Patti Norton Swan paints murals, canvases and storm shelters
ABERDEEN — Whether she's painting a wall or canvas, Patti Norton Swan finds joy in creating.
The Amory native, who now lives in the Splunge community of Monroe County, had no formal training as an artist but was introduced to painting in fifth grade.
She picked up various techniques through the years and shifted to acrylic paint, having previously favored oil.
Though she had painted for decades, Swan transitioned to working full time as an artist in 2016.
She's seen her art spark happiness and make a difference in people's lives through both public displays and memories captured in paint.
The addition of murals has played a role in revitalizing the downtown areas of Mississippi's small towns, and Aberdeen is no exception. Swan completed a two-story vertical wildflower mural in Aberdeen over two months this summer, limited by heat to working in afternoons and evenings.
Painted for the Aberdeen Visitors Bureau, the mural is located behind a row of East Commerce Street businesses, visible on South Maple Street across the street from Vaughn Beauty College.
The purpose of the wildflowers mural and others added nearby was to bring attention to Aberdeen's Paradise Alley, a historic shopping and social hub for African Americans in the late 1800s. It's an area the city plans to further develop with gardens and public art.
"I love making people happy with my art," Swan said. "When I was painting this mural, there was a car of about five older ladies and they pulled up. They were just going on about it, but it gave them something fun to look at and enjoy."
Swan has painted murals outdoors and in indoors, including in home nurseries, doctor's offices, schools and churches.
While murals typically feature broader designs and scenes, Swan's commissioned canvas paintings typically focus on individuals, pets or wedding scenes.
"So many of the pet portraits I've done have been a beloved pet that maybe got sick, the owner may have lost them, and it's a special memory for them," Swan said. "So when I give the paintings to the owner, I see a lot of them tear up. They're just so thrilled to have a reminder."
Wedding portraits can be especially affecting, like in cases when parents or grandparents have died and Swan adds them into the portrait as if they were there for the event.
"Usually, with canvas painting, I'm commissioned to paint a portrait of someone or their pet," Swan said. "They usually have a photo for me to refer to, so I know exactly what they want."
With murals, it's not so simple. She's provided with an idea, then goes and creates a sketch for approval before putting paint to bricks.
The sheer scale also complicates things. Wall murals often require a ladder or scaffolding, and with a mural like the one in Aberdeen, a lift.
She begins with an outline on the wall, stepping back often to get a wider perspective, and then adds paint, bringing the image to life.
Combining the creativity required in public art and private commissions, Swan also paints storm shelters, adding beauty to something that serves a utilitarian purpose but doesn't necessarily look appealing.
"The tornado hit Amory last year, and most everybody is getting a tornado shelter if they didn't already have one," Swan said. "It's a big concrete block, which we have to have for our safety, but it's not very appealing aesthetically."
Most homeowners want them to tie in with the paint colors of their homes, but options for shelter designs are endless. Some have had unique requests, like decorating their shelter as a log cabin with a donkey standing outside.
Swan doesn't yet have a website, but readers can view her work and order commissions via her Instagram @pattiswan_artist and her Facebook page.