About

Diane Russell was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. She began to paint while attending Portland State University, and studied illustration at Parsons School of Design in New York. After graduating she returned to Oregon, where she has lived and worked as a professional artist for over 30 years. Diane began her professional career as a fashion illustrator, during which time her art has evolved towards portraiture. Many of her paintings and drawings reflect her passion for music and dance, as well as people from all walks of life. Her portraits capture more than a likeness, they bring to light the inner soul. She works from her own photographs, capturing the moment first with the camera, then later on canvas or paper. Diane’s portraits can be found in homes and businesses, on posters and CD covers, and her art has raised thousands of dollars for local causes.

Clients include the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, the Blues Foundation, Pendleton Woolen Mills, and Palmer/Pletsch Publications. Her work appears on the 2005 W.C. Handy Blues Awards poster, CD and book covers, and in private and corporate collections across the country. Diane is a member of the Portrait Society of America, the Oregon Society of Artists, the Blues Foundation, the Cascade Blues Association, and the Jazz Society of Oregon.

RECENT AWARDS

2023 – OSA Fall Juried Show – BEST OF SHOW (Final Bow-Pharoah Sanders)
2022 – Oil Painters of America Spring Online Show – FIRST PLACE (Covid Blues)
2022 –
NY Figurative Show, Salmagundi Club, NYC – CERTIFICATE OF MERIT (Covid Blues)
2021 – Portrait Society of America – FINALIST (Covid Blues)
2021 –
OSA Fall Juried Show – BEST OF SHOW & PEOPLE’S CHOICE (Covid Blues)
2021 –
Jerry’s Artarama/Jerry Goldstein Foundation – $1000 Jerry’s Art Supply Award (Covid Blues)
2020
– Portrait Society of America – FINALIST (Trombone Shorty)
2018 – FACE Scholarship (Figurative Art Convention & Expo – Miami)
2016 – OSA Fall Juried Show – FIRST PLACE (Liana #3)
2015 – OSA Rose Festival Juried Show – FIRST PLACE (Waterfront Blues)
2014
– RACC Professional Development Grant (Portrait Society Annual Conference)
2012 – Painter’s Showcase Annual Exhibit – SECOND PLACE (Waterfront Blues)
2011 – RACC Professional Development Grant (Marvin Mattelson Portrait Workshop)
2009 – Painter’s Showcase Annual Exhibit – FIRST PLACE (Balance Study)
2007 – Painter’s Showcase Annual Exhibit – FIRST PLACE (Glen Moore)
2007 – Lake Oswego Art Festival – JURORS AWARD
2006 – Painters Showcase Annual Exhibit – PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD (Reggie Houston)
2005 – Painters Showcase Annual Exhibit – PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD (Mel Brown)
2004 – Portrait of a Woman Exhibit – HONORABLE MENTION (Bettye Lavette)

                                                              SELECTED COMMISSIONS

2023 – David Leiken Retirement Portrait
2018
– Oregon Society of Artists – 2017 Rose Festival Queen (Michaela Canete)
2015
– Bill Naito Co. – Judy VanAlstyne Memorial Portrait
2013
– Legendary Blues Cruise – OFFICIAL OCTOBER 2013 CRUISE POSTER
2013 – Esperanza Spalding & Thara Memory – AMP FUNDRAISER
2011 – Doug MacLeod – “BRAND NEW EYES” CD Cover Art
2010 – Matisyahu – “SHAKE OFF THE DUST – ARISE” CD Cover Art
2007 – Legendary Blues Cruise – OFFICIAL 2007 PACIFIC CRUISE POSTER
2006 – First Tech Credit Union – MEMORIAL PORTRAIT (Michael Osborne)
2006 – Pendleton Woolen Mills – FOUNDER’S PORTRAIT (Mort & Brot Bishop)
2005 – The Blues Foundation – W.C. HANDY BLUES AWARDS POSTER & PROGRAM (Pinetop Perkins)