Art is Life

Russell Frantom (born Russell James Frantom IV, South Bend IN. 1991) Is an American Visual Artist (painter) poet (writing books and poems daily) event organizer (See Bizarre Coterie) and a Public Speaker mainly based in the midwest and Chicago area. 

Frantom has exhibited his work, publicly spoken, and participated in events in galleries, museums, festivals and events, pop up shows and more across the United States since 2010. He has sold his artwork to collectors across the World. 

Frantom's first solo art exhibit / reception happened in 2010 and was titled the faces of death

For the last several years, Russell Frantom has primarily worked in the Chicago area. 

Russell has won at least one award for his artwork during his time as a painter. He has also publicly spoken at universities. 

From 2012 to 2019 (before permanently relocating), Russell Frantom was a prominent artist and figure in his hometown of South Bend Indiana, most notably bringing local artists and the like together for sometimes large scale events that often donated to local charities and businesses. He participated with the south bend museum of art & the century center, make south bend art gallery, mosaic art gallery, art beat and more within his home city- once having a focus on helping other artists in obtaining affordable opportunities that made a difference. 

From 2012 through 2014 Russell Frantom organized and participated in art events at The State Theatre in downtown South Bend IN. Giving opportunities to local artists, donating to local businesses, and assembling events that drew crowds in the low thousands. .

In 2017, Artist Russell Frantom presented the Mayor of South Bend (Pete Buttigieg) artwork during his time working as an artist in the Michiana / South Bend area. 

In 2018 and 2019, Russell Frantom participated in two solo art exhibitions in Jacksonville Florida. 

In the early months of 2025, Frantom was caught in controversy in the town he was staying in (Mishawaka IN) for finding himself at the scene of a tragic and deadly train accident near where he was staying. He collected a small amount of blood from the scene after authorities had left- thoroughly documenting the situation and then subsequently selling the artwork to a private collector in Chicago. Frantom has stated that he regrets the incident. 

In September of 2025, Frantom again was the focus of a controversial incident in which he was credited for faking his own death. Russell Frantom says all he did was create a fake obituary- and then others created a "find a grave" and the event went viral on the internet, Subsequently resulting in the local police showing up for a wellness check with Frantom. He claims an unknown member of his family was admitted to a psychiatric hospital as a result during this time. The situation was subsequently also addressed after it was confirmed Frantom was still Alive.