Category Archives: History
Shooting Star
This is the first in a series of posts about our experiences with the life and art of James Spencer Russell. Shooting Star At the end of a very long day of research at Diane Tesler’s studio in Kewanna, Indiana,
Shooting Star
This is the first in a series of posts about our experiences with the life and art of James Spencer Russell. Shooting Star At the end of a very long day of research at Diane Tesler’s studio in Kewanna, Indiana,
New Posts Coming
We are in the process of developing a new series of posts that take a look at our history with the art and life of James Spencer Russell. The series will be an intimate look at what has transpired over
New Posts Coming
We are in the process of developing a new series of posts that take a look at our history with the art and life of James Spencer Russell. The series will be an intimate look at what has transpired over
Logansport Pharos Tribune Article by Mitchell Kirk
Mitchell Kirk of the Logansport Pharos Tribune has penned an excellent article on Jim and the Centennial Celebration. Click on the graphic to access the article.
Logansport Pharos Tribune Article by Mitchell Kirk
Mitchell Kirk of the Logansport Pharos Tribune has penned an excellent article on Jim and the Centennial Celebration. Click on the graphic to access the article.
James Spencer Russell’s 100th Birthday!
Today, April 7, 2015 is James Spencer Russell’s 100th Birthday!
James Spencer Russell’s 100th Birthday!
Today, April 7, 2015 is James Spencer Russell’s 100th Birthday!
Russell’s 100th Birthday Exhibition and Celebration
Click on the ePoster to go to the Facebook Event Page.
Russell’s 100th Birthday Exhibition and Celebration
Click on the ePoster to go to the Facebook Event Page.
Jim’s House in Kewanna
On October 25 and 26, Julie and I were in Kewanna for Diane Tesler’s annual art festival. Julie was showing her artwork along with Diane and Wade Bussert and several of Diane’s students and many members of the regional arts
Jim’s House in Kewanna
On October 25 and 26, Julie and I were in Kewanna for Diane Tesler’s annual art festival. Julie was showing her artwork along with Diane and Wade Bussert and several of Diane’s students and many members of the regional arts
James Spencer Russell, Louise Nevelson and Robert Indiana
Jim’s Lafayette Street Soho studio was around the corner and three blocks away from Louise Nevelson’s studio on Spring Street. One more block over, at Spring Street and the Bowery, were the studios of Robert Indiana and other artists. In
James Spencer Russell, Louise Nevelson and Robert Indiana
Jim’s Lafayette Street Soho studio was around the corner and three blocks away from Louise Nevelson’s studio on Spring Street. One more block over, at Spring Street and the Bowery, were the studios of Robert Indiana and other artists. In
Exhibition Committee and Special Guests
Here’s a photograph of the exhibition committee and a couple of very special guests, made at the exhibition’s opening. Mark is the Chief Curator of Fine Art at the Indiana State Museum. Jack Russell is Jim’s nephew. Ron Kern is
Exhibition Committee and Special Guests
Here’s a photograph of the exhibition committee and a couple of very special guests, made at the exhibition’s opening. Mark is the Chief Curator of Fine Art at the Indiana State Museum. Jack Russell is Jim’s nephew. Ron Kern is
April 7, Billie Holiday’s and James Spencer Russell’s Birthday
Jim called Billie Holiday his twin because they were born on the same day of the same year, April 7, 1915. Happy 99th birthday to Billie and Jim.
April 7, Billie Holiday’s and James Spencer Russell’s Birthday
Jim called Billie Holiday his twin because they were born on the same day of the same year, April 7, 1915. Happy 99th birthday to Billie and Jim.
James Spencer Russell, Eras
Jim’s life can be separated into nine eras. While this does not begin to tell the entire story, it does give a thumbnail sketch of his life’s journey. You will need to see the exhibition at the Indiana State Museum
James Spencer Russell, Eras
Jim’s life can be separated into nine eras. While this does not begin to tell the entire story, it does give a thumbnail sketch of his life’s journey. You will need to see the exhibition at the Indiana State Museum
Bullfight Photographs from 1957 European Trip
In 1957 Jim took a trip to Europe to escape the day to day grind of set design for live television. On this trip he decided that he would resign from NBC TV and become a full-time artist. Jim made
Bullfight Photographs from 1957 European Trip
In 1957 Jim took a trip to Europe to escape the day to day grind of set design for live television. On this trip he decided that he would resign from NBC TV and become a full-time artist. Jim made
Russell’s University of New Mexico BA
In Jim’s information regarding his education, he always referred to his 1936 BA from the University of New Mexico. During our recent trip to Kewanna additional information was uncovered. Jim’s BA was conferred in June of 1937, but he had
Russell’s University of New Mexico BA
In Jim’s information regarding his education, he always referred to his 1936 BA from the University of New Mexico. During our recent trip to Kewanna additional information was uncovered. Jim’s BA was conferred in June of 1937, but he had
Costume Design, Yale School of Drama
Still digging into Satch’s collection – she has a series of Jim’s costume designs that were created for Jim’s Masters thesis for the School of Fine Arts at Yale University. Jim chose to design for an opera, Village of Romeo
Costume Design, Yale School of Drama
Still digging into Satch’s collection – she has a series of Jim’s costume designs that were created for Jim’s Masters thesis for the School of Fine Arts at Yale University. Jim chose to design for an opera, Village of Romeo
James Spencer Russell, Studying at University of New Mexico
Jim enrolled at the University of New Mexico in the Fall of 1934. Jim studied painting under the renowned modern artist, Raymond Jonson, who also came to the university in 1934. In the 1920’s, Jonson was responsible for bringing modernism
James Spencer Russell, Studying at University of New Mexico
Jim enrolled at the University of New Mexico in the Fall of 1934. Jim studied painting under the renowned modern artist, Raymond Jonson, who also came to the university in 1934. In the 1920’s, Jonson was responsible for bringing modernism
James Spencer Russell in Taos, New Mexico, Part Two
As we prepare photographs for our book we are delving a little deeper in Satch’s collection. The two watercolor sketches presented in this post were most likely made circa Summer of 1935, when Jim enrolled in the University of New
James Spencer Russell in Taos, New Mexico, Part Two
As we prepare photographs for our book we are delving a little deeper in Satch’s collection. The two watercolor sketches presented in this post were most likely made circa Summer of 1935, when Jim enrolled in the University of New
James Spencer Russell in Taos, New Mexico, Part One
In the fall of 1934, during the Depression, Jim enrolled in the University of New Mexico. He studied painting under renowned artist Raymond Jonson. Jonson was responsible for bringing modernism to New Mexico and was a part of a group
James Spencer Russell in Taos, New Mexico, Part One
In the fall of 1934, during the Depression, Jim enrolled in the University of New Mexico. He studied painting under renowned artist Raymond Jonson. Jonson was responsible for bringing modernism to New Mexico and was a part of a group
Revised title for our book
Yesterday afternoon I had another enjoyable conversation with New York City gallerist Bill Bace. In 1990, Bill hosted a retrospective exhibition of Jim’s work, Fragments 1962/1986; Pieces of a Joycean Quilt. The gallery card for the exhibition can be seen
Revised title for our book
Yesterday afternoon I had another enjoyable conversation with New York City gallerist Bill Bace. In 1990, Bill hosted a retrospective exhibition of Jim’s work, Fragments 1962/1986; Pieces of a Joycean Quilt. The gallery card for the exhibition can be seen
James Spencer Russell and Other Artists of His Time
Over the past two and one half years of research, one thing that has been obvious to Satch and I is that no information readily exists regarding Jim’s relationship with other artists. We have searched in vain for anything that
James Spencer Russell and Other Artists of His Time
Over the past two and one half years of research, one thing that has been obvious to Satch and I is that no information readily exists regarding Jim’s relationship with other artists. We have searched in vain for anything that
Notable Patrons
There remains just a few records of patrons that purchased Jim’s art work from Ruth White Gallery. One of those patrons was the renowned conservator Lawrence Majewski whose tenure at the New York University Institute of Fine Arts Conservation Center
Notable Patrons
There remains just a few records of patrons that purchased Jim’s art work from Ruth White Gallery. One of those patrons was the renowned conservator Lawrence Majewski whose tenure at the New York University Institute of Fine Arts Conservation Center
New Portrait
On our last trip to Kewanna we came up with a few new photographs of Jim. This one, that I really like, is an enlargement from a 35mm contact sheet. Unfortunately we could not find the negative. This photograph is
New Portrait
On our last trip to Kewanna we came up with a few new photographs of Jim. This one, that I really like, is an enlargement from a 35mm contact sheet. Unfortunately we could not find the negative. This photograph is
The Art of James Spencer Russell 