Sallie-Anne Swift

About The Artist

About The Artist -
Sallie-Anne has been drawing ever since she can remember, "I always had a pencil in my hand", she recalls. At the age of 14 an opportunity arose for her to travel abroad to the USA where she spent 12 months schooling in Bountiful, Utah. Her art teacher, Roger Cushing, encouraged the young artist with her illustration and advanced her from her sophomore art class into the senior class. At the conclusion of that year she won an art scholarship to the University of Utah but with a 1 year study visa and only 15 years old she returned to Australia where she began work as a Junior Graphic Designer for All Graphics Pty Ltd. Her employer paid for her tuition in Graphic Design and she completed her diploma at night school while still working as a full time designer.

The artist married in 1981 and had 2 children but continued to work as a Graphic Designer. The young family moved to country, Victoria where the artist met, Gwen Dunn, an oil painter who had studied at the Heidelberg School, (an Australian art movement of the late 19th century), established by the National Gallery of Australia and the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery. "Gwen was amazing, a fabulous artist and teacher, I felt very privileged to be one of her 8 students. She has been without a doubt, the biggest influence on me as an artist, she was so inspiring".

Sallie-Anne moved back to the city in 1989 and divorced shortly after in 1990. She started her own Design Studio in 1997 and juggled life as a single mum while running a successful design studio. Her business soon became a preferred supplier for Myer/Grace Bro (similar to the size of Macy's), GE Finance, Motorola and a string of well known restaurant franchises. She continued to paint whenever the opportunity arose in her busy lifestyle, "they were tough but rewarding years" she says.

She met her husband, John in 2005 and in 2008 they moved to California for Johns business. They married in 2010 and have now made their home in Long Beach, California. "Regular visits from our children are a must", she says, "we are either flying to Australia to see them or they are coming to visit us".

"Moving to the USA has given me more time to concentrate on my painting and less time working as a Graphic Designer. I am in a good place in my life right now and I love having more time to dedicate to my art. This gives me a good balance in my day-to-day life and ensures I can still afford my art and coffee supplies."

With a keen awareness of her environment, her great love of nature, wildlife and music, her work reflects our extraordinary environment. Clever use of mixed media and texture convey an immediate message and feeling. Bold brush strokes that are harmonious and well balanced, her work speaks for itself in strength, color and vitality.

She has exhibited in Art Galleries throughout Melbourne, Australia and acquired commissions for her paintings both Australia wide and Internationally. She feels her greatest achievement was in 2001 when The Equestrian Federation of Australia commissioned the artist to do an oil painting of world cup dressage winner, “Kyra Kirkland” which was presented to Emirates Airlines, sponsors of the elite “Dressage With The Stars” competition held in Melbourne, Australia each year.

When visiting Australia (2-3 times a year) she gives classes in abstract and texture in Buderim, Queensland. These classes have proven to be very popular with local artists and are always fully booked. "I enjoy sharing my passion with other artists, my classes are full of laughter, fun and new ideas" says the artist.

Achievements

• BOLD BRUSH
Best in Show - June 2012

• 4th place abstracts - ARTSLANT 2012
• 3rd place abstracts - ARTSLANT 2012

• BOLD BRUSH
Winner Outstanding Acrylic - Nov 2011

• Contemporary Fine Art International 2011
1st place

• Lark Gallery 2011

• Light, Space & Time Online Art Gallery
Awarded Outstanding Art 2011 & 2012

Galleries:
• Lark Gallery (Represented Artist AUS/USA)
• Xanadu Gallery, Scottsdale (Studio Artist)

Exhibitions
• Kiwis in LA – Santa Monica - August 11, 2012
• Made in California – City of Brea 2012
• Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art – 2012
• Pacific Design Center LA - 2012
• Gallery 4n5 San Francisco November 2011
• RED DOT MIAMI – November/December 2011
• Huntington Beach Art Center 2011
• Assi Art Gallery. Los Angeles 2011
• Lark Gallery. Long Beach 2011
• Artistic Voyage. Yorba Linda 2011
• Loft Gallery & Studio. San Pedro 2011
• Long Beach Phantom Galleries 2011

Memberships
• Oil Painters of America
• Contemporary Fine Art International
• Fine Art America
• Laguna Beach Art

Publications:
• Visual Language 2012
• International Contemporary Masters V, 2012
• Xanadu Gallery 2012
• SouthWest Art Magazine, 2011
• American Art Collector Magazine, 2011 [Read More …]