Cellular Devotion Illustrator Brian Swanson
Press Conference at GES, Las Vegas.
Painting a Heart: “An Affair of the Heart” St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
by Las Vegas illustrator Brian Swanson
Painted on large fiberglass sculpture using Brian’s Primitive plankton style blue field with small white ‘healthy cells’ scattered about the heart. Chosen artists were delivered large scale primed white blank sculptures, and give free reign to translate a message that would be in line with the hospital’s mission.
Some preparation was needed in order to start the painting which included a pigmented primer and some light body-work sanding. In the style with sharp and detailed illustration utilizing water-based paint pens, which is a characteristic Swanson has made his own. The cells flow across ventricle and aorata sections and have writing in key areas. The writing says “Let the heart decide & watch it grow,” and another area says “Superior vena cava,” which is the vein of the heart that carries deoxygenated blood back the the heart.
Over the weeks that it was being painted, it was on display on the studio floor, on a large drop cloth. A few visiting artists added some details in the matching style to the heart. After completion, the flat appearance heart was coated with a UV resistant gloss finish that brought out the subtle curves and definition of the cells and sculpture.
The simplicity of this piece is what made it so special, and the key piece for the entrance installation outside the the GES facility’s red carpet walk. The press conference showcased the artists involved and their sculptures were on display in a large front entrance office. It later was displayed on a walkway at the Henderson City Hall.
View all of the Collection of hearts for St. Jude 2011.
Heart sculpture by Miguel Rodriguez
