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Artist

Russ Mackensen

United States

Born in 1953

Joined Artisor: February 2024

Artist Stats

Total pieces for sale: 10

Bio

Russ has spent a lifetime of pursuing art in one form or another. As a young man in his teens, he devoted three years to independent study focusing on different 2D and 3D mediums. However, he discovered his interest then, was leading him towards architecture.  

Russ attended architecture school at the University of Kansas and graduated with a five-year

Bachelor of Architecture degree. While there, he continued to do independent studies in art-related course work including color studies via serigraphs and printmaking projects using photographic resists. Time spent in architecture helped him to hone the three-dimensional vision necessary to design structures and see an object’s relation to space.

In 2009, with a lull in architecture because of the economy, he purchased some oil pastels to see what he could create. He hasn’t set them down since! 

Russ found this relatively unknown medium well-suited to his drawing skills as an architect. From the beginning, he endeavored to pursue photorealism with this challenging medium. Russ develops his paintings on 400 Uart sandpaper, which allows him to execute the hard edges needed to create the photorealism he desires.   

He loves the vibrancy and immediacy the oil pastel colors exhibit. In his contemporary work, Russ enjoys painting brightly colored objects with reflected light or other objects. Along with the rich detail of his traditional paintings. 

Unlike dry pastels, oil pastels have limited color selections. Russ’ ability to mix, layer, and create true-to-life colors is truly remarkable. Also, unlike dry pastels, he produces archival quality work without being behind glass. He achieves this by applying a fixative designed for oil pastels and two coats of acrylic varnish.  

Russ has achieved early success with oil pastels winning many awards, and Creative Quarterly has published his work several times. He was the first oil pastel artist juried into IGOR (International Guild of Realism), and he is an elected member of The Allied Artists of America.

Testimonial: “Oil pastel artist Russ Mackensen, whose fascination with the medium has led him to become a master.” Artsy Shark

Russ continues to explore and create various subject matter to apply this often overlooked medium. Showcasing to others the beauty of oil pastels! 

Grateful for his giftedness—and everything else—he credits his Creator (Romans 11:36).

Read

Bio Author: I.G.O.R. Show in Scottsdale

  • Artworks
  • Curriculum Vitae

Exhibitions and Honors:

2024

“Parade of Pears” International Guild of Realism 18th Annual International Juried Exhibition at The T. H. Brennen Fine Art Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona

2023

“Steamin Hot Peppers” International Guild of Realism 17th Annual International Juried Exhibition at The Sugarman-Peterson Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

2022

“I Like M & M’s” Irving Art Association’s 37th Texas and Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition

 Honorable Mention ~ Drawing Category

 Allied Artists of America on line Associates Show ~ Prize winner and awarded Elected Status for “Floating Chihuly”

Allied Artists of America 109th Exhibition~Pastel Painters of Cape Cod AwardDisplayed at the Butler Institute of Art

International Guild of Realism 2022 On Line Winter Salon International Juried Exhibition, “Red Peppers”

2021

International Guild of Realism 2021 On Line Winter Salon International Juried Exhibition, “Hard Candy Rising”

Creative Quarterly Magazine Issue 63, Winner in Fine Art Category, “Hard Candy Rising”

2021 Richeson 75 Small Works Finalist, “It’ Mine”

2021 Richeson 75 Still Life & Floral, Meritorious Selection, “Strawberry Splash” & “Hard Candy Rising”

2020

International Guild of Realism 2020 On Line Winter Salon International Juried Exhibition

International Guild of Realism 15th Annual International Juried Exhibition at The Principle Gallery, Charleston, South Carolina

 “Hard Candy” ARC, Art Renewal Center’s 2019-2020 International Salon Competition, Finalist

2019

International Guild of Realism 2019 On Line Winter Salon International Juried Exhibition

2019 Richeson 75 Small Works Finalist

2019 Richeson 75 Still Life and Florals Finalist and Meritorious winner

Creative Quarterly Magazine Issue 55, Winner in Fine Art Category & Runner up in Fine Art Category

Irving Art Association’s 34th Texas and Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition, Honorable Mention-Drawing Category

2018

2018 Texas & Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition, Honorable Mention-Drawing Category

2018 Richeson 75 Small Works Finalist

2017

2017 Texas & Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition, 1st Place in the Drawing Category

International Guild of Realism Winter Salon International Juried Exhibition at The Marshal Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona

2016

International Guild of Realism 11th Annual International Juried Exhibition at Gallery 1261, Denver, Colorado

3rd Annual Artspace 111 Regional Juried Exhibition, 2 works, Juried by the distinguished Director of the Kimbell Art Museum, Eric M. Lee.

2016 Texas & Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition

Creative Quarterly Magazine Issue 43, Winner in Fine Art Category

Richeson 75 Still Life and Floral 2016 Competition, Finalist with two works, Meritorious with two works

2015 

Arkansas Pastel Society 6th National Exhibition 2015, “Reflections in Pastel,” Second Place

Artists of Texas 2015 “A Show of heART”

Richeson 75 Small Works 2015 Competition, Finalist, with two works

2014 

Oil Pastel Society 2014 Members Show, Professional/Signature Category, Honorable Mention

Artists of Texas 2014 Rites of Spring Exhibition at Davis and Company Contemporary Fine Art

Artists of Texas 2014 Rites of Spring On-Line Show, two works accepted.

2014 Texas & Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition, 1st Place – Drawing Category

2013 

Oil Pastel Society 2013 Members Show, Professional/Signature Category, Honorable Mention

2013 Texas & Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition

Richeson 75 Small Works 2013 Competition, Finalist

2012 

Oil Pastel Society 2012 Members Show, Professional/Signature Category, Honorable Mention

“A Blue Plate Special” 2012 Texas & Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition, 1st Place-Drawing Category

2011 

“Blue Plate Special” ARC, Art Renewal Center’s 2010-2011 International Salon Competition, Finalist

Oil Pastel Society 2011 Members Show, Professional/Signature Category, Honorable Mention

“Tell Us A Story” Segil Fine Art Summer Show 2011 Monrovia, California.

Richeson 75 Still Life, Floral and Abstract 2011 Competition. Finalist with 2 works.

2010

Oil Pastel Society 2010 Members Show, Associates Category, Honorable Mention

Richeson 75 Landscape 2010 Competition, Finalist

Great Lakes Pastel Society 2010 National Show, Juried by Richard McKinley

Arizona Pastel Artists Association Spring 2010 Members Show

 

No previous artwork sold