BIOGRAPHY Ronald R. Russell’s paintings honor the glorious past of baseball.  Russell’s paintings meticulously illustrate the colorful terminology and lingo of baseball when “hard cheese in the kitchen” was the dream of every pitcher and a “busted pickle” was the nightmare of every baseman. Exceptional technical skills are mated with stimulating vignettes.   Russell's images are easy, quickly put down to capture the provocative moment, but deceptively easy.  The luscious spontaneity of the surfaces flow from a precise draughtsman’s confidence and vitality.   The predominant theme is one of perhaps archaic baseball terms -- although it's apparent from any discussion with Russell, however brief, that these are very much living terms for him. Russell says that he “tries to evoke memories, the warm sun, the smells, the excitement … when baseball was still a game, not a sport.”  There’s a wit and humor expressed in these paintings that enhances their painterly charms.  Russell invites the viewer to explore the edge between the real and the literal, and the image and the imagination. A well-known local artist, Russell has called Baltimore home since 1971.  He is a co-founder of Baltimore's Artscape parody show FOODSCAPE.   He curates the new gallery at Roman’s Place, Baltimore.   Originally from Snow Hill, Maryland, Russell has a M.A. and M.F.A. from Bowling Green State University and a B.F.A. from the Maryland Institute College of Art.
RESUME
SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
2005	The Exhibition Game, Bismark-Wilson Gallery, Baltimore, Maryland
2004	The Big Show, Creative Alliance Baltimore, MD
2003	Two-person exhibition, Unicorn Studio and Gallery Baltimore, MD
2001	Baseball and The Park, Two person exhibition, The Waldorf School of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland
	Fish Out of Water, Public Sculpture Exhibition, Baltimore, Maryland
2000	Maryland Artists, Group exhibition, Governor's Mansion, Annapolis, Maryland
1994-98	National Craft Show, Gaithersburg, Maryland and Frederick, Maryland
	Crafts at the Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington, Delaware
	Crafts at the Morristown Armory, Morristown, New Jersey
1994-95	Philadelphia Buyers Market, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1993-97	Crafts at Lyndhurst, Lyndhurst Estate, Tarrytown, New York
1990	"Paul Running and His Circle", Group exhibition Lima Art Association, Lima, Ohio
	The Park School, Two person exhibition, Brooklandville, Maryland
	The Brewery, Two person exhibition Baltimore, Maryland
	"As I See Myself", Group exhibition The Maryland Life Gallery, Baltimore, Maryland
1989-90	The Margaret Smith Gallery, Ellicott City, Maryland Various group exhibitions
1989	Maryland Drawings, Group exhibition The Maryland Life Gallery, Baltimore, Maryland
	The Cockpit Gallery, Two person exhibition Essex Community College, Baltimore, Maryland
1988	Park School, Group exhibition Baltimore, Maryland
1984-08	Foodscape Invitational, Baltimore, Maryland
EDUCATION
1974-75	Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio Major: Painting Minor: Graphics, Art History Degree: M.F.A.
1973-74	Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio Major: Painting Minor: Graphics, Art History Degree: M.A.
1964-71	Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland Major: Painting Minor: Graphics Degree: B.F.A.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2004-08	Curator, Gallery at Roman’s Place Baltimore, MD
1977	Drawings included in 18th Century Structures of the Lower Eastern Shore published by the Wicomico County Bicentennial Commission Salisbury, Maryland
1975-76	Designer/Illustrator for the Worcester County Bicentennial Committee Snow Hill, Maryland
	Designer/Illustrator for the Worcester County Historical Society Snow Hill, Maryland
1973-76	Elected to the Board of Directors, Worcester County Art League Ocean City, Maryland
	Graduate Teaching Assistant, Bowling Green University Bowling Green, Ohio
1970-71	Art Instructor (Upper School), Boy's Latin School Baltimore, Maryland

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