The most iconic Albert Pujols memory I have came in 2005 during game 5 of the NLCS against the Houston Astros. Houston was up 3 games to 1. Houston was ahead 4-2 in the 9th, and was one out away from going to the World Series. Brad Lidge, the most feared closer in the National League, was about to face Albert Pujols. I’ll let the video, with Mike Shannon on the call, describe what happened: https://youtu.be/3Fntuc9cmy4 (at Busch Stadium) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjhETYuM3wM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

My friend and Art mentor, Chris Alvarez, has been featured in this month’s Southwest Art Magazine, which showcases his amazing talent and artistic eye! Chris has taught me so much. Very excited for him to be in this article! https://www.southwestart.com/featured/artists-to-watch-chris-alvarez (at Colorado Springs, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjCNh1dsWHw/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

My paintings are done, framed, and wired with my bio on the back! Whew! Just turned them in for the Victor Celebrates The Arts show, being held this weekend in beautiful Victor, Colorado! Come see the amazing art - all plein air (outdoor painting) done within 10 miles of Victor. Gorgeous stuff! See you there! http://www.victorcelebratesthearts.org/event-schedule RusselFineArt.com Follow me on Instagram: @russel_fine_art Follow me on Facebook: @russelfineart Email me: [email protected] #coloradoart #coloradoartist #artistsoninstagram #coloradospringsartist #artonistagram #artforsaleoninstagram #boldbrush #impressionism #impressionistart #allaprima #oiloncanvas #artoftheday #impressionistart #oilpaintingoncanvas #fineartpainting #oilpaintings #fineartpaintings #artonistagram #boldbrush #impressionism #original #pleinair #victorcelebratesthearts #vcta (at Victor, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiB1JqpswF4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

This weekend I’m traveling to historic Victor, Colorado, for Victor Celebrates The Arts, a nationally-renowned plein air competition! Victor, set above 10,000 feet with a population of 449, attracts dozens of artists from around the country for this open-air painting extravaganza! These artisans will descend on this picturesque village from August 26-28, painting hundreds of works within 10 miles of the Victor town square! This is a perfect opportunity to see world-class painting performed before your eyes! Want to view and purchase this art? The VCTA art show and sale will be held the following weekend: Saturday, September 3rd, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sunday, September 4th, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday, September 5th, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM This will be my first time doing open-air (“plein air”) art, and I am so excited! My goal is to learn the practice and logistics of going “off-road,” and to do 6-8 paintings. Come see me! Hope to see you there! http://www.victorcelebratesthearts.org/event-schedule RusselFineArt.com Follow me on Instagram: @russel_fine_art Follow me on Facebook: @russelfineart Email me: [email protected] #coloradoart #coloradoartist #artistsoninstagram #coloradospringsartist #artonistagram #artforsaleoninstagram #boldbrush #impressionism #impressionistart #allaprima #oiloncanvas #artoftheday #impressionistart #oilpaintingoncanvas #fineartpainting #oilpaintings #fineartpaintings #artonistagram #boldbrush #impressionism #original #pleinair #victorcelebratesthearts #vcta (at Victor, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChqnRO5MvEV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Thank you to these two lovely friends and US Air Force Academy classmates for purchasing my (our) Class of 1987 reunion print! They have such amazing supporters of mine! These prints are still available! Only $35 to celebrate our 35th reunion. Shipping included! https://www.etsy.com/listing/1255776548/ RusselFineArt.com Follow me on Instagram: @russel_fine_art Follow me on Facebook: @russelfineart Email me: [email protected] #coloradoart #coloradoartist #artistsoninstagram #coloradospringsartist #artonistagram #artforsaleoninstagram #boldbrush #impressionism #impressionistart #allaprima #oiloncanvas #artoftheday #impressionistart #oilpaintingoncanvas #fineartpainting #oilpaintings #fineartpaintings #artonistagram #boldbrush #impressionism #original #usafa #usairforceacademy https://www.instagram.com/p/ChgEcxGsqmO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Practice, practice, practice! 20 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 1 minute RusselFineArt.com Follow me on Instagram: @russel_fine_art Follow me on Facebook: @russelfineart Email me: [email protected] #coloradoart #coloradoartist #artistsoninstagram #coloradospringsartist #artonistagram #artforsaleoninstagram #boldbrush #impressionism #impressionistart #allaprima #oiloncanvas #artoftheday #impressionistart #oilpaintingoncanvas #fineartpainting #oilpaintings #fineartpaintings #artonistagram #boldbrush #impressionism #original https://www.instagram.com/p/ChbXC3vMLfs/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

