About The Artist
Rod Swade
Rod discovered his gift for drawing and painting in March of 2009 when he left the frozen tundra of Kenosha Wisconsin to celebrate his father’s 75th birthday in sunny and warm Southern California, in his home town of Torrance. While there, Rod enjoyed visiting family and friends and the beach life.
One day, his Mom said, “I rarely get to see you, why don’t you come spend time with me at my art class at El Camino College?” So being a good son, Rod gave up the sun and sand to hang with his Momma. To date, Rod had never drawn a stick, let alone participated in an art class. Once Rod arrived at his mom’s art class, she said, “why not draw something, like the photo of your son, you keep in your wallet?” Without much enthusiasm Rod was set up with a canvas and a stick of charcoal.
An hour later, an accurate image of his son appeared on the canvas. Rod discovered he had a hidden talent; he could draw and draw beautifully.
Discovering he had a gift to draw was life changing.
Rod decided right then and there that he wanted to study to become a professional artist. He flew back to WI sold everything and moved back to his home town, where he studied privately under the tutelage of a living master, Lance Richlin. Richlin took Rod’s raw talent and showed him the art of “seeing” and knowing how to re-create still life, photographs, live models, anything that was before him, with excellence. After completing intensive training in Richlin’s art school, Richlin told him “You have achieved everything I can teach you Rod, now go make art” so, Rod moved back to WI and started his own business, Rod Swade Originals.
Since 2011 Rod has been a successful, professional fine artist. His clients are from all over the United States. Rod specializes in what is called “Hyper Realism” where from a flat piece of paper he creates three dimensional images with woodless graphite. He takes great pride in re-creating images provided by clients, using his natural talents and all the hard-won lessons taught by Richlin.
Rod’s influences are Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Vermeer, Caravaggio and of course, Lance Richlin. In WI Rod’s work has been compared to Kenosha’s legend, George Pollard.
Rod says, “art for me is my sanctuary. When I sit down and start to work on my art, I become one with my art and the rest of the world disappears.
Art is my way of giving back to the world, art is my gift to give to the world.”
The day I discovered my gift, to create as an artist, I had a sleepless night.
Pondering the weight and reality of how best to use my gift, a gift bestowed upon me, lead me to vow to use my art in such a way that would allow me to be a vehicle of Light and give joy to others. This vow became my vision and my mission. I am honored to say that many of my commissions come from clients who have lost a loved one, either a two legged loved one or a four legged furry loved one. I am so pleased that my art has brought my clients great joy-seeing their special person or pet memorialized in a piece of art. This has brought me great joy and fulfillment. Of course, I also draw and paint portraits for those still with us, a favorite, grandparent, children, a special moment in the client’s life, or a favorite home. I enjoy capturing special moments in my client’s lives.
My mission, one that I love, is for my clients to receive Light and joy-the same feeling I have when I am drawing. I love that when I present a finished piece, to a client, it is the eyes that one is drawn to at first. Instantly the drawing comes to life, the subject’s eyes staring right back at you as if the drawing is alive. Creating life like drawings is an amazing experience.
Art is my sanctuary.
I become one with my art and the rest of the outside world disappears.
Art is my gift to the world. Thank you for being part of my gift.
I feel humbled and fortunate to be able to give my gift.