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Artist's Biography
Gordon Swayze was born in Seattle, Washington, in 1942. His father had just enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force to become an Aviation Cadet and eventually served a 30-year career in the United States Air Force. His parents were both graduates of the University of Washington, but an air force flying career would take this family around the United States and Europe. Gordon attended Rincon High School in Tucson, Arizona while his father flew strategic bombers out of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. After graduating from Rincon's first class, Gordon packed his car and ventured up to Seattle in order to major in art education at the University of Washington. He graduated in 1964 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
The air force was an exciting career and Gordon volunteered for Special Operations as a Combat Control Officer. While serving between 1964 and 1978, he was stationed in Vietnam, Europe, and the United States. Gordon graduated from the Army Basic Parachutist's Course, the Navy Underwater Swimmer's Course, and the High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) Parachutist's Course. He became a qualified HALO Jumpmaster, but left the air force to enter Southern California College of Optometry. In 1992, he returned to active duty as Chief of Aerospace Optometry at Howard Air Force Base, in the Republic of Panama.
It was while stationed in Panama that Swayze wanted to return to his first love... art! He commenced building a painting portfolio during his four-year assignment in Panama and then was reassigned to Davis-Monthan AFB, in Tucson, Arizona. Life was bringing him full-circle and in 1996 returned him to the beautiful Arizona Sonoran desert where his art interests were first stimulated.
Swayze believes that his marriage to his wife, Marcelle, in 1993, was the overt catalyst that motivated him to pick up his paintbrushes and palette knives. He is presently retired from the air force and living with Marcelle in Arizona, where he is developing a new life experience as an artist-painter.
Artist Statement
"Fine artists and painters are privileged to participate with the true Creator. In the process of arranging the elements of His creation into a meaningful composition, the artist can bring pleasure by touching and stimulating the depth of experiences and emotions of each viewer. I want my paintings to grip and capture each observer, stirring and releasing their individual thoughts and human experiences.
My work is varied and embraces Abstract Expressionism and Stylistic Realism. Today, I paint with passion in whatever style most connects with my inner human spirit and has the best chance of stimulating the heart of the viewer. I attempt to do this by focusing on fundamental artistic principles, the inherent qualities of the media, and the beautiful lights and textures found in this world.
My paintings may find their basic roots in arranged elements or landscape. Art for me will always be an attempt to capture light and textures in a pleasurable and contrasting power of paint and the media of choice. Although the themes and styles may vary, the very core of my paintings is Spiritual. I believe that the true Creator has given each and every one of us an opportunity to participate with Him in His great creation. What we do with our talents and gifts will have eternal significance."
Email:arizonaswayze1942@gmail.com
Web Site: swayze-art.blogspot.com
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