Meet Reven Marie Swanson | Sculptor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Reven Marie Swanson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Reven Marie, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks is part of any artistic career, both in the studio and in the marketplace. There is no one formula to succeed as a full-time artist. I often remind myself of a book I read as a kid, “The Little Engine that Could”. Try something to see if it works. If it does or doesn’t, try again. Building a career is a lifetime event. Allow time and experience to move towards your goals. If you’re genuine and believe what you are doing is your best creative act, taking risks become less frightening.

I believe that Nature loves courage. It will move what seems impossible obstacles. That what some may deem as failure, in truth, it opens an avenue for opportunity.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The greatest asset I have is patience. I like to tell people I have the patience of a stone-carver. I once heard an interview with a San Francisco radio DJ and Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. The DJ asked what was the biggest reason for the success of the Grateful Dead. Jerry replied, “We just stood in place long enough”.

I think that’s where my patience worked by just continuing to work, circulate and be apart of the Front Range art scene for now three decades. Was it always easy… NO!

I was a young female working into the metal yards and welding shops. For many years, no one took me seriously and thought what I was doing was weird. I had to learn to walk tall, ignore unproductive comments and earn respect.

The greatest lesson I learned along the way is be honest, kind and respectful. Engage people who know about materials like paint, powder coating and steel fabrication. If you listen, they will teach you more about your craft than you would do on your own. Some great concepts and ideas have come from those conversations. Artist don’t work in a void.

I would like the world to know my artwork is an exploration and observation of the Natural World and modern culture. I would like to encourage stewardship of the Natural World through images that invite, engage and foster healthy practices. I like to think of my sculpture as “leaving little pieces of sunshine” where ever I go.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Yeah! My best friend has come to visit. Let’s plan a day.

In summer, we’d head straight up to the hills and go for a walk. I would have to tell them I was taking them to a secret place where few people go, like Barbour Forks outside of Idaho Springs. There’s a waterfall hidden back there. When it’s screaming hot in July, it’s a terrific place to dip in cool mountain water. After a lovely day of walking and talking, we would drive down to Idaho Springs and get a beer at West Down and Bound. If it were a Sunday, would definitely finish the day by taking in a free music performance at City Park.

In winter, I’d take them to Bluff Lake Nature Preserve. You can spend a couple of hours walking and talking. The variety of birds are amazing and fun to identify. After a couple of hours, we’d go to Station 26 for an official Juicy Banger, which in my opinion is an example of a quintessential Colorado IPA.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe a tremendous amount of skill, confidence and opportunity to Robert and Peggy Mangold. Robert is a Master sculptor who taught me everything I know about welding and outdoor sculpture. Peggy, the owner and curator of Artyard Contemporary Sculpture in Denver, gave me emotional support and exhibition opportunities. Even today, when I lay a weld, I hear Robert’s voice, “get inside the metal.” Peggy routinely told me, “sculptors think different than other people. You’re one of them.”

Another big shoutout would be to Cynthia Madden Leitner of the Museum of Outdoor Arts (MOA). She supports artists and sculptors throughout Colorado. Talk about taking risks! She encourages and fosters creative risk-taking and provides a credible forum in which to express those creative endeavors. I owe a great deal of gratitude to her and everyone at the MOA.

Website: www.revenswanson.com

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