KenSwinson.com

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  • I have MOOved!

    One of my few regrets after spending time in Mexico was that I gave up my 4th floor studio at The Pendleton Art Center in downtown Cincinnati. When I got home, I rented a nice space on the 6th floor, but it wasn’t the same. There is no place like home. After waiting more than a year, I am excited to announce that I have moved back to my original studio on the 4th floor! As always, we have a big open house on the final friday of every month (August 25th) from 6-10pm. If you like art, it’s one of my favorite things to do. The facility houses over 200 artists, so there is a lot of inspiring art in one place. I’d love to see you and show off my latest work.

  • 3d wiener dog-work in progress

  • First day of spring -animation

    Today is the first day of spring, so i made this little animation to celebrate: we made it!!

    flowering tree

    Hoy está la primera día de primavera, entonces he hecho este animación pequeña para celebrar: ¡sobrevivimos contra invierno!Category: animation

  • learning is a long road, whether looking forward or back

    I have been learning 3D modelling for a few years now, and the more I learn, the less I realize I know. Recently, I was frustrated because I was having a hard time understanding some new concepts in the program, Blender 3D.

    He ido aprendido como hacer arte durante unos años , y el mas aprendo, di cuenta que supe muy poco. Recientamente, estuve frustrado porque tuve un reto comprendido algo conceptos nuevos de 3D

    I was looking through some of my old work, comparing old models to newer, and it reminded me that (even though I don’t realize it) I am making progress.
    For example. Here is a paddle boat that I made a year ago:

    Estuve mirando entre algo de mis obras viejas, comparando viejas a nuevas, recuerde que (aunque no di cuenta) estoy hecho progreso.


    I remember that this boat took a long time to model, and in spite of it’s many flaws, I was happy with the end results.

    Recuerdo que este barco me tomo mucho tiempo para construir, no obstante, con sus mucho errores, estuve feliz con los resultos ultimos.

    Now look at this model I made today:
    Ya mires a este obro he hecho hoy:

    Even though it feels like I’m not making any progress, and it feels like an impossible thing to learn. I can look back, and remind myself that I am getting better…and if I continue to practice, I will keep improving.

    Aunque lo parece que no estoy hecho progresso, y lo siente como un cosa imposible para aprender: puedo mirar atras y recuerdo que estoy mejarando…y si continuo practicar, voy a mejorar

    Here is another example of an animation project. 3 years ago:
    Aqui, hay otro ejemplo de animacion. hace 3 años:

    and more recently:
    y mas recien:

    I recently (3 years ago) started learning Spanish, and it could be one of the hardest things I have ever tried to do…it is constantly frustrating, and I wonder if I am wasting my time. I continue with with the hope, that, like my 3D modelling, I am getting better, even though I don’t realize it.
    Recientamente, comenze aprender español, es posible unos de mis retos mas dificil…constantamente dificil, y me pregunto si es un gasto de mi tiempo. Continuo con esperanza que (como mis proyectos de 3D) estoy mejorando, aunque no lo doy cuenta.

    I know these models still have a lot of flaws, and I have a long way to go, but hopefully these examples give you all some inspiration, if you are struggling to learn something new.

    Yo se que estes modelos todavia tienen muchos errores y necesito mejorar mucho, pero espero que estes ejemplos te dan algo inspiracion, si estas luchando aprender algo nuevo.

  • Creekside Cows – 3D animation

    I have been learning to build and animate in 3D with a program, called Blender.

    the animated scene is based on this painting.

    cows beside creek-drawn with ipad

  • Happy Groundhog Day!

    groundhog coming out of ground

  • Papermaking at Margaret Rhein’s Terrapin Paper Mill

    I have a growing interest in handmade paper. I have always loved the quality of Twinrocker paper (hand made in Indiana).

    During my artist residency in Oaxaca, Mexico, I was introduced to a community of papermakers, and I used their paper for my artwork. Recently, a friend introduced me to Dard Hunter III, who lives nearby in Chillocothe, OH. His grandfather is considered one of the world’s authorities on the art of making paper…he LITERALLY wrote the book about papermaking (thanks again, Linda, for the introduction!)


    In my studio, I use 100% cotton rag to frame my artwork, and I throw a lot of it away as part of the process. I thought it would be great to recycle the cotton into paper. I shared this idea with my friend, Margaret Rhein, at the Tiger Lily Press’ recent print sale. I was excited when she invited me to visit her studio to see some of her process.

    Born In The USA by Margaret Rhein

    Margaret Rhein is is an encyclopedia of papermaking knowledge. She has studied and made handmade paper at Cincinnati’s Terrapin Paper Mill for 40 years. I’m drawn to her work for the way she combines art and craft to make expressive images using paper.

    Visit her website www.margaretrhein.com for more examples of her work, and resume of accomplishments.
    Most of my attention was spent trying to soak up all the information she was sharing with me, but I did get a chance to take a few photos.
    She taught me a technique for preparing pulp using inexpensive tools (like a household blender),

    blending paper into pulp

    …and then how to make sheets of paper from the pulp.

    And also how to include objects into the paper for texture and decoration.

    Thanks again, Margaret for giving me the peek into your studio, and getting me started with papermaking. With your help, I’ll have some new handmade paper to show off soon.

  • I Have A Dream-Tengo un Sueño

    animated depiction of Martin Luther King Jr's famous 'I have a dream speech'

    Martin Luther King Jr is one of my heros, and I wanted to honor his legacy with an animated emoji depicting his famous ‘I Have A Dream’ speech on the steps of the Lincoln monument. The animation includes a translation in Spanish, for my friends who don’t speak English.

  • my new van!

    animation of me driving my van through the hills


    More than 2 years have passed since my minivan went to the highway in the sky. Yesterday, I finally bought a new one!

    A big thanks to my mechanic, Joe Manley for finding it, and putting it together for me. Now I can party like it’s 1997! I’m already thinking of my next road trip/art project. stay tuned!

  • winter warm weather

    animated sheep running out of barn

    We are enjoying a warm front here in Old Washington! if you can, get out of the barn and enjoy some fresh air before the rain comes.