"I am a self-taught artist who takes inspiration from nature. I am compelled to paint because it brings me peace, excitement and contentment. I never feel more alive than when I am standing in front of a canvas watching an image emerge. 

My style evolved from the love of textures found in natural stone surfaces. I began by painting on slate and natural rocks, but I found that I was very limited by their sizes and weight. I discovered through trial and error that it was possible to create my own rock-like texture by applying a gypsum/acrylic medium onto canvas and working it to create a highly textured surface. 

My style of painting is often an exercise in patience because the heavily textured layers must be built up over several weeks and allowed to cure fully, prior to the application of any colour. When the textured surface has completely cured I will look at it for several days. I generally do not have a preconceived image in mind. Only after the image becomes apparent will I apply colour to the canvas. The colour application also involves a lengthy, layering process to achieve the illusion of depth. Because of the nature of the process, every painting is a unique creation unto itself. 

I feel a real sense of accomplishment and exhilaration when an individual stands as little as two feet away from one of my finished paintings and mistakes it for an actual slab of carved stone. It is this reaction that fuels me to continue creating. 

My permanent endeavour into painting on a full time basis is fairly recent. The reaction to my work has been overwhelmingly positive. My paintings are readily being commissioned and collected by both patrons and organizations in Canada, the United States and abroad."

Media

Jacqueline Swann's media of choice is acrylic paint on a canvas that has been heavily textured with a gypsum/acrylic medium.