Richard Russell’s Art Features Everything From Local Landscapes to Hawaiian Chickens

      If you want to see Richard's masterpieces you don't have to travel far. Monticello, Blanding, and Monument Valley all have many of his commissioned paintings in prominent places.  There are six murals in the entryway of the Monticello Elementary School and two murals in the Monument Valley Elementary School. "The UNHS Blanding Clinic also has many prints of my paintings," stated Russell. 

Comb Ridge Panels on display at UNHS Clinic

     In his formative years Richard was drawn to paintings that told a story. "I became very interested in narrative painting after high school. I first completed a year at the University of Utah before transferring to BYU where I was accepted into the illustration program which was my preference because of its emphasis on design, storytelling, and academic painting."  Richard graduated with a BFA in illustration and received the Dean's Award from the Humanities department. 

Blue Mountain in its Golden Season

     He always enjoyed art and won many competitions while growing up. As an elementary student he displayed a natural talent for art, but once he was disqualified from a competition because the judge was convinced, he must have had help with the drawing!  This was very discouraging to him and as Richard entered high school, he felt it would be more practical to pursue other interests and stopped taking any art classes completely.

     "It was torture! l soon found the margins of my school work covered in drawings and quickly realized I needed art in my life and decided if I couldn’t live without art, I needed to be fully in." As a senior in high school he rallied his enthusiasm for art and he took all the art classes he could.  He was a Sterling Scholar in art and won second place in the state art competition.

   "I had several great instructors during my years at BYU but I was heavily influenced by the enthusiasm and skill of my painting and drawing professor Ralph Barksdale. Ralph was a graduate of the Art Center College of Design and was heavily influenced by artists such as Dean Cornwell, N. C. Wyeth, and John Singer Sargent," Richard explained.

Discovering New Friends at Lloyd's Lake

       For the past few years, he has also taught several local workshops or “paint nights” at his studio in Blanding. These are “everyone-is-welcome” classes for all skill levels,” he explained.  "I walk people through the process and everyone learns a little about painting.  By the end of the night, they have a canvas they’ve created they can take home!”     

Richard Russell displaying 11 of the Aloha Chicken
Books which he and Josi have created.

   However, one of the most delightful places to see his illustrations are in the books his wife Josi has written: The Aloha Chicken Mysteries. “We have enjoyed collaborating on the series together and I have created all 18 of the covers and all the interior illustrations.” Josi continues to be one of his biggest fans and their collaboration has been a great creative force that has created 18 books.  

Amazon summary of  Book 1: Hens and homicides in a cozy slice of paradise.

     Saffron Skye has inherited a little piece of Hawaiian paradise. Only it’s filled with the leftovers of her late uncle’s life and overrun with his enormous flock of chickens. When her new friend, the oldest man in town, dies, no one else finds it suspicious. But as the town’s newest poultry keeper Saffron recognizes fowl play when she sees it.
    Saffron is a tetrachromat and can see colors nobody else can see. If only she could do the same with killers. To find the culprit--and the victim’s hidden fortune--Saffron will have to look in some surprising places. Even her new flock will lend a wing.
With scrumptious island food galore and two handsome men vying for her attention, Saffron has to focus, crack a few eggs . . . and crack the case. Featuring Beautiful illustrations by Richard Russell. Use the Amazon "Look Inside" feature to see the first few.]

Josi was a 2019 Whitney Awards Finalist!

    Richard has also done illustrations for the Church of Jesus Christ’s magazine, now named the Liahona. One of his illustrations featured Lou and Phil Mueller of Blanding.

    His resume of accomplishments and awards is extensive. Richard has earned dozens of awards over the years but of highest distinction were three Director’s Awards of Excellence from the Oil Painters of America awarded in 2007, 2008 and 2009. He also was a winner in the Eleventh LDS International Art Competition and was featured at the LDS Church History Museum; Salt Lake City March-October in 2019.

COMMISSIONED ART WORK:

2019 Utah Navajo Health Systems, San Juan County, Utah: Three locations--Blue Mountain Hospital, Montezuma Creek Clinic, Monument Valley Clinic 

Majestic Book Cliffs on display at UNHS Clinic 

2014 San Juan School District, San Juan County, Utah, Monticello Elementary School 

2011 San Juan School District, San Juan County, Utah, Tsébii’nidzisgai Elementary School

1999 Saffire Corporation, American Fork, Utah 

Durango River South

AWARDS

2014 City of Estes Park Award; Plein Air Rockies 

2013 First Place and Purchase Award Castle Creek Winery QuickDraw: Plein Air Moab 

2013 Honorable Mention; Plein Air Moab 

2009 Director’s Award of Excellence: Oil Painters of America 18TH National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils 

2008 Director’s Award of Excellence: Oil Painters of America 17TH National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils 2007 Southwest Art Award of Excellence; Oil Painters of America 

2007 President’s Award of Excellence: Central Regional Exhibition 2006 Zhiwei Tu OPAM  Oil Painters of America 15th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils 

2005 Professional Category 3rd Place Award; Utah State Fair Fine Arts Competition 

2005 3rd Place Award; Utah County Spring Arts Show 2004 Merit Award; Utah County Spring Arts Show -

“Rise and Walk,” painted by Richard

This particular painting was used in the Liahona to illustrate a talk by President Nelson: “I plead with you to come unto Him so that He can heal you! He will heal you from sin as you repent. He will heal you from sadness and fear. He will heal you from the wounds of this world. Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Learn more about His Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of healing and progression. Turn to Him! Follow Him!" —President Russell M. Nelson

-SELECTED EXHIBITIONS 

2021 Inspirational Art Association:

2021: Christmas Art Showcase, Salt Lake City, Utah

2021 August: Plein Air Rockies, Estes Park, Colorado, 

2020 Inspirational Art Association: 

2020 Christmas Art Showcase, Salt Lake City, Utah:

2019 December: Inspirational Art Association:

2019: Christmas Art Showcase, Salt Lake City, Utah:

2019 December Plein Air Moab, Moab, Utah October

2019  95th Annual Spring Salon; Springville Museum of Art; Springville, Utah;

2019  April Eleventh International Art Competition; Church History Museum; Salt Lake City March-October

2018 Plein Air Rockies, Estes Park, Colorado,

2018 August: Inspirational Art Association:

2018 December: Christmas Art Showcase, Salt Lake City, Utah: 

2017: Oil Painters of America 26TH National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Cincinnati, OH

More paintings in the Russell studio

2016 May: Plein Air Rockies, Estes Park, Colorado,

2015 August: 100 Beautiful People: Portraits by Richard Lance Russell; Finch Lane Gallery, Salt Lake City, Utah

2015 August: Plein Air Rockies, Estes Park, Colorado

2015 August: Plein Air Fest 2015; National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson Hole, Wyoming;

2015 June: Celebrating Rocky Invitational Art Show; Cultural Arts Council of Estes Park, Estes Park, Colorado;

2014 October: Oil Painters of America,

2014: Western Exhibition, Mountainsong Galleries, Carmel-By-The-Sea, California; 

2014 September: Plein Air Rockies, Estes Park, Colorado,

2014 August: Plein Air Fest 2014; National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson Hole, Wyoming;

2014 June: Praiseworthy Arts Easter Art Show, Salt Lake City, Utah;

2013 April: Plein Air Moab, Main Street Gallery, Moab, Utah;

2012 October: “Truth, Mirth, and Turmoil: Shakespeare Paintings by Richard Lance Russell,” Solo Exhibition, Utah Shakespeare Festival; Cedar City, Utah;

2012 June-November: Salon International

2012:  A Juried Exhibition of Oil Paintings Seeking and Promoting Artistic Excellence; International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art; Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art; San Antonio, Texas;

2012 April: Ninth International Art Competition; Church History Museum; Salt Lake City;

2011 March-October: 26th Annual Spiritual and Religious Art of Utah Exhibition; Springville Museum of Fine Art;

2011 October: Springville, Utah;  Close to Home: Paintings by Richard Lance Russell; Gallery East; Price, Utah;

2009 October: Oil Painters of America 18TH National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils;

Santa Fe, New Mexico;

May 2008: Oil Painters of America 17TH National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Richard Lance Russell Missoula, Montana;

May 2007: Rising Stars Exhibition; Joe Wade Fine Arts; Santa Fe, New Mexico;

September 2007: Oil Painters of America 2007 Central Regional Exhibition;

September 2007: Topeka, Kansas; 83rd Annual Spring Salon; Springville Museum of Art; Springville, Utah; April 2006 Rising Stars Exhibition;

September 2007: Joe Wade Fine Arts; Santa Fe, New Mexico; 

2006  Salon International: International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art; Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art; San Antonio, Texas;

May 2006: Oil Painters of America 15th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils; Missoula, Montana

2005: Two-Man Show; Utah County Gallery; Provo, Utah

August 2005: Featuring the Art of Richard Lance Russell; Solo Show; Freedom Gallery; Provo, Utah

July 2005: Salon International; International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art;

May 2005: Rising Stars: Six of the Most Collectible Young Artists in America Exhibition; Joe Wade Fine Arts; Santa Fe, New Mexico; September

May 2005: Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art; San Antonio, Texas;  Utah County Spring Arts Show; Utah County Gallery

May 2005: Inspirational Art Association

May 2005: Christmas Art Showcase, Salt Lake City, Utah

May 2005: Plein Air Moab, Moab, Utah

April 2004: Utah County Spring Arts Show; Utah County Gallery; Provo, Utah 

April 2002: 78TH Annual Spring Salon; Springville Museum of Art; Springville, Utah 

April 1998: New York Society of Illustrators Show; New York, New York 

May 1997: New York Society of Illustrators Show; Society of Illustrators; New York, New York