Oil on linen, 24×24″

SOLD

This painting was commissioned by the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise. The theme of this painting was chosen to express the need for unity, which is much needed in this world. Music and art have always brought people together from all walks of life, so the title “Unity” seems appropriate at this moment in time. This is my third poster for the LBRC, and I’m honored to be a part of the tradition of artists representing this wonderful organization. The image was featured on much of the merchandise, and it also appeared as the backdrop of the main stages. I was thrilled to be asked to create this painting, and to be a guest onboard along with my daughter, and it was so cool to see my painting everywhere we went! To find out more about LRBC, which offers two fully chartered cruises a year, visit their website at www.bluescruise.com.

Oil on linen, 24×36″
$6000

Artist comment:  “This painting of Norman Sylvester was a long time in the making, as I have been wanting to paint him for many years. I had to wait for the right photo, and then had to wait for the background idea to come to me. Norman is an icon in the Northwest and specifically Portland, so placing him overlooking the city and Mt. Hood turned out to be perfect. And the timing couldn’t have been better, because I finished just in time to be invited to unveil the painting at his band’s 40th Anniversary concert at the Alberta Rose Theater in March 2025. When I took the covering off the painting, I looked up at Norman and tears were streaming down his face.  It was a very touching moment, and it was such an honor to be a part of it.”

Oil on linen, 24×36″
$6000

Artist comment:  “I finally saw Pharaoh Sanders for the first time at the PDX Jazz Festival in 2019, and was not disappointed. He has been around a very long time, playing with John Coltrane for awhile before going on to a prolific career. He was slow moving on stage at first, and seemed barely able to walk, but his sax playing was a force of nature and halfway through the performance he actually started to dance. At the end of his performance, he held his sax and bowed, and I snapped a few shots which I knew would make a good painting. I hope I did him justice.”

Oil on linen, 24×36″
$20,000

Best of Show, Lake Oswego Art Festival’s 2022 Artists Vision Show!

First Place Award, Oil Painters of America’s Spring Online Show! https://www.dianerussell.net/oil-painters-of-america-spring-show-1st-place/

Certificate of Merit, NY Figurative Show, Salmagundi Club NYC!  https://www.dianerussell.net/ny-figurative-show-certificate-of-merit/

Finalist in the Portrait Society of America’s Members Only Competition! https://www.dianerussell.net/portrait-society-of-america-2021-finalist/

Best of Show and the People’s Choice awards at the Oregon Society of Artists Fall Juried Show 2021! https://www.dianerussell.net/blog/

Artist comment:  “2020 was a difficult year for everyone, and artists are no exception.  I had been missing live music terribly, and one day early in July (when the Waterfront Blues Festival usually happened) I was walking to the store and walked right into one of the Blues Festival’s eight traveling concerts which they had put together especially for Covid times.  I hadn’t expected to see this concert, and to say I needed this is an understatement.  I took as many photos as I could from about half a block away, and managed to have enough photos to compose my painting.  “Covid Blues” pretty much sums up this year of no art shows and no live music.  Somehow the music finds a way to be heard, and the art gets created.  I’m glad I was able to document this historical time in a way that made sense to me… with music.  The painting features the Bayou Boys (Dave Kahl, Steve Kerin, Brian Foxworth, Jimmy Russell, Dan Berkery) plus special guest Arietta Ward, who said the painting makes them all look like super heroes.  And she’s right… they are!”

Oil on linen, 18×22″
$3500

Limited edition prints are available
15″x20″- $150

Artist comment:  “Esperanza Spalding has performed many times at the Portland Jazz Festival, and last year I was able to photograph her amazing performance with Terri Lynn Carrington and Ravi Coltrane. The set was wonderful, and although I had many great photos, I chose this pose of Esperanza to work from because it best captured the joy and intensity of her performance.”