Russell Miyaki

April 2-June 1

Russell Miyaki is a contemporary artist and creative director in New York city, His studio is at Metro Art Studios in Bridgeport, CT, which is a renovated historic 1800’s corset factory. Russell is 3rd generation Japanese American born and raised in New Mexico. Attended school in Colorado graduating with honors majoring in advertising design and illustration. Throughout his career he has worked for several design studios and advertising agencies winning his share of industry awards and recognition. From the One Show Interactive to multiple Webbys. But his most fulfilling moment of his career was when he risked everything he had and started his own greeting card design studio where he designed, painted and published his own lines of work.

Russell established a national fan base of followers (pre-Twitter and Facebook) working with a unique technique of design markers onto metallic paper. He called them “marker paintings”. He hand painted every single card that went out the door. His technique utilized a special stencil in order for him to marker in vibrant colors that seemed to swirl and come to life right on the surface of the metallic paper. This became a distinctive look that adorned the shelves of many boutique gift and gallery stores across the U.S, and is influential in his approach to his work.

Russell works in oils, pigment sticks and acrylics on canvas, wall board and plexiglass layers. He is greatly inspired by the works of Peter Max, Juan Gris, Lee Krasner, August Macke, Franz Marc, Willem De Kooning and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

“As an artist, I use my canvas as a portal, bridging my inner feelings and thoughts to the reality of life outside. Simultaneously, my canvas also serves as a mirror reflecting my deep empathy for the lives and emotions of others. It's this connection between self and society, the introspective and the universal, that gives my art its essential vitality and purpose.

The unprecedented events of the past several years have had a profound influence on my work. I've been both a witness and a participant, as the world around me has become a whirlpool of emotions.

However, this reflective phase led me to an enlightening realization. Rather than painting the world as it was making me feel, I shifted my focus to expressing how I wanted to feel. This wasn't a case of turning a blind eye to the harsh realities of our world, but rather an acknowledgement that the art I create can serve as a catalyst for positivity, unity, and healing.

This shift resonates with the quote from P.T. Barnum that deeply resonates with me: "The noblest art is that of making others happy". It has inspired me to channel positivity and joy in my art, painting a world imbued with hope and happiness, a world that can help us rise above negativity and division.

My work embodies the simplest, yet most powerful expressions of positive energy, happiness, and fun. It represents an escape from the anger and unhappiness that seems all too prevalent in today's world. My hope is that through my art, viewers are transported, if only momentarily, to a place of joy and serenity. In creating these visual affirmations, I am not just reconciling my emotions with the world; I'm offering an invitation to others to join me on this journey of hope and happiness.

Currently, Russell’s work is not available as NFTs.

Marie Louise Trichet Art Gallery

“What was any art but a mold in which to imprison for a moment the shining elusive element which is life itself – life hurrying past us and running away, too strong to stop, too sweet to lose.” –Willa Cather

About the Gallery

What a happy marriage the Marie Louise Trichet Gallery and Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center enjoy. Over 25 years a wide variety of artists working in various mediums have exhibited in the gallery, each capturing some element of life that reveals the Divine.

Visit the gallery Monday through Saturday* 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. *It is advisable to call to inquire about Saturday hours.

Come breathe in this quiet space and catch a glimpse of a moment of creation.