Aurora artist enjoys capturing beauty of rural wonders
Capturing the beauty of the landscape of her home state has always been a key focus of Aurora artist Tori Swanson, and now she’s enjoying the added pleasure of making her passion her regular job.
“People in Nebraska might think that our state is not that pretty or that cool, but if you know what to look for, there are some really beautiful parts to it,” Swanson said.
Growing up with her parents, Doug and Karen Swanson and her four brothers on their family’s farm outside of Aurora, Swanson says her love of art was a part of her life for as long as she can remember.
“I have just loved art for my whole life,” Swanson said. “When I was a kid, my parents would buy me art kits for Christmas. I just loved drawing and painting. It turns out I kind of have a little bit of a talent in it.”
After graduating from Nebraska Christian High School in 2013, Swanson went to Hillsdale College in Michigan to continue her education in painting and drawing.
“After I graduated (in 2017), I wasn’t sure what I was going to do,” she commented. “I thought maybe I’ll try to find a real job, like graphic design. After I moved back home to Aurora to try and figure things out, I decided to start selling some art.”
While she can draw about anything, Swanson says her greatest inspiration comes from rural themes.
“Growing up in a rural area, that’s where I get a lot of my inspiration for my artwork,” Swanson said. “Especially growing up on a farm. I think the fields and the rural scenes around us are just so beautiful. It’s really captivating to me.”
Swanson begins her creative process by traveling to different rural areas and her focus often on the vastness of a prairie or cornfield along with any rural life she finds there.
“I start with a sketch, block in the colors and values and slowly build up detail until I’m happy,” she said.
She said she also enjoys drawing and painting the scenes she has found when traveling outside of Nebraska.
While she often takes commissions for art pieces on various subjects in oils or water colors, she has also made some of her favorite works into stickers and prints.
“If they don’t have tons of money to spend on a huge painting, they can get a print,” Swanson noted. “I work really hard to make sure that the prints look almost identical to what an original piece looks like.”
When she isn’t selling her paintings through her website, Swanson often travels to art festivals, such as Nebraska City’s Apple Jack Festival, the Junkstock Vintage Festival in Omaha and Aurora’s own Art Walk, to promote her work.
As an emerging artist, Swanson said stepping out and showcasing her artwork has been one of the biggest obstacles for her to overcome.
“In the beginning, the hardest part was just having the confidence to put myself out there,” Swanson said. “It’s really vulnerable, sharing your artwork with people and not knowing how they’re going to receive it.”
She said that reluctance continued even after she began selling her artwork and the process has been a balancing act.
“Find that sweet spot between creating art that I love to make and I’m really passionate about, with what people are looking for to purchase. It can be a big investment for people,” Swanson commented.
In order to improve her skills, Swanson has also been traveling outside of Nebraska to participate in art shows. Starting this summer, she displayed some of her work in two art events in Minnesota.
“I was kind of nervous, going out of state, because you don’t know how people are going to receive your artwork,” she commented. “But I feel like in my experience, there’s a lot crossover between Nebraska and Minnesota.”
She said her nerves soon began to fade when she met other artists at the shows, several of whom were also from Nebraska.
“I met a lot of people at these events who were like, ‘Oh, I grew up in Nebraska’”, she recalled. “Or “I’m from Central City,’ and I’m like ‘Wow, that’s crazy!’”
With her art being featured in more galleries each year, Swanson said she is astonished by how well her art has been received since she began her career. She said the best part is, “just being able to do what I love.”
“I’ve been painting and drawing since I could hold a pencil,” Swanson stated. “It’s just crazy to me that in this day and age, I can make a living at it. It’s my job, but it doesn’t feel like a job.”
Swanson’s most important advice to beginning artists who are looking to pursue art full-time, is to not let fear stop them.
“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there,” Swanson said. “Create as much as possible, especially if you’re still trying to find your style. Just don’t worry about finding your style. Create artwork as much you can.”
“It can be stressful, especially when you’re working for yourself,” she added. “Instead of asking, ‘Are people going to buy things?’ or “Is this show going to be successful?’ Just focus on the work and do what you love. People will really resonate with that.”
To supplement her work as an artist, Swanson has also worked at Triple C Coffee in Aurora. She said she is also grateful to have the support of her family as her dream to become a full-time artist becomes a reality.
“It’s been very encouraging,” she said. “I am blessed that I continue to get work and I have so many in my life encouraging me through it.”
Swanson will be returning to her home town to display her artwork at Aurora’s Art Walk in September. The Art Walk is set for 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. at the Hamilton County courthouse lawn on Sunday, Sept. 22.
Swanson’s artwork can be found on her Instagram page at toridenaeart and on her website at toridenae.com.