87 t-shirt samples are in! RusselFineArt.com Follow me on Instagram: @russel_fine_art Follow me on Facebook: @russelfineart Email me: [email protected] #coloradoart #coloradoartist #artistsoninstagram #coloradospringsartist #artonistagram #artforsaleoninstagram #boldbrush #impressionism #impressionistart #allaprima #oiloncanvas #artoftheday #impressionistart #oilpaintingoncanvas #fineartpainting #oilpaintings #fineartpaintings #artonistagram #boldbrush #impressionism #original. #usafa #usairforceacademy (at U.S. Air Force Academy) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgf-WzcsF--/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

87 t-shirt samples are in! RusselFineArt.com Follow me on Instagram: @russel_fine_art Follow me on Facebook: @russelfineart Email me: [email protected] #coloradoart #coloradoartist #artistsoninstagram #coloradospringsartist #artonistagram #artforsaleoninstagram #boldbrush #impressionism #impressionistart #allaprima #oiloncanvas #artoftheday #impressionistart #oilpaintingoncanvas #fineartpainting #oilpaintings #fineartpaintings #artonistagram #boldbrush #impressionism #original. #usafa #usairforceacademy (at U.S. Air Force Academy) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgf-N6sMgDT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Back at it! RusselFineArt.com Follow me on Instagram: @russel_fine_art Follow me on Facebook: @russelfineart Email me: [email protected] #coloradoart #coloradoartist #artistsoninstagram #coloradospringsartist https://www.instagram.com/p/CgTA5OMMmgG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day Three! Just some cleanup and I’m done! RusselFineArt.com Follow me on Instagram: @russel_fine_art Follow me on Facebook: @russelfineart Email me: [email protected] #coloradoart #coloradoartist #artistsoninstagram #coloradospringsartist #pikespeak #artonistagram #artforsaleoninstagram #boldbrush #impressionism #impressionistart #allaprima #oiloncanvas #artoftheday #impressionistart #oilpaintingoncanvas #fineartpainting #oilpaintings #fineartpaintings #artonistagram #boldbrush #impressionism #original #usafa #airforceacademy #airforceacademychapel https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf-pN4SsDQc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day Three! Just some cleanup and I’m done! RusselFineArt.com Follow me on Instagram: @russel_fine_art Follow me on Facebook: @russelfineart Email me: [email protected] #coloradoart #coloradoartist #artistsoninstagram #coloradospringsartist #pikespeak #artonistagram #artforsaleoninstagram #boldbrush #impressionism #impressionistart #allaprima #oiloncanvas #artoftheday #impressionistart #oilpaintingoncanvas #fineartpainting #oilpaintings #fineartpaintings #artonistagram #boldbrush #impressionism #original #usafa #airforceacademy #airforceacademychapel https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf-pANDsaya/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

