Like any working artist, Russ' originals are valued based on the vision and quality of the work, reputation of the artist, demand by collectors and previous sales figures, as well as more ordinary factors such as size, subject matter and complexity. Russ' large-scale studio recreations of yachting and racing life require months of work, and only a few each year are produced. Keen observers of contemporary American marine art have noted the surprisingly short time that Russ has been painting and the steep rise in the value of his originals.