Scruffy

Biography

Russell Miyaki is a contemporary artist and creative director in New York City. His studio is at Metro Art Studios in Bridgeport, CT, which is a renovated historic 1800s corset factory. A third-generation Japanese American born and raised in New Mexico, Russell attended school in Colorado, graduating with honors and majoring in advertising design and illustration. Throughout his career he has worked for design studios and advertising agencies, winning industry awards and recognition, from the One Show Interactive to multiple Webbys. 

The most fulfilling moment of his career, Russell says, was when he risked everything he had and started his own greeting card design studio where he designed, painted and published his own line of work. He established a national fan base of followers (pre-Twitter and Facebook), working with a unique technique of design markers on metallic paper. Referring to them as “marker paintings,” he hand-painted each card that went out the door. His technique utilized a special stencil in order for him to marker in vibrant colors that seemed to swirl and come to life right on the surface of the paper. This became a distinctive look that adorned the shelves of many boutique gift and gallery stores across the U.S., and is influential in his approach to his work.

Russell works in oils, pigment sticks and acrylics on canvas, as well as wall board and plexiglass layers. He is greatly inspired by the works of Peter Max, Juan Gris, Lee Krasner, August Macke, Franz Marc, Willem De Kooning and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Artist Statement

"As an artist, I use my canvas as a portal, bridging my inner feelings and thoughts to the reality of life outside. Simultaneously, my canvas also serves as a mirror, reflecting my deep empathy for the lives and emotions of others. It's this connection between self and society, the introspective and the universal, that gives my art its essential vitality and purpose. 

"The unprecedented events of the past several years have had a profound influence on my work. I've been both a witness and a participant, as the world around me has become a whirlpool of emotions.

"However, this reflective phase led me to an enlightening realization. Rather than painting the world as it was making me feel, I shifted my focus to expressing how I wanted to feel. This wasn't a case of turning a blind eye to the harsh realities of our world, but rather an acknowledgement that the art I create can serve as a catalyst for positivity, unity, and healing.

"This shift mirrors a quote from P.T. Barnum that has always deeply resonated with me: 'The noblest art is that of making others happy.' It has inspired me to channel positivity and joy in my art, painting a world imbued with hope and happiness, a world that can help us rise above negativity and division.

"My work embodies the simplest, yet most powerful expressions of positive energy, happiness, and fun. It represents an escape from the anger and unhappiness that seems all too prevalent in today's world. My hope is that through my art, viewers are transported, if only momentarily, to a place of joy and serenity. In creating these visual affirmations, I am not just reconciling my emotions with the world; I'm offering an invitation to others to join me on this journey of hope and happiness."