Artist and Print Information.
Russell is a Bristol UK based photographer and digital artist.
His introduction to photography began whilst he was incarcerated at one of 'Her Majesty's brick and razor wire youth hostels’ in the mid 1980's. He had been sentenced to a term of 'Porridge' for the crime of 'getting caught' and whilst there enrolled on a variety of educational courses, one of which involved basic camera technique.
'We had to share a camera and roll of film between four inmates and take turns taking photos. For some reason we were not allowed out to shoot landscapes! So, it was mainly shots of iron bars, stone walls and locked gates, but I still caught the photography bug'.
Russell later went on to study film photography through Bristol University in England during the 1990's, undertaking courses in landscape, portraiture and darkroom techniques. He then began to use his camera 'as just another tool in the tool box' in his work as an arborist and landscape gardener, producing images for tree reports and surveying purposes.
From 2002 he began designing and constructing award winning show gardens at various horticultural shows including RHS Chelsea, Gardeners World Live and the National Gardening Show. His grasp of photography now became more refined, recording and documenting bespoke landscape design projects, and capturing plant and flower portraits.
In 2011 Russell developed the debilitating condition ME/CFS and was unable to continue at the same level of physical work / activity he was accustomed to. He then spent a number of years 'in the darkness' before understanding how to manage his condition.
However, always looking to be creative, he embraced the digital format, taught himself how to use editing software and began working with life models in the woods and fields and on the moors and beaches of Somerset, UK. Over time he began photographing the elements that combine to form an image separately, be they a rock, a tree, a cloudy sky or a model. This has led to his unique and recognizable style of photographic art.
His images are inspired by myth, legend,
dreams, real life, surrealism, the dark side, the natural world, the
unnatural world and here and there a touch of Monty Python. He also
receives ideas direct from the ether!
Malard Dunkin ND Arb.
(Senior lecturer in unclear physics)