Prescott Art Docents (PAD) recently met with Ian Russell (IR), local watercolor artist and gallery owner of Ian Russell Gallery of Fine Art on South Montezuma in downtown Prescott. Russell uses his imagination, interest in storytelling and love of nature to create watercolor paintings that transport the viewer into different worlds ranging from beautiful ethereal landscapes to pure fantasy. Here is a recap of our conversation.

PAD: I read that you became interested in art at a young age. Can you share with us some favorite inspirational memories?

IR: I grew up in the San Francisco area. When I was young, my grandmother, Betty Vavara, would take me to museums and galleries. I learned my love of art from her. My grandmother introduced me to several great old masters-- Rembrandt, Michelangelo and Leonardo daVinci. In eighth grade, while living in Chester, CA, I began to learn about different art media. I had a teacher who taught both science and art. He put examples of different media on each of the four classroom walls. For instance, on one wall were examples of pencil drawing; on another, examples of watercolor paintings. We would have art classes that focused on each medium. First we learned drawing--line, texture, shape and shading. Then we moved on to watercolor. I was also influenced by the fantasy artist Frank Frazetta. I would study his works and became self-taught by imitating his style of drawing techniques and shading. When I was in high school, we moved to Prescott, AZ. At that time I wanted to be a musician, but I also was still doing my art work. It was during my junior year of high school that I knew I was going to be an artist. For several years (1986-1989) I won First Place in the Prescott Fine Arts Scholastic Scholarship competition for my works. I also sold several pieces at the Frame & I in Prescott. It was very cool to sell art at 16!

PAD: When we look at your artwork, we see that you have three broad subject categories: portraits, fantasy and landscape. What are your sources of inspiration?

IR: I actually started painting people first. I love to paint older people. I think this is due to my love for and my strong ties to my grandparents. Before I start a painting, I develop an idea or story that I want to tell. Then I look at reference books and photos. My subject needs to amuse and interest me. Let’s look at my painting titled The Oasis. This painting came about by my teasing my mom and sister that they will end their lives living on a desert island together with their broken-down car and cats. Ultimately the story became the painting.

In 1990 I was working on a fantasy piece for an upcoming show, and I was having a mental block regarding the subject matter. My mom had purchased some fun fake flowers with faces on them for my little sister who was 2 ½ years old. I remember my sister calling me to come outside to see her flowers. She said they were talking to her. This led me to begin thinking about creating a fantasy painting of flowers coming to life, like cartoon characters -- talking and entertaining my sister. My painting series of the four seasons--Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter --illustrates how the flowers, trees and sunshine come alive and change the landscape over time. My choice of color palette influences how the viewer feels about the different seasons. Winter is very cold and stark. I used predominately cold blues, grays and white in this painting. The trees stand frozen, decorated with icicles and hats of snow. In the painting titled Spring I changed my color palette completely to the young, brighter green-yellows of new plant growth; the flowers are celebrating, and the sun is a golden yellow. In Spring the earth thaws out and begins to come alive with the warmth of the sun. This series of four paintings is perfect for a child’s room.

In 1994, I was burned out by my subject matter of people and fantasy art. I began to do a lot of hiking and biking with a friend just to clear my mind. We started hiking in canyons. My friend brought to my attention that artists were not showing the canyons from this interior viewpoint. So I started taking photos and began to create my landscapes. I only paint canyons and landscapes that I have hiked. I believe that I must have been there for my painting to be authentic.

PAD: For me, West Fork of Oak Creek #3 is a great example of your landscapes. As the viewer of this painting, I feel like I am experiencing the hike too. The cool water, the stillness of the air, the tall vertical pine trees and strong rocks help me imagine sitting there and having a peaceful picnic with friends.

PAD: Your medium of choice is watercolor. Can you share with us your process?

IR: As I mentioned earlier, I start with some reference point, an idea or story I want to tell. Ninety percent of the time I just start to draw on my double thick illustration board. I tend not to do thumbnail sketches. First, I draw my image with either a light (5H) or a medium (HB) pencil. Then I add the color. I add my watercolor in layers like an old master oil painter would do. My pigment is a middle fluid. I do not use a very wet technique. In my landscapes I create the sky by air brushing. It takes me around 150 hours to create a large watercolor.
 
PAD: Where can people see and purchase your art?

IR: I am pleased to have people visit my gallery, Ian Russell Gallery of Fine Art, located at 130 S. Montezuma in Prescott, AZ. We are open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gallery also supports Prescott’s Fourth Friday Art Walks. On these evenings we extend our hours, host live musicians, and normally have new exhibits. At the gallery you can see my work as well as works by more than 30 other fellow artists. If you cannot get to the gallery, we have a great website, www.ianrussellart.com , that features and sells all our work.

PAD: Thank you, Ian, for sharing your world of watercolor with us. Your work is full of wonderful detail. I think that all art lovers who see your works will enjoy getting lost in the visual stories you tell.