🎨 Nela Renae Swiney

Free Listing✔ Verified: June 22, 2026

Fine artist specializing in mixed-media portraiture and the Women in Strength series, with monthly masterclasses for adult artists.

Nela Renae Swiney is a dedicated fine artist with a B.F.A. and M.Ed., bringing over two decades of advanced art education and 17 years of professional commercial design experience to her studio practice in Dayton, Tennessee. Her life’s work centers on the human face—exploring history, soul, and profound storytelling through portraiture that pushes the technical and emotional boundaries of mixed-media art.

Today, Nela devotes her days strictly to her fine art studio practice. She is best known for her Women in Strength series, an intensive exploration of historical female faces sourced from the Library of Congress archives. Each piece is a labor of time, reverence, and technical precision, celebrating older, wiser, and beautifully worn faces that carry true stories. Because she believes a true artist must pass on foundational craft principles, Nela also hosts focused, high-quality monthly masterclasses for adults (16+) at ArtCrafters in Dayton during the first full week of each month.

📋 Business Information

• Business Name: Nela Renae Swiney
• Category: Fine Artist, Portraiture, Mixed-Media Art
• Address: 360 Main St, Dayton, Tennessee 37321
• Phone: (423) 618-6811
• Email: NelaRenae27@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.nelarenae.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nela.swiney
• Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/p1vVhF1E9F1KMGr8A
• Service Type: Fine art studio practice, commissioned portraiture, adult art workshops

🎭 About Nela Renae Swiney

Nela Renae Swiney holds a B.F.A. and M.Ed., with a professional background spanning 17 years in commercial design and over two decades of advanced art education, including university-level teaching. Her artistic journey is rooted in a lifelong devotion to portraiture and the human face as a vehicle for exploring history, soul, and storytelling. Her technical foundation and deep commitment to the craft inform every piece she creates and every lesson she teaches.

Her deliberate, slow process mirrors the physical toll and beauty of time itself. This approach cannot be rushed—it is a fine art exploration of the layers that shape both the human body and the soul. Nela is officially documenting the journey of her Women in Strength series and welcomes inquiries about available work via email or text.

🖼️ Services & Offerings

• Fine art studio practice specializing in mixed-media portraiture
• Women in Strength series—commissioned and available pieces featuring historical female faces
• Monthly masterclasses for adults (16+) at ArtCrafters in Dayton
• Beginner landscape drawing classes and focused art workshops
• Custom portraiture inquiries and commissions

👥 Perfect For

• Art collectors seeking meaningful, historically inspired portraiture
• Adult artists (16+) looking to develop foundational drawing and painting skills
• Those interested in mixed-media techniques and advanced portraiture methods
• Individuals drawn to storytelling through visual art and human connection
• Community members seeking high-quality, focused art instruction

⭐ Why Locals Choose Nela Renae Swiney

• Extensive professional credentials and university-level teaching experience
• Deeply intentional, research-driven artistic process that honors each subject
• Commitment to giving back to the art community through monthly masterclasses
• Unique focus on women’s stories and historical narratives through portraiture
• Accessible, high-quality instruction for adult learners at all levels
• Local studio presence in Dayton with direct artist engagement

✨ What Makes Nela Renae Swiney Different

Nela’s approach to portraiture is rooted in meticulous research and reverence. Rather than working from generic references, she spends hours unearthing historical photographs from the Library of Congress archives, seeking faces that carry authentic stories. Her Women in Strength series celebrates older women whose faces reflect wisdom, resilience, and beauty earned through lived experience. This intentional, slow process cannot be rushed—it is a deliberate exploration of the layers that shape both body and soul.

Beyond her studio practice, Nela’s commitment to education sets her apart. She dedicates three days each month to teaching, believing that true artists must pass on foundational craft principles. Her monthly masterclasses at ArtCrafters offer focused, high-quality instruction for adults, creating a bridge between her professional practice and the broader art community.

📍 Serving Dayton & Beyond

• Dayton, Tennessee (primary studio location)
• Rhea County, Tennessee
• Regional and national inquiries welcome for commissioned work

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

• Where is Nela’s studio located? Her studio is located at 360 Main St, Dayton, Tennessee 37321. Contact her directly for studio visit scheduling.
• How can I inquire about purchasing work from the Women in Strength series? Reach out via email at NelaRenae27@gmail.com or text (423) 618-6811 to inquire about available pieces and commissions.
• When and where are the monthly masterclasses held? Masterclasses are hosted at ArtCrafters in Dayton during the first full week of each month for adults 16 and older. Contact Nela for specific dates and registration details.
• What is Nela’s artistic background? Nela holds a B.F.A. and M.Ed., with 17 years of professional commercial design experience and over two decades of advanced art education, including university-level teaching.
• Does Nela accept custom portrait commissions? Yes. Contact her via email at NelaRenae27@gmail.com or phone (423) 618-6811 to discuss commission opportunities and timelines.
• How can I stay updated on new work and upcoming classes? Follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nela.swiney or visit her website at https://www.nelarenae.com/ for the latest updates and documentation of the Women in Strength series.

📱 Online Presence

Nela maintains an active online presence to share her artistic journey and connect with the community. Follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nela.swiney for updates on new work, upcoming masterclasses, and stories behind the Women in Strength series. Visit her website at https://www.nelarenae.com/ to explore her portfolio and officially documented series progression. She welcomes inquiries and engagement through email at NelaRenae27@gmail.com or by phone at (423) 618-6811.

📌 Quick Facts

• 🎓 B.F.A. and M.Ed. credentials with university-level teaching experience
• 🖌️ 17 years of professional commercial design background
• 📚 Over two decades of advanced art education
• 👩‍🎨 Specializes in mixed-media portraiture and historical female narratives
• 📍 Studio located at 360 Main St, Dayton, Tennessee 37321
• 🗓️ Monthly masterclasses at ArtCrafters during the first full week of each month
• 📖 Currently documenting the Women in Strength series
• 💬 Available for commissions and custom portraiture inquiries

Directory listing reviewed and updated June 22, 2026. Contact the business directly for current hours, pricing, and availability.