It has begun! My first hours on the painting for my 35th reunion for the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of ‘87! I have toiled for a few months on the composition for this piece, but am finally happy with where this is going! This piece will be auctioned at the reunion! But I will also have links where you can order your own prints. Very excited to share this with my class! RusselFineArt.com Follow me on Instagram: @russel_fine_art Follow me on Facebook: @russelfineart Email me: [email protected] #coloradoart #coloradoartist #artistsoninstagram #coloradospringsartist #pikespeak #artonistagram #artforsaleoninstagram #boldbrush #impressionism #impressionistart #allaprima #oiloncanvas #artoftheday #impressionistart #oilpaintingoncanvas #fineartpainting #oilpaintings #fineartpaintings #artonistagram #boldbrush #impressionism #original #usafa #airforceacademy #airforceacademychapel https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf22QaCs__U/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Which design do you like best? RusselFineArt.com Follow me on Instagram: @russel_fine_art Follow me on Facebook: @russelfineart Email me: [email protected] #coloradoart #coloradoartist #artistsoninstagram #coloradospringsartist #pikespeak #artonistagram #artforsaleoninstagram #boldbrush #impressionism #impressionistart #allaprima #oiloncanvas #artoftheday #impressionistart #oilpaintingoncanvas #fineartpainting #oilpaintings #fineartpaintings #artonistagram #boldbrush #impressionism #original #usafa #airforceacademy https://www.instagram.com/p/CdKWKPaMYPZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Tonight I’m drafting a t-shirt design for my 35th USAFA Class of 1987 reunion, and it made me think of a pen-and-ink sketch I did at the Academy. It’s a collage of Air Force Academy sights and experiences - military, academics, sports, and of course, Eagles Peak! I love how the flow sweeps clockwise around the design. This is the same kind of flow I’m thinking of for my t-shirt. Now I just have to think through the elements I want included (spirit cheese!) and play with some compositions! So much fun! RusselFineArt.com Follow me on Instagram: @russel_fine_art Follow me on Facebook: @russelfineart Email me: [email protected] #coloradoart #coloradoartist #artistsoninstagram #coloradospringsartist #pikespeak #artonistagram #artforsaleoninstagram #boldbrush #impressionism #impressionistart #allaprima #oiloncanvas #artoftheday #impressionistart #oilpaintingoncanvas #fineartpainting #oilpaintings #fineartpaintings #artonistagram #boldbrush #impressionism #original #usafa #airforceacademy #usairforceacademy #usairforce (at U.S. Air Force Academy) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdHyb-ssQ3v/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I’d like to introduce my new logos for Russel Fine Art! A special thank you to Charlie Jahner of Manna Creations (mannacreations.com) for his tremendous work! RusselFineArt.com Follow me on Instagram: @russel_fine_art Follow me on Facebook: @russelfineart Email me: [email protected] (at Colorado Springs, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaV_LfWsyT2/?utm_medium=tumblr

Preliminary sketch of my future painting, a view of Pike’s Peak from Woodland Park, Colorado. A rosy light peering against the top of the mountain, while changing aspen dot the landscape. I remember sitting in my car in the McDonald’s parking lot, waiting for the sunrise to appear. The first rays against Pike’s Peak were stunningly pink and orange. So beautiful against the dark mountainside. Can’t wait to paint this! RusselFineArt.com Follow me on Instagram: @russel_fine_art Follow me on Facebook: @russelfineart Email me: [email protected] #coloradoart #coloradoartist #artistsoninstagram #coloradospringsartist #charcoal #charcoaldrawing #pikespeak #artonistagram #artforsaleoninstagram #boldbrush #impressionism #aspen #impressionistart (at Pikes Peak - America's Mountain) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaBn1irsTv_/?utm_medium=tumblr

Two main sketches tonight at Chris Alvarez’s figure drawing class. My favorite is the 10-minute sketch. Monotone, but the values are on target. With the second 15-minute sketch, I need to do add the gray and white highlights more subtly. Still learning tons and honing my skills! RusselFineArt.com Follow me on Instagram: @russel_fine_art Follow me on Facebook: @russelfineart Email me: [email protected] #coloradoart #coloradoartist #artistsoninstagram #coloradospringsartist #charcoal #charcoaldrawing (at Colorado Springs, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZizXcNsdaL/?utm_medium=tumblr