ROGER
SWAINSTON
Artist of the Underwater World
Artwork
Drawing on scuba underwater or in the studio, perched in a rainforest tree or braced against southern ocean swells on a research vessel. No matter his working environment Roger Swainston brings always to his artwork an attention to detail, a profound knowledge and understanding of his subjects and the consuming passion to portray them.
About Roger
One of the most recognised artists of the underwater world, Roger was raised in the Western Australian outback surrounded by wildlife. He has always drawn and painted the natural world and childhood visits to the remote south coast of WA were the catalyst for a lifelong fascination with the marine environment.
Original Paintings & Prints
ANIMA is an online Art Gallery and Image Bank presenting the work of Roger Swainston. Original Paintings, museum quality archival Prints produced in the ANIMA studio and Books produced by Roger Swainston
The ANIMA Image Bank offers more than 3000 digital images of Indo-Pacific Marine Life.
Projects
The science and art of Roger Swainston are inseparable and his quest for an understanding of the beauty and diversity of the Natural World, and the means to express it, have led to a variety of projects. In-depth studies of all the families of fishes, decades long observations of the reef systems of Ningaloo and many others.
Expeditions
As a scientist, artist and conservationist, Roger has travelled to some of the most remote and untouched regions of the planet. His participation in large-scale biodiversity surveys and his personal voyages over many years have provided him with remarkable insights into the state of our natural world.
News
Comprehensive updates on Roger’s Expeditions, Projects, and Arts
Fieldwork Camp 2023
Back in Coral Bay again for my annual visit. The camp is set up, boat in the water and I am ready to start work. I took the opportunity on the long drive up here to visit a tree which I painted over 30 years ago, it's still going strong though much changed of course and no longer has a Galah nesting in its hollow.
Preparations
Heading up to Coral Bay for my annual field trip, I am not sure what to expect as much of this beautiful healthy coral from Bill's Bay was killed after my last visit by a natural toxic event.
Scallops For Tasmania
I recently received a request from the University of Tasmania for images to illustrate a number of commercial species important in their area. The list included several species of Scallops, which I had not previously painted...
Pink Snapper
This painting is an amalgamation of several specimens from Shark Bay. My mate Jock Clough provided some images of the first of these, which he caught from a secret spot near Steep Point...
New Underwater Drawing Board
I have been using the same underwater drawing board for the past 25 years. Originally created whilst I was living in France in 1995 it has served me very well, with a few minor adaptations, for all this time....