The primary reason for collecting original artwork is simple: you love owning beautiful things and you want to surround yourself with them.

Art collecting is about passion. Always love the work first and foremost. Find art that captures something inside you and brings you back to gaze at the painting over and over again. 

Art collecting is an investment. It is a game - a lifelong journey discovering art that represents the way you view the world. Art can be a reminder of places you've traveled, cultures you've become immersed in, people who inspire you, a style you've fallen in love with, or art can simply be about beauty captured upon a canvas.

Original artwork holds a magic not seen in two-dimensional prints. You are owning something that was created by an artist's hand and mind. The artist transformed a blank canvas and simple pigments and materials into a completely new, one-of-a-kind creation. With an original oil painting, the thick texture adds a three-dimensional depth to the piece, drawing you into the pattern and movement of the individual brush strokes in a way that a photographic print cannot capture. You definitely know you are looking at an original when you see a thickly-textured painting!

Another fun benefit of owning originals is watching them change color throughout the day. If you've ever sat on your couch watching the dawning light change over an oil painting, you'll know what I mean. The painting becomes warmer or cooler depending on the surrounding light, and the semi-translucent nature of the oil paint catches the light and seems to glow from within.

Owning a fine creation that is truly one-of-a-kind, and surrounding yourself with artwork that represents your tastes and sense of beauty, is all the reason you need for collecting originals.

An art collection can become a prized heirloom, giving you a real and emotional legacy to hand down to your friends and family.

In the end, collecting art is something that is meant to be enjoyed. Whether you view it as a scavenger hunt, a great way to expand your horizons, or simply a way to brighten your home, collecting can be an enriching and rewarding experience for everyone.

About Free Impressionism

If you are a fan of impressionism, you will love discovering the works of Derek Russell. His modern impressionist style, a blend of both expressionism and impressionism, has captured the imagination of art collectors around the world. His new technique of painting in oils, created during a lifetime of applying his unique vision to the canvas, has become known as "Free Impressionism."

With thousands of views of his painting images online every month and his work being taught in art schools around the world, Derek has inspired a whole new wave of artists, both young and old, to follow their passion and become painters as well.

Russell paints the most-influential leaders and entrepreneurs who are driving change, transforming business and making a significant impact on the world.

Over a decade later, Derek works direct with art collectors and travels around the U.S. His unique style of painting is recognizable on sight. His pure colors and thick brush strokes unlike any other's. He creates his paintings using a palette of pure vibrant colors, and he lays his brush strokes with precision and energy, attempting to capture the emotion in a spontaneous manner. His style demonstrates a dynamic way of combining abstraction with realism. In his technique, he is able to make the action within the painting as intense and exciting as it actually is in your direct experience. He does not force the process but rather tunes into the energy and vibration of his subjects. He quiets his mind and lets the colors speak to him. This pure, intuitive approach is what captures a true impression of the people he depicts.

Official Store for Derek Russell Originals

Derek makes it easy to buy paintings online. He can email you high-resolution photos of the paintings, and he can create a digital mock-up of the painting in your room if you’d like. He guarantees all of his works, so if you receive the painting and you don't absolutely love it, he will take care of the return shipping, and he will apply the amount paid towards another painting. Take a look at his testimonials page from collectors who have purchased paintings online and in person.