Second Place, Painting

Russell Brown

Finish Line

Oil on Canvas

18 x 24"

$250

LIVE and Online 

Clamoring and pushing towards retirement inspired this image. I felt delighted to have it near and felt a little worse for ware.

Artist's Statement:

I have worked as a graphic artist for some 40 years – pushing pixels and telling corporate stories. Now retired, I’m pursuing one of my long-term goals of doing personal work. One of the mediums that has always interested me is painting. I recall walking through the painting department in college soaking in the smells and energy that were ever-present in the studios. I wanted to try my hand at it!

I’ve picked-up on thoughts, challenges and beauty that I’d left in my mental shed for years. Some as benign as a still life, others that are meant to tell a story. All of which I hope will register emotionally and aesthetically. I’ve found that it is important to show evidence of process in my work. It tells a sub-story of development leaving traces of the past, the scars that have healed.

I am enjoying the challenge of painting and personal expression. It’s more difficult than I’d anticipated—looking for the poetry in life. It takes effort to consider worthy topics. It takes patience to develop skills. It takes courage to execute the vision. But when it all comes together, all the tangential themes intersect to create the possible, it is so rewarding.