ARTIST STATEMENT
Mark Russell Jr.
Mark Russell, born and based in Miami, Florida, is a visual artist whose work explores Black life, culture, and identity through portraiture. He is currently pursuing his MFA in Interdisciplinary Studio Art at Maryland Institute College of Art.
Working primarily with alcohol markers, acrylic, and laser-etched wood, Russell layers color and line to create portraits that reflect resilience, memory, and the complexity of human experience. Drawing influence from Norman Rockwell’s narrative detail and Jean-Michel Basquiat’s expressive energy, he merges illustration and fine art to capture moments that honor personal histories and speak to broader cultural truths.
His work has been exhibited in shows like Soul Basel’s Kindred Spirits in Historic Overtown, Miami, FL, Multi-Faceted at The Arts Council of Fayetteville in Fayetteville, NC, and the MLK Parade & Festivities Art Exhibition. Russell has also held residencies at Bakehouse Art Complex and Atlantic Center for the Arts and was a recipient of the Oolite Arts Ellies Teachers Travel Grant.
AFFILIATIONS
MICA MFAST ‘28
Graduate Student
Bakehouse Art Complex Associate Artist
Ellies Teacher Travel
Grant Recipient
ART EDUCATION
Visual Arts Educator
As a practicing visual artist, Mark is passionate about giving back to his community by teaching and inspiring the next generation of creatives. He strives to be a role model and a source of representation for young artists who might not see themselves in the arts.
Mark teaches inner-city middle school youth, introducing them to the transformative power of art, through visual arts and multimedia curricula. In his work as a teaching artist, he guides high school visual arts students in implementing a practical process to becoming professional artists.
His goal as an educator is to empower young artists to see themselves as creators, innovators, and contributors to the world.