Judi Russell

I founded The Russell Agency, an advertising agency servicing Fortune 500 clients, in 1979. I realized it was no accident that I had gravitated to the advertising industry, with its emphasis on visual communication and its population of creative people! Even though I spent my time on management and sales, the allure for me was always the constant need for creativity.

My style is influenced by my long association with advertising graphics and my musical background. Both of these contribute to the way I employ rich colors, pattern, and movement. My art represents my vision of what I would like the world to be, full of warmth, wonder, magic and spirituality.

The viewer is always in my mind, and the emotion I strive to evoke is delight. It pleases me to see expressions of happy surprise, curiosity, exploration and gentleness. My strong hope is that my art awakens the childlike wonder in each viewer.

I now paint, spend time with my wonderful grandchildren, travel with my partner/husband/friend and operate an art gallery in Blowing Rock, North Carolina called Art & Artifacts. Take a look at the Facebook Page for Art & Artifacts and I hope you will click LIKE.

My abstract paintings represent a sense of reality that allows the viewer to remain in touch with the subject matter. I'm always trying to entertain the viewer's eyes through rich colors, a wide variety of patterns and strong composition.

It's been my ongoing wish to encourage others, adults and children, to excavate their dreams and open the door to creative activities. Creativity is a way of letting our inner child play and when we play, there's usually more laughter, smiles, empathy, sharing, caring, exploring. In otherwords, we have a chance to have a richer life!

Wishing you a life filled with creativity, grace, love and joy!

Color III, the latest international exhibition from Period Gallery, debuted
October 1st, 2005. Of the total entries, 27% of works entered were chosen for this exhibit.
Two of Judi Russell's works were selected for this exhibit.
- Pure Love (Watercolor)
- Conversation (Watercolor)

<br>This website has received
the 2005 Artmajeur Silver
Award

Many of my works of art have been inspired by a meditative/art process that I started using over fourteen years ago. I might write down a question, or questions, then close my eyes. Using a pencil, with a light touch, I will begin to fill a page with lines, circles, squiggles. "If" I feel like I know what I'm drawing, I will often change hands and/or turn the paper upside down.

When I open my eyes I will look for an image. If I see an image I will trace it with a black ultra fine Sharpie pen. At this point, I might add details or delete details. Using watercolor pencils and/or crayons I will begin to color the image. During this entire process, words might come to me and I will just jot them down next to the image. Some of these images have been used as inspiration for larger paintings.

I've taken 42 of the images through Photoshop, to clean them up and add text. These are now offered as archival, matted Giclees for $30 each (USA), plus shipping. If you go to my facebook page . . . . Original Art & Giclees by Judi Russell and click on Photos you'll see an album called "Journal Messages - Giclees" All available Giclees are shown.

If you go to the album called "Spiritual Connection to Your Creative Muse", open it and click through the pages, you will see an overview of the process I use and have shared with others.

A framed Giclee of Pear Perfection was awarded to Central Insurance to commemorate the relationship between Argus Group Insurance and Central Insurance in delivering quality service to the customer.