Russell Owen Woody Jr.

Born in Madison Heights, Virginia on July 19,1934, Woody attended Madison Heights High School and Wake Forest University. He then served as an Air Force Medic in the Korean War, a subject that figured prominently in his early artwork.

Following his service, Woody attended the University of Florida at Miami, from which he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art. He then moved to Mexico City, where he earned a Masters in Fine Art at the University of Mexico. Woody began exhibiting his paintings and etchings soon afterward, and continued doing so into his late eighties. He was a frequent lecturer of note at Universities throughout North America and Europe.

Woody lived in SoHo in New York City, where he loved being part of the dynamic art scene in the 1970’s and 80’s, until his eventual non-retirement to Nokomis, Florida. He was the author of two books, Painting with Synthetic Media and Polymer Painting. When they were published, they were considered groundbreaking texts in the emerging field of acrylic painting. He received a lifetime achievement award from the National Art Materials Association for "his contributions to the world of fine art materials".

Woody is survived by his daughters Luranah (Alasdair) Polson, and Leona (Curt) Strong, as well as grandsons: Cameron (Bianca Farella) Polson; Duncan (Danielle) Polson and their sons Iver and Bodhrán; Lachlan (Olivia) Polson and their daughter, Hadley; Benjamin (Jen Harrop) Strong; Spencer (Eva) Strong; Ammon Strong; Ethan (Cassie) Strong; and Isaac Strong; and his first cousin, Connie Saunders.