Description: Pencil | Image Size: 7”h x 8”w; Frame Size: 13”h x 14”w

Whether working in oil, watercolor, or pencil, Ray Swanson had a great talent for painting American Indian portraits that show a depth of emotion, a unique personality, and a life full of experiences. His portraits go beyond a mere reproduction of someone’s face, but capture the soul behind the subject’s eyes. Swanson’s portraits, even a small one such as this, are deeply revealing tributes to specific individuals whom he met and befriended.

Description: Gouache (2002) | Image Size: 28”h x 18”w; Framed Size: 37”h x 27”w

Ray Swanson spent decades traveling to the Navajo reservation to gather inspiration and subject matter for his art. He showed life on the reservation as it actually was, on a day in and day out basis. Occasionally, he would slip in a bit of humor in his art.

In this painting, two women have met an unexpected visitor who is blocking the path they are on—a stray dog that is no doubt just as surprised at seeing them and as they are seeing him. The women are wearing colorful Navajo blankets and occupy the majority of the canvas. One watches with trepidation down the path they are following to see the stray standing further ahead giving the women a curious look. An unexpected impasse—just who will make the next move is anyone’s guess.

Description: Watercolor (1987) | Image Size: 12”h x 6”w; Framed Size: 18 5/8”h x 12 5/8”w

Ray Swanson had a special affinity for American Indian cultures, most especially for Navajo elders and children. He painted all with sensitivity and was adept at capturing personalities, humor and everyday life. In this lovely watercolor, “Pink Magenta”, Ray’s appreciation for traditional Navajo dress and the grace and charm as it is worn by the beautiful young girl are quite apparent. Ray was a member of both the Cowboy Artists of America and the American Watercolor Society.

Description: Opaque Watercolor (1994) | Image Size: 30”h x 40”w; Framed Size: 41.25”h x 51”w

In 1994, Ray Swanson won both the Gold Medal in the Water Soluble category for “Weaving A Tradition” and the Artists Choice Award for his body of work at the 29th Annual Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition & Sale held at the Phoenix Art Museum.

One of the recurring themes in Ray Swanson’s art is the continuation of traditions and transfer of knowlege from one generation to another. In this painting of an Indian woman weaving a basket, Swanson focuses on how traditional crafts still have a place in modern Native American society. The woman seated under the shade of a tree is engaged in the same task that her ancestors practiced. She is using the same material to weave the basket and follows a pattern of traditional designs. Swanson’s landscape is realistically presented and features the neutral tones of the Southwestern desert. His weaver intently concentrates on the task at hand. As with many of Swanson’s subjects, her face shows a wealth of life experiences.

Description: Watercolor (1991) | Image Size: 8”h x 14”w; Framed Size: 14 3/4"h x 20 3/4"w

Primarily known for his paintings of Native Americans such as this lone Navajo rider on a white horse making his way across a rough, rocky terrain on a moonlit night. The action is quiet in the painting with a greater emphasis on setting a mood than conveying a sense of movement. The moonlight is effectively reflected off of the horse and the rider’s white hat.

Description: Pencil & Colored Pencil (1991) | Image Size: 8”h x 10”w; Framed Size: 16 1/2"h x 18 1/2"w

This is a small, but exquisite portrait of one of Ray Swanson’s favorite models, Jason Begay. Swanson’s technique of drawing the boy’s face, hair, and hands in pencil and then contrasting those areas with the blue of a colored pencil to color his head band and shirt, adds tremendous depth to the facial features. We focus on Jason’s face even more so because the blue pencil serves to frame it. The young man’s personality and emotions have been expertly captured.

Description: Oil (2004) | Image Size: 72”h x 36”w; Framed Size: 91”h x 55”w

This striking full length portrait of three Navajo women standing against a brilliant blue sky dotted with white clouds is an excellent example of Ray Swanson’s realistic technique, his attention to detail and accuracy, and his great sense of color. The three women are wrapped in traditional multi-colored Navajo blankets. They are standing on an outcropping of Arizona red rocks with two dogs just visible behind one of the figures. The composition is dramatic with the women arranged with the two shorter women flanking (and shown in profile, the left figure facing left, and the right figure facing right) the taller center figure. They are shown in high relief contrast with the blue sky. The vibrant colors of their blankets command and hold the viewer’s attention. Swanson painted individuals that he met on his many visits to reservations, often painting members of the same family over the course of several years. He has perfectly captured the likeness and personalities of these women, who stand proudly as representatives of their culture. Their life experiences are etched in the lines of their faces. The quality of the painting is exceptional.