Jason Swift, artist and head of the art department at Plymouth State University, has been sharing his art and his story for many years now. He offers a very broad perspective on the art world and believes it is something that is unique to each person. He inspires me every day to want to become an art educator, and I am pleased to introduce you to him and share his perspective with you. We had to do this interview over email, for he was away at a meeting all week.
I have a BFA in art education and sculpture, MFA in sculpture, Masters of Education in Art Education and a Doctorate of Education in Art Education. I have experience as an art gallery owner and curator, elementary and high school art teacher and furniture builder and graphic designer. All the experiences have helped me grow as an artist with different skills and experiences that have contributed to the art I make and my teaching.
My Grandfather (furniture builder and farmer) and Mother (school teacher).
A pencil and my hand.
I write about my art and explore how to overcome the block and solve the problem through questioning and exploring solutions.
I am making art about my experiences growing up and how they have influenced who I make art and have made me who I am.
One I can think of is a large wooden planer construction I did in undergraduate school. It was a great exercise in problem solving and I made it at my Grandfather's woodworking shop.
Art is important to me because it lets me tell my stories, gives me an outlet and emotional comfort and it helps me stay feeling young.
I really don't know. I think it is expanding as tools and technology does, but it will always stay a personal expression.
I had a professor outside of art once ask surprising that I was serious about making art. It was a statement that really was connected to me choosing to be an artist or a teacher. I'm stubborn and chose both and proved I can be an artist-teacher.
I think the best thing is to always make things and try not to worry about what others say. First and foremost our art is made for ourselves and we do it because we love it.
I can't think of anything more except, always try to have fun when making art.
Art Talk with Jason Swift
by Olivia Smith
What is your background and how has that contributed to your evolution as an artist?
I have a BFA in art education and sculpture, MFA in sculpture, Masters of Education in Art Education and a Doctorate of Education in Art Education. I have experience as an art gallery owner and curator, elementary and high school art teacher and furniture builder and graphic designer. All the experiences have helped me grow as an artist with different skills and experiences that have contributed to the art I make and my teaching.
Who are your biggest influences?
My Grandfather (furniture builder and farmer) and Mother (school teacher).
What’s your most important artist tool; something that you couldn’t live without as an artist?
A pencil and my hand.
How do you overcome artist block?
I write about my art and explore how to overcome the block and solve the problem through questioning and exploring solutions.
Here you can find some more information about Jason Swift:
https://www.plymouth.edu/faculty-staff/faculty-staff/faculty-profiles/jason-swift/
And here, you can see some of his artwork on his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/jasonswift