Born in the small town of Maumee, Ohio, Talia spent the first part of her life in the Midwest. An artist and painter since childhood, She has been on a creative journey for most of her life. Talia studied art and education at the University of Toledo’s Center for Visual Arts on the Toledo Art Museum campus. After three years as a full-time art teacher, she longed for more landscape and more dedicated studio time. Over a decade ago, Talia moved to Colorado, where she earned a master’s degree in art and Painting from Adams State University and has called Denver home ever since. Talia currently resides and paints in northwest Denver and loves escaping to the mountains and beautiful metro parks whenever she can. She is a mother to two very busy boys who continually inspire her work and motivate her in pursuit of her passion for painting.

In recent years, Talia’s work has centered on exploring the visual concepts of memory and place. A lifetime of layered moments and memories, each rooted in specific places and times has shaped the unique story she strives to tell. Because her imagery is often non-specific in detail yet universal in feeling, Talia believes her illustrated memories evoke a familiar sense of place that resonates deeply with viewers. This emotional connection and personal attachment are what binds both maker and viewer to visual art.

Every one of her paintings reflects a personal story and a connection to something meaningful in her life, an intimate, physical expression of exactly who Swartz is at that moment in time. Her love of landscape and the natural environment is equally present throughout her work. Swartz often explores themes of environmental preservation, hoping to bring attention to the degradation of our precious and fragile natural spaces through her art.