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Copyright ©2000-2008 Russell T.Gourdine. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited by law.

 

B     I     O     G     R     A     P     H     Y

After a nine year absence from the "fine art" world of painting, Russell T. Gourdine has returned with renewed vigor and vision. One of his latest oil paintings, continues in the series that began in 1987. The series "Life:", features "Hope", "Fear" and "Freedom". These three paintings express deep imagery from within the soul to convey his message and story of one's life journey in focusing on hope, fleeing past fears and the peace and joy of freedom.

"Life: Freedom (firefly)" is a work continuing in the style of "Spiritual Expressionism", a term he hasn't heard used before, but it's a term that comes close to describing his work. He is influenced by faith and spiritual values in Christianity. His paintings reflect expressions that all can relate to.

In "Freedom", he uses the rich beautiful colors of Southern California's sunsets to capture the joy and freedom in displaying the affection between a boy and his dog playing in a wheat field as he chases fireflies. The painting is an expression of the pure joy and freedom of one's youth. Or the joy one may feel at any time in life. Even the knowledge of truth can bring freedom, peace and joy.

Gourdine has always believed that art should be at least entertaining, but always with meaning. With all the effort, struggle, time, life and energy that goes into art, he cannot understand why one would not express some kind of meaning in one's work. After all it will be here for generations. So why not share something learned. Even in beauty there is meaning.

The artist paints in his own unique expression and style. Using composition, color, application and mainly the expression of the idea as his focal point. His work has evolved through the styles of Realism to Surrealism, Conceptual Art, Impressionism and has found Expressionism to be his most endearing platform for creativity. He has on occasion been influenced by some masters, but his most recent interest is in Chagall's work. Gourdine believes art should be original.

gourdine's photo

Gourdine began drawing at age 8. He was born in Illinois and raised in Japan. At fourteen years of age he studied in Japan at Mori Art School. At fifteen years of age, he entered his first art show in Occoquan, Virginia and won second place. In 1976 he was awarded a scholarship to Temple University's Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and now resides in Newport Beach, California. He has been in many group shows since then and has won some awards of achievement on the east coast. His first solo exhibit was held at the Federal Plaza, New York in 1982. In which, he presented a prize winning oil painting mural depicting the semblance of the people and places in the city of New York. His works are in professional offices and in many private collections in the United States.

 

 

 
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