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Ivy
Cottage Studio - Phil Russell
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Renowned Local Artist for Watercolours and Drawings
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Phil
Russell has lived in the beautiful county of Northumberland for nearly 30
years, and for the past 25 has been painting from his studio at Ivy Cottage.
Chathill is a tiny hamlet, three miles from the heritage coastline, and if
you are luck enough to find yourself in this area, you are welcome to come
and visit Phil and watch him work.
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The studio, which is also home to Phil, his wife Pat and their pets, is open
on most days, but if you are planning a special journey it will be best to
telephone first.
The 'GALLERY' section of this website shows a selection
of Phil's paintings with their size and price. He is always painting new
ones (and selling current ones!) and he is happy to accept commissions.
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Please email for
up-to-the-minute advice on availability of any particular paintings that
interest you. We hope to be able to welcome you soon, either on the net or
in person.
The Artist
Phil spent
the first eleven years of his life in Egypt, coming home to Taunton School and
five years of Architectural College at Manchester University. He was a Senior
partner with a firm of Cheshire architects, then changed career in the early
1980s.
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He runs a design, print and illustration studio, where he also teaches
watercolour painting. He has been exhibiting for some years, and now
paints mostly in watercolour. As can be expected from an architect, his
paintings tend to contain buildings, and reflect his deep love and
understanding of the countryside.
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Many paintings reflect his rather quirky sense of humour and his
ongoing battle with poorly conceived town planning! His work has been exhibited
and used in Greece and Mallorca as well as in the U.K.. He is co-ordinator of
Blue Beret Artists and is a member of various art-related organisations. He is
always seeking life-drawing models, when his wife isn't looking!
The County of Northumberland
One of the remarks Phil most often overhears from visitors is that he is very
lucky to be able to live and work in such a fantastic area. He agrees! Although
the coalmines, the heavy industry and the deep-sea fishing have almost gone from
the north-east, the wild and largely untamed countryside is still there.
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Red
squirrels live here in one of their last strongholds, and a country walk or
drive frequently involves slowing down for badgers, deer, various game birds and
foxes. Round every corner is an old farm steading, the remains of a Pele Tower,
a sleepy village or a grand castle. Phil paints it - warts and all - with
accuracy and a sympathetic eye. His work is always pictorial and recognisable
for what it is. You will never wonder which way to hang his paintings!
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An
increasing number of people, once they have seen Phil's work, ask him to paint
something 'just for them'. If you have anything like this in mind, we will be
happy to discuss it with you, and arrange a visit to your chosen subject.
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Phil is also spending a lot of time with Estate and Land Agents. New schemes
requiring an artistic but accurate visualisation of a working plan; upgrading or
rebuilding derelict or run down buildings; using his knowledge of perspective,
Phil can realise such projects in either watercolour or pen and ink, and his
sympathetic drawings and paintings have helped to sell many a property here in
Northumberland.
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Commissions
As Phil
spent many years practicing architecture, his paintings tend to contain
buildings! He is not an expert at animal painting however, so they usually only
appear as small creatures in the corners of fields. He loves personalising
pictures, and has done several commemorating weddings, showing the church,
and/or the bridal home, with details such as the church clock, the wedding car
etc.
If you feel that you would like a special view, contact Phil to discuss the
price, the size etc. If you are outside Northumberland, a 6 figure map
reference, your post code and location, and some photographs or digital images
will be needed.
Architectural Illustration
If you are a developer, an estate agent, or have planning submissions or appeals
to deal with, Phil can help you with a picture for your brochure or for your
submission. Work can be from a set of architects/developers drawings and
photographs, and from location plans or site layouts. He has also
'reconstructed' buildings from ruins.
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Ivy Cottage
Studio
Chathill Northumberland
NE67 5DE
Tel & Fax: 01665 589395
Email:
[email protected]
Click on a Painting to Phil's Web Site
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