Darshan Russell

Hudson Valley artist Darshan Russell is a self-taught artist and has been exhibiting her work in many locations about the region. The colors and feeling of her compositions are greatly influenced by Matisse, but Russell’s inspiration comes directly from life and the simple scenes that surround her in Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Hudson and other Hudson River towns where she paints. Occasionally, Ms. Russell will paint cities that she has traveled to like New York, Baltimore, Portland and Paris, but the bulk of her work documents local scenes and local people. The photographs accompanying articles in the Poughkeepsie Journal or the New York Times inspire much of her figurative work. Portraits of Madelaine Albright and Mayor Dinkins are part of her repertoire as well the less notorious individuals.

Ms. Russell’s paintings have a unique look that can be contributed to her practice of daily painting and years of dedication to develop a style all her own. She is as interested in landscapes as figures and city scenes. Her work has become well collected with the increased appreciation in folk art and naïve work.

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In 1993, Rich O’Corozine of the Poughkeepsie Journal wrote, “With vision comes transformation, and Darshan Russell, a 40 year old street painter, has the power to transform. With paintings so potent and beautifully realized that one wonders of the pain inherent in their gestation, Russell’s paintings are magical interpretations of a Poughkeepsie that few can ever visit. Much like the Kingston paintings of Todd Samara, Russell’s view of her city is more internalized than observed, more pure than artful, truly a place of the mind. But unlike Samara, she breaks fresher ground. Her work is psychologically more demanding.”

Critic Wayne Lempka writes, “Russell’s works are truly seductive. One is immediately lured into them by their lively surface and bright colors. Her grouping of three separate New York City scenes in a fine display with their whirlwind of furious brushwork and quirky stacking of shapes. One feels the continual motion of life in the city even when some of the works lack a human presence.”

Russell has studied at the University of Pennsylvania, Suny New Paltz and Vassar College.

DARSHAN RUSSELL

EDUCATION:

1970-71 University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

1975 SUNY New Paltz

1990 Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY

EXHIBITS:

2015 Painted Cities, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson, NY

2013 EB8’s Hudson Valley Finds, Rhinebeck, NY

2012-13 Elf Works Lane, Poughkeepsie, NY

2012 Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson, NY (annually since 1992)

2012 Beekman Library, Hopewell Junction, NY

2012 Cunneen-Hackett, Poughkeepsie, NY (1996 & 2000)

2008-12 Barrett House, Poughkeepsie, NY (solo show 1997)

2001 Beacon Howland Center, Beacon, NY

2001 Windows Gallery, Poughkeepsie, NY (also 1997, 1998, 2000)

1997-98 Egg Nest Restaurant, High Falls, NY

1997 Ute Stebich Gallery, Lenox, MA

1996 Unitarian Fellowship Gallery, Poughkeepsie, NY

1995-96 Up-To-Date Dept. Store, Puoghkeepsie, NY

1994 Montgomery Gallery, Poughkeepsie, NY

1993 Vassar College Gallery, Poughkeepsie, NY

1993 Lorraine Kessler Gallery, Poughkeepsie, NY

1992 Ann Leonard Gallery, Woodstock, NY

1991-93 Lunch Box, Poughkeepsie, NY

1991 ArtScape/Main Mall, Poughkeepsie, NY

1991 The Café Raspailal, Kingston, NY

1990-91 Mental Health Association, Poughkeepsie, NY

1990 Intercounty Bank, Woodstock, NY

1989 Dutchess Community College Group Exhibit, Poughkeepsie, NY

1988-89 Adriance Memorial Library, Poughkeepsie, NY