Amazing Young Artist at Art Gallery only until August 13th, 2008

Courtlandt Swartz

At only 15, Courtlandt Swartz, in an earlier time would have been known as a 'renaissance' young man. A painter, musician and dancer, he is following his dreams in a wide range of arts but, that wasn't always the case. "I went to a high school that didn't have much in the way of arts and it was really difficult to fit in, "he explains.

Today, however, enrolled in the Claude Watson Arts Program at one of Toronto's famous school of the arts, Earl Haig, Swartz says that, "... I think I've found my place with others who are interested in the same things and it makes a big difference."

Swartz first began to paint at the early age of four with his grandmother, who was also an accomplished artist. In addition to studying visual arts at Earl Haig, Swartz is also a student of tap with the famous Sean Boutilier Academy of Dance and has been studying guitar privately with R&B and jazz musician, Tim Latanville.

He has already won many awards, including, the Muskoka Residents' Certificate of Admiration, the 2006 Gold Medal Award from the Cybridge Science and Engineerng Olympics in Toronto, the 1999 Honourable Mention at the Toronto Hydro Art contest and the 2007 Kingston Prize in addition to be nominated for the 2008 Sobey Award.

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His works, exhibited at the Windsor Art Studios in Weston, the Laidlaw Hall Gallery of Emerging Artists Exhibition and the Chancery Art Gallery in Bracebridge are now on display at the Southampton Art Gallery.

For one so young, Swartz' paintings in acrylics, are dramatic expressions in rich, vibrant colours. Some centre around midlevel times with a 'king arthurian' feel while others focus on early means of transport such as impressive steam engine trains and ships under sail.

"I like working with acrylics," he explains. "I especially like the thick texture that you don't get with other paints and I really like trains and ships."

Sitting in his studio, watching Swartz paint, it's hard to remember he's a teenager. As he paints, he talks about his love of music that ranges from jazz to classical. "I like all kinds of music. I play the tenor sax, piano, clarinet and guitar and I've played in quite a few bands."

Even though he paints and plays several instruments, his interests are still those of a teenager. "I love the Harry Potter series and have read and re-read the books, which I think are better than the movies."

Swartz' works remain at the Southampton Art Gallery until August 13th and then will move on to Nature's Millworks in Paisley, followed up by an in-home exhibition at 143 Quenn's Drive in Weston, Toronto and then in November at the Windosr Art Stuidos in Weston.