Ray Swanson (1937-2004)
Branding at Cottonwood, 1979
oil on canvas
24 x 36 inches
35 x 47 inches (frame)
signed lower right: Ray Swanson 79
verso: titled, signed and dated

Ray Swanson, a self-taught realist painter renowned for his portraits of Navajo and Hopi Indians, was born in Alcester, South Dakota in 1937. Settling in Arizona from 1972, first in Prescott and then Carefree, Swanson found his artistic muse in the Navajo people. Raised on a farm and initially trained in aeronautical engineering, Swanson's passion for painting blossomed after inheriting his grandfather's paint box. Transitioning to full-time artistry in Prescott, he immersed himself in Native American and cowboy culture, capturing the Southwest's luminous landscapes. Swanson’s work gained recognition in publications including Artists of the Rockies and Southwest Art, affirming his place in the regional art scene.

The painting appears to be in good condition. Under UV examination, there is no evidence of restoration or inpainting.