Before digital, Russell worked around Manhattan as a freelance commercial artist with rapidograph pens, x-acto knife and t-square. His skills in design, illustration, hand lettering, building comps. and production, kept him very busy working for large and small corporations, advertising agencies and design firms. Working in these various situations broadened his skills and knowledge of the commercial business of image and brand building. Besides working on individual projects, He spent many years developing brands for Colgate-Palmolive, Elizabeth Arden, Avon, Harman International and others.

As Russell mastered the Adobe graphic programs, photography and retouching became his focus. For the last decade, the Harman Consumer Group, subsidiary of Harman International, has kept him very busy honing his photography and retouching skills. Brands included Harman/Kardon, JBL, Infinity, Revel, Audio Access, and Mark Levinson.

Russell's goal is to collaborate with progressive companies in creating their brand images and communications. Along with his creative and production skills, He is fully equipped with the latest software, technology, and digital camera formats. Russell is ready to take-on the most demanding and challenging of projects in the studio or on location.