ARTIST STATEMENT
I am a paper alchemist. I love the challenge of coaxing precious elements out of a common material and transforming them into a universal visual elixir. My work resembles paintings or graphic illustrations but is composed entirely of paper. I cut and combine different colored paper to create landscapes, animals and portraits. As a base for many of my paper cuts I convert old paper scraps and pieces destined for landfills into unique colorful pieces of handmade paper. My paper alchemy practice is driven by a desire to alter a tangible material into something more precious.
BIO
Whit Russell is from Falmouth, Massachusetts. He graduated from the Maine College of Art in 2009. After many years of practicing traditional and digital photography, Whit developed an interest exploring the possibilities of paper as a form of expression and continues to dedicate himself to the medium. He currently resides in Portland, Oregon.