Grand Prix Jumper
Dianne Russell started drawing seriously when she was around 6 years old, and she began art and riding lessons at 7, in her native Northern Virginia. Horses were her first passion; she wanted to ride them and draw them, and this intense interest motivated her to practice drawing with dedication and discipline.

Riding faded for a long time after she moved to San Francisco, Calif., but she continued to study art in high school and college, and later life drawing at Fort Mason and Pacific Grove arts centers (Calif.).

During her son’s childhood, the family became involved with horses, and her passion renewed. Now, at 18 her son is an ambitious rider, and horses are a significant part of Russell’s life.

This week’s cover, Grand Prix Jumper, is an 18″ x 24″ colored pencil drawing. Russell resides in Pacific Grove, Calif.