About The Artist

Russell Irwin is a nationally celebrated artist who brings to his work a great love for the human story. His paintings reveal the skill and ingenuity of a world class artist and the captivating visual narratives of a master story teller. His Story Portraits™ depicting the defining moments of great sporting events and the classic images of famous athletes at their craft have raised nearly $2,000,000 for charitable organizations nationwide.

Irwin’s signature paper mosaic style utilizes many layers of torn paper accented with acrylic paints for a rich, colorful, mosaic-like appearance. This unmistakable invention of the artist provides for his conveyance of multiple layers of information in highly organized yet fluidly textural works of art.

American Artist Magazine (June 2003) describes Irwin as "a kind of artistic archeologist" and his technique as one that "conveys an impression that we are rediscovering a history." As it further states "none of this would work as well without strong draftsmanship, a gifted sense of design, and an uncanny feel for the decorative possibilities of color."

Russell Irwin’s clients include the St. Louis Cardinals, Bellerieve Country Club / PGA, the Dallas Cowboys, the NFL, SSM Health Systems, Citigroup, and Pfizer among others.

Charitable Foundations include: Ozzie Smith Foundation, ALS Foundation, Cardinal Care, NFL Tsunami Relief Fund, Roger Staubach Foundation, The Backstoppers, Kids in Sports, Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

During pre-game ceremonies On opening day of the 2001 Season the St. Louis Cardinals presented a check for $1,000,000 to the Backstoppers (an organization supporting the families of fallen police officers and firefighters). These funds were raised through the sales of autographed prints of Russell Irwins’ work of art, Vanishing Moments and the matching contribution of Cardinals co-owner David Pratt.

Standing from left to right: Representatives from the Backstoppers holding an enlarged print, Jack Buck, Lou Brock, David Pratt, Mark McGuire, Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, Ozzie Smith, and Russell Irwin.

Prior to a star studded banquet and live auction of Russell Irwin’s original at work, the artist poses with five of the Dallas Cowboy’s superstar quarterbacks in the Cowboy’s locker room in Dalls. (The original auctioned for $17,000).

From left: Don Maredith, Craig Morton, Troy Aikman, Russell Irwin, Roger Staubach, and Danny White.

At the signing event in Dallas, Russell signs and numbers the prints as Danny White, Roger Staubach, and Troy Aikman also apply their autographs. Admission to the banquet, held in the banquet room at Cowboy Stadium, was $1,500 a plate, which awarded each attendee one of the autographed prints of Russell’s painting, "Star Quaterbacks."