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Biography
Creating sculptures that are in complete harmony with their environment is of paramount importance to artist James T. Russell. It is for this reason that he chooses low-maintenance, hand-polished stainless steel as his primary medium. The sleek reflective surfaces he creates mirror the idiosyncrasies of their surroundings, seamlessly incorporating the ever-changing topography of the world in which they inhabit. In turn, the visually commanding forms spring forth with mesmerizing energy and elegantly undulate into a unified form. Having completed over 85 state, national, and international commissions, Russell has placed pieces in numerous highly-regarded public, corporate, and private collections. Though in past years the artist has focused mainly on constructing commissioned, site-specific, outdoor pieces on a monumental scale, in recent years he has developed smaller limited edition pieces that can be enjoyed inside the home.
Curriculum Vitae
SELECTED NATIONAL AND STATE COMMISSIONS
2006 “Cerritos Veterans Memorial”- Commissioned by Cerritos to create largest project in the cities comprehensive art collection. The project received overwhelming community support. 20’ by 20’.
2002 “Blue Sky” – Winner of the Laguna Beach Artist Designed Bench Competition, 9’ long.
2001 “Soaring Star” - Chico Municipal Airport, California, 9 1/2’ tall by 10 1/2’ wide polished stainless steel sculpture.
2001 “Soaring Hope” - Wausau Hospital, Wausau, Wisconsin, 7’ tall polished stainless steel sculpture.
2001 “Keystone” - Sanibel Public Library, Sanibel Island, Florida, 10’ tall polished stainless steel sculpture.
2000 “Eternal Spring”- City of Santa Fe Springs Heritage Park Art in Public Places Program and Enlight Corporation, 12’.
1999 “Millennium” - City of South San Francisco Cultural Arts Commission, 10’ stainless steel sculpture.
1999 “Gateway to Excellence” - Cary, North Carolina 12’ tall by 14’ wide, the polished stainless steel sculpture is the gateway sculpture to the city.
1998 “Pioneer Spirit” - National commission by the City of Bakersfield’s Centennial Celebration Foundation for the Centennial Garden Bakersfield Arena, two forms 12’ and 9’ tall.
1998 “Seekers of Excellence” - Davis Applied Technology Center in Kaysville, Utah 14’ tall, walk-through sculpture.
1998 “Voyage to Excellence” - Western Oregon University, Monmouth, Oregon 14’ tall stainless steel sculpture.
1997 “Huddle” - National commission for Oregon State University, Parker Stadium, Corvallis, 13’ tall sculpture.
1997 “Viewpoint” - National commission by the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department for the John Muir Library in Los Angeles a 9’ tall polished stainless steel sculpture.
1995 “Hope” - Mercy Hospital, Bakersfield, California, 10’ tall sculpture commemorating donors to the Florence R. Wheeler Center.
1994 “Unity” - National commission by Safford High School, Safford, Arizona for a 15’ freestanding copper sculpture.
1993 “Valiant” - National commission by the Utah Arts Council for the Utah Valley Community College library in Orem, Utah. The sculpture stands 8’ by 8’.
1992 “Phoenix” - National commission by the City of Fremont for Fremont Fire Station, 7’10” polished stainless steel.
1992 “Champion” - National commission by the Utah Arts Council for the Technology Education/Economic Development Center at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. 16’ tall highly polished stainless steel.
1991 “Sojourn” - National commission by the Utah Arts Council for the Utah State University campus in Logan. Two freestanding forms, 13’ tall polished stainless steel.
1989 “Satori” - National commission by the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission for Brookside Gardens in Washington D.C. Two freestanding 13’sculptures, polished stainless steel.
1989 "Touch-One" - National commission by the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission for Olney Manor, Olney, Maryland. "Touch-One" is a 4'6" tall, stainless steel sculpture on a 7’ granite column.
1987 "Rhapsody" - National commission by the Burlington Art Guild, Iowa for their sculpture garden. 4’ tall, highly polished, stainless pedestal sculpture.
1986 "Interpoint" - National commission by the County of San Diego for the East County Regional Center in El Cajon, California. The 31’ tall, highly polished, stainless steel monumental sculpture.
1983 "Interspirit" - National commission by the State of Wisconsin for the University of Wisconsin Campus, Madison Physical Education Center, 13’, freestanding, walk through sculpture.
1982 "Nimbus Flight" - National competition by the City of St. Joseph, Michigan, 15’ tall, highly polished, stainless steel freestanding sculpture.
1979 “Angelic Duet" - State commission by the State of California Art in Public Buildings Program for the exterior of the Los Angeles State Building, 42’ tall freestanding, highly polished stainless steel monumental sculpture.
SELECTED CORPORATE AND PRIVATE COMMISSIONS
2003 “Synergy” – Commissioned by Coast Aluminum and Architectural Incorporated and the City of Santa Fe Springs Heritage Park Art in Public Places Program, Santa Fe Springs, California, 10’ tall.
2002 “Hope Within” – Commissioned by the Community Health Group, Chula Vista, California, 12’ tall.
2002 “Quest for Excellence” – Commissioned by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, for the entry plaza of the corporate headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, 18’ tall.
2002 “Eternal Flight” – Private commission, Woodside, California, 6’ tall on a 3' polished stainless steel pedestal.
2001 “Springtime” - Commission for Bishop Ranch in San Ramon, California, 5’8” on a 2’ pedestal.
2001 “John H. Witte, Jr. Memorial Sculpture” - Commissioned by First Star Bank and the John H. Witte, Jr. Foundation to commemorate philanthropist John H. Witte, Jr. First Star Bank Plaza in Burlington Iowa, 7’.
2001 “Shreveport Rose” – Commissioned by Marnell Corrao for Harrah’s Casino, Shreveport, Lousiana,60” x 66”.
2000 “Evening Star” - Commission for Bishop Ranch in San Ramon, California, 5’6” polished stainless steel.
2000 “Bridge of Excellence” - Commissioned by AT Kearney. Three different sculptures given as an award at the annual AT Kearney Excellence in Manufacturing Awards.
2000 “Stellare” – Commissioned by P & O Cruise Lines, for the cruise ship, “Oceana”. The sculpture is 6’ tall, highly polished stainless steel installed in Manfalcone, Italy.
2000 “Scribe”- Commissioned by Nelson Nameplate Company, Los Angeles, California, 8’ tall polished stainless steel sculpture placed n a two level circular fountain.
1999 “Tribute” - Commissioned by the Charles Walsh Trust to commemorate the founder of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, Charles Walsh. Located in Riverside Park in Burlington, Iowa, 7’ on a 6’ pedestal.
1999 “Duo Sonata” - Commissioned by SAS Institute, Inc., for their national headquarters in Cary, North Carolina. 20’ tall highly polished stainless steel.
1998 “Spirit Song” - Commissioned by Motorola Corporation for their headquarters in Beijing, China, 6’ rotating in a circular fountain.
1997 “Triumph” - Commissioned by the Allstate Insurance Company for the plaza of the 801 Brand Boulevard building in Glendale, California. The sculpture is composed of three forms standing 30’, 25’, and 19’ tall.
1990 "Soaring" - Commissioned by Harry L. Summers, Inc. for the Governor Executive Center in San Diego, California, 20’ tall, highly polished stainless steel sculpture.
1988 "Reflections" & “Boundless Flight” – Commissioned by Professional Hospital Supply for their Rancho, California corporate offices. "Reflections" is a water pool sculpture for the main lobby, 7'9". "Boundless Flight" is an exterior sculpture, 5’8”. Both are highly polished stainless steel.
1985 "Counterpoint" - Commissioned by the Big Canyon Country Club, Newport Beach, California, 11’ wide, stainless steel water pool sculpture.
1985 "Spirit" - Commissioned by the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Association (SMACNA) for the Sheet Metal Workers Training Facility in Los Angeles, California. 5'6" highly polished stainless steel.
1984 "Intercept" - Commissioned by Hughes Investment Corporation for Riverside Plaza, Riverside, California, 18’ tall highly polished stainless steel sculpture.
SPECIAL HONORS AND AWARDS
2000 Established Sanibel Island Public Library Art Fund, Sanibel, Florida.
1999 Established James T. Russell Scholarship Fund at Davis Applied Technology Center, Kaysville, Utah.
1997 Honored as one of the 50 Most Distinguished Alumni, El Camino College, Torrance, California
1992 Juror for the Downey Museum of Art - Metals Now 1992 National Exhibition, Downey, California
1992 Juror for the Palos Verdes Art Center - Membership All Media Exhibition, Palos Verdes, California
1992 Selected as Baccalaureate Speaker for Snow College, Ephraim, Utah
1980 Keynote Speaker - California Art Education Conference, “The Role of the Artist in Public Art,” Long Beach, California.
1979 Selected for special exhibition in the Memorial Union Gallery at Arizona State University
1978 Juror of Sculpture for the All Southern California Art Exposition, “Art for ‘78”, Del Mar, California
1976 As a juried exhibitor in the All California Hawaii Biennial at San Diego Fine Arts Gallery, I was invited to exhibit in a Bicentennial Exhibition in Mexico City at the Palace of Fine Arts
1975 Participant in The Aesthetic Eye Grant based on the aesthetic philosophy of Dr. Harry Broudy, University of Illinois, funded by the National Endowment of Humanities Grant in Aesthetic Perception.
EDUCATION
M.F.A. in Monumental Sculpture, 1977: California State University at Long Beach
M.A. in Sculpture, 1970: California State University at Long Beach
B.A. 1966: California State University at Long Beach
A.A. 1960: El Camino Community College, Torrance, California
Statement
"My work is my outlet. It allows me to channel my creative energy and to inspire others with beauty. It was my intent to create art that touches the lives of millions every day, and I am grateful to have done that…With my work, I seek to inspire and uplift the human spirit and to touch that part of each person's soul that harbors the desire for beauty, serenity and harmony."
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