2020: Russell with his collection of backyard telescopes – and observing buddies
Astronomy has been Russell's passion from a very young age. He has studied the night sky for decades, becoming an accomplished amateur astronomer with observational contributions to astronomy organizations such as NASA and ALPO. Utilizing his own array of telescopes, along with several opportunities to observe at professional observatories, he studies the stars as the 19th century astronomers did – through the viewfinder, not through digital imaging devices. His obsessive documentation of celestial phenomenon has resulted in a body of astronomical work informed by actual scientific theoretical research and infused with his own interpretations.
2004: The 10 inch reflector in Russell's observatory (dubbed "The Solstice Peak Observatory") in the Santa Monica Mountains, which burned down in a 2007 wildfire. (photo: Stuart Gow)
1999: At the eyepiece of the 60 inch telescope at Mt. Wilson Observatory
Galaxies, 1995
15 x 11 inches
ink and pencil on paper
Ursa Major Rising over Tangled Chaparral, 2004
20 x 20 inches
ink and watercolor on paper
Hale Bopp, 2003
24 x 24 inches
ink on paper
Moon Over McMansions, 2001
24 x 24 inches
ink on paper
Saturn, 1998
24 x 24 inches
ink on paper
"M10 Globular Cluster in Ophiuchus, 10 inch Newtonian x90, August 25, 1997", 1998
41 x 41 inches
ink on paper
Shadow Transiton Jupiter, 2004
21 3/4 x 21 3/4 inches framed
Ink and watercolor on paper
Shadow Transiton Jupiter (detail), 2004
21 3/4 x 21 3/4 inches framed
Ink and watercolor on paper
Clavius, 2002
24 x 24 inches
ink on paper
Triangulum/Andromeda Over Domelands, 2005-2020
20 x 20 inches
ink on paper
Antares Over Reyes Peak, 2010
20 x 20 inches
ink and watercolor on paper
The Owl Nebula, 1998
46 x 46 inches
ink and pencil on paper
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Leonid Meteor Shower, 2002
24 inch diameter globe
ink and watercolor on paper on acrylic sphere
Extinction (large version), 2003
45 inch diameter globe
ink and watercolor on paper on acrylic sphere
NGC 6960 The Veil Nebula in Cygnus, 2000
36 inch diameter globe
ink on paper mounted on lucite sphere
M15 Globular Cluster in Pegasus, 2001
45 inches diameter globe
ink on paper on acrylic sphere
Western Skies, 2000
45 inches diameter globe
ink on paper on lucite sphere
NGC 6992, Eastern Loop of the Veil Nebula in Cygnus, 2002
36 inches diameter globe
ink on paper on lucite sphere
Nightfall in the Sespe Wilderness, 2004-2017
24 inch diameter globe
ink and watercolor on paper on fiberglass sphere
M27 Dumbell Nebula, 2003
36 inch diameter globe
Ink and watercolor on paper on acrylic sphere
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The evolution of the astronomy work began with flat drawings (on sheets and in books) of stars and deep sky objects, often in a grid format, other times within a circular motif, as you would see it through the telescope's viewfinder. It was a natural progression for the drawings to move from circular to spherical and in the late 1990's, Russell began creating his signature globe drawings, introducing three-dimensional sculptural elements into his work.
The globes are fabricated in fiberglass then covered with archival paper by professional paper conservators. Russell draws directly onto the coated globe with a special archival ball-point pen over a wash of watercolor, then a sealant is applied. Globe sizes range from 8 inches to 72 inches in diameter.
Lucia and Gabi coating globes with japanese paper and wheat paste
2005 group show "Messages & Communications" at the Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh, PA
2003 exhibition "For the Record" at the Vancouver Art Gallery, British Columbia.
2002 solo show at CRG Gallery, New York, NY
Two 72 inch diameter globe drawings in the 2005 solo exhibition at ShoshanaWayne Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
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Night Trips Lunar, 2001-2002
23 x 32 inches open, 48 pages
ink on paper in cloth covered book
Russell is also known for his books: small sketchbooks, custom made books with overlays, atlases of the heavens, and a few enormous and elaborate "field guides."
"Field Chart for Telescopic Work on Starlit Evenings" in the 2011 group exhibition "Revealed: Turner Contemporary Opens" at Turner Contemporary, Margate, England
book: 60 x 144 x 3 inches
table: 66 x 144 x 68 inches
tube: 72 x 12 inches
ink and watercolor on paper and vellum in 6 pages bound in rugged canvas on wood and metal table
Detail from "Field Chart for Telescopic Work on Starlit Evenings," 2004
Six Panoramas, 2005
41 x 82 inches open
ink and watercolor on 12 pages in linen bound book
M11 The Milky Way (Northern Hemishere), 1999-2000
36 inch diameter globe