In the heart of London, former England wicketkeeper-batter Jack Russell is engrossed in painting portraits, maintaining his eccentricity from his cricketing days. Despite his presence on social media for promoting his artwork globally, Russell avoids phones and Whatsapp, preferring email for communication. The Chris Beetles Gallery in London offers a probable chance of meeting the 61-year-old artist who was renowned for his unique batting stance and signature sunglasses on the field. As a wicketkeeper, his combination of a worn-out hat and swift reflexes secured his status as one of England's finest.
More than two decades post-retirement, Russell's connection with cricket endures through his paintings. His gallery at Ryder Street transports cricket purists back in time. Recently, Russell painted Ranjitsinhji, the first Indian to play for England, to honor a significant portion of his followers who are Indian. "Every year, I paint someone from history. Last year, it was ex-England captain Douglas Jardine, a controversial Ashes figure. This year, I chose Ranjitsinhji because of his rich history and flamboyant character, making it one of my exhibition favorites," Russell shares in an interview with PTI.
Russell's profound love for painting perhaps eclipses his passion for cricket. "I retired from England cricket in 1998 and from County Cricket in 2004. Over 20 years have passed quickly as I've been busy painting daily. It's my sole remaining skill, and I've been at it for about 35-36 years, longer than my cricket career," Russell remarks.
His inclination toward art blossomed during rain breaks in cricket matches in England. It was a pursuit that annoyed his teammates then. While he insists it's not about money, some of Russell's paintings, like those from the 2019 Ashes series, have sold for up to 25,000 pounds. "I'd say I've probably earned more as an artist than as a cricketer. While we were well paid in my day, today's players earn much more, ensuring financial security if managed wisely. I don't paint for the money but for the addiction and love. Luckily, my paintings find buyers worldwide, allowing me to continue without needing a 'proper' job," explains Russell.
Reminiscing about touring India twice, for the Nehru Cup in 1989 and the 1996 World Cup, and capturing the Brabourne Stadium in his art, Russell fondly recalls, "I loved India and Pakistan. On days off, I’d explore local markets, sketch local scenes, and paint people, musicians, and landscapes. Though once asked to move by police while painting on the street in an England shirt, I cherished the experiences and would gladly spend more time painting there."
As someone who follows current cricket events, Russell occasionally steps away from his canvases to witness matches live. "I've probably watched more of the current India vs. England series than I should have, given my painting commitments. But it has been enthralling," he admits. A passionate wicketkeeper, Russell admires the skillsets of Jamie Smith and Rishabh Pant, among others.
"Many exceptional wicketkeepers have graced the game. My heroes were Alan Knott and Bob Taylor, with Syed Kirmani also impressing me. Among the current generation, Rishabh Pant is a must-watch, whether batting or wicketkeeping, and Jamie Smith has the potential to become England's greatest batsman wicketkeeper, akin to Gilchrist, given his skills," Russell observes.
When asked about Pant's wicketkeeping, Russell comments, "Pant's bound to make mistakes due to minor technical aspects needing refinement. But most wicketkeepers do. Keeping in England is challenging. His batting prowess compensates, and the wicketkeeping improvements needed are minor and mostly mental, about vision and reading the game." With these reflections, Russell returns to his brushes and paints, immersing himself once more in his enduring passion for art.
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