Russell Lives! is Eric Hancock's first solo exhibition of paintings in Los Angeles. The exhibition combines the painter's interest in the work of Fauvist masters like Matisse and Dufy with observation of his surroundings. The resulting works display both an airiness and a fullness that epitomizes the light and culture inherent to the city of Los Angeles. The title Russell Lives! refers to the artist's dog. Although absent from the paintings, Russell functions conceptually as a jumping off point to explore the nature of declaration and the uncertain links between mundane life, identity, and human observation.