Jan Russell
I painted and drew up to my teen years and then had a break of some thirty years, apart from having a go at drawing for the local show, before taking up the brush again at my sister’s behest by introducing me to Max Watters, a professional artist who held a painting group at his home and proffered his guidance.
I have always enjoyed drawing and painting from childhood – it wasn’t Christmas without a tin of watercolour paints. I enjoy painting in oils and pastels and, after going to acrylic classes with Tracy Bennet in Woodford, spend the majority of my painting time with this medium. Pastels are my next preferred medium and I also spend time drawing in pencil and dabbling in pen and wash and charcoal.
As to subject matter, I have no particular preference, whether it be still life, portraiture or landscape. Each genre has its own idiosyncrasies so as I keep going I keep learning and that learning will continue as long as I paint – no matter the medium or the subject.
I sign my paintings and art work with my maiden name, Devine, as acknowledgement to the origin of my being able to paint and draw.
Awards
2018:
First Prize Still Life, Kilcoy Show
First Prize Pastel, Kilcoy Show
Third Prize Oil/Acrylic, Kilcoy Show
Encouragement award Drawing, Kilcoy Show
2016:
First Prize Pastel and Champion Exhibitor, Kilcoy Show
First Prize Drawing, Kilcoy Show
1988:
Second Prize Drawing Muswellbrook Agriculture Show
Other
Muswellbrook Regional Gallery – Pastel work in Max Watters Collection donated to the Gallery.
Sample Work
One Angry Bird (Pastel)
Old Miner’s Cottage Blayney (Oil)
Sunday Best (Acrylic)