RUSSELL H YERKES III

 

Russell Yerkes III grew up in a home where his father was a professional artist and he was able to watch him paint with watercolors everyday. As a child, Russell would watch his father create vivid jungle and underwater scenes, and overtime he grew to become Russell’s inspiration. Russell and his father's relationship revolved around art, as it was the glue to their relationship, Russell would help his father at art shows, and Russell’s father would help Russell with framing. Russell knew he wanted to one day create new worlds on paper just as his father did. 

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In 2021, Russell’s father passed away unexpectedly. Saddened with grief while preparing to be a father at the same time, Russell never wanted to pick up a paint brush again. During this difficult time, Russell was embarking on his own spiritual journey. Through the next few years, his journey led him to understand the purpose for his life, and now he uses that understanding to spread love into this world. 

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In June 2024, Russell was in a consignment store, and he saw a large frame against the wall. A thought came to his mind instantaneously: why not repurpose frames and turn them into an original art with a message. Russell knew then that he was ready to paint again. Within a matter of days, Russell rediscovered his love for art and his purpose. Life is a precious gift, and Russell wants to bring light and love into the world through his art.

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By using old frames, used books, and his father’s watercolors, Russell creates art with a message about repurposing. Russell uses watercolor to capture naturalism with vivid colors and unique compositions to draw in the viewer. Then, as the viewer walks up to each piece of art, certain words have been highlighted.  The words the viewer will see are unique as in each page was randomly selected and each word spoke to Russell while creating the piece. Creating art from repurposed materials reflects how we can repurpose our lives.

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The goal for each piece is to capture Russell’s love and ideas of this journey while bringing life to words that could be speaking to the viewer with the hope of helping the viewer with their own journey.

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