The work of Jan Swanson is an exploration of the idiosyncratic and the unexpected, rooted in a life spent identifying the extraordinary within the mundane. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Swanson finds inspiration in her immediate surroundings—though she rarely perceives them in traditional terms. If a cow wanders across the street from her home, it will likely find its way onto her canvas; however, in her practice, that animal is just as likely to be rendered in stripes as in its natural coat. This pull toward the unconventional is foundational. Swanson inherited a sharp sense of humor and a restless creative drive from her father, whose influence remains a cornerstone of her work. His history in the furniture and fabric industries deeply informs her aesthetic, manifesting in the complex patterns, rich textures, and textile-inspired motifs that define her paintings. Swanson is drawn to the "plaid horse in the dining room"—the delightful spark of seeing something out of context or brilliantly reimagined. Her goal is to invite the viewer into this perspective, offering a space where the familiar is transformed through bold color, intentional patterning, and a refusal to settle for the expected.