Joanne Swisterski

My roots belong in Windsor Ontario, known as the city across the river from Detroit. There, the insatiable hunger to produce artwork began.

My first oil painting was of iris' in a wine glass. I told my mother I wanted to paint Iris' and she insisted that we walk to a wealthier neighborhood, convinced we would find them there. She was correct! Seconds after spotting some, she was knocking on a strangers front door, asking whether we could clip some of their flowers. To my shy disbelief, they weren't bewildered, but rather overjoyed to help a young artist with her painting!

I live in Toronto now, but the constant madness of getting the perfect painting continues, each piece with its own fantastical tale. Now the paintings environments come from further than the 'wealthier neighborhoods,' but from all of the world during my travel escapades.

There is never a terrible time to yell "quick, pull over the car!" or ask "can you hold my purse while I crawl into this tiny space and get a picture of this weird thing?" The perfect shot for a great painting could happen at any moment.

By trade, I'm an interior designer, having studied at Sheridan College in Oakville. Why do I love interior design so much? Because I plan every space to make sure that it is perfectly crafted to glorify art. Whether it is a foyer entrance, a living room above a sofa, a stair landing or even a kitchen! For me, the location of the art is what dictates how everything else gets choreographed around it. It is, no question, the most important feature of a space.

Propeller Gallery in Toronto, Ontario - 2020

Freedom Factory in Toronto, Ontario - 2018

Cabbagetown Festival in Toronto, Ontario - 2017

Liberty Village Art Crawl in Toronto, Ontario - 2016

GalleryM in Cambridge, Ontario - 2013,2015

Gladstone Hotel in Toronto, Ontario - 2011

RedEye Gallery Studio in Toronto, Ontario - 2009











Bear Walls Curating @ the Muddy George in Toronto, Ontario - 2017