Recently, I was commissioned to create a drawing of the late Kyle Rieger for the first annual Seaside Jazz & Blues Festival, which is a benefit for the Kyle Rieger Memorial Scholarship fund. Kyle was an award winning composer, director, and a beloved band director in the Seaside schools, who tragically lost his life in a car accident in 2022. The original drawing was presented to Kyle’s parents, who were in town for the event. Presenting them with the drawing of their son was an emotional moment, and I was honored to be a part of the ceremony.
Category Archives: Blog
David Leiken Retirement Portrait
It was an honor to create this painting commemorating David Leiken’s 52 year career in Portland. From the Paramount to the Roseland, Double Tee and Fastixx, and all the bands from Pleasure to Taxxi, Bonnie Raitt and Curtis Salgado – David Leiken did it all. David founded Double Tee Concerts in 1972, and produced the largest concert event in Oregon history at Autzen Stadium in 1994. He managed the Paramount Theater and the Roseland Theater in Portland, along with founding Double Tee and Fastixx. He also managed numerous artists including Pleasure, Nu Shooz, Shock, Sequel, and Lilla. Thank you to Terry Currier and Bob Ancheta for commissioning me to create this piece of Portland history!
More photos from David Leiken’s retirement party at Oregon Music News, https://www.oregonmusicnews.com/leiken-retirement-photos-2023
KOIN 6 “Where We Live” Video!
A big thank you to Ken Boddie and the Channel 6 team for doing this segment on my Dr. John album cover artwork! This is part of the “Where We Live” series, which focuses on all things local. Check out the video! https://www.koin.com/news/portland/portland-artist-does-cover-for-dr-johns-last-album
Dr. John Album Cover Art!
I am so honored to have been commissioned to create the cover artwork for Dr. John’s new posthumous album, “Things Happen That Way”. The album was in the works at the time Dr. John passed away three years ago, and it just came out last month. It is so exciting to be a part of it! Read more about it on Dr. John’s website, https://nitetripper.com.
My mom, Victoria
My mom, Victoria, passed away on August 29th, just four days before her 94th birthday. She was a wonderful artist, and specialized in portraiture, still life, and creating whimsical characters and subjects, both from life and from her imagination. She loved all of the arts, including dance, music, theater, and literature, and she shared that love with her family and friends. Mom found beauty everywhere, and will be remembered as a woman of grace, kindness, and generosity. Her artwork has been archived on her website for everyone to see at https://www.victoriasrussell.com/. I love you, mom, and I’m forever grateful for the gift of art that you gave me.
Yehi zichra baruch “May her memory be a blessing”
Oil Painters of America – Spring Show – 1st Place!
I am thrilled that Covid Blues has received the First Place Award from the Oil Painters of America’s Spring Online Show! Visit the Oil Painters of America website to see all of the award winning artwork: https://www.oilpaintersofamerica.com/awardees/?show_id=40565 Prints of this painting are available! To read about the painting or to purchase prints, visit https://www.dianerussell.net/portfolio/covid-blues/
NY Figurative Show – Certificate of Merit!
I am very honored to have received the Certificate of Merit Award at the prestigious NY Figurative Show at the Salmagundi Club in NYC! The show was held in January 2022, and even though I wasn’t able to travel to the reception, my painting traveled there! Below are the photos from the beautiful space that it was hanging in. For more information on the show and to see all the award winning artwork, visit the Salmagundi website: https://salmagundi.org/2022-scny-figurative/
To read about the painting or to purchase a print, visit my painting page: https://www.dianerussell.net/portfolio/covid-blues/
Portrait Society of America 2021 Finalist!
I’m thrilled that my painting “Covid Blues” has been selected as a finalist in the Portrait Society of America’s Members Only Competition in the “Outside the Box” category! This is the second year in a row that I’ve had a painting place as a finalist in this national competition, and it’s the 4th award for “Covid Blues”! The 60 winners in this category can be seen on the Portrait Society’s Facebook page, and it’s an honor to be included with all of these amazing artists! https://www.facebook.com/portraitsociety/posts/272168508268484
Prints of “Covid Blues” are available! https://www.dianerussell.net/portfolio/covid-blues/
BEST OF SHOW! OSA Fall Juried Show 2021!
BEST OF SHOW! And PEOPLE’S CHOICE! Oregon Society of Artists Fall Juried Show 2021!
I am very honored that Covid Blues has received the Best of Show award at the Oregon Society of Artists Fall Juried Show! And the People’s Choice award too! Thank you to everyone at the OSA and to Aimee Erickson, the juror and amazingly talented artist! The show is up until September 25th at the Oregon Society of Artists, 2185 SW Park Place, Portland. https://www.osagallery.org/2021-fall-oil-based-media-show
Prints of this painting are available! https://www.dianerussell.net/portfolio/covid-blues/
Portrait Society of America 2020 Finalist!
I am thrilled to share that my painting of Trombone Shorty was selected as a Finalist in the Portrait Society of America’s Members Only Competition in the “Outside the Box” category! This is a such a sweet achievement for me, since I have been entering this national competition for the past fifteen years! The 45 winners in this category can be seen on the Portrait Society Facebook Page, and I have to say it is so cool to finally see one of my paintings included with all of these wonderful artists! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=portraitsociety&set=a.10158915631467429
Prints of this painting can be found on my Jazz & Blues paintings page: https://www.dianerussell.net/portfolio/trombone-shorty-2/