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 so we split up the business and we now pursue our own solo careers.

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. My favorite part of making art is surprising myself with an outcome that I didn't have in mind to begin with. I see creating as a conversation or collaboration with the universe. 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_