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By Melissa Wynn
Since he was a little boy, Russ Flint of scenic Indian Valley has been passionate about art. At a very young age his grandmother gifted him the book, “How To Draw The Human Form,” and he hasn’t set the pencil down since. Not only does Mr. Flint continue to sketch, he excels in the mediums of chalk, charcoal and oil paint. After studying at the Art Center College of Design in Southern California, this talented artist illustrated several children’s books, including “My Very First Bible” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” published by Ideal Publishing.
During his younger years Russ even traveled about with a portable studio he built from an old utility trailer in true starving artist fashion. In the late 1980s Russ, his lovely wife Cheryl and their children Bethany, Andy, Rodman and Dorinda came to Indian Valley where Russ now puts paint to canvas and gives drawing and painting lessons in their warm and welcoming home. Russ offers $10 lessons for children 12 and under on Thursdays 2:00-3:30 pm and $40 lessons for adults on Mondays from 1:00-4:00 pm, giving anyone with a spark of desire the opportunity and guidance to try their hand at his craft.
Mr. Flint’s in-home studio is full of stunning works in oil paint that capture the movement and energy of his subjects in a way that makes you want to join in the dance depicted therein. I could almost feel the breeze coming through the window in the background of his fabulous painting “Sisters in the Morning.” I first met Russ at Ken Tucker’s Evergreen Market in Greenville, CA, where his amazing works in chalk are appreciated by local shoppers and passersby every day. The easel board, also built by Russ Flint, in front of the store, displays the weekly specials and each Tuesday he creates a new work of art for all of us to enjoy, and many Tuesday shoppers stop to watch him work his magic. Several other display boards throughout the store add fun and cheer with their vibrant colors and animated characters – I just love the buffalo. They are my favorite part of shopping at this hometown market.
Several of Russ Flint’s amazing drawings and paintings can be seen on the artist’s website: russflint.com. Russ Flint’s works can be purchased in Quincy at The Main Street Artist Gallery at 436 Main St. and in Sacramento at the Helen Jones Gallery at 2615 El Paseo Lane, as well as from Russ Flint himself. Anyone interested in lessons or purchases can reach Mr. Flint at 530-284-7557 or via email to Russ@RussFlint.com.
