Tucson, Arizona, is well known as a mecca for artists. The city is home to up-and-coming musicians and photographers, as well as those who create using a canvas, clay, or glass. Many Tucson residents know that Jon Russell fits into the musician category, as he is the lead singer of Stands with Fists.
But his fans may not realize that he is also a glass artist. Russell has been glass blowing for nine years now. He loves working with glass because it gives him an opportunity to do something creative. His work is greatly admired by friends, and by others within the glass community.
Ashtrays and smoking-related devices are some of the most popular items Russell creates. Some of the pieces depict skeletal faