Featured Image - Bird of Paradise

Russell Smith Studios March Update
March 3, 2010

Hi everyone. Well, it seem that we're already getting well into 2010, and fortunately I have been quite productive lately. 2 new paintings to show you all, news of 2 more paintings coming next month, and a little reminder of print release dates to top it all off!

New Limited edition Giclee - "Two Birds with One Stone"

- Giclee prints of Two Birds With One Stone are now available for purchase. Don't forget that there are less than 2 weeks remaining on the pre-sale price.
Two Birds With One Stone is available in 3 editions:

- Giclee prints on paper: Printed on acid free rag paper, The prints measure 25" x 17.25" (image area 21" x 12.75"). The edition consists of 250 prints, each of which is signed and numbered by Russell Smith. Giclee prints on paper are $95 until March 15 ($125 after March 15).

- Gilcee prints on canvas: Prints on canvas measure 25.5" x 15.5". The canvas edition consists of only 20 prints, each of which is signed and numbered on the back. Giclee prints on canvas $180 until March 15 ($250 after March 15).

- Special DFC Edition giclee prints on canvas: This special edition of prints on canvas measure 44" x 27" - 100% size of the original painting! I'm only making 20 of these available. Each is signed and numbered on the back. DFC Edition prints on canvas are $325 until March 15 ($395 after March 15).

Prints are expected to ship approximately mid-March

http://www.russellsmithart.com/Small%20pages/Two%20Birds%20With%20One%20Stone.htm

New Painting - "Bird of Paradise"

- I've finished my depiction of Lt Harold Geiger and the 1913 Curtis Model G. Entitled Bird of Paradise, this piece depicts Geiger and the Curtis Model G floatplane at the mouth of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii circa 1913. The Curtis Models G & C were the first aircraft to be flown in Hawaii. This piece is bound for the Pearl Harbor museum in Hawaii where it will hang as an interpretive tool.

http://www.russellsmithart.com/Small%20pages/Bird%20of%20Paradise.htm

Another New Painting - "Close Quarters"

- Also fresh off of the easel is my depiction of the death of Lt. Ivan Roberts, 27th Aero Sq, USAS. The event occurred on Sept 26, 1918 at approximately 5:50pm and involved SPADs from the 95th and 27th Aero Squadrons, Fokker DVII's of Jasta 13, and a Salmson 2A2. The fight resulted in the death of Lt. Ivan Roberts of 27Sq, seen here in the foreground. Roberts is credited to Lt Franz Büchner of Jasta 13. As Büchner was making his kill at nearly point blank range, Lt. Gravatt of 95 Sq (at the top of the 3-plane grouping) almost collided with him. Lt Frank Luke, Jr. was also involved in this combat, and he can be seen diving off into the distance below Roberts' tail. This piece was created as cover art for the upcoming 100th issue of Over the Front.

http://www.russellsmithart.com/Small%20pages/Close%20Quarters.htm

Update on "Tumult In The Clouds: The Aviation Art of Russell Smith"

- I'm in the process of sketching out ideas for the final piece to be included in the upcoming book. I hope to be able to give more news regarding price and size soon.
Tumult in the Clouds will feature approximately 30-35 of my paintings included in a landscape style/size book.

Not only that: in addition to my artwork, many of the world's leading WW1 aviation historians have kindly joined the book to write within their field of expertise: they will contribute the text and some photos from their collections- some never before published photos in fact!!!:
Lance Bronnenkant
Dennis Gordon
Jon Guttman
Mike O'Neal
Colin Owers
Terry Phillips
Edward Soye
Steve Skinner
Alan Toelle
Greg van Wyngarden
Charlie Woolley
Jim Wilberg

Many of the contributing authors have already sent in their submissions, so in some ways they are farther ahead of the game than I am.

Other Upcoming print releases

- I'll be releasing limited edition prints of Starting Line in late May with the customary pre-sale beginning next month. Stay tuned...

http://www.russellsmithart.com/Small%20pages/Starting%20Line.htm

Works In progress

Two small pieces are currently on the easel which I anticipate being able to share with you all next month:

- One will be a depiction of Manfred von Richthofen's Albatros DII, which he flew during his days with Jasta 2.

- The other will be a nice little depicition of an Etrich Taube in flight.

Both pieces measure 17" x 10" and are oil on linen and. Neither piece is spoke for yet, so if you think you might want to own a small original, let me know.

Originals For Sale

- MAke sure to keep checking the "Old Works for Sale" list. You never know what might pop up here:

http://www.russellsmithart.com/Works%20for%20sale.htm

Upcoming projects

- I have lots of exciting projects coming up in the next few months. As much as I would like to go ahead and tackle the Albert Ball painting (and many of you have been asking me about it) I have other project that are currently higher priority, and so I need to get to those first. Among the paintings that you will see from me in the coming months are:

• An aerial engagement featuring Jean Navarre in a Morane Bullet

• A portrait of a 54Sq Sopwith Camel

• My "special project" - a diptych featuring the famous dogfight between Manfred von Richthofen and Lanoe Hawker!

• A ground scene featuring Max Immelmann and a Fokker E.I

Russell Smith Studios is now on Facebook

- If you have a Facebook account, make sure to sign on as s "fan" of Russell Smith Studios. Unlike my website, which features mainly finished works and items for sale, I'll be using my Facebook as a blog of sorts - posting works in progress, descriptive progression shots, commentary and answering your questions.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Russell-Smith-Studios/103226508613

Russ