More than living a dream, Lisa is answering her true calling. Raised in Los Angeles, she comes by an appreciation of fine art from both her father, a passionate art collector, and her mother, an interior decorator. Her grandmother was an artist and although Lisa had no artistic ability she developed an appreciation and an eye for fine art. A born merchant, Lisa would set up a store in her bedroom as a child happily selling her “wares”. She was fascinated by the Beverly Hills gallery and the dealer, Michael Schwartz, who helped her father with his collection.

Fast forward to 2000…after receiving her MBA from Arizona State University, Lisa and her fiancé moved to Austin, completely unemployed. “It sounds crazy but the first time I saw the green water and the rolling hills I fell in love with this city. It was nothing like I imagined Texas would be. My husband, Chris is a software developer so Austin was a great fit for us. We bought a house, married and have two children.” Building a Dream that Transcends a Lifetime The Russell Collection Art Gallery

With a little research, Lisa quickly realized that Austin did not have a gallery carrying the museum quality, fine art she was passionate about and in 2002, she opened her first gallery at the Arboretum before moving to her current location at 1137 West 6th Street. Lisa rotates shows that focus on one artist with a diversity that ranges from pop artist Peter Max to contemporary Spanish artist Royo with her permanent collection which includes paintings by Impressionist Camille Pissarro and his descendants; Austin master sculptor Charles Umlauf; and master artists from Rembrandt to Matisse to Picasso. “From the beginning I have been totally committed to developing relationships with my clients and guiding them in developing collections they can completely enjoy. I love the idea of helping someone find a special piece-maybe discovering a new artist or finding a piece they missed out on. I will use all of my resources to find exactly what they are looking for. Serving my clients gives me great satisfaction. I want to know what makes them passionate about art. I know it sounds trite, but I absolutely love what I do.”

Fortunately for serious collectors passionate about art, Lisa Russell found a home in Austin and followed her dream of building collections of art that transcends a lifetime.

For more information go to: www.russell-collection.com

{1} Use chalkboard paint or a dry erase board to write reminders and daily notes. Draw a monthly calendar using different colored chalk for each family member to see everyone’s daily routine.

{2} Write each of your children’s names on separate 8×11 mailing envelopes and hang somewhere accessible. Use the envelopes as a daily in-and-out system to keep notes from teachers, permission slips and other important papers organized.

{3} Labeling helps little ones with reading and organization, and helps bigger kids (including yourself!) to remember to put things in their proper place. Library book basket, board game shelf, charity giveaway box: label it all.

{4} Hang a contact-covered chore chart listing responsibilities (laundry, dishes, take out trash) and use clothespins with family members’ names written on them to move up and down the chart, rotating jobs every week.

{5} Younger children learn visually and work best with routines; make a picture chart that goes up in their room showing the order of morning and evening: put on pajamas, brush teeth, read story, sing song, lights out.

{6} Preschool teachers rotate toys to keep the kids from getting bored. Keep a separate box of toys and games hidden away to pull out as a special solution for a rainy day.

{7} Keep an on-the-go toy and necessities kit in the car so you don’t have to go through the “what I need to remember” routine every time you leave the house.

{8} Stock “sleepover” kits in the kids’ closet. A bag with pajamas, toiletries, sleeping bag and stuffed animal will be ready to go for any overnight stays.

{9} Plan an untouchable “organization hour” every week. The biggest timesaver is preparation.