Biography

David A. Nelson, Artist

David A. Nelson was born on November 11, 1947 in Pulaski, Tennessee.  Pulaski is a small town in the Middle Tennessee area approximately 65 miles south of Nashville. 

David was the second of four boys and during his early school years, he experienced learning difficulties primarily attributable to some learning disabilities.  However, he also exhibited a very strong talent for art with a special interest in landscape and still-life scenes.  As he would put it, “when I was about thirteen (13) years old, I got serious about my artwork.”

In 1968 David joined the Army and served for two years including a tour in Vietnam.  After completing his military service, David elected to pursue his art career by completing two years of training at the former William Gephardt Commercial Art & Design School, once located on the corner of 7th Street and Main Street in downtown Cincinnati.  During his formal training, David studied still-life painting, portrait painting, sculpture and photography.  He has used many art mediums over the years (e.g. oil paintings, watercolors), but in the past 15 years or so, he prefers pastels to bring his unique art works to life. 

As a fine artist, David currently serves on the housekeeping staff at the Cincinnati Museum where he enjoys working in the Museum environment.  After many years of completing numerous art works, David recently decided he wants to make his works available to those who appreciate his form of art.      

As a Cincinnati-based artist, David’s drawings continue to capture beautiful nature scenes.  He also incorporates the human element by showing youthful relationships when many of us had very few cares ..... other than those of the “heart”.  One could say  David is in the business of creating unique scenes that allow his customers to reflect on many great memories that will last for generations to come.  

We hope you will come to appreciate the artworks displayed in his premier edition that reflects years of dedicated work and commitment to his love of art. 

John R. Nelson, Publisher

John R. Nelson was born on May 17, 1952 in Pulaski, Tennessee.  Pulaski is a small town in the Middle Tennessee area approximately 65 miles south of Nashville. 

As the youngest son in the Nelson family, John has watched his brother, David, grow and develop as an artist.  For decades, John had encouraged David to consider forming a business to offer his art work to the public.  In the spring of 2007, David finally agreed to become a business artist; however, there was one stipulation, he wanted John to be the publisher and manger of their new art publishing business. 

While it is impossible to have a perfect 100% split in the division of responsibilities, the partnership is a natural business formation.  John had coined a name for their business over 15 years ago using each of their middle names.  John’s middle name is “Russell” and David’s is “Alden”, thus the company name RussAlden Publishing, LLC.  As John says, “it feels like our business was destined to be”.  In January of 2000, John was given an opportunity to transfer to Cincinnati, Ohio to live in the same city with his older brother.  As John says, “this was the final piece of the puzzle to allow everything to come together to make our business formation a reality.” 

John was a very dedicated student throughout his formal education years.  He acquired his BS in Political Science and his Masters in Public Administration from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  As he acquired work experience in corporate America, he later obtained his CPA certification (Certified Public Accountant) and his license as a general contractor in Residential and Commercial Construction.  John has always believed in helping low- to- moderate income people acquire decent and affordable housing. 

John has spent essentially his entire career in the Paper Industry with a very rewarding career with a major corporation for nearly 32 years.  During his career he got to learn a lot about the printing business from his engineering and scientist co-workers.  In fact, RussAlden’s digital photographer and printer for their Gicle¢e reproductions is John’s former co-worker.  Even though John has worked in Human Resources throughout his professional career, to somewhat satisfy his entrepreneurial spirit, he has also run a home-based businesses involving construction to direct mail marketing.  

Both David and John have pursued regular careers for basically all of their lives.  It is now a great challenge and opportunity to do something they both feel is more of a life’s mission rather than just a job to pay the bills.  As John says, “our mother would be proud of what we are trying to do now regardless of how much financial success we may or may not attain”. 

Both David and John truly hope the art community will come to appreciate the artworks displayed in David’s premier edition that reflects years of dedicated work and commitment to David’s love of art.  And the good part is, there is more to come.