Western painter G. Russell Case is inspired by nature, but he places little value on literal translations. His sweeping, idealized versions of the western landscape are compositions that combine the beauty of the natural world with the rich imagination and originality of an artist’s mind. While there is an unmistakable honesty present in his painted environments — stemming from his engagement with the land painted directly from nature — viewers may be reminded of other great artists of the west, whose work is marked by distinctive artistic philosophies. Case’s work is unfettered by philosophy and intellect, though he is surely a student of his artistic forebears. The monumental scale of Maynard Dixon, or the unfiltered color and light of Thomas Moran both find their way into his visual language. Yet Case’s work is simple, pure, and fresh; his painting draws in the viewer and delivers timeless landscapes. We are immediately transported into a world created by shadow and light, of immense vistas punctuated by jagged mountains and inhabited by lonesome cowboys.
Russell Case’s artistic enthusiasm was first fostered by his father, Garry Case, who was also an artist. His father encouraged Russell’s artistic talents and helped him seek exposure through marketing and local galleries. For fifteen years the younger Case translated his surroundings into watercolor, creating a foundation for the liquid vibrancy found in his later oils. This transition developed during his college years, where Case studied with the intent to become a professor of art. After graduating from Utah State University in 1990 and with the support of his wife, Susanne, Case decided to dedicate himself to painting full-time.
To view Russell’s work, click here.