Om Swami is an entirely self-taught contemporary Indian artist, with no formal education in painting. Nonetheless he has become widely recognized for his vibrant and joyful paintings of divinities—Ganesha, Shiva, Buddha and Krishna with Radha—as well as his paintings of couples basking in moments of togetherness and bliss. Across his various series, his surreal scenes often feature flutes, flowers, butterflies and a glowing moon.

“As a child, I grew up in an area where there were lots of workshops in which clay idols of Ganesha were made. Watching the potters for hours on end was something I loved doing and each time, I would head home after this to try and create the idols myself. This is how my fascination with Ganpatis started and continues on to this day,” he says of his most frequent subject, Lord Ganesha.

As both an artist and a person, Om Swami is defined by his deep and unwavering faith not only in the divine but in humanity. He takes his ‘Guru’s blessings’ before starting each painting by writing his name on the back of the canvas, in the top left hand corner.

Charged with his own inner magic, art by Om Swami offers a spiritual experience to skeptics and believers alike. His original paintings access a universal, visual language that appeals to people of diverse backgrounds, instantly forging a connection with the viewer.

Om Swami welcomes requests for commissioned paintings. If you like a painting that has sold, or if you have a particular space in mind, a custom painting can be made to your taste and specifications regarding size, color palette and other details. You are welcome to buy his paintings online or view them at our gallery in Palo Alto (San Francisco Bay Area). All artworks are hand signed by the artist and include a certificate of authenticity.