"Steve Russell was able to come to work for us at the U.S Army at a critical time during the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. We needed an illustrator to draw repair and operator procedures for our textile-based systems for parachutes, body armor, and Soldier load carriage systems. Textile products that do not have traditional engineering drawings that one could use for illustrations. Steve was able to work from the hardware itself and illustrate procedures clearly so personnel and cargo air delivery loads could leave the aircraft properly and land safely. He also was able to illustrate body armor and other Soldier kit items so the Soldiers could use them and get the maximum protection and performance. He made a difference in the war effort. Steve’s ability to use art, view, and perspective to communicate information to customers, just maybe the right thing for your business."
Mark Chandler, Soldier Warrior Group Leader U.S. Army (RET)
"I was an Instructional System Designer at Fighter Squadron 101, NAS Oceana VA and worked with Steve there for several years. His training products created for the Pilots and Radar Intercept Officers required high level artwork with a premium on technical detail and accuracy. In a high speed, demanding environment, where mistakes could have tragic results, Steve produced artwork that lived up to this demanding standard daily. As an artist, Steve excelled at producing outstanding computer imagery and was also called on to do hand drawn illustrations. This talent made him a unique and exceptionally valuable asset to the technical development team."
Jarvis Rathbone, COMMANDER U.S. Navy (RET)
"Steve Russell is a fellow artist with a long history of creative design and illustration excellence. Quality and attention to detail are evident throughout his portfolio. Tributes to service and support of our military are part of Steve's work and his ability to deliver for a customer is second to none!"
Peter Chilelli, Digital artist/photographer at FastPixels. https://peter-chilelli.pixels.com
"Steve Russell is one of the most talented, resilient, and creative people I have ever met. Steve was a student of mine for a Defense Acquisition University course and his knowledge and experience added great value to the course. He has adapted to the needs of the Army, I am confident that he can fulfill any requirement in his area of expertise that he is tasked to accomplish as a consultant. As a 28-year army officer as well as a 12 year DOD federal employee as a professor of program management and leadership, I feel I am a good judge of character, and Steve will be an asset to any organization that uses his genius and expertise."
Justin Porto, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (RET)
While working for Lockheed Martin, I had approximately 50 contractors I managed, and Steve was one of my favorite employees. The love and enjoyment he had for his work shined through in everything he did. He had a great work ethic and always had a positive attitude. He was one of the few employees that would check in with me, let me know what he was working on, and how his work was going.
When Human Resources asked me to submit an employee for the Peer-to-Peer Award, I submitted Steve’s information. To date, I have yet to have a better employee than Steve.
He would be an asset to anyone’s team.
Belinda D Pape Traber, Contract Manager, Lockheed Martin
"We asked Steve Russell to refresh the Lion and he delivered."
David "Hey-Joe" Parsons, Commander, VF-32 U.S. Navy (RET)
"I first met Steve Russell in 1996 while creating CBT (Computer Based Training) graphics for the F14, VF-101, and E-2C/C-2A Fleet Readiness Squadron, VAW-120; working for Information Spectrum, Inc... Steve’s graphic illustrations were, and still are, excellent! His attention to detail is outstanding, and his graphic design skills are simply amazing! I can remember looking at Steve’s work in awe; and quite honestly, felt a bit envious of his talent! Steve would be an asset to any organization or individual seeking high-end artistic results."
Douglas E. Maume, Graphic Artist (RET)
"I have had the privilege of working with Mr. Stephen E. Russell on a high‐visibility Technical Manual (TM) for the last two years. Having a high-quality illustrator such as Mr. Russell supporting our TMs was a huge advantage resulting in huge cost savings. Mr. Russell has been instrumental in the refinement and rewriting of our TM, supporting our TM’s art needs from 1,000 miles away, receiving art direction via email, and occasionally talking on the phone for clarification on an art request. Our team would get excited about Mr. Russell’s art deliveries based on the high quality of every image. His work is reminiscent of the early days of Technical Manual development where Illustrators would hand draw a figure. Images suitable for framing definitely bolster the quality of our TM. In the years Mr. Russell and I have been working together I have yet to meet him face to face. Though our communication has been solely through email and phone, it had not impeded the quality or flow of work. Having a dedicated Illustrator supporting publications increases timelines and cost efficiency, especially when we have virtuosos like Mr. Russell available to us."
John Lillis, Chemical Biological Protective Shelters, Team Leader, U.S. Army.
I've known and served with Steve for quite a few years in the federal government. Steve's very professional, extremely talented, and possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience. He completed a lot of great work for our organization.
Richard Stroud, NSSC Natick MA.
l have worked with Steve Russell for several years on many Military projects and have always found him to be resourceful, responsible, and always on time with quality graphics from the mere mention of a concept to a completed design. He had worked on book covers for various publications including one currently being published now. A truly outstanding artist well ahead of his time.
Drex Bradshaw, CAPTAIN U.S. Navy (RET)
It is my pleasure to write a letter of recommendation for Mr. Stephen Russell, who provided illustrative support for 15 technical writers at the Soldier Systems Center in Natick, MA as well as for associated personnel at TACOM/ILSC in Warren, MI. Over the course of 8 years, Mr. Russell and I have collaborated on projects ranging in complexity from graphic training aids to detailed technical manuals. Mr. Russell has provided illustrations for a variety of multi‐component systems including the Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment, Advanced and Enhanced Combat Helmets, Fire‐Resistant Environmental Ensemble, Multi‐Purpose Personal Hydration System, Army Combat Uniform, and Military Working Dogs Deployable Kennel. Be it illustrations for a poster, comic book, graphic training aid, or a detailed technical parts manual, Mr. Russell consistently produces work that is high quality, accurate, and on time. Mr. Russell’s conceptualization skills are superb. When presented with a rough thumbnail sketch, a proof photo, or a vague description, Mr. Russell has the ability to visualize and produce a sophisticated illustration. From icons to logos, to intricate military emblems, Mr. Russell can design them all. One of the things I admire most about Mr. Russell is his deep loyalty and dedication to the Veteran community. In Natick, Mr. Russell spearheaded the development of the “Heroes Activity Book,” a workbook filled with illustrations to color, entertaining stories, and brain games. The books are distributed free to local Veterans’ hospitals to challenge and occupy wounded Veterans and their families.
ANONYMOUS Principal Technical Writer, Organizational Clothing and Equipment TACOM/ILSC