{"title":"Russ Brandon","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg style=\"max-height: 300px; max-width:55%\" src=\"https:\/\/helloart-prod-bucket.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com\/media\/artist\/russ-brandon\/russ-brandon-profile.jpg\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI was born in the Bronx, NYC, in 1965. I come from Puerto Rican ancestry. Lived in the projects in the Bronx until I was 11 years old. My parents told me, after realizing drugs and gangs were coming into the neighborhood, they out of fear for me and my sister, quickly moved us out.\r\u003cbr\u003e\r\u003cbr\u003eMy parents were told of an apartment in Mamaroneck, NY by a close friend and former neighbor we knew in the Bronx. It was a large 2 bedroom apartment in a safe suburban neighborhood. It was across the street from the High School, had a pool and their own parking spot. The rent for this apartment was also very cheap, even for those days. This was a huge upgrade for them. They clearly lucked out with this and quickly jumped on the opportunity. I jokingly always said, it had to have been divine intervention.\r\u003cbr\u003e\r\u003cbr\u003eI lived in Mamaroneck for the next 10 years. Eventually moving to Mount Vernon, NY with my future wife. And then to Larchmont, NY where I was married and had 2 children. 11 years later, my wife and I bought our first home back in Mamaroneck. Literally 5 minutes away by car from my former home where my parents still lived. I have remained in this home and still reside there today.\r\u003cbr\u003e\r\u003cbr\u003eMy artistic talent was something I was blessed with. Given to me at birth I suppose. As far back into my childhood I can remember, I always had pencils, pens or markers and paper and was always drawing. My talents were very much noticed by my family, my teachers, my classmates and my friends. My art, to me, was just a hobby. Something I would do to pass the time. It was always, and still is, a very therapeutic activity for me. It wasn’t until much later in my life that I even considered the possibility of selling my work. It was the support of my family, friends and total strangers, who enjoyed my art, that all encouraged me to sell. After creating over 30 paintings, and running out of room in my house to store them, I thought, maybe, it wasn’t a bad idea to at least try.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eARTIST’S STATEMENT\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eMy family has sometimes asked me what my intent or goal was, overall, with the paintings that I do. It’s something I never really thought about. Something would inspire me and I'd paint it. Really not that complicated. But, my sister in particular, would bring it up in some very interesting conversations we had and would provoke thought about what my goal actually is.\r\u003cbr\u003e\r\u003cbr\u003eSo when provoked to think about this... it’s basically to share both my Puerto Rican and American heritage that I grew up with. Maybe to let other non-latino people see the positive side to Puerto Rican, or in my case, Nuyorican culture. Maybe for those who have preconceived negative feelings towards us can see we’re nothing to be afraid of, and that given the chance, they might actually find us to be very good friends. How we would welcome anyone with open arms to join us, to share our food, listen to our music, dance with us, sing with us, laugh with us. Heck, even sit down and join us in a game of dominos.\r\u003cbr\u003e\r\u003cbr\u003eMy sister once shared my painting “Mujer Misteriosa” with her friends. Without knowing what I named it, they all started texting each other about what my intent was in the painting. I found it all fascinating, but none were actually correct. After reading all of these texts... I decided to let them have their interpretations. It means something deep to them, so why spoil it. And so I decided to do this with all of my paintings. Let people see them as they wish.\r\u003cbr\u003e\r\u003cbr\u003eBut how ever my paintings are interpreted, I want them to be positive. To provoke good feelings. Maybe some good memories. Some things that anyone, no matter what cultural background they are from, can relate to and enjoy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-shepherd","title":"The Shepherd","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcrylic on canvas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e41.50x31.50\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLimited edition 1 of 20.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis painting was commissioned by and now hanging in St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mamaroneck, NY. It’s called “The Shepherd”. A message of inclusion and hope.\r\u003cbr\u003e\r\u003cbr\u003eThis church is where I was married. Is the church where my sister was married. It was the church that our children were baptized and confirmed in. The church my daughter was married in. The church where my mother taught Sunday school.\r\u003cbr\u003e\r\u003cbr\u003eThe Pastor, Rev. Marvin Henk, is a good man. He was helpful to me and my family during some very tough times. Most recently when both my parents passed away 6 months apart in 2024. The congregation is also full of wonderful people and has shown to me and my family what amazing friends they all are.\r\u003cbr\u003e\r\u003cbr\u003eThis is why I was so honored to be asked to do this painting, and I was more than happy to donate it to this church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Russ Brandon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50443481907303,"sku":null,"price":1460.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0063\/3038\/4487\/files\/1_1791603175_18862.jpg?v=1791898379"},{"product_id":"the-panther","title":"The Panther","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcrylic on canvas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e41.50x31.50\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLimited edition 1 of 20.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Russ Brandon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50443507400807,"sku":null,"price":1460.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0063\/3038\/4487\/files\/1_1791603605_66756.jpg?v=1791898531"},{"product_id":"los-musicos-the-musicians","title":"Los Musicos (The Musicians)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcrylic on canvas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e37.50x31.50x1\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLimited edition 1 of 20.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBetween the mid-1990s and 2012, I happily paused my painting to focus entirely on raising my family. Immersing myself in fatherhood was a choice I made gladly, though the artist in me remained alive. My children would often paint alongside me, hoping they too would find their own creative spark. I always knew in my heart that I would return to my own canvas one day when the time was right. Once my children were grown and a divorce was behind me, a new chapter opened, bringing with it the quiet space and time to fully immerse myself in my work once more. Los Musicos is the product of that long-awaited return.\r\u003cbr\u003e\r\u003cbr\u003eThe piece was inspired by a photograph of Puerto Rico—likely the coastal town of Luquillo—shared by a close friend. I was instantly caught by the peaceful scene, and I wanted to translate that serene feeling onto the canvas; the ocean breeze, the rustling palms, and the imagined intimacy of an impromptu musical gathering on a seaside patio.\r\u003cbr\u003e\r\u003cbr\u003ePainted entirely from memory without visual references, Los Músicos holds a deeply personal resonance that unexpectedly bridged a connection with others. At a recent exhibition, viewers native to Puerto Rico expressed an immediate, emotional response to the work, sharing that the composition powerfully evoked the nostalgia and atmosphere of their own childhood memories.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Russ Brandon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50443592990823,"sku":null,"price":1460.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0063\/3038\/4487\/files\/1_1791574240_58165.jpg?v=1791899106"}],"url":"https:\/\/helloart.com\/fr\/collections\/russ-brandon.oembed","provider":"helloart","version":"1.0","type":"link"}