It is the artist's second trip to the continent to find venomous snakes, and says it is his own personal way to combat A.I.
(PRUnderground) March 21st, 2026
Artist Russell Frantom (Painter), known for the Odd and Controversial, Is Embarking on an Ambitious Expedition to South Africa: To capture the Beauty and Danger of some of the World’s Deadliest Snakes through Photography and Painting.
Chicago, Illinois- March 21st 2026- Russell Frantom, a painter long known for the controversial and unusual, but frequently paints animals, has a surprising personal hands-on approach to what he says is an “ever growing fear of A.I. in art communities” Snakes. Frantom says he is a life long snake hobbyist and traveling to Africa for the second time to find and paint different snakes is his own way to combat what feels like a dominating digital age. His solution is incorporating something physical into his work moving forward, and his personal approach is snakes. Deadly ones.
He announced on his public instagram account that he intends to make the second trip, as he claims the first time he was too far north in Tunisia to find the species (specifically, the black mamba) that he wanted to locate.
During the multi-week expedition, Frantom will collaborate with experienced snake handlers and local guides to ethically observe, photograph and then finally make artwork of species including the black mamba, the boomslang and the cape cobra.
“These snakes are among nature’s most extraordinary works of art – like living sculptures of color. I have been handling venomous snakes since I was a teenager, and this expedition is the thrill of a life time, and it really is a much needed escape after a pretty terrible couple of years. I saw everyone in all the arts circles I am in complaining about A.I. and then I thought how could I start embracing the physical and the things I love into my art moving forward, because everyone seems so concerned about what they feel is a domineering digital age, and I know as a life long artist that A.I. isn’t leaving.. So basically I thought, I’m going out to catch the World’s deadliest snakes to paint them. That’ll be my own personal response” says Frantom. “To get back out into nature”.
All handling and close encounters will be conducted with strict safety protocols, including expert supervision, antivenom availability, and adherence to local wildlife guidlines. Frantom further states that he wants 100% sales of his resulting artwork from the expedition to be donated to a wildlife and or reptile charitable cause or organization.
Russell Frantom has been an unexpected force within the midwest arts scene for years. He has traveled the United States since 2010 showing his artwork in galleries, events, festivals and more. He frequently paints large and colorful mixed media paintings of animals as he is a lifelong animal lover. Having had a troubled juvenile past, he has spent his entire adult life living as an artist and trying to show others how art can change lives.
He is set to make the trip to South Africa this August for several weeks and then plans on returning to do art events.
About Pyramid Art Gallery
Pyramid Art Gallery represents a diverse and unique selection of artists mainly from the Chicago area.
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Original Press Release.
