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As an artist Russell Dirks has come full circle

Russell Dirks, 46, does many different kinds of art. He paints illustrations of cars, he sculpts the bas relief designs for coins and does miscellaneous illustration work plus his own fine art painting. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Jennifer Larue Correspondent
Russell Dirks, 46, does many different kinds of art. He paints illustrations of cars, he sculpts the bas relief designs for coins and does miscellaneous illustration work plus his own fine art painting. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)

Post Falls resident Russell Dirks’ artistic talent reared its head when he was 9.

“I had to do a report of something I can’t remember specifically, but it was to be accompanied with images,” he said. “I put together an illustration of my topic and presented it for the class … my work stood out from everyone else. So much so that adults noticed and made comments to this fact … it seemed silly; the creative process was perfectly clear to me. Draw what I see, think, and feel.”

Since then, Dirks, 46, has been doing just that. Using charcoal, gouache, acrylic or acrylic-based airbrush paint, which is fairly transparent when it is brushed on, Dirks creates incredibly realistic illustrations.

Originally from Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Dirks would have been from the Class of ‘78, but he chose not to carry that label. Instead, he dropped out.

“I was easily bored in school,” he said, “And I didn’t consider high school as anything that would truly affect my permanent record.” He eventually received his GED.

In 1977, Dirks began working “regular” jobs and freelancing as an artist. He worked as an illustrator for a small art-related business; he illustrated prototype aircraft and firefighting systems for aviation industries, did private commissions, and sold paintings to collectors.

Later he began producing illustrations, accompanied with the editorial copy, for Primedia, a large print/multimedia company, which he still does today. All the while, Dirks held down various “nonart” day jobs.

Dirks has been in Post Falls for the last 15 years, where he lives with his wife, Tami, and their children, AJ, 12, and Shelby, 10. Dirks works in a basement studio that he shares with AJ, who builds models, and Shelby, who paints.

Dirks graduated from North Idaho College in 2002 with an Associate of Applied Science degree with a major of graphic design. “It was not so much about ‘learning’ to become an artist, I already was, but rather a deeply personal goal to finish an education,” he said.

For the last 11 years, Dirks has managed to earn 100 percent of his income as an artist and designer.

In 2000, Dirks had a solo exhibit of his work at River City Gallery in Post Falls and was well received. “The biggest compliment was made by a patron who said it was hard to believe all this work was by the same person,” he said. His talent embraces a host of styles.

About three years ago, Dirks was hired by his present employer to sculpt and design medallions and coins for numerous clients. “It’s the best job I’ve ever had,” he said, “It fulfills my creative needs and encompasses so many things.” He sculpts and carves designs onto plaster that are then made smaller and struck onto fine metals. The final product has layers, depth and fine details.

“Now I find myself full circle from the 9-year-old kid who drew a picture for a report,” he said. “I still have a hard time saying it: I am an artist … I am still on the journey but the destination has no relevance at all. As Cowboy Neal (Cassady) once said, ‘You’re either on the bus or you’re off the bus!’ I discovered journeys are never about the destination.”