Born in Cedar City, Utah, Russell was heavily influenced to paint by his father–an accomplished painter and artist in his own right, who spent most of his career as a graphic illustrator for the federal government. In High School and throughout Russells years of formal studies, his audience of influence grew. At Snow College, in rural Central Utah, Osral Allred and Carle Purcell helped guide his brush forward as he continued in study at Utah State University, beginning in the 80s. Professors Harrison Groutage, Everett Thorpe, Gaell Lindstrom, Moishe Smith and Glenn Edwards powered the art department by their classical passion for art, fueling Russells passion and confidence that would later outway the risks of pursuing painting full-time.
It was from there that Russell made his living as a watercolor artist. Nearly thirty years later in 1999 he transitioned into oil paints that would prove to accelerate his career and the demand for his work.
Case paints directly from the created landscape, trying to record color and light. And his studio compositions are derived from thoughts recorded outdoors. The philosophy of his work leans to that of Robert Henri–to paint the emotions and the inner poetry of the subject, not to merely be bound by literal translations. Russell tries to record with direct strokes, the composition, color and emotion that he finds.