“Jeff-Stay High” Graphite Drawing by James Spencer Russell

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A graphite drawing titled Jeff-Stay High by American artist James Spencer Russell (1915-2000). The drawing is split into three sections, … Read more A graphite drawing titled Jeff-Stay High by American artist James Spencer Russell (1915-2000). The drawing is split into three sections, each repeating the same design in grayscale. A man's profile is depicted with "JEFF" written above the figure with the words "STAY HIGH...3" written below him. Signed "James Russell" to the lower right corner, this piece is unframed.

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 Lichtenstein. He later moved back to Indiana where he continued to create art until his death in 2000. See less