About Bill Russell: I was born in Western New York in 1952.
I continue to reside with my family in historic Lockport, New York,
a community that grew up around the Erie Barge Canal. I am married
to a very supportive wife, Cindy. I have two daughters Kelly and Kim.
I work as a skilled trades tinsmith at Delphi Harrison Thermal System,
an auto parts plant.
I started carving in 1991 when I saw a couple of fellow workers carving
during a break. One of the guys showed me a few tips and lo and behold
several years later, and four or five thousand miles of carving vacations,
here I am. It’s hard to explain the satisfaction I get when “IT
HAPPENS,” when that Santa or caricature comes right out of the
wood. I’m sure, if you carve, you know what I mean.
I am a member of the National Woodcarvers Association, Southtown Woodcarvers
and Niagara Frontier Woodcarvers. I am also a member of the Worldwide
Woodcarver mailing list.
I use oils, acrylics and water colors. When I paint, I thin the medium
to a thin wash so the wood grain shows through. Some have a lacquer
finish and some have a wax finish.
During our woodcarving travels, Cindy and I have made many new friends
and I am sure we will make many more in the years to come.
I have taken carving seminars with many renowned woodcarvers from
across the country. My first seminar was with Tom Wolfe in 1992. Since
that time, I have taken classes with Desiree Hajny, Harold Enlow,
Rick Harney, Pete LeClair, Pete Ortell, Dave Dunham, Marv Kaisersatt,
Harley Schmitgen and Jeff Phares. I also have taken seminars with
Randy Landen, Steve Prescott , Dave Stetson and Phil and Vicki Bishop.
All of these carvers have been an influence in my development in this
wonderful art form.
I have to give a special thanks to my wife, Cindy. She is my biggest
fan, most loving critic and the person that vacuums up all of those
woodchips that follow me around the house.
Besides carving, I enjoy golf, golf, golf.
