About Svetlana Swan

Svetlana Swan is an American artist of Russian descent who was born and grew up in Riga, Latvia, then a part of the Soviet Union. Her fascination with art can be traced all the way back to the elementary school. Throughout her middle and high school years, she could not imagine a career in any other field. However, after no more than a quarter of prep classes at the Art Academy of Latvia (the prestigious higher educational institution in Riga), life presented her with challenges that made her drop out of the program. In 1992, yet another abrupt turn on her life path brought her to the United States. It was not until 2018 that Svetlana was able to fully re-dedicate her life to art.

A clinician by training, Svetlana now applies her attention to detail necessary to treat her former patients to her painting process. As an emerging self-taught artist, she spends hours on honing her skills, experimenting with different media and styles, and learning from many accomplished artists. Her artistic vision is informed by her multicultural background and dynamic life experiences. Her ties with nature, as well as her ongoing inquiry beyond the visible and discovery of mystery in the mundane are strongly felt in her works.

Svetlana resides with her family (that includes a free-roaming indoor pet rabbit) in Poulsbo, a quirky town within a ferry ride from Seattle, WA. When away from her easel, she is most likely to be found in her organic garden, in close communion with local flora and fauna and her deeper self.

In addition to her few other degrees and certifications, Svetlana Swan holds a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and a doctoral degree in nursing practice from the University of Washington, Seattle.

Artist Statement

I view my artistic pursuits as the process of discovery of deeper truths about myself and the world I live in. This process is best described as the tug of war between my right and left hemispheres: between the deliberate and spontaneous, logical and intuitive, cautious and reckless. For me, a completed piece of art signifies a discovery that could not have been made by any other means.  

I am particularly drawn to artistic interpretation of things that are invisible or not fully-understood. My cultural diversity and Russian heritage are evident in many of my works, especially inmy modern icons. However, my Modern Icon theme is a tribute to my heritage and my ongoing spiritual inquiry in general, rather than a nod to a particular religious tradition. 

Nature is another source of inspiration for my artwork. Yet, it is not merely a sensory perception of nature that I strive to capture—instead, throughout the artistic process, I reflect on its many mysteries and explore the meaning of my deeply-felt ties to it. It is in the context of nature and its power of renewal that I bring the theme of femininity into my art.

Recognition

• Finalist in the Fusion Art Figures & Faces International Juried 2019 Art Exhibition. Artwork titled “Betrothed.”© 2019 by Svetlana Swan. Acrylic on canvas.