Featured Artist Patricia Russac

Artist Patricia Russac’s pastel and ink drawings appear to be in continual motion, compelling the viewer to follow the lines that travel throughout her art. Visit her website to see more of her fascinating compositions.

 

“Captivate” Pastel on Paper, 36” x 36” by artist Patricia Russac. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Captivate” Pastel on Paper, 36” x 36”

 

I work in various types of media including pastel and ink. For me, the line forms the underlying network throughout my artwork. Its power generates the movement across the surface to create a dynamic push and pull sensation that keeps the eye moving.

 

“Flourish in Color” Mixed Media on Paper, 36” x 36” by artist Patricia Russac. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Flourish in Color” Mixed Media on Paper, 36” x 36”

 

It never seems to rest in one place, and continually opens the viewer to different vantage points. It is for this reason that I using drawing as my primary way of working. I feel the line on the paper using my hand; it is much more direct and purposeful.

 

“Burst” Pastel on Paper, 38” x 50” by artist Patricia Russac. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Burst” Pastel on Paper, 38” x 50”

 

As an artist, I am often asked how do I start a drawing, or what type of media do I work in to create my pieces? I also hear comments to the effect that, “They don’t look like pastels.” The process I use begins with taking a high quality, printmaking paper and saturating the surface with water.

 

“Struggle” Pastel on Paper, 38” x 50” by artist Patricia Russac. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Struggle” Pastel on Paper, 38” x 50”

 

This allows the condensed pastels to flow smoothly across the surface to embed a deep and varied line on the paper as well as letting the color bleed at the same time.

 

“Confetti” Mixed Media on Paper, 38” x 50” by artist Patricia Russac. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Confetti” Mixed Media on Paper, 38” x 50”

 

In most of my work, the figure is the underlying theme; however, these seemingly abstract compositions create layers of mixed media and color to transform the images into intricate organic forms.

 

“Space” Pastel on Paper, 38” x 50” by artist Patricia Russac. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Space” Pastel on Paper, 38” x 50”

 

I like to think of it as life drawing with a contemporary twist to take the genre of drawing to another level. The sense of growth and movement allows the viewer to travel in and out of the spaces created by the intertwining line, color, and shape.

 

“Synchronicity” Mixed Media on Paper, 38” x 50” by artist Patricia Russac. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Synchronicity” Mixed Media on Paper, 38” x 50”

 

I have also always been fascinated by using the square both as the shape of the paper as well as within the drawing. In many of my works, the grid is an integral part of the piece. The meandering line interacts with the grid by giving it a place to snake through structure created by the grid. At the same time, the grid recedes by disappearing in places to let the line unfold.

 

“Unlocked” Pastel on Paper, 50” x 38” by artist Patricia Russac. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Unlocked” Pastel on Paper, 50” x 38”

 

More recently, I began looking at nature for inspiration, particularly after it comes to the end of its life cycle. Like the human form, its complexities surface to reveal an entirely new set of lines to work from in my drawings.

 

“Bramble” Ink and Pastel on Paper, 36” x 36” by artist Patricia Russac. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Bramble” Ink and Pastel on Paper, 36” x 36”

 

Looking deeply within the object unveils a host of delicate veins that create a similar network of color and shape that transforms how we interact with the image. These large-scale drawings from nature create a movement that pushes the image to grow beyond the edge of the paper.

 

“Layered Color” Pastel on Paper, 50” x 38” by artist Patricia Russac. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Layered Color” Pastel on Paper, 50” x 38”

 

With each new piece I complete, I continually look to push my work to the next level. I never want to become complacent or too comfortable. It is important to continually reach down deep, and not to be afraid to ruin a piece in the process of discovery.

 

Comments

  1. I have several pieces of Patricia Russac’s art in my home. There is not a moment that as I stare I discover something else that delights me. Her use of color no matter what shade or tone is intuitive to the piece she has drawn. I enjoy her work immensely.

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