Casco Bay Artisans is thrilled to exhibit the latest work from abstractionist Russ Cox. Through rigorous exploration and experimentation in his studio, Cox brings CBA three distinct bodies of work: Atlantic Paintings, Colorfield, and Asian Pen. Cox, known for large scale nature of his work, has pushed further into the immersive experience of art through layering, movement and color. The Atlantic Paintings feature his love of the ocean and underwater flora while incorporating his use of scrolls to enhance the experience of being weightless in water. The Color Field Paintings, probably Cox’s best known technique, show a master of layering colors and textures that leave the viewer fully immersed in the painting. The Asian Pen Paintings show Cox pushing his own sense of line blending in and standing out among a landscape of color. These paintings move to the edge of representation. Cox creates feelings from the recognizable as well as from that which is fully interpretive.

For these latest bodies of work, Cox was inspired by V. S. Gaitonde (1924-2021), an Indian mid-century non-objective artist, to experiment with the layering practice of old masters and combine them with the ideas of the 20th Century abstractionists including Helen Frankenthaler, Mark Rothko, Joan Miro, Wassily Kandinsky, Joan Mitchell, and William de Kooning.

Three of the works in this show have been framed with spalted wood. These frames get their distinct look from a process where fungi change the pigments inside the wood over time, sporadically creating variegated dark lines within the grain. The resulting undulating line was then matched up with each painting to create a sense of integration and continuation of art into nature and nature into art.

Join us as we celebrate Russ Cox’s new works and step deeper into his visionary world.

A full catalog of works available. We are happy to arrange private showings and studio tours. All are welcome.

Russ Cox ‘Casco Bay Rockweed’ Oil on Canvas with Handcrafted Spalted Wood 59” x 98” $9500

Russ Cox ‘Tendril’ Oil on Canvas with Handcrafted Thomas Moser Cherry Wood 94” x 98” $18,500

Russ Cox ‘Atlantic Garden’ Oil on Canvas with Handcrafted Spalted Wood 69” x 100” $9500

Russ Cox ‘Upper Field’ Oil on Canvas 96” x 36” $9500

Russ Cox ‘Lower Field’ Oil on Canvas 60” x 36” $6500

Russ Cox ‘Spring Light’ Oil on Canvas 40” x 40” $4900

Russ Cox ‘Lupin’ Oil on Canvas 36” x 48” $5800

Russ Cox ‘The Bluff’ Oil on Canvas 24” x 36” $3200

Russ Cox ‘Alatus’ Oil on Canvas 60” x 36” $6500

Russ Cox ‘Reid State Park’ Oil on Canvas 48” x 30” $4200

Russ Cox ‘All The Places You’ll Go’ Oil on Canvas with Handcrafted Spalted Wood 39” x 51” $7200

Russ Cox ‘Asian Pen Untitled’ Oil on Canvas 30”x40” $3200

Russ Cox ‘Pollen Tracks’ Oil on Canvas 36” x 48” $5200