Russ was born and raised in Ipswich, Suffolk, England, the heart of Constable country. From the age of 11, he attended Saturday morning classes at the Ipswich School of Art for 4 years, after which he apprenticed in the pattern-making trade for five years. In 1963, he and his wife emigrated to Edmonton, Canada. From 1977 to 1978, Russ attended classes in watercolours at the University of Alberta Faculty of Extension. Russ has been painting in watercolour and acrylic for most of his fine art career. For the past 12 years, he has been an instructor in the watercolour medium with Continuing Education. He is a Signature member of the Society of Western Canadian Artists and is also a member of the Artists Borealis Group in Edmonton.