The Hills are alive…

Edit 19. Gerard Russo, Monbulk

The Hills are alive with luminous art as we explore the work of @gerard.russo.art a Dandenong Ranges artist based in the heart of Monbulk.

A contemporary artist with a distinctive approach, Gerard creates illuminated copper pieces and expressive charcoal drawings that play with shadow, reflection and light. Growing up on an apple orchard at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, he spent his childhood tinkering with anything he could get his hands on, building model planes, pulling electronics apart, experimenting constantly. That same curiosity now fuels every artwork he creates.

His process begins with instinctive mark‑making, stepping back often to see how the piece evolves from a distance. His charcoal works are immediate and intuitive, capturing fleeting emotion and movement. In contrast, his copper pieces are slow, technical and deeply crafted. He paints directly onto copper sheets, uses an etching tank to dissolve exposed metal, then strips and polishes the surface to reveal luminous brushwork and shifting reflections, a perfect blend of childhood tinkering and refined artistic vision.

For Gerard, the Dandenong Ranges are more than home; they’re a collaborator. Drawn to the Hills for their culture, creativity and calm, he now works surrounded by forested landscapes that offer the introspection and stillness his practice thrives on. He describes the region as a place of “quiet peace… an escape from the rat race,” where the forest encourages reflection and connects him to a community of supportive, inspiring artists.

Explore more at www.gerardrusso.com or follow @gerard.russo.art to see his incredible work.