Local Artist Celebrated For Unique Style
Susan Russell, an artist from Milford, is bringing the airs of the post-impressionist style associated commonly with the works of Van Gogh to local galleries here in the county.
Russell, who owns a studio in Milford, has been painting and selling artwork for over 20 years. She has been featured in several local and state art exhibits and has won a number of Best of Show and first place awards in local and regional competitions. Her work has been featured at The Midwest Museum, Century Center, Minnetrista Cultural Center, Honeywell, Indiana Plein-air Painters and the Hoosier Salon.
When examining Russell’s pieces, one may note the vast difference between her earlier works and some of her more recent works depicting her time in France. Though Russell is a master at capturing more realistic landscapes on the canvas, she has most recently been noted for her work that is reminiscent of Van Gogh’s style. Russell stated that the process of creating her unique style lies in a decision to not cover up her gesture drawing, or the initial movement strokes of the piece.
“Normally when I paint, I draw my painting on the canvas with my brush stroke paint,” explained Russell. “Then I go back in and that very free gesture drawing is covered up. This one (her first work in her new style titled The Flame), I just wanted to stick with that and paint into that and not cover it up.”
It isn’t just Russell’s style that emulates the master artist, but her experiences as well. Like Van Gogh, the development of her distinct style began following a trip to Southern France and Italy. While abroad, Russell was able to visit locations such as Florence, Paris and Venice. After returning home with several photographs of her time there, Russell began working on painting the scenes she had captured through film.
“(Prior to my trip), I had been absorbing the images and writings of Van Gogh. When I took a trip to Europe with my sister several years ago, I had those swirling around in my head. We went to Italy and France and were there a little over 2 weeks and I really wanted to do some paintings from that. It just flowed and turned out that way (referring to her recent works) and was so much fun. My goal for now is just to keep painting and developing as a painter.”
Though her artwork has been noted for possessing a “feeling of Van Gogh”, Russell admits this was largely unintentional. When asked what direction she thought her art would take in the future, Russell stated she plans to mix the styles of her past paintings to continue developing her future ones.
“I don’t wan’t to be a slave to one style,” stated Russell. “Other than the deliberate decision to not cover up my gesture drawing it was totally unintentional that this painting (The Flame) came out that way. There are certain paintings that lend themselves to that style and certain paintings I want a little bit of ambiguity in the edges.
“My painting, Clouds Like White Promises, has a mixture and I think I’m going toward that. I just want to continue to paint and let it develop on its own. It wasn’t ever intentional to do something that looked like Van Gogh. When I look at a painting, I look at it as an artist and how they layer the brush strokes. All that information is stored within your head whether you are consciously thinking about that or not. I want to continue to expose myself to good art.”
Russell’s artwork will be featured at the Grace College Mount Memorial Gallery until Sept. 20, and is available for public enjoyment. Her exhibit, titled, “From Retro to Van Gogh: Historical Influences in the Art of Susan Russel,” will host a reception from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. Guests will be permitted to view and purchase Russell’s recent landscape oil and pastel paintings from both Europe and America.
To contact Russell, call 574-354-0606 or email her at [email protected].