I used to draw chalk horses all over my neighborhood streets in Long Island, NY. My ‘Art Epiphany’ occurred the day I was sent to my room for some childhood infraction. Forced to consider my bad behavior, I leafed through a book on Walt Disney and found myself compelled to draw the vividly colored characters of Mickey Mouse and Daffy Duck. I was transported to another world and did not know how many hours had passed. When I emerged, I had several illustrations that amazed my parents and even moved my young, entrepreneurial friend, Stacy, to attempt to sell them to our neighbors for 25 cents apiece. (I got my first taste of how hard it was to sell art that week!)

After college, I found my way into a graphics/advertising job, where I learned about graphic production, design, and color correction. I also did illustrations for ad campaigns, educational books, and other miscellaneous projects. A highlight was when I was commissioned by Tom’s of Maine to hand paint a pair of Converse sneakers for the owner of the company, Tom Chappell. Later, I thought I was on my way to fame when I saw my illustrations printed on some local Cable trucks, as I chased the truck in my car to take photos to prove my newfound notoriety.

My husband and I now live in that house in the middle of a six-acre field that used to be a dairy farm. Designing the house and everything in it was the best project I’ve ever had because every day of the creation process was simultaneously taxing, thrilling, and satisfying. Nowadays, I get inspiration for my paintings from daily walks by local farms, farmers’ markets, and nature in general. I see graphic design elements in so many places that I also bring them into my compositions.

Whether my artwork hangs on walls, becomes a piece of furniture, or ends up on the side of a truck, my life will continue to be about exercising my creative mind and feeding my ever-hungry artistic soul.

For more info about Swennes and her work, follow this link to her website. www.designchoc.com