Hello, my name is Russell.

I'm an artist and illustrator out of Baker City, Oregon. I grew up in Levelland, Texas studying history, art history, painting, drawing and design.

I was so fortunate to have John Hope as my high school art teacher. Mr. Hope really encouraged me to continue my studies at South Plains College, the local community college. I studied art history, drawing and design under the watchful eye of Drake Gómez, who is now a tenured Professor and Program Coordinator of Digital Media and Visual Arts at Keystone College in La Plume, PA.

I was also fortunate enough to study watercolor with Lynette Watkins at South Plains College. Lynette is one of the leading watercolor artists of the Southwest, and has been for years.

I learned how to paint with oils by watching Bob Ross and YouTube videos, based on the knowledge I had from school. Oil painting is something I started as a 17 year old when I was given my first set of oil paints by Russell Shannon. I graduated from Texas Tech University in 2006 with a Bachelor's of Arts and Sciences in Western History.

I'm a pop artist influenced by Salvador Dalí, Maynard Dixon, Leonardo da Vinci, Hunter S. Thompson and Ralph Steadman. I use a pastel palette that is hopefully pleasing to the eye and true to me and my interests.

I'm also a butcher, and have been for the better part of 30 years. I love cutting meat, painting, meeting new people — and most of all, my family and friends.