About Michael

Michael Diniz Swingler is a Brazilian-American artist born in Santa Monica, California. His early childhood was divided between Santa Monica and his maternal hometown of João Pessoa, Brazil. He was raised and subsequently educated in southern California.

Michael participated in his first group art show at the age of 14 and by 18 was awarded a small scholarship from the Niguel Art Association in Dana Point, California with which he proceeded to study painting for one year at The Art Institute of Southern California in Laguna Beach.

Michael volunteered as lay clergy in Colombia's southwestern region—mainly in Cali and Medellin—at age 19. By 22 he had married Cileny, a Barranquillan, and started a family with her back in Los Angeles. He participated in a few local exhibitions while working as a graphic designer and visual effects animator. He later returned to Colombia with his wife and four children, residing there for 10 years as an expatriate artist and teacher in Barranquilla and Bogotá.

Michael then returned with his family to California, working again as a graphic designer and achieving an undergraduate degree from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He discovered and joined the Ventura Artists Union in 2019, participating actively in group shows, community activities, and performing as bass guitarist. His father's death—and the costs incurred—forced Michael and his family to move again.

Since 2020, he now resides in Texas.

Michael wants his artworks to be respected for their level of skill, spark conversations due to their content, and be worthy of remembrance by remaining visible in public collections (such as museums) where they may appreciate in value.

As such, it is his mission to concrete his style, create, show, and therefore sell his unique paintings to an audience of posterity-minded collectors, curators, and exhibitors.

Michael Diniz Swingler is a Brazilian-American painter inspired by the Baroque, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Islamic tiling, and calligraphy. His training includes an undergraduate degree from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, over a decade as an expatriate artist in Colombia, work as an animator for a Disney film, and years of experience as a graphic designer.

Michael is rational, but generally feels that there is something more to existence just beyond his understanding. As a result, his work is firmly rooted in realistic figures, objects, and landscapes that detour into various abstractions. He uses classical oil painting techniques on canvas or panel and usually pulls his ideas from sketchbook wanderings and academic re-workings. He does not always begin with a specific plan, so his processes vary. Live models and photographic references are employed when realism is important. His brushwork tends to be refined and premeditated, even when trying to work loosely and spontaneously. An artwork is finished when he says so and will usually not be considered as "completed" until it has been varnished and framed.

Michael sincerely hopes that the audience enjoys his work—its composition, skill, details, and impact—and through conversation arrive each person at their own conclusion as to its meaning.

Incubadora - This compendium of 17 drawings and paintings precede Michael’s coursework at the Academy of Art University. Varying in media and scale, the pivotal artworks depict humanoid figures set into graphic-laden backgrounds made by use of voluntary and involuntary techniques. Artworks are completed, although some still require framing. Of the series: 7 are in private collections, 1 is in a museum collection, 1 was stolen, 2 have been damaged, 3 require framing, and 3 are available for purchase.

Academia - This body of over 50 drawings and paintings in charcoal and oils are a sample of Michael’s training at the Academy of Art University. The majority of these intimately scaled works depict freehand renderings of figurative and still life studies using classical techniques. Of the series: more than half of the series is pending frames and photo documentation, 8 have been sold into private collections, and 8 are currently available for purchase.

Modificada - A collection of academic and earlier pieces that have been re-worked as to better align with Michael’s current stylistic preferences. This series of over 80 paintings is in its final stages of production and nearing completion.

Topografica - These intimately-sized oil paintings depict Michael’s ongoing relationship with rendering landscapes and cityscapes en plein air and alla prima. Of the series: 1 has been sold into a private collection and 1 is kept by the artist, with the remaining 20-something artworks pending frames and photo documentation.

Polaridade - A proposed body of 100+ mixed media artworks intended for all price points (a full range of sizes) in which Michael explores his dual appetite for contrasting loose abstract and tight classical techniques. This collection is started, but on pause while focusing on concluding the Modificada collection.

Naturezas - A proposed body of 50+ paintings intended for moderate price points (medium sizes) in which Michael focuses on floral and food themes using Classical and Surrealist techniques. This collection is proposed and is pending conclusion of the Modificada collection before production can be started.

Disagreeable - A proposed body of approximately 10 paintings intended for a larger price point (large size) in which Michael expresses his observations on complex social narratives using a variety of techniques in a Baroque-Surrealist style. This collection is proposed and its initiation is pending conclusion of the Modificada collection in conjunction with adequate funding.

Commissions - More than just pretty pictures, these are custom paintings for private collectors. Unique works of fine art that will become heirlooms and inherited as cherished historical items. Currently accepting commissions.

2008
Incubadora Surrealista
Museo Internacional Comfamiliar
Barranquilla, Colombia

1994
Palos Pulpos Pinturas
Galerie Alliance Française
Barranquilla, Colombia

2020
Cells | Art in Isolation
VAU Online Gallery
Ventura, California

2020
Eros Unbound
Art City Gallery
Ventura, California

2019
It’s Like Fall
Art City Gallery
Ventura, California

2019
DNA
Art City Gallery
Ventura, California

2019
It’s Beltane, Baby!
Art City Gallery
Ventura, California

2019
Nature 101
Art City Gallery
Ventura, California

2017
22nd Annual Alumni Fine Art Auction
The Cannery
San Francisco, California

2012
11th Annual National Arts Exhibit
Government Center Atrium Gallery
Ventura, California

2011
10th Annual National Arts Exhibit
Government Center Atrium Gallery
Ventura, California

2007
Ejercicios Artísticos
Galería Distrital
Barranquilla, Colombia

1996
On Display
Na Na
Santa Monica, California

1994
Outstanding Room Only
Northlight Gallery
Los Angeles, California

1991
Sixth Annual Student Exhibition
Muriel Reynolds Gallery
Laguna Beach, California

1990
Imagination Celebration
Mission Viejo Mall
Mission Viejo, California

1990
Color It Orange
Ettinger Gallery
Laguna Beach, California

1990
Youth Expo
Orange County Fairgrounds
Costa Mesa, California

1990
Let’s Face It!
IVC Gallery Hall
Irvine, California

1986
Tri-Cities
The USC Atelier
Santa Monica, California

2012
Second Place, Juried Exhibition
The National Arts Program
Ventura County, California

1990
First Place, Juried Exhibition
The Niguel Art Association
Dana Point, California

2018
My Weightlifting Coloring Book
Rojas, Ivan (Author) / Swingler, Michael (Illustrator)
ISBN 978-1-943650-91-0 - Risto Sports LLC, 2018
Cocoa, FL

2008
A las 11 con Ernesto
McCausland, Ernesto - TeleCaribe Live, 07/13/2008
Barranquilla, Colombia

1997
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Walt Disney Television - ABC and Storyline Entertainment, 1997
Burbank, California

1994
Artist EU Expone en Alianza Francesa
El Heraldo - Edition 12/01/1994, Page 8C
Barranquilla, Colombia

Artist
Swingler Art Studio
Spring, Texas

Graphic Designer
Ventura Artists’ Union
Ventura, California

Senior Graphic Designer
EmployBridge
Atlanta, Georgia (Remote from California)

Teacher
IBO World Schools
Colombia

Graphic Designer
Move, Inc.
Westlake Village, California

Teacher
California State University
Long Beach, California

3D Artist
Digital Magic Effect House, Ltd.
Santa Monica, California

“Michael is an outstanding professional artist! Even though my sample was not in good condition, he created a fantastic painting; close to reality. Thank you again for creating this amazing painting for us!” 


— Victor Sazo, Lens Designer, Opti-Max

“‘Super-talented and efficient’ is what first comes to mind when I think about Michael. He was my go-to person time and time again, because he's reliable and he's able to integrate well in multiple situations.  Basically, he gets it done. It's rare to find someone who has the incredible artistic talent and the equal ability to manage projects as he does; combined with a strong sense of professionalism and accountability. I accomplished the goals I set forth for the Ventura Artists' Union because of Michael's contributions as a designer and project manager. One last thing, he's a great storyteller that often had us laughing and wondering what's next.
“

— Jason Brock, Vice President, Ventura Artists’ Union

“I commissioned Michael to paint a very special painting for me. I sent him several pictures of the parts of the painting I wanted – a particular tree, one with my face that I wanted, but another with the hairdo I wanted. It was hard for me to ask him to paint it, because it’s related to a big CPTSD trigger which I had recently overcome after many decades of it being problematic. He was so thoughtful in how he asked the questions he needed me to answer for him to do the painting the way I wanted it. His sensitivity was so comprehensive that it actually surprised me, as it was much more than I expected. I am pleased and comforted by this deeply meaningful painting, and recommend him highly.
“

— Barbara Langston, Retired, Mountain Flower Enterprises

“Michael has immense talent. It was a pleasure working on various types of design projects with great brainstorming sessions on the really complicated ones. More importantly, his attitude was positive, never afraid to ask questions, and managed his time well. He always met the deadlines and would notify me asap if there were any issues. Any company would be lucky to have him on their team.”


— Megan-Claire Chase, Media and Marketing Manager

“Those were the days. I enjoyed working with Michael at Homestore. He has always been one of the BEST at what he does. The GO-TO person, very detail-oriented, calm, smart, very easy to talk to and always open to any ideas.”


— Tony (Juan) Rivera, Mobile Application Engineer, Tesla Motors

“I really enjoyed working with Michael on projects. He was always completely open to any ideas and worked quickly in time sensitive situations to come up with design solutions to difficult situations where businesses and services were constantly being added to our website.
“

— Kim Galbraith, Yoga Coach, Workplace Wellness Yoga

“Michael is an excellent professional, showing creativity and confidence in his work. Specifically, he has designed for us a variety of brochures, annual greeting cards, and presentation packets for conventions. He was also a responsible backdrop designer and painter for the theatrical presentation, ‘El Cuarto Rey Mago.’ He is an excellent person with solid principles and a distinguished professional that is constantly progressing.”


— Julio Eduardo Chumbita, Director, Colegio Gustavo Becquer