Style, Elegance, and Wit: Rediscovering the Life and Art of James Spencer Russell, by the team of Ron and Julie Kern, rescues the memory of Indiana artist, James Spencer Russell.

The Kerns discovered Russell’s art at an Indianapolis art auction almost a decade ago as it was being sold as part of Russell’s estate. Russell’s art, so riveting and so complex in its style, captured the Kern’s curiosity and attention. With no idea of who Russell was, they collected several pieces of artthat day. This led them to a journey of discovery to find out more about James Spencer Russell’s life and art.

The journey took the Kerns to Kewanna, Indiana, where Russell spent his last years and where they met people who knew Russell, especially Wade Bussert, keeper of Russell’s personal archive. This led to three years of meticulous research to re-discover Russell’s life and artistic accomplishments.

The Kerns tell Russell’s story with care and respect for an artist who remained ever dedicated to his craft all his days. Russell, born in Monticello, Indiana, graduated from Yale University’s School of Drama and went on to a successful career in set design at NBC TV in New York City during television’s Golden Age. He left that career to pursue art full-time and quickly rose to prominence in the New York art scene and beyond. Russell commanded recognition by virtue of the power of his art work alone and either exhibited solo or with other leading contemporary artists. Music and especially the literature of James Joyce remained a strong influence on Russell’s art all his life.

The Kerns have taken great care to present a well-documented portrait of an Indiana artist and also have included photographs of Russell and his work, which should become the go-to reference for anyone wanting to know more about this Indiana artist. This work by the Kerns is a fitting and long overdue tribute to one of Indiana’s and the nation's greatest modern artists.