Guy S. Swanson GuysArt@earthlink.net
Thank You for Visiting My Web Site!
Here you can learn a little bit about me and my
background in the studies of art.
I was born in Houston, Texas on June 21, 1973 and lived in Texas
during most of my childhood. My training and interest in art began at
the early age of seven. I was first inspired by drawings made by my
father, who demonstrated an artistic flare--a right side thinker like me.
For several years, I sketched and doodled on any paper I could find,
even the disposable paper covers of my elementary school books during
lectures. I would trace, copy, and invent things to draw, constantly
trying to exercise my imagination and strengthen my skills as an artist. I
learned early on that my favorite subject-matter was the human figure,
especially faces.  Around the age of 9, my mother and father bought me
my first art box holding a little bit of everything such as pencils, chalk
pastels, clay, water colors, and tubes of oil paints.  Talk about
encouragement!
In my late teens, I moved to Hays, Kansas where I completed the last two years of my high school education. The
majority of my electives pertained in some way to art. I was also taking a two year correspondence course from Art
Instructions School; The same school Charles Shultz, writer and illustrator of the Charley Brown "Peanuts" comic strip,
learned from and taught for, along with other well known artists. Shortly after graduating from Hays High School in
1992, I attended Fort Hays State University (FHSU). There I took additional art courses to further my knowledge and
experience in art.  In 1993, I earned my first art degree from Art Instructions School.  In 1995 I moved to Havre,
Montana.  I grew desperate to learn as much as I could about all the latest computer programs used to aid artists in
creating digital artwork. It was a relatively new medium artists were using, so I decided to return to college to major in
Graphic Design. I was required to familiarize myself with some of the leading graphic design software used by
professionals in the digital arts field. Such programs as 3D StudioMax, AutoCad, PhotoShop, Adobe Illustrator, and
others.  In 2002, I graduated from Montana State University-Northern (MSU-N). There, I maintained a 4.0 GPA and
was awarded with Departmental Distinction. I have recently returned to Texas in hopes of beginning a promising career
as a freelance artist.
OTHER INTERESTS I HAVE BESIDES ART:
Aside from art, I also enjoy thinking and philosophizing about such subjects as Metaphysics, Politics, Science,
Technology, Government, Psychology, and Sociology.  I also enjoy reading both fiction and non fiction, especially
when it comes to Greek Mythology and Science Fiction. When I can find the time, I also enjoy creative writing.
MY ADVICE TO YOUNG ASPIRING ARTISTS:
To all the aspiring artists looking for advice. The best advice I can give you is this; reading up on the subject as much
and as often as possible and taking art lessons is an excellent approach, but that will only get you so far.  I've learned
that if you want to become a great and skilled artists, you simply have to practice, practice, practice.  And then, when
you've done all that practicing, practice some more.  Never stop learning. Never stop exploring, Never stop
experimenting. And remember, there's always room for improvement. I've been doing it for nearly 30 years and I
always find myself still learning new things and I predict I always will.  In the end, there's no greater teacher than the
act of doing!
ART AWARDS AND CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION I'VE RECIEVED OVER THE YEARS
Here is a list of awards and certificates I've won and recieved over the years in my persuit of art, beginning with elementary
school awards and awards progressing towards my college years.    
Certificate of Participation: Texas Woman's University Greater
Denton Arts Council. Sixteenth Annual Arts Festival Children's
Exhibition. Awarded for the "Texas Wildflowers" Illustration, April 15,
1984.
PTA FINE ARTS Award. Awarded by Newton
Rayzor Elementary School in the Fall of 1982.
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.)
Halloween Poster Award. 1st Place. October 1988.
Certificate of Merit:
Represented in the 1989-1990 edition of Who's Who Among American
High School Students. Schools, students, and organizations recognized
in this national publication are to be commended for their high
standards of excellence, community leadership and positive
performance. Honoring Tomarrow's Leaders Today.
North Texas Industrial Technology Association
Awarded First Place at the Regional Competition
April 29, 1989. (Airbrushed Safety Poster).
North Texas Industrial Technology Association
Awarded First Place at the State Competition 1989.
(Airbrushed Safety Poster).
Visual Arts Center. Department of Art. Fort Hays State University
Recognizes Guy Swanson for outstanding work done during the
academic year of 1991. (ceramic clown sculpture).
Hays High School 1991 Annual Journalism Award
For outstanding Editorial Cartooning. May 9, 1991.
Kansas Scholastic Press Association
Placed in the 5A Editorial Cartoon category at
the Regional Journalism Contests at Fort Hays
State University February 14, 1991.
Visual Arts Center. Department of Art. Fort Hays State University
Recognizes Guy Swanson for outstanding work done during the
academic year of 1991. (Self Portrait-Oil on Canvas).
Visual Arts Center. Department of Art. Fort Hays State University
Recognizes Guy Swanson for outstanding work done during the
academic year of 1991. (Bronze head sculpture of an old man-"The
Agony").
Kansas Scholastic Press Association
Placed in the 5A Editorial Cartoon category at
the State Journalism Contests at the University of
Kansas. May 4, 1991.
Award of Excellence
Fort Hays State University proudly presents
Guy Swanson the Award of Excellence in Art for
the 1992-93 academic year.
Certificate of Participation in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp
Design Contest & Conservation Program.
Presented by the United States Department of the Interior Fish and
Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. 1991.