Russ Little, fiber artist
quiltmaker ✻ dyer ✻ lover of wool ✻ spinner ✻ weaving
Photo by John Paradiso
My name is Russ.
I make fiber art that explores the world,
both inner and outer.
I strive to convey my emotions and
a sense of place abstractly through
color, form, and texture.
I went off to college to become a dentist. I became a cartographer and an IT professional instead. But, I’ve always been an artist…
My portfolio is presented in a series of mini-catalogs, similar to what you would purchase at and exhibit…
There is more to studio art practice than making art. Exhibiting, connecting with colleagues, studying, teaching, and speaking are all part of the package…
Ever wonder what goes into making art? My social media and blog posts offer some insight…
My artwork is for sale. Visit my sales page for more information
Photo by John Paradiso
Meet the artist
Language is an amazing thing. That we are able to communicate with each other, that we struggle to use sounds and marks on paper and computer screen to express feelings, emotions, and ideas is miraculous. And yet, it seems that some words fall short of achieving a universal understanding. I think that “art” is among those words that mean different things to different people.
I wrote the following personal definition of “art” many years ago, but I still stand by it today. I suppose these ideas are a deep part of who I am, what I believe, and why I make art.
Art is a means of expression by which we externalize feelings, thoughts, and visions concerning our experience of life, the world around us, our internal world, and imagined worlds. It is also a way for the divine to enter into the world.
At our best as artists we are working in a collaborative relationship with the creative force, inviting and allowing the energy to flow through us. We are participating in incarnation.
The concept of “creative force” differs across individuals, cultures, and belief systems. Call it God, higher power, universe, nature, Qi, or good vibrations. It’s the force at work in the universe that is moving all things in the direction of what is good.
Why do I make art?
Stated simply, making art is my calling. Deep in my soul I know that this is what I’m supposed to be doing. I wasn’t taught this growing up and I didn’t wake up one day to this revelation. It’s something that came over time and through a lot of self examination. I haven’t always made art full time, but now, through a mixture of privilege and good fortune—mostly a supportive husband—I’m able to focus a large part of my energy on this calling.
How did I “become” an artist?
I was born this way (Gaga got it right). The seed that grew into an artist was planted at or before birth. I feel as though I’ve blundered along searching for what I’m truly supposed to do with my life, and along the way I’ve been fortunate to do many interesting things. At a certain point I took time to look back, and what I saw was what I’ll call “creative making” as a thread that ran through my whole life. Becoming an artist was simply (though not really simple) a matter of leaning into that identity and eventually having the strength to claim the title “Artist” for myself and to know that I was worthy.
The artwork
I strive to create all of my artwork within the context of a series and I generally have several active series running concurrently. Others have reached conclusion.
Click on the catalogs below to learn more about each series.
2018 - 2022
In the Outward Movement series points, lines, and shapes interact in these compositions that raise questions about movement away from a center point and wether that center will hold.
2022 - 2023
The Mindful Scribbling series is based on a set of drawings created at a time when my life got complicated and angry, frustrated scribbles where the closest thing to “art” that I was able to created.
2022 - 2023
The More Than Black & White series began as an exploration of black and white compositions and evolved into a reflection on the summer of Black Lives Matter protests. On a deeper level these pieces are also about history, division, unity, violence, and social justice.
Reformation
Production beginning soon
2021 - present
The Reformation series is about revisiting and rethinking artifacts of the past and using them as a starting point for new work. The series sprang from my return to the studio after a traumatic year for my family and my subsequent struggle to start working again after an unintended hiatus of 10 months. All of the artwork in this series was created by cutting and reworking some of my older finished artwork.
Work on the series catalogs is ongoing. Until it is complete—and I don’t know when that will be—you can see other work on my old online portfolio page.
Things I did, do, and might do again
Creating artwork has to come first; at least that’s the way the plan usually starts out. But, sharing my artwork with others through exhibiting and speaking is also important to me. Likewise, I think that the entire community of artists and art lovers can benefit from discussing the realities of self care and business practices for artists.
And so:
I’ve exhibited my artwork in galleries and museums across US and I’ve been included in highly sought after juried exhibitions like Quilt National, Quilts=Art=Quilts, and Artist and Quiltmaker.
I’ve written for both online and print media (e.g., Create Whimsey and Quilting Arts Magazine).
I appeared (or will appear) as a guest artist in seasons 3300 and 3400 of Quilting Arts TV.
I’ve spoken to quilting and weaving guilds, and also taught short, half-day workshops.
For details you can refer to my CV (above).
Russ & Susan Brubaker Knapp on the set of Quilting Arts TV.
Behind the scenes
My Instagram feed (@russlittlefiberartist) is probably the best way to keep up with what’s going on in the studio as well as things outside of the studio. And, those things are ultimately very connected.
Blog
I frequently use Instagram as a way of publicizing new posts on my blog. They don’t happen all that often, and I generally use the blog to share longer content.
I do my best to cross-post content from Instagram to my Studio and/or personal Facebook account (@russlittlefiberartist). I keep waiting for this to get easier—waiting and waiting.
Monthly newsletter
Beginning in August 2026 I’m going to try publishing a short monthly newsletter. I’m not making any promises that this will go on forever, but it’s worth trying it. I’ll post a link on my social media channels when it is released. Click the link below to be added to an email list to receive a notification and convenient link in your inbox each time I publish a new newsletter.
Studio tour
If you're curious what the studio looks like —on a relatively clean day—you can watch a short video tour.
Get in touch
You can reach me by email at russ@russlittlefiberartist.com.