Russell Vujs
Artist
Cape Cod, MA
About the Artist
Russell Vujs
b. 1969-
Russell was born in Queens, NY and grew up in Stamford, CT. Russell’s talent for art was recognized at a very young age. His first lessons came from his grandmother, Charlotte, a very talented artist herself. At the age of 12, Russell was selected to take part in a gifted art program where, instead of following a set curriculum, Russell and two other students were given access to a whole array of artist’s materials and allowed to do their own projects. It was here that Russell first learned how to stretch canvas and paint. He credits this experience for much of his success today.
Russell attended a trade high school that had no art program. When he interviewed for art school, he did not have a portfolio. The only examples he had of his abilities were in an old sketch book that dated back to that junior high program. Russell was accepted to The Connecticut Institute of Art and graduated with honors in 1991.
Upon graduation, Russell interviewed with several studios and companies for commercial art. He decided that fine art was where his heart was and began to pursue his painting. He got into his first juried exhibition: The Connecticut Classic Arts Association’s Spring 1991 show. Shortly after, Russell won his first award: the President’s Award at a Greenwich Art Society show in Greenwich, CT. Next he had his first solo show sponsored by the Stamford Art Association in Stamford, CT.
Russell authored and appeared in three instructional videos for the Double Diamond Corporation between 1992 and 1994. These videos can be found in junior high, high school and college libraries across the country.
Russell stopped painting around 1994 because he was working full time as a plumber and going to school at night. He didn’t start painting again until he met his wife Meryl in 1997. Even then, Russell would only paint occasionally and rarely finished a piece.
Russell moved to Cape Cod in 2000 where he, his wife and two children live today. It was there that Russell found his art again. He received a gift certificate for art supplies from his in-laws and his wife signed him up for a painting class. Since then, he has been accepted into three national juried exhibitions, plus many regional and local shows. His work has hung in galleries alongside some of the most well known and respected artists from the United States and Europe. Russell’s work is included in many private collections across the country.
Russell's paintings have a natural glowing light with a sense of atmosphere and depth. This comes from painting “en plein air”. Russell goes out and paints directly from life as often as possible. He takes these experiences back with him and uses his visual memory in his studio work.
b. 1969-
Russell was born in Queens, NY and grew up in Stamford, CT. Russell’s talent for art was recognized at a very young age. His first lessons came from his grandmother, Charlotte, a very talented artist herself. At the age of 12, Russell was selected to take part in a gifted art program where, instead of following a set curriculum, Russell and two other students were given access to a whole array of artist’s materials and allowed to do their own projects. It was here that Russell first learned how to stretch canvas and paint. He credits this experience for much of his success today.
Russell attended a trade high school that had no art program. When he interviewed for art school, he did not have a portfolio. The only examples he had of his abilities were in an old sketch book that dated back to that junior high program. Russell was accepted to The Connecticut Institute of Art and graduated with honors in 1991.
Upon graduation, Russell interviewed with several studios and companies for commercial art. He decided that fine art was where his heart was and began to pursue his painting. He got into his first juried exhibition: The Connecticut Classic Arts Association’s Spring 1991 show. Shortly after, Russell won his first award: the President’s Award at a Greenwich Art Society show in Greenwich, CT. Next he had his first solo show sponsored by the Stamford Art Association in Stamford, CT.
Russell authored and appeared in three instructional videos for the Double Diamond Corporation between 1992 and 1994. These videos can be found in junior high, high school and college libraries across the country.
Russell stopped painting around 1994 because he was working full time as a plumber and going to school at night. He didn’t start painting again until he met his wife Meryl in 1997. Even then, Russell would only paint occasionally and rarely finished a piece.
Russell moved to Cape Cod in 2000 where he, his wife and two children live today. It was there that Russell found his art again. He received a gift certificate for art supplies from his in-laws and his wife signed him up for a painting class. Since then, he has been accepted into three national juried exhibitions, plus many regional and local shows. His work has hung in galleries alongside some of the most well known and respected artists from the United States and Europe. Russell’s work is included in many private collections across the country.
Russell's paintings have a natural glowing light with a sense of atmosphere and depth. This comes from painting “en plein air”. Russell goes out and paints directly from life as often as possible. He takes these experiences back with him and uses his visual memory in his studio work.
