Rachel and her mother Susie Swasso on the back porch of their home, just outside Yantis.

(Monitor photo by John Arbter)

Mrs. Swasso downplayed her role in the development of her daughter’s skills.

“We just encouraged her and gave her the materials with which to draw.””

Rachel's mother Susie Swasso

The numbers are staggering. Over 35,000 entries competed in the 2020 Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE).

Yantis resident Rachel Swasso was one of 150 artists to capture a Gold Seal as the best of the entire field. That ratio is less than 1%.

The winning image was a portrait of a friend titled “Capturing Laughter.”

A casual observer would have to examine the work closely to accept that it was indeed a sketch and not a photograph. That is a common occurrence when viewing Swasso’s sketches.

The VASE competition is run by the Texas Art Education Association and has been growing steadily since its inception in 1990. Originally, the association was an initiative to add visual arts to the UIL kit bag of competition. 

Due to a small number of fundamental disagreements – most concerning the manner of competition  –  the Texas Art Education Association decided to forego the UIL and conduct the competitions under its own cognizance. 

Over the past 30 years the association has afforded students, such as Swasso, a formal competition which places artists against others at the same proficiency level. It also does not base competition on school size. 

Although the word “gifted” is oft-used to describe talented young people, seldom is that moment glimpsed when curiosity turns to gift. As a child, Swasso provided just such a moment.  

As Rachel’s mother, Susie Swasso, described, “She went from drawing pencil figures at age 11 to creating complex portraiture at age 13.” 

Mrs. Swasso still retains both drawings. Only when viewing the two side-by-side can one appreciate just how rapidly her daughter’s gift developed. 

That first portrait was of character Bilbo Baggins from the “Lord of the Rings.” It still hangs proudly in the Swasso home. 

It is not the only sketch in the home just north of Yantis. Among them are other entries from the VASE competition, as well as special creations of their middle daughter.

One of those special creations, a portrait of Mother Theresa, had been viewed recently at the Vatican in Rome. Another, a sketch of a risen Jesus extending his hand with the nail wound clearly visible, is powerfully reassuring.

The ability to capture emotion and translate that emotion into a drawing describes the process that Swasso uses in her work.

“I love to read and write,” she said. “Often I will stop what I am reading or writing because I feel compelled to draw that moment I just experienced with the words.”  

The give-and-take between words and drawing is a bit of a gift all by itself.

“I have to get the image out of my head onto paper,” she explained.            

Her description of the relationships between the written word and sketching drew a smile from her mother.

“She reads Shakespeare for fun,” said Mrs. Swasso.

The Swasso family are primarily a homeschooling family, using the Seton homeschooling program.

Mrs. Swasso, however, downplayed her role in the development of her daughter’s skills.

“We just encouraged her and gave her the materials with which to draw.”

Rachel explained how drawing was something she enjoyed at an early age. Over time, she came to enjoy it even more if she could improve on a sketch. The better quality drawing she could produce increased her enjoyment. 

That process shows no evidence of slowing. The future is certainly bright for the young artist, who is pursuing scholarship opportunities at collegiate level art schools throughout Texas. 

Although she has completed a dozen commissions and would be comfortable continuing to produce professional portraits, she has her eyes set on more.

“I would really enjoy illustrating my own writing,” she explained.

That combination has surfaced in the genre of Manga cartoons, which has become a bit of a passion to the young Swasso. She explained how the creation of unique characters through words and sketches is particularly satisfying.   

Her work may be viewed on Instagram, under “rsswasso.” Swasso has had a positive experience with the on-line art community. She credits her fellow artists with providing excellent feedback and inspiration.

It is inspiration which really distinguishes Swasso. An incredibly disciplined young woman, she is self-taught and very self-critical of her work.

“One of my greatest challenges,” she shared, “is striking the balance between the emotional investment made in each sketch with the realization that in the future, productivity is important as well.”   

The 18-year old’s inspiration reflects a mature and highly-developed sense of purpose.

“It is a natural talent,” she admitted, “so it is my responsibility to more completely express this gift with each creation.” 

Talking with Swasso leaves no doubt about what an aware and educated young lady she has become. Some insight into her character may be found in another anecdote from her mother. 

Mrs. Swasso recalled that Rachel had written a prayer inside one of her early sketchbooks. She paraphrased it as: “Since you have given me this gift, let me always make the most of your grace.”

There is no doubt that the talented artist is doing just that.