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About Mark

Each of my paintings is hand-crafted. The process I use is intentionally slow, thoughtful, and methodical—much like a meditation while painting. The result is artwork that is most often described as serene and calming. 

The imagined landscapes of my paintings and monoprints are reflections of my experiences and memories of the open spaces and prairie settings of my Midwestern roots. 

Much of my work is in the Tonalist style, with a focus on neutral color and atmospheric effects. With oil paint and various mediums I apply many thin layers, to achieve unique surfaces and luminosity that capture nature’s ever-changing light, color and weather.

I have been creating landscape and nature paintings for more than 30 years. I've exhibited my work in group shows, in galleries and museums across the country. I have won numerous awards and I'm an Illinois Arts Council Grant recipient. My paintings are included in private and corporate collections. I have degrees from DePaul University and The American Academy of Art in Chicago.

 

MARK RUSSELL CV

 

EDUCATION

BA, DePaul University, Chicago

AA, American Academy of Art, Chicago

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

EXHIBITIONS

2024

Water Street Gallery, Douglas, MI

2023

Water Street Gallery, Douglas, MI

2022

Water Street Gallery, Douglas, MI

2021

Water Street Gallery, Douglas, MI

2020

Water Street Gallery, Douglas, MI

2019

Water Street Gallery, Douglas, MI

OA Gallery, Kirkwood, MO - Miniature Show, Honorable Mention

2018

Water Street Gallery, Douglas, MI

OA Gallery, Kirkwood, MO - Miniature Show, Honorable Mention

Dempsey Gallery, Batavia, IL

2017

OA Gallery, Kirkwood, MO - Miniature Show, Honorable Mention

Kane County Chronicle Gallery, Batavia, IL

Dempsey Gallery, Batavia, IL

Gingrass Gallery, Milwaukee

2016

Elevate Gallery, Glen Ellyn, IL

Gingrass Gallery, Milwaukee 

2015

Elevate Gallery, Glen Ellyn, IL

Elaine Erickson Gallery, Milwaukee

Gingrass Gallery, Milwaukee 

Dana Gallery, Missoula, MT

2014

Elevate Gallery, Glen Ellyn, IL

Elaine Erickson Gallery, Milwaukee 

Mullaly’s Gallery, Elk Rapids, MI 

2013

Elaine Erickson Gallery, Milwaukee

Mullaly’s Gallery, Elk Rapids, MI 

2012

Mullaly’s Gallery, Elk Rapids, MI

2011

Mullaly’s Gallery, Elk Rapids, MI

2010

Chicago Loop Alliance, Chicago

Art of the Plains, University of Nebraska, Great Plains Art Museum, Lincoln, NE

Horizontal Grandeur: Prairie Artists, Stevens County Museum, Morris, MN

Mullaly’s Gallery, Elk Rapids, MI

Soho Myriad, Atlanta

2009

Mullaly’s Gallery, Elk Rapids, MI

Soho Myriad, Atlanta

2008

The Artist Project, Chicago

Mullaly’s Gallery, Elk Rapids, MI

Soho Myriad, Atlanta

2007

Mullaly's Gallery, Elk Rapids, MI

The Fields Project, Oregon, IL

Fine Arts Center, Dixon, IL

Soho Myriad, Atlanta

BD Mallon Gallery, Geneva, IL

2006

Soho Myriad, Atlanta

BD Mallon Gallery, Geneva, IL

2004/2005

American Furnishings Artisans Gallery, Columbus

AWARDS

Illinois Arts Council Grant - 2014

RESIDENCIES

The Fields Project, Oregon IL - 2007

TEACHING

Online Workshops:

Abstract Landscape Painting With Oil, Cold Wax and Other Mediums

Landscape Painting In The Tonalist Style

A Minimalist Approach To Painting The Landscape

1:1 Mentoring, on-line.

Learn more here

PUBLICATIONS & MEDIA

Gamblin Artist Colors website: Cold Wax Medium featured artist

Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations https://www.coldwaxbook.com

Kane County Chronicle 1/11/17

COLLECTIONS

Hilton Hotel, McLean, VA

Hilton Homewood Suites, Pinehurst, NC

Marriott Renaissance Hotel, Schaumburg, IL

The Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, IL

DuPage Foundation, Downers Grove, IL

Numerous private collections