Despite this success, the loss of a pension, which he had been planning to use for studies in Italy, caused his financial situation to become unstable and he had to return to portrait painting.

Ruß was engaged and accompanied him on hikes throughout Styria; making sketches and finding motifs for his favorite types of art.

His most important commission involved a series of watercolors, depicting the native costumes of that region; from the bourgeoisie to the peasants.

Later, the folklorist, Viktor Geramb [de], included many of Ruß' images in his definitive book on Styrian costumery (Steirisches Trachtenbuch, 1932).

Once again, he was able to find patrons, including some in France, and had a busy career, with a constant stream of commissions.