Born and raised in Rochester, New York, Russell attended Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire, where she earned a liberal arts degree.
Education
• San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA: MFA in Painting, 1994
• School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA: Diploma with distinction, 1960-1965
Awards
• 2008 Albuquerque Museum, "Biennial Southwest," Curator's Choice Award, Painting