and I like to think that I show my appreciation for it in my work.

Thank you for your interest in what I do. Please feel free to reach out if you would like to work with me on a project.

JnSwrtz@Gmail.com

instagram ~ @Jon_Swartz_