Mark Swanson – Original Artwork

Mark Swanson is a cowboy artist whose work stands out proving to be magnificent. Not only is he a cowboy artist, he actually works part-time on a ranch north of his Prescott, Arizona home. The hands-on experience of ranch life is evident in his paintings. He knows exactly what should appear in a cowboy painting. His sketches bring a familiar and excitement to the specific scenes.

After Mark graduated and took some time traveling, his uncle, Gary Swanson (another talented artist specializing in African wildlife) invited him to visit Wyoming. Mark Swanson spent the summer living in a tipi, exploring the mountainside, and doing odd jobs. When the summer ended, Mark returned Southern California planning to make enough money to return to Wyoming. Instead, he started to take college art classes and was encouraged in oil painting by his uncle, Ray Swanson (another talented Swanson artist). Mark’s paintings gained acceptance right away and soon were selling well.

Mark soon married and moved permanently to Arizona. Mark’s artwork provides something for everyone interested in seeing real cowboys at work. He gives his non-cowboy audiences the feel of ranch life. He gives his cowboy audience the comfort of reality as they know it. The hours he has spent in the saddle gathering cattle, sweating on the branding crew, and mending fences, make his paintings come alive when he adds to them that intangible ingredient called “experience”.

Mark’s art philosophy is truly a reflection of his view of life. According to Mark. “I paint what is important to me, to express and reveal my heart about life, things I have done, people I know and the events in their lives, the values I hold.”

And for people who will study his paintings carefully, there is something more, he says. “The painting has a story to tell, so take time to read it.”