Gail Russell

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A painter and printmaker, she studied at Albright Knox School of Fine Art, Pratt Institute, and The School of Visual Arts.  In 1968, she received her first camera and has never put it down. She studied independently with photo surrealist Jerry Uelsmann and was the first artist in residence at Apeiron Photographic Workshop, Millerton, NY

Originally from Connecticut, Gail moved to the Taos area and has exhibited her work widely and continuously since then. “One of the first people that I met in Taos, when I moved here in the late 1970’s. was Telesfor and Pauline Reyna, of Taos Pueblo. It was definitely a “chop wood, carry water” relationship. Teles adopted me into his family in 1977.”

She is one of a scant handful of photographers who have actually been invited to come to the Hopi reservation to make pictures. In the early 1970’s Gail was asked by the Traditional Elders of the Hopi tribe to come to their reservation in Arizona to document the devastation that Peabody Coal had on their land.  From that time on, she has been involved with Native American causes and issues. 

She has been named a Taos Living Master for her photography and is honored as one of the Remarkable Women of Taos.

She has a studio/ gallery in Taos where she exhibits and sells her photographic work along with her

original apparel designs including SallyGators® Leg warmers, inspired by Kiowa Artist T.C. Cannon,

Kangaroo Pocket Scarves and Gazelle Shawls featuring her photographic images on Silk/Cashmere and Modal.

Gail’s art embodies a positive, uplifting spirit. Her photographs reflect the beauty of nature, botanicals, the human form,  Native American life and culture,  temples and antiquities,  and sometimes Maya, her macaw.

A portion of her earnings are contributed to non-profit organizations: The Adopt a Native Elder Program in Park City Utah, helps Elders in the Navajo Reservation and the Farm House Children’s Lunch Program in Taos, New Mexico.

Gail Russell Photo Artist & Designer
Images of Light, Life and the Spirit of the Southwest.
A Taos Original, Gail Russell is a photographic artist and designer.