About the Artist

Mountain men and Indians have long held a fascination for Russ.  As a child growing up in Southern California, he loved staying with his uncle and cousins during the summers in the California Mountains around Yosemite National Park where he was able to hunt and work outside.  As he grew, he loved reading about Forest Rangers and others who were able to live in and work with nature.  After graduation from Northern Arizona University, his working years were spent in Commercial Real Estate valuation.  However, his love remained with the mystique of the mountains and mountain men and Indians.  A coincidental meeting with a woodcarver in the summer of 2013, lead him to begin carving cottonwood bark.  After a couple of first place carving awards at the Desert Woodcarving Show and Sale in 2015, Russ has now evolved into not only carving faces of mountain men and Indians in cottonwood bark, but also sculpting them in clay.  As Russ continues to learn, mentors/artists such as Bill Nebecker, John Coleman, and Susan Kliewer, have stepped forward to encouraged him to continue his quest for excellence.  Russ, can be found spending hours working in his Prescott, Arizona studio amongst the rugged mountain men and Indians who emerge from the wood and clay.  Some of these carvings, along with clay sculptures, have been turned into beautiful bronzes.  In addition to his sculptures and carvings Russ paints in oil, watercolor, and charcoal.   Five of Russ’ carvings and bronzes were selected for display in the 37^th Annual Juried Members Exhibition at the Sedona Arts Center.  Russ was also juried into the 44^th (2018), 45^th (2019), 46^th (2020) and 47^th (2021), 48^th (2022), 49^th (2023) and 50^th (2024) Phippen Museum Western Art Show and Sale held Memorial Day Weekend in Prescott, Arizona.  Russ is represented by Mountain Spirit Art Gallery located on Whiskey Row in downtown Prescott, Arizona.