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Tootin’ my own horn – winning awards at Duveneck Art Show 2017

I don’t participate in a lot of outdoor art shows, but whenever I can, I go to Covington’s sculpture park along the Ohio river for the Duveneck Art Show. It’s usually the day before Mother’s Day.  The people who organize the show are community minded, and love artists. They even treat the artists to a garden party after the show!  How can I resist?

This year, I tried something different: I used Facebook’s ‘Live Video’, to let my friends see what was going on at the show. Because it was live, the video is completely unedited, and un scripted. I had stage fright at first, but it was fun, and it has given me some ideas for future live projects that I can do in my studio. A copy of the video is still on my  facebook profile, so you can click the link below to see how it went.

video no longer available

I won the Duveneck Award! I was really excited about that because the art becomes a part of the Kenton County Public Library’s collection, and is exhibited in one of their libraries. This show and award is in it’s 48th year.  The Duveneck show art collection has never been displayed as a group…until June 4th. The Behringer-Crawford museum is going to have an exhibit of all 48 Duveneck Art Award winners. I’m thrilled to be a part of it!

The winning piece was an ipad drawing of the view from my studio at the Pendleton Art Center. I think it’s interesting because it contrasts downtown Cincinnati’s old historic architecture, with it’s newer towers in the background.

I also won ‘Best in Show’ for my overall body of work. I was embarassed, because it isn’t common for the same artist to win two big awards at the same show. My work isn’t easy to catagorize, and that can be an advantage or penalty, depending on how traditional the judge is. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for the recognition (and prize/rent money!)

It was the ‘day of Ken’, because in addition to the two awards, I also won the ‘People’s Choice’ award. Guests at the show were invited to vote for their favorite artist…and it was me and my work! I am thrilled to know that my work is reaching and inspiring others.

Outdoor shows are a lot of work, but it feels more like a day of hanging out with friends-in contrast to a ‘day in the office’…especially when it’s the Duveneck Art Show. Thanks again to everyone who worked hard to make it happen!

I am only doing one more outdoor show this season… it’s Art In The Garden, in Augusta, KY on June 3rd. Don’t miss the fun, I hope to see you then!

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New Paintings-Children’s Theater Of Cincinnati

Earlier this year, I was invited to exhibit some of my work at the Children’s Theater Of Cincinnati. Most of my experience with theater has been from the audience. While visiting their facility, I discovered just how many different creative disciplines work as a team to make the theater happen. Rather than just exhibit work that I have already created, I was inspired to start a new series of oil paintings which celebrate the different people ‘behind the scenes’ in theater.  This weekend, they unveiled the first two paintings of the project during their spring fundraising gala.  These depict the cosutme designers and the set designers.  

Ken Swinson pictured with Kim Deaton and Roderick Justice of The Children’s Theater Of Cincinnati.

I’m interested in celebrating all forms of creative expression, and theater is unique because it combines so many into one work. I’m grateful to the Children’s Theater Of Cincinnati for the opportunity, and also the Maysville Players – Mike Thomas and Mark Funk, in particular…who are an encyclopedia of knowledge about theater, and have been a great resource for my research. They manage Maysville’s Theater -an AMAZING program, especially considering the size of our rural community.

I’m thrilled with how the series of paintings are developing – (choreography, music and makeup are next), but I’m even more excited how the project gave me a chance to learn about the local theater in my community. I love what they are doing, and want to encourage you all to support your local theater the next time they have a performance…not only is it entertaining, but it’s supporting a wide range of arts.

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learning is a long road, whether looking forward or back

I have been learning 3D modelling for a few years now, and the more I learn, the less I realize I know. Recently, I was frustrated because I was having a hard time understanding some new concepts in the program, Blender 3D.

He ido aprendido como hacer arte durante unos años , y el mas aprendo, di cuenta que supe muy poco. Recientamente, estuve frustrado porque tuve un reto comprendido algo conceptos nuevos de 3D

I was looking through some of my old work, comparing old models to newer, and it reminded me that (even though I don’t realize it) I am making progress.
For example. Here is a paddle boat that I made a year ago:

Estuve mirando entre algo de mis obras viejas, comparando viejas a nuevas, recuerde que (aunque no di cuenta) estoy hecho progreso.


I remember that this boat took a long time to model, and in spite of it’s many flaws, I was happy with the end results.

Recuerdo que este barco me tomo mucho tiempo para construir, no obstante, con sus mucho errores, estuve feliz con los resultos ultimos.

Now look at this model I made today:
Ya mires a este obro he hecho hoy:

Even though it feels like I’m not making any progress, and it feels like an impossible thing to learn. I can look back, and remind myself that I am getting better…and if I continue to practice, I will keep improving.

Aunque lo parece que no estoy hecho progresso, y lo siente como un cosa imposible para aprender: puedo mirar atras y recuerdo que estoy mejarando…y si continuo practicar, voy a mejorar

Here is another example of an animation project. 3 years ago:
Aqui, hay otro ejemplo de animacion. hace 3 años:

and more recently:
y mas recien:

I recently (3 years ago) started learning Spanish, and it could be one of the hardest things I have ever tried to do…it is constantly frustrating, and I wonder if I am wasting my time. I continue with with the hope, that, like my 3D modelling, I am getting better, even though I don’t realize it.
Recientamente, comenze aprender español, es posible unos de mis retos mas dificil…constantamente dificil, y me pregunto si es un gasto de mi tiempo. Continuo con esperanza que (como mis proyectos de 3D) estoy mejorando, aunque no lo doy cuenta.

I know these models still have a lot of flaws, and I have a long way to go, but hopefully these examples give you all some inspiration, if you are struggling to learn something new.

Yo se que estes modelos todavia tienen muchos errores y necesito mejorar mucho, pero espero que estes ejemplos te dan algo inspiracion, si estas luchando aprender algo nuevo.