KenSwinson.com

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  • The Cure For Creative Block might seem obvious, but I’m a slow learner

    plein air painting of over the rhine in Cincinnati ohio view includes music hall and the museum center

    2 months ago, I had creative block. I did some research about the creative process, and the experts suggested being creative every day without getting hung up on the process.

    I started taking my paints outside into the open air, and making a little 4 1/2×6″ painting–on a semi-regular schedule (almost every day). It’s been less than 2 months, and I have made over 40 new oil paintings!!!

    This project has been a little bit like therapy for me. If you are creative (*everyone is creative) and feel a little bit ‘blocked’; seeing all these paintings together might help get your ideas flowing.

    I have them on display at my website. It’s interesting to see the progression as i keep painting over time.
    Here’s a link:
    https://www.kenswinson.com/site/product-category/painting/plein-air/

    This is a work in progress…i’m continuing to paint outdoors, from life, as much as possible. If you like looking at/supporting/collecting art, keep an eye on that page, i’m updating it regularly.

    Thanks everyone for your support! I couldn’t do it without you!

  • Plein Air Painting in Wallingford, KY

    The fields are blooming with wonderful bright yellow flowers, so today, I stopped by this scene, and made a plein air painting.

    The Sketch: from life
    composition and values worked out—time for color!
    the finished painting, in all it’s color!
    we did have a little bit of rain, but no problem—rain is life!

  • Happy Derby day and Flying Pig Marathon from the Log Cabin Print Shop!

    Today is derby day in Kentucky and tomorrow the flying pig marathon in Cincinnati, so I’m carving and printing the key block for my Flying Pig print today.

  • Barn on 68-south of may’s lick ky

     I should know better, but i keep trying to paint scenes where i am looking directly into the sun. Good thing i have sunscreen. Watch the comments for updates on the painting. Bonus points if you know where i am
    heres my sketch. Time to set up and start painting!
    I have my composition worked out, now time for color.
    Painting into the sun can get crazy. I almost gave up on this one. I just cant quit when im painting in front of an audience, so i pushed through it. Im glad i did, because i learned a lot about the relativity of color, and im happy with the little painting.

  • Us 62 road trip-mt olivet/cynthiana, ky

    Im doing a mini road trip along us route 62. I stopped in mt olivet to paint the intersection of town, and its no surprise, that people there were super friendly. I met the mayor, a young lady brought me a cold bottle of water, and another bought me a delicious sandwich from the corner store! … And i got a beautiful painting! Small town southern hospitality is alive and well in robertson. Always a pleasure to visit!

    note that says 'for my 30th birthday a am accomplishing 30 random acts of kindness. What an amazing artist you are and i love that you find beauty in our small town'
    The note the super nice young lady gave me..along with a cold water. Isnt that so nice?!?

    Next stop, cynthiana, ky!

    Greetings from cynthiana! I chose to paint the Rohs Theater…its a hub of creativity
    The finished painting!!!

  • Pendleton view Plein Air Painting

    Even on grey days when I don’t feel like going out into the world, that’s no excuse for not creating art! Opened the window and painted the panoramic view from my studio at the Pendleton art center in Cincinnati. I’m really happy with how this one turned out.

  • Flying Pig Woodcut

    Spent the day carving a new woodcut at the log cabin print shop. Its going to be a 2 color/block print. Im 70% finished with the first block. hope to finish it and print next saturday

    artist ken swinson holding woodcut work in process of a flying pig at the log cabin print shop in old washington kentucky

  • Final Friday Studio Walkthrough – April 2019

    Here’s a quick walkthrough of the studio for those who can’t make it to final friday tonight at the pendleton art center. We’re open to the public today from 6-10 pm. There are about 200 artists on the campus. Its a free event, with $5 valet parking for those who want to get out at the door

  • Tiny Little Frames

    yeah, making a lot of tiny little paintings looks fun, until you realize you have to make a lot of tiny little frames, lol!

    assorted wood frames being glued

  • The walcott covered bridge bracken county kentucky

    Today i have been painting some of my neighborhood’s covered bridges, and sharing the process in my ‘story’.

    artist ken swinson painting the walcott covered bridge in bracken county kentucky

    There is no cell service at the walcott covered bridge (not too many places like that anymore) so here’s a snapshot of the work in progress.