Dear Friends,
Last Saturday, I received a phone call from Marion, who is a good friend of Jackie Russo’s. Marion told me the sad news that Jackie passed away last Friday from a massive stroke. I don’t know any other details, except that there will be a memorial service and Marion will let me know the details.
Jackie had been in the gallery for the last 2 years. You may not have met Jackie, because she lived on the west side of the state and was a consignment artist. She did however, come in from time to time to replenish her work.
Jackie was the glass artist who did stained glass. She cut pieces of colorful glass and assembled them into towers that would sit on a table and she also did them to hang on the wall. She also did some small-assembled pieces that sat on little easels.
Jackie had started her art career as a jeweler and then went to stained glass, which looked like her jewelry designs. A couple of years ago, she fell and broke her right arm and could not cut the circles that she had cut in the past. She cut the stained glass in squares and rectangles and built her towers. Her new style was born.
Jackie had been doing shows in Illinois with the top promoter and brought her new work. The promoter walked by her booth and did a double take. Stopped and complimented her on the new work, but then she said that she, Jackie, had to look as sophisticated as the new work and she needed to dress better. She told her she had to get rid of the print dresses with little flowers and dress in colors that matched the work she was currently doing. She also told her to change her hair. Her new look was born.
Jackie’s work changed and so did her personal look and her success was fantastic. In this bad economy, her sales were fabulous.
I had just seen and spoke to Jackie at Kalamazoo show June 4th of this year.
Jackie will be greatly missed.
Donna
Donna Beaubien
www.FineArtAtTheVillage.com
Village Fine Art Gallery
220 N. Adams Rd.
Rochester Hills, MI. 48309
248-375-2870, gallery
248-689-8734, office
248-561-4919, cell
Jackie was from Allegan, MI.
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