RUSSELL STEPHENSON

Russell Stephenson is a Colorado artist and Professor. He has earned a BFA in Sculpture, and an MFA in Painting/Printmaking.  His work has been nationally recognized and he has an extensive exhibition record  throughout his 30 year career.  His vast knowledge of art history, and his range of techniques and materials afford him the endless opportunities to explore his ideas, and combine methodologies throughout his expressive and energetic work.

Russell Stephenson is interested in the exploration of color, texture, imaginary environments, and expressionistic abstraction.  His work evolves throughout a number of techniques to explore intuitive design strategies, and emotive imaginary landscapes and environments. His current studio work involves a hybrid technique of sculpture, painting, and printmaking into work he calls ‘Intuitive Abstract Realism’.  

Artist Statement

My work is created with loosely rendered and intuitively controlled marks, which simulate infinite illusionary environments.  These environments are based on personal experiences, imaginary places, and historical context.  I consider these works to be imaginary landscapes, atmospheres and objects that are both created out of expressionism, while conversely leaning more towards systematic formulation.  My work is concerned with texture and perception as well as surface and color.  Overriding themes in my work involve combining techniques and styles to express a sense of being alive and free to explore a myriad of ideas, sometimes all in the same painting.

As a record of collective experiences, the marks and movements are at once fueled by automatism, and intuitionism.  My works serve as a living journal, and transcendental artifacts.  

WORKS