“It is a constant dance between beauty and horror, between the honest line and the choices of exaggerated ones that make Rebecca Russo’s work something to hold on to. Whether it’s a dripping paint brush or a ball point pen the approach is always the same; an honest and intuitive reaction to something of need and curiosity, something so beautiful.”
Vogue Italia

The NJ based artist, Rebecca Russo, also known as cigarettesandkale, has carefully mastered her style of drawings; down to the left over finger prints and exposed paper edges. "There’s something about leaving my marks for the viewer, it lets them know I'm alive and I want them to see me. I want them to feel me ripping the page out of the sketchbook. It’s a moment in time that I'm trying to make last forever; one long signature" 

Her vulnerable scribbles, "honest lines", and reckless marks are balanced with a wonder and sincerity, a soft sheer chaos. It’s almost impossible, yet the viewer feels a sense of freedom and safety within these manic drawings. Her curious, empathetic approach to her subject matter make her work authentic and raw.

 Russo graduated in 2008 with a BFA, with a focus on painting and installation work. She has been mainly drawing smaller works with pen since 2008 and has collectors all over the world.