About
Dawn Russell
I have been working as a freelance artist since 1982, when I was first commissioned to do illustrations for the catalog of a small, Eugene, Oregon based company. At that time, I also started being asked to do custom artwork for people within the community, and was one of the youngest people to be accepted for membership int the Lane Regional Arts Counsel, at that time. At the age of 16. My artwork was on dispay in the rotunda of the Oregon State Capital, for a full year, as one of the few artists chosen from my school district. It was a true honor to have it there. Later, the artwork was auctioned off, to raise funds for the arts, in Eugene.
I have had several characters I designed, registered, and copyrighted, and use them on a regular basis in my greeting cards, calendars, and other items I create to market them. Fred The Dragon has been used for flyers, announcements, posters, and many other times, for various organizations, as well as being a regular for my annual Christmas cards. I also have several animals who are regulars for greeting cards and other things, Miss Mousie and Friends, and Icy Friends are a few. Xxavier Turtle is also a regular, named after a Chinese three-toed box turtle I owned, while in my twenties. My Xxavier was an odd little fellow, who delighted me so much that I decided I had to make picture books of him, and used him in many cute little greeting cards, for over a decade. Xxavier, was a curious creature, and ornery. I had a kitten at the same time, and a canary that lived in a cage on top of my refridgerator. One morning, I was awakened early by a strange scraping noise in the kitchen, just outside the bedroom door. Not knowing what to expect, I crept out of bed, to find out what was going on. I found my turtle had wedged his shell against the wall, and was crawling up the side of the fridge, as if to check out the creature he would watch, that lived inthe wire box up above. I often would come home from work to call to him, and watch him walk out of the bathroom, from behind the toilet, and to me... As if hoping for a treat. He loved cat kibble, and would fight the kitten for it. Sitting on top of it until he was finished eating what he wanted, while the kitten mewed pathetically in frustration. Xxavier also would be found climbing the floor length drapes of the sliding glass doors, to the top. Or I would have to turn over some old used swivel chairs to dig him out of the stuffing in the backs. He was amazing, active, and the most naughty little turtle I had ever met. So Xxavier inspired me, to think that even a turtle had emotions, stubborn and grumpy attitude, and were full of fun.
The History or Story Behind My Site
I've been asked about portfolios and if I have a website, mmany times in the past 12 years... Now, I am revamping an old family website, very MUCH outdated, and creating one specifically for my artwork, samples of my greeting cards and calendars, etc. Here you will be able to find samples of many differnt styles of my works, find links to current auctions and listings on marketing sites, such as EBay, etsy, artcards.com and others. If there is anything you want me t consider creating for you, or do not see here, ask me about it, I will reply as soon as possible, with an answer. As a creative person, I thrive on challenges, and take your ideas to heart in my work as well.
Artistic Media
I use many things to create my work. My favorite paints are acrylics and watercolors, though I also use oils, stains and gouche. I chose acrylics over oils because they are safer for the environment, and for people and pets, at least they were, until the past 10 years or so, since the creation of water soluable oils. I used to breed exotic birds and had many exotic pets, such as hedgehogs, and a snake. I found that acrylics were safer to use around them, as well as around children. I paint on may different surfaces. Papers, canvases, both premade, and those that I build to custom fit unique frames and items.. Wood, glass, plastics, resins, stones, antiques, metals, rocks, and more. Anything that I can use as a canvas, I will try to work with. I love to paint.
I draw, using graphites pencils, charcoals, colored pencils, pen and ink, professional grade crayons, and paint pens.
I sculpt, using primarily polymer clays. But also have my own kiln and both white and terra cotta clays in my home art workshop. Polymer clays are fantastic to use when making custom and unique dolls and animals/creatures. I love magical creatures and beings. So much of what I create is mystical and magical. But also much is of wildlife, and domestic animals. I also create my own beads, for jewelry making. And enjoy creatin unique, wearable art.
My daughter is my muse. My reason to create and to work, and to express myself in my artistic creations. Karina is a miracle to me. And while I was pregnant, I was encouraged to go back to painting, after years of not making anything. I have always loved animals, and my first painting while thinking of her, was of two of the fish that I owned. I wanted her to see them, as I did. Knowing I would soon have to find a new owner for them, since they were getting too big for their tank, and that I could not afford a new, larger one for them. A huge angelfish, and a harlaquin. I often paint and draw her, or draw or paint, or sculpt something, because of something she has said, or done, or loved. My first award winning portrait, was one that I did of her, when she was 5 years old. Using acrylic paints, and old, brittle brushes, that soon were so frayed; I decided to use my fingertips, and Q-tips to finish the job. The phot below, is of Karina with a little puppy we had taken in several years ago. Karina is now an adult(18 years old), and the puppy was too rowdy and fierce for us to keep- He ate two chickens, and didnt have the ability to keep himself from eating other animals. Anyway, I hope that you enjoy this site, as it continues to evolve into what I hope is a web-folio, of my artwork, and photography... And a bit about me, and the works, and experiences that I wish to share.
