We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laine Swanson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laine below.

Laine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I’ve been an artist my entire life, but I did not pursue my passion as a business until 2021. Do I wish I had started my business and career sooner? Of course. But on the flip side of that coin, I know that I wasn’t the person or artist yet who could handle that dream and all the tasks and pressure that come with being a business owner. Developing myself as a person, my niche and skill as an artist, and my vision was key in being able to take those first steps as a solo entrepreneur.

Laine, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As an artist living with chronic pain, I began my artistic journey of combining anatomy and botany in large, technical drawings to process my own body in early 2020. I had learned that I have several structural issues in my spine and pelvis. In short, my pain can be treated, but not resolved or “fixed,” and I live with daily chronic pain. So I turned to my best form of self-expression – art. My anatomical drawing series was born from longing for who I once was, acceptance of who I am now, and having to choose to cultivate a positive mind-body connection by choosing to see beauty despite pain.

By offering original artwork, custom commissions, and print reproductions, it is a dream come true to see the impact on individuals and communities that my work has had over the last few years. As an artist, it is beyond fulfilling to find what you should be creating, have that be and feel life-giving, and allow viewers to connect with your art quickly and on a deep, personal level. A beautiful aspect of anatomy is that it is universal and non-discriminatory. My art transforms not just spaces but minds, as we all are going through, or know someone going through, something.

Like anything that takes practice, my skills have drastically improved over the last three years of creating anatomical and botanical art. My techniques are something that set me apart, as I spend an average of 100 hours per piece from research to printing. I think that’s one of the things about my craft that I’m most proud of – as my skills develop and evolve I can see each thing I create reach a new level of expertise. Over the last year I’ve really been able to push myself, expanding to animal anatomy for a vet and a company commission surrounding mission and vision for an archaeological consulting firm, and I’m currently deep into a new series based on experiences.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the biggest reward as an artist is connecting with the public through the impact of art. It’s a very humbling and grateful experience to laugh, cry, and speak with people who feel my art on a very personal level. To connect with and create a cathartic space to hold people in is extremely fulfilling.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

In high school and in college, teachers/professors told me I would never paint – that I sucked and didn’t have what it takes. Which is funny to me now, with how subjective art is (something they taught heavily on). And as that criticism did fuel me to pursue pencils and specifically drawing, it took me a long time to move past that. It wasn’t until my new painting, “Concentration,” created in 2023, that I realized I was still fighting those lies from them, which in turn became my own story. It was incredibly freeing to force myself to push past that, and create what was in my soul anyway…and paint. I can happily say now, though my skills as a painter were long stifled, I’m finding my way and it’s true to me and what I want to say.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.laineswanson.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laineswansonart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laineswansonart/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@laineswansonart?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc