Artist Bio
Ray Swirsky is a Calgary based emerging artist who began painting in the fall of 2014. With no formal education in the arts, he has quickly grasped on to the fundamentals of light, value, and intensity, creating a sense of atmosphere and depth in his paintings. When working from his home studio or painting plein air, his focus is always on developing his skill each time he sets brush to canvas or panel. Knowing how to best use these fundamentals to create depth and interest is key to any successful painting. He works with both brush and pallet knife, creating works that vary in detail from fine realism to a looser, almost abstract, style of realism.
Having grown up in the small town of Kimberley, BC, Ray has never lost his connection with nature. His love of the mountains and western landscapes can be seen in the bulk of his paintings. He does paint other subject matter such as portrait, still life and action scenes. Much of his work is commissioned work for clients, a process he enjoys very much.
Ray is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists (AFCA) and the Alberta Society of Artists (ASA). In his short career, Ray’s work has been well received into many juried exhibitions with works being sold throughout Canada, USA, and the UK.
Artist Statement
I most like to paint landscapes and wildlife from Western Canada, but I am always challenging myself with different material from time to time. In my catalogue of work you will find everything from elephants to mountain scenes, still life to portrait, and birch trees to a water bomber over a raging forest fire.
– Ray Swirsky