It was a five-man operation to lay out the screen during Russell Young's (standing top right in green) opening at Bagatelle. Photos by John Wegorzewski

New York City - Artist Russell Young, who made a huge splash in the Hamptons this summer at Stephan Keszler's Southampton gallery with his oversized portraits of iconic celebrities from James Dean to Jim Morrison to Elizabeth Taylor, pulled out all the stops last week at Meatpacking District hot spot Bagatelle for an up-front and personal demonstration of his creative work.

Artist Russell Young, Penny Guttman, Stephan Keszler and David Gamble.

The savvy Keszler, who also maintains an Upper East Side gallery, chose Bagatelle, a mecca for international scenesters as the perfect place to show off Young's frenetic creative process. He was definitely spot on, the restaurant was packed with a gorgeous looking, well-heeled crowd from all corners of the globe.

While models and investment banker types watched, the main dining room was cleared of all tables and chairs and a troop of assistants laid out the enormous canvases for Young to wield his magic. Just getting the canvases and the screen print frame through the fashionably dressed crowd was a feat in itself!

Once in place, Young whipped out his tools and paints and began yet another step in the creation of his mesmerizing portraits. The crowd, more used to cocktail party chitchat, went silent as the painting took on another life under the skilled hands of the British artist. What finally emerged were stunning images - including a portrait of President Barack Obama. Fans of Young's work might remember the powerful display of three Obama portraits in Stephan Keszler's Main Street, Southampton window celebrating his election. When Russell put down his tools the jaded club audience cheered wildly.

Marketing guru Christopher Arnold, who was with Keszler and Young at Miami's Scope Art Fair this December, remembers a similar reaction from the huge crowd of collectors and curators at Scope. "It was amazing. With all the art events going around town, word got out that Russell was going to create a work on the spot in full view of the public. And suddenly we were overrun with TV crews from everywhere - Japan, Saudi Arabia, Germany - you name it." Despite the meager sales for many of the galleries showing, thanks to the recession, "Russell sold - and sold well," said Keszler.

The crowd watches as the art is put into place.

At Bagatelle, the 'seen it all' crowd was totally enthralled with not only Russell's speed but his incredible style of transforming an iconic image into something well beyond the original. Said one viewer with a tone of awe in his voice, "He transformed that picture of Obama into something other worldly, almost spiritual." Little wonder that he has risen to become one of the most collected and sought after artists around. Celebrities and collectors, whether first-timers or seasoned collectors, have added Russell's works to their collections. His larger than life screen print images from figures in popular culture are compelling and exude the charisma of their subjects.

Young's career began two decades ago as a celebrity photographer in the U.K.. One of his first assignments was photographing pop star George Michael for the album cover "Faith." That job established Russell's talent leading to shoots with Morrissey, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and more. His command of the camera led him into music video direction resulting in over 100 videos for MTV. Ten years into his career Young began painting, but his work remained private until 2003. Young revealed his first series of screen prints titled "PIG" with mug shots of film and music icons at a Los Angeles gallery which was a complete sell-out.

Michaela Keszler and Silke Steinberg watch art come to life.

In recent years, Russell collaborated with rock photographer Henry Diltz who allowed him full access to his extensive archives of black and white photographs chronicling rock history from the late 1960s and 1970s - brilliant and candid images of Jimi Hendrix at the Hollywood Bowl, Jim Morrison in concert, Pete Townsend smashing his guitar, and the Rolling Stones featuring Steven Stills on keyboards. Illuminating Diltz's photographs as only Russell can, he created masterworks on canvas.

Says Russell, "My work is sort of a soundtrack to my life, loves, experiences and influences. My method of working is to search, destroy and create."

There is little destruction evident in his latest series, "Diamond Dust" which Hamptonites experienced last year at Keszler's Southampton gallery. For this collection, Young silkscreened black and white images from vintage Hollywood photos, and painted over them with Swarovski crystals. The effect is both arresting and somber - a dusting of glitz over dark and gray.

After accepting kudos from the attendees, Russell and the crowd settled in for a little sample of the culinary creations of Bagatelle's Chef Nicolas Cantrel, who has worked at Ducasse and Daniel, and now runs the kitchen at this modern French bistro in the meatpacking district. Since Cantrel's arrival with his imaginative spins on classic French cuisine, Bagatelle has become a mecca for both art world scenesters, and Chelsea's hottest galleries are within walking distance, as well as serious foodies looking to enjoy themselves at this very loud but very good eatery.

Russelll Young's "Revolver" in mid-stage of Young's process.