In FOCUS - Mike Swartzmiller

Mike Swartzmiller. One of Hanock County’s artistic treasures. Trying to summarize the attributes of Mike and the impact he has made on our community would be like trying to put a price on sunshine. An artist can create something beautiful, but a great artist can inspire others to create. A teacher can share knowledge, but a truly remarkable teacher can change the way someone sees themselves and their possibilities. A community member can easily talk about politics – but it takes a stand-up kind of person that says, I want to make a difference. That’s the eccentric and eclectic person that Mike is. He has used his talent, not simply for personal success, but as a tool for connection, education, encouragement, and positive change.

Mike is one of Hancock County’s very own home-grown contemporary visual artists. He was born, raised, and still resides in New Cumberland. Mike says that he was blessed with a great Mom and Dad that laid a strong foundation for him. Instilling in him the core values of discipline, guidance, and education. He grew up enjoying the safety and camaraderie of living in a small hometown. Some of his favorite childhood memories include playing stickball with a broom handle bat with his friends behind the New Cumberland School. For hours.  Mike will tell anyone that Hancock County is a great place to live, raise a family and retire. No surprise that he and his lovely wife Beverly, proudly call New Cumberland, WV home. Mike actually met Beverly in the early 1970's, when he hired her as an employee for a business his father and him started - a Fishing Lake with a Snack Bar called "Lake Bison".  (I feel like that story could be a whole other article.) Fast-forward, they have been married for 44 years, with  2 children; Brock and Brittany and 4 grandchildren; Charlotte, Ellie, Max and Josh.

Mike graduated from Oak Glen High School and then went onto continue his education at West Liberty University, and subsequently obtained his Masters in Education Administration from Dayton University. His background includes being a former elementary art teacher and charter school principal. It was while we were talking about his years as a teacher, that Mike gently laid out one of his most treasured art pieces. A little painted rock person. Back in the early days of his teaching career, he was a teacher at Cove Elementary School in Weirton. For this particular sixth grade art class, he had previously gathered a bunch of smooth creek rocks. When it came time to start the class, he gave each student a rock and some paint. With a little bit of instruction and encouragement, the creativity quickly began. While walking around the classroom, Mike looked over and saw one student in the back of the class that was acting a little unusual. The student would dab a little paint on the rock, and then grab his head, and then paint some more. This went on long enough, so that Mr. Swartzmiller went over and asked ‘George’ what was going on. George explained that he was giving the rock self-portrait some of his hair. The unusual movement was from George pulling out pieces of his own hair to stick on top of the rock. Mike saved the rock. Years on down the road, the idea of embedding a DNA signature  would be a part of Mike’s artwork. A small snippet of Mike’s own hair embedded near his signature serves as a permanent mark of authenticity.

Years passed. Career paths would shift. Retirement came. Then came the year of Covid. 2020. Since 2002, Mike had painted from his home studio. He was used to selling in art galleries, local community events, festivals, etc. Covid put a stop to those type of gatherings. Mike says the artistic escape of his work became an all-consuming addiction that added even more value and worth to his life. His motivation to create is his desire to counterbalance the ugliness in the world. Covid infected the world with its own brand of ugly. Covid brought changes and challenges. When the pandemic first hit in the beginning of 2020, more than ever, the world could surely use a little more beauty.

Time to pivot, Mike thought. He did his homework and started researching about selling his art on eBay. He launched his Swartzmiller Art storefront on eBay. The first week he sold twelve paintings. (At a cost of .98 each and free shipping.) And then the next week, he sold more and so on and so on. The pandemic had people staying at home, with time to be online. Mike had time to create. It was a perfect match.  His vibrant Pop Art sensibilities drew attention. Since launching his ‘eBay only’ campaign during the covid-19 pandemic, Swartzmiller has turned everyday materials – from beer cases, pizza boxes, and cardboard pulled from local recycling bins – into one of a kind works of art. This new eco-friendly art caught on. Mike is now on the verge of an unprecedented milestone; selling his 5,000th original acrylic painting on eBay.

Although he still paints on traditional canvas, the majority of his work is on Upcycled or Found Material: cardboard, ceiling tiles, pizza boxes, antique music scores. He has achieved global commercial success by painting on a heavily unconventional medium – discarded recycled cardboard and found items. The artwork comes in a vast array of sizes from paintings that would cover a wall to ACEO cards that are 2.5” x 3.5”. (ACEO, short for Art Cards Editions and Originals, originated on eBay in 2004 and has gained worldwide popularity.) Mike says, “The market has spoken. Art doesn’t belong in sterile, pretentious city galleries behind velvet ropes. It belongs to the people.”  Buyers from all over have purchased his original works.  He can proudly say that some of his work is hanging in 49 US States (still waiting on a buyer from Hawaii to make it all 50), Canada and a Beach House in Aruba. What an accomplishment!

As a local artist, Mike does more than create paintings. No denying that through His works of art he’s left a significant mark on our community. The power of Art is it’s ability to influence people by giving them a new way to see their neighborhood and encouraging them to take pride in where they live.   Another important contribution is inspiration. Young people who see a local artist pursuing his passion may realize that creativity can become an important part of their own lives. Mike serves as an example of someone who uses his talent and determination, and even his voice, to make a difference. He has served as a County Commissioner in the past and currently is a Board Member and integral part of several community organizations.  He tirelessly gives back to our county through his art skills: He donates to non-profits, which has included actual paintings for them to benefit financially, he’s given free painting lessons to groups of people for fundraising purposes and performed guest group speaking engagements to enrich people's lives. He’s donated his time and talents to various artistic endeavors. His workshops, demonstrations, and mentorships give others the confidence to explore their own artistic abilities.

Ultimately, the influence of a local artist goes far beyond the artwork itself. His creativity encourages community pride, brings people together, inspires younger generations, and contributes to the cultural life of the neighborhood. By sharing his talent with others, Mike demonstrates that creativity is not only a form of personal expression, but also a powerful way to strengthen a community. Mike and other local artists also contribute to the economic and cultural growth of our communities. Art can attract visitors, support local businesses, and make public spaces more welcoming. A community known for its creative atmosphere may become a destination for people who want to experience something unique and meaningful.

Thank you, Mike, for using your extraordinary talent, your creative works, and your gift for teaching to make a positive difference in our community. Your art inspires, your knowledge empowers, and your willingness to share your gifts with others creates opportunities for people to grow and thrive. We are grateful not only for what you create, but for the meaningful way you give back and use your artistry to make our community a better place. Your impact goes far beyond the canvas—it lives in the people you inspire and the lives you touch. Thank you for being an artist, a teacher, and a true advocate for your community. We are grateful for your Pop Art, your lessons, your mentorship, and, most importantly, the admonishment to color outside the lines and throw away the color wheel. Thank you for giving so much of yourself and for reminding us that our greatest gifts become even more meaningful when we use them to uplift others.