John August Swanson (1938 - 2021) painted in oil, watercolor, acrylic and mixed media, and was an independent printmaker of limited edition serigraphs, lithographs, and etchings.

His detailed, elaborate art reflects the strong heritage of storytelling he inherited from his Mexican mother and Swedish father. He addresses himself to human values, cultural roots, and his quest for self-discovery through visual images. Whether these images are of a Bible story or a vignette from everyday existence, all of his parables embrace the fullness of life and spiritual transformation.

Swanson often looked with eyes of faith upon the crises of our world today, creating a series of posters featuring the words of Pope Francis, Daniel Berrigan, Desmond Tutu, and other peacemakers, activists, and writers. With these works of art, he advocated for the people and the Earth. Issues covered include fresh drinking water, hunger, immigration policy, nuclear weapons, solitary confinement, the death penalty, environmental degradation, sustainability, and peace.

Click on any image to view a larger version. Swanson gave Spirituality & Practice permission to reprint these images here, and he extended that permission to you if you would like to share any of them on your Facebook or other social media accounts. (Right click on the image and save the image to your computer.) Visit his website to purchase prints, posters, and other works.