Russ Tanner

Russ Tanner's art is of the land itself, a testament to its wide-open spaces, to the beauty of its high mountain majesty and of its hard, angular places. He has been inspired by the majesty of the Southwestern mountain ranges and the subtle beauty of the deserts. His love of nature and places of beauty are conveyed by his honest realism mixed with the softer subtleties of impressionism.

Russ' choice of subject matter came as no surprise. As a young boy on excursions to the mountains with his Boy Scout troop, Russ would wander off from the rest of the group and stay mesmerized for hours on end by a view of a distant vista. He fell under the spell of the mountains and uncrowded country. These early childhood memories influenced his now accomplished approach to painting lush landscapes, mountain panoramas, and quiet rural scenes.

Russ' talents drew attention at an early age. After high school, he was awarded a full scholarship to the American Academy of Art in Chicago. Upon graduation, he moved to Kansas City, where he pursued a career as an illustrator for Hallmark Cards and continued his formal studies at the Kansas City Art Institute. Later, Russ chose to freelance as an illustrator and designer for advertising firms and design studios. In 1992 Russ gave up a career as a commercial artist in the Midwest and moved permanently to New Mexico to capture the beauty of the Southwest on canvas. His work has come alive by capturing the light, color, and expansive landscapes of the New Mexico and Colorado. With fresh inspiration, his talents have matured and developed.

The recipient of a Merit Award from the 1997 Oil Painters of America National Show and voted a signature member of OPA, Russ has exhibited in numerous national and regional competitions. He currently shows with Columbine Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Loveland, Colorado and Buffalo Trails Gallery in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

“A Room with a View” was juried a Top 100 finalist for the 2002 Art for the Parks Painting Competition and returned from touring the country for one year. The National Park Academy of the Arts puts on this competition to enhance public awareness of our National Parks.

Russ Tanner, Loveland, CO 

T: 970.593.0922 Email: russtannerstudio@yahoo.com To view additional work please visit: http://wwwrusstannerfineart.com