Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in the Maryland suburbs, Joseph Swenarton has been painting since childhood. He studied art at Montgomery College in Maryland and was part of an artist's co-op where he sold his first painting in 1967.
He moved to Key West in the late eighties and continued to pursue his passion for painting, this time the vibrant colors of the local flora and fauna. His first collection "Joseph's Garden" was the theme of his first solo exhibition, taking place shortly after the horrific events of 9/11. He was able to make a donation to the American Red Cross from the proceeds of that show which began his tradition of giving back to the community and sharing his gift.
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Joseph has been fortunate to show his work in both corporate and private collections here in the United States and Europe as well. Among his celebrated clients are former Miss America 1993, Leanza Cornett, and current television host of Hallmark channel's "Home and Family", Mark Steines.
Among the honors he's received over the years he is especially grateful for early recognition from Saatchi's online gallery for his Honorable Mention nod to his painting of his mother "Bird Lady of the Beach". Other awards include Second Place from the American Juried Art Awards 2014 for his "Waiting For Spring" impressionist landscape which conveyed the melancholia of those last few dreary days before spring finally bursts forth, and First Place for his "The Enchanted Path", in the Fantasy Landscape Division of the American Art Awards also in 2014.
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Past and current representations include Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York, Artist's Haven Gallery, Ft. Lauderdale, Botero Gallery, Naples, Galerie du Soleil, Naples, Regatta on Fifth, and the Von Leibig Art Center in Naples.
Joseph currently enjoys creating at the True Joy Studio, Naples where he continues to dabble in interior design projects as well as teach painting, including the palette knife technique. Charitable pursuits include anything to do with animals, AIDS, and domestic violence, but is always open to other opportunities to give back to his community as well.