Artist Detail

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Debra Russell

About the artist:

Debra’s first art class was at the University of Utah Children’s Summer School at the age of 8, which began a lifelong passion for the arts. She studied piano at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, worked as a buyer in a retail jewelry store, became a master gardener and, most recently, has focused her energy on oil painting. She first discovered her talent for painting when she had the opportunity to paint “plein air” with the late LeConte Stewart. With Mr. Stewart's encouragement, she began instruction with Helen Wiscombe in the late 80's. Motherhood happily interrupted her work for several years, but she was able to return to oil painting 7 years ago. Since then, she has been fortunate to study with a number of distinguished artists including Anne Marie Oborn, Ovannes Berberian, David Koch, Susan Gallagher, John Hughes, Steve Songer and Bonnie Posselli. Like most artists she continues to study and learn new techniques from peers, mentors and classic art books, choosing bits and pieces from each to develop her own style. Her works of art range from 3 by 4-inch miniatures to larger 36 by 40-inch paintings. While her favorite subject is the Utah landscape, she also enjoys interpreting still lifes, figures and portraits onto her canvas. She especially enjoys painting smaller paintings outside to be used as studies for larger works painted in the studio. Debra maintains a working studio and gallery in Millcreek and lists Interior Designers, art collectors and even children among her many collectors.