Russell "Klutch" Short

Russell Short's life was art. He lived by his own rules from start to finish; passing on June 8th, 2023 at the age of 61 from complications related to a brain aneurysm. He died knowing he was loved by an enormous community of fans and friends that were absolutely vital to him finding peace in the most vulnerable year of his life.

Born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on October 8th, 1961, to Jack Harrison Short and Dona Rae Townes Short, Russell's youth was unique. His parents were an incredible blend of artists, cowboys, hippies, and pioneers. Between living in an old schoolhouse without electricity, riding horses through town, and having a mother who filled Russell's and his younger brother, Mark Short's life with magic; Russell was destined to live an extraordinary life from day one.

Russell was a mama's boy. The sudden death of his mother when he was 12 years old devastated him and impacted his life tremendously. Her passing prompted Russell's father to seek a fresh start for himself and his two young boys by moving them to the Dakotas. They spent the next few years competitively riding bulls in rodeos all over the United States.

They lived a rough and tumble rodeo lifestyle and eventually moved to Missouri where Russell graduated High School in 1979. In high school, Russell started skateboarding and a journey of individuality and artistry. After high school, Russell moved to Tulsa, OK where he honed his artistic skills doing graffiti, learning screen printing, and ingraining himself in the punk scene.

Russell was a punk at heart and loved the way of life. He toured with NOTA as their merch guy and would randomly go on stage and perform with them. To this day he is referred to as "grandpa punk rock" or "the punk cowboy." Russell haphazardly became a pillar of the community, which annoyed him, so he picked up and moved to Austin, Texas.

Around 1988, Russell moved to San Francisco and somewhat upended his lifestyle by working as a corporate executive for an insurance firm in the Bay Area. It's a period when he leveraged his position to be awarded lavish snowboarding trips and generously shared the excursions and experiences with his closest friends. Russell was working, traveling, and creating art, all the while smoking bountifully and freely sharing.

Russell became disillusioned with his corporate lifestyle and quit his job to spend a year backpacking and snowboarding through Canada with hardly more than the gear on his back. He ended the trip and moved to Portland, Oregon where he decided to never return to corporate life and instead become a full-time artist without tethers to financial burdens. Russell hence became "Klutch" as we knew him.

Klutch to friends and peers, was a man who rode his own wave. He lived his way and no one could change that. He hated authority and loved controlled chaos. Klutch shared copious amounts of wisdom, humor, and stories with anyone who had the courage to reach out to him and had the time to listen. He mentored countless people who have said they owe their lives to him. He was respected in the graffiti world, punk world, skate world, art world, and in every group of friends he ever associated with. He was a legend and will forever be in our hearts.

Russell's art can still be seen all over the walls of Portland. His taste in color combinations and unique style stands out amongst other art. On Klutch's last day, he was unable to communicate, but for hours had his hand in the air, spray painting dots on a mural only he could see. He left this world doing exactly what he loved most - painting.

Russell "Rusty" "Klutch" Short is preceded by his mother Dona Rae Townes Short and father Jack Harrison Short. He is survived by his brother Mark Short; nephews Jesse, Cody, David, and Kent; and soul-siblings Traci Hunt and Josh Middleton.

Memorial - Sunday July 16th, 2023 at 2pm at The Goodfoot; 2845 SE Stark Street; Portland, Oregon