James Spencer Russell Signed Graphite Tic-Tac-Toe Drawing

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A graphite tic-tac-toe drawing by American artist James Spencer Russell (1915-2000). The drawing on paper depicts the traditional tic-tac-toe hashtag … Read more A graphite tic-tac-toe drawing by American artist James Spencer Russell (1915-2000). The drawing on paper depicts the traditional tic-tac-toe hashtag with "Xs" and "Os" selecting various spots. The artist's signature is present to the lower right.

Born in Monticello, Indiana, Russell was interested in art from a young age but was directed into pursuing a military career by his family. As a young person, he attended a military academy, became a celebrated codebreaker during WWII, and even received a scholarship to attend Westpoint. However, Russell's interest in art eventually led him to abandon his military pursuits and try to make it in the art world instead. After working as an NBC set designer after WWII, he turned his attention to becoming a full-time artist. During the 1960s, he started exhibiting his works alongside artists who would later come to characterize the art scene at the time, including Robert Rauschenberg and Roy Lichenstein. He later moved back to Indiana where he continued to create art until his death in 2000. See less