Russell Risko

Russell Risko (b. 1952, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American artist best known for his semi-abstract portraits, neo-expressive landscapes, and illustrations. His artistic journey began with acceptance into the Commercial Art & Illustration Program at Bucks County Technical High School. Russell continued his education by earning an Associate Fine Arts degree from Bucks County Community College, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University. Early influences included Marlene Miller, Jack Gevins, Joseph Scorsone, and Stanislav Sikorsky. He also draws inspiration from painters Francoise Nielly, George Condo, and Hermann Hesse.

An acclaimed graphic designer and illustrator, Russell has also held leadership roles as an art director, creative director, and agency principal. With a distinguished 40-year career in advertising and design, his work has been featured in numerous regional, national, and digital publications. After retiring from the fast-paced world of mass media advertising and marketing - where tight deadlines once defined his role - Russell is now fully dedicated to his lifelong passion as a fine artist.

Russell's work explores deeply resonant themes across a series of expressionistic genres. The Head Games series features semi-abstract portraiture that conveys tension and torment through facial fragments and linear patterns. Painted in vibrant watercolors using a tetradic color palette, these portraits serve as metaphoric expressions of geo-political unrest. In contrast, the Fields & Streams series reflects a serene connection to the natural landscapes of his Bucks County home. These pieces, characterized by fluid watercolor compositions, are enhanced by innate ink lines and wax pencil mark-making.

The artworks of Russell Risko have been showcased in notable exhibitions, gaining recognition for its thought-provoking themes and innovative approach to traditional mediums. A lifetime of artistic evolution and dedication places him among the prominent creative voices of his region.

Education
Bucks County Technical / Commercial Arts & Illustration, Levittown, PA, 1968-1971
AFA, Bucks County Community College / Hicks Art Center, Newtown, PA, 1971-1973
BFA, Temple University / Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA, 1973-1975
DGEF Certification, Dynamic Graphics Educational Foundation, Peoria, Illinois, 1980

Memberships
Philadelphia Water Color Society
The Philadelphia Sketch Club
The Doylestown Art League
The Arts & Cultural Council of Bucks County
New Hope Arts
The Center for Emerging Visual Artists
 

Group Exhibitions
The New Hope Arts Then and Now Juried Exhibition, New Hope, PA, 2025
The Doylestown Hospital ArtWalk, Doylestown, PA, 2025
Phoenix Art & Supplies, 40ART / Bucks County's BIGGEST Little Art Show, Doylestown, PA, 2023-2025
The Doylestown Art League, Annual Members Spring Show, Doylestown, PA, 2025
The Philadelphia Watercolor Society, Annual Members Show, Fine Arts Gallery, Montgomery Community College, 2025
The Doylestown Art League, Tyma, Bullock & Blessington: Juried Exhibition, Doylestown, PA, 2024, 2025
The Doylestown Art League, Annual Members Fall Show, Souderton, PA, 2024
The Philadelphia Sketch Club, Works Under Two-Fifty: Juried Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA, 2023
The Doylestown Art League, Annual Members Fall Show, Warrington, PA, 2023
Lambertville Shad Festival, Jim Hamilton Memorial Scholarship, Lambertville, NJ, 2022, 2023
Phoenix Art & Supplies, Inktober 2023 Exhibition, Doylestown, PA, 2023
The Philadelphia Sketch Club, Member Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA, 2022
The Philadelphia Sketch Club, 1st Annual Works Under Two-Fifty: Juried Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA, 2022
Phoenix Art & Supplies, Inktober 2022 Exhibition, Doylestown, PA, 2022
The Philadelphia Watercolor Society, 121st International Exhibition of Works on Paper: Juried Exhibition Community Arts Center, Wallingford, PA, 2021
Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce, 34th Annual Bucks Fever Art Exhibition, Doylestown, PA, 2021

Teaching
The Art Institute of Philadelphia, Design Instructor Evening School, 1994-1995

Private Collection
Bradford Bramble, 2025
Bristlecone Pine, 2025
Persimmon At Bradford, 2024
Goshen Ridge, 2024
Lancaster Country Road, 2024
Ebb Tide Near Bloxom, 2024
Persimmon At Bradford, 2024
Iris IV, 2024
Horntown Plane, 2023
Feldman's Tractor, 2023
The White Steering Wheel, 2023
Tide Shore Dawn, 2023
Rapid Reach, 2023
Resolvere, 2022
Country Lane #VI, 2022
Country Lane #VII, 2022
Lancaster Country Vista, 2022
Terre Hill Hedge, 2022
Dragonfly Serenade, 2022
Looking Up / Patientia, 2021
Royal Pump House, 2020