Russell Frank has been interested in art since he was young.  When he was 7 he won a national coloring contest with the grand prize of an all expense paid trip to Disneyland.  His talent has been apparent and acknowledged since early childhood.  He signs his pastel works with both Russell Frank and R D Frank signatures.  His pottery is signed with R D Frank Pottery or uses a "rdf" stamp ("rdf" enclosed in a box).

Born in Bakersfield, California, Russell attended Bakersfield High School, Bakersfield College and Cal State Northridge where he majored in Art, Ceramics and Woodworking.  Russell began his unique style of pastel drawings in 1968.  He began his own hand thrown pottery business in 1973 and has made many pieces of fine furniture and cabinets. Northern California and Africa provide an abundant resource of material for his pastel paintings of landscape, wildlife and waterfowl.  The drawings are done in dry pastel.  It takes approximately one hour per square inch to produce the realism that he looks for in his work.

Since 1990, Russell has been a member of Sacramento Potters Group: Northern California Art by Fire and Elk Grove Artists.  He joined Pastel Society of the West Coast in 2008.  He is now Membership Chair and Show Chair for both Sacramento Potters Group: Northern California Art by Fire and Elk Grove Artists.  Because of the need, in 2010 he assumed the duties of Secretary of the Pastel Society of the West Coast.

Some of the awards he has received can be viewed at Russell's Awards.