March 22, 2016
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) -- It appears that softball alum Tawny Swan is just as talented at painting pictures as she was running bases at UCF.
Swan, a two-year starter for the Knights in 2011-12 after transferring from Scottsdale Community College (Ariz.), graduated from UCF in 2011 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies.
With almost no training in art, it was solely raw talent that prompted author Susie Ruder ask her to illustrate her newest, recently published children's book, The Train Ride.
Ruder had first heard about Swan through a family friend and from there gave Swan free range with her illustrations.
"She first sent me a picture of the cover. I explained to her what I wanted the train to look like because the book was based in 1960," Ruder said. "So she did a lot of research and we sent things back and forth and then she sent me one she thought I'd like and it was exactly the way I wanted it. It was just perfect."
Swan has always had an interest in art. When she was still a student-athlete, a gift exchange with her teammates helped her realize her true talent.
"I painted something for one of the girls and thought `I'm actually kind of good at this. I like painting,'" Swan said. "Then I just kind of started from there."
Although she did not major in art, Swan did take an art class her senior year. She took her love and talent and is now on the road into making it a career.
Swan is currently working on illustrating Ruder's second book. After posting her artwork and illustrations on Facebook, she got another opportunity to work on a book illustration from another author and hopes to continue being published.
"Just by posting [my work] on Facebook, I've already gotten somebody else that I didn't even really know, contact me to do his book," Swan said. "He's up in New York so it's pretty cool. He's doing some cute Knights book and I was like `Oh I'd love to do a Knights book! I'm a Knight, I went to UCF!'"
Swan said she likes to paint because she loves how creative she can get with it and that it relaxes her. She is also enjoying finding new ways of stretching her skills.
She mostly paints in acrylics but used watercolor to illustrate The Train Ride.
"It was my first time water coloring, it was a little difficult," Swan admitted. "But it was something that I wanted to try, because I like the way it looks. So I just dabbled on that and now I'm working on her second book."
Besides her artistic work she has her own eBay business selling athletic clothes. Between the two, she stays busy, but whenever she gets a chance she travels back to the softball field to watch UCF play.
"I've been trying to come to a lot of games if I can because it's exciting," Swan said. "I love this school and it keeps growing every year, with more recognition. [Coming to UCF] was life changing."
Story by Christina Aguis; Photos courtesy of Tawny Swan