Artist: Clinton Swanson

ARTIST STATEMENT

Why do you use the medium you use?

I use graphite because I like how dark it can get and it’s easy to clean up. I didn’t realize graphite was my favorite medium until after I had painted acrylic for years and then came back to pencil drawing.

What role does art play in your life?

Art is an outlet for all my moods. It helps dull the anger and sadness and it amplifies my happiness and joy.

What inspires you to create your art?

I started drawing for my son, so he is my greatest inspiration. Moods inspire me, good movies, life experiences, other people’s art, and learning.

This was my first dragon and I was watching the Yule log burn on Christmas Eve on TV and that inspired me to try to draw something with fire in it.