For as long as she can remember, making art has been a big part of Michelle Russell’s life. She grew up with an art teacher mother in a house full of paint, paper, and potential. When she went to Colby College, though she majored in Environmental Science and cares deeply about conservation and climate change, she couldn’t help herself from minoring in art. She spent much of her time in the painting and pottery studios. Since then, she’s continued to create. She uses wool to make felted wall hangings. She spins angora and wool to knit hats, cowls, sweaters, and blankets. Most recently, she’s discovered pyrography, or wood-burning images onto birch bark.
Michelle will show her birch bark pieces during her Harris Center exhibit with paper cut artist Hannah Ellingwood, which runs from November 2 to 26, 2019 in the Thelma Babbitt Room. The artists will hold an opening on Sunday, November 3, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Artist Statement
I love the beauty of wild things. I love to create, make art, make a mark on a page, and be part of a transformation. I’m compelled to capture fleeting moments.
I strongly believe, that in order to care for something, we must love it. I choose images of wild animals, birds, insects, trees, and landscapes. When we find a place in our hearts for the wildness around us, the animals and landscapes that are at risk, then, maybe, I hope, we will find that something within us changes, and we will make the decision to protect it. I am so grateful to the Harris Center, and the people who have that love for wild animals and lands in their hearts, and who have conserved this landscape and created this SuperSanctuary!
I’ve been collecting birch bark ever since I can remember, first, at 6 or 7, writing letters on it to the flower fairies. I finally realized that it was just as good as paper; actually, for this kind of drawing it was even better! The varied textures and lichens can add so much to a page.
I am careful to only take birch bark from trees that have fallen and begun to rot. Usually, the bark becomes loose, and easier to gather.
I use a simple wood burning tool to make my drawings.
Wood Burning.
Fire Writing.
Pyrography.
I hope you enjoy this work!
— Michelle Russell
