Internationally noted artist Anne Nelson-Sweat   is best known for her skill and ability in capturing the likeness and soul of the people she paints and the essential beauty of the landscapes she creates. Her intuitive sensitivity to her subject matter and innate celebration of the spirit are what draws people to her work. Her portraits and original works are found in private collections throughout the United States and abroad, particularly in her home state of Texas. During her extensive career as an artist, Nelson-Sweat has been published in such magazines as The Artist's Magazine, Art & Antiques, and People magazine.

Nelson-Sweat received her Bachelors of Fine Arts from Lamar University in 1985, where she studied under the direction of the eminent professor and artist Jerry A. Newman, whose 'naturalistic' style has been a significant source of her inspiration. In her own words...

"I paint with a great love of nature and respect for our ever-changing environment. Mingled with my love for music and dance, my art has emerged as a method of reaching out for the rhythms and symphonies of the universe. Reaching out is also a way of reaching within, of finding spiritual content and meaning.

When painting, I strive to convey light and motion. I often think of my work as music on canvas. Light is everything, for light and shadow show contrast, character, and mood. Together they can reveal the dichotomy of nature - the seen and the unseen. I try to create rhythms and patterns, which give a sense of freedom from the static and motionless. Nature is always on the edge, grappling with change as often we humans are. I choose to celebrate these forces through a fascination and appreciation for the visual and spiritual splendor of our world in thankfulness of God's great creation."

Anne Nelson-Sweat, a fourth generation Texan, is the third of seven children born to her artistic mother and architect father. Much of her time as a youth was spent at the Gulf Coast or at Lake Toledo Bend in the piney woods, where she always found sanctuary. She is instinctively drawn to the native landscape of Texas, which she is inspired to paint.

Texas is blessed with broad vistas, the ocean and its beaches, beautiful lakes, the hill country, and the forests of east Texas. Nelson-Sweat embraces them all, bringing them to life through her own experience. Her landscapes and figurative paintings have an impressionistic quality, which makes them feel at once both timeless and playful. The energy of her paintings radiates with her great love of people and nature.

Nelson-Sweat is committed to growing as an artist and as a person. She has found inspiration from learning new painting methods as well as new approaches to seeing and teaching. She has recently had opportunities to study with world-renowned artists, including Richard Whitney, Nelson Shanks, Scott Christensen and Guido Frick. Her studies have taken her to San Francisco; New York; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; and Carmel, California, introducing her to wonderful new environments and fresh perspectives. Nelson-Sweat has recently been a guest speaker and demonstrator for the Austin Pastel Society. She is a member of the American Society of Portrait Artists, Oil Painters of America, and Portrait Society of America.

Anne Nelson-Sweat currently lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, architect Brian Sweat. Their son Christopher is a Pre-Med student at Texas A&M where his grandfather studied Architecture. Nelson-Sweat believes in supporting causes that are close to her heart, some of which include Ronald McDonald House, The Children's Hospital of Austin, The Gift of Life ~Beaumont, The Austin Children's Museum, the Art Has Heart Foundation, Austin Chamber Music, The Austin Ballet, and Victoria Symphony Orchestra. If you are interested in donating to any of these causes, please contact them today. If you cannot give money, perhaps you could give your time! Every little bit helps. Thank You!

Please explore the galleries presented in this site and enjoy the art of a Texas original.

You may contact Anne by email at :: anne@anneNelsonSweat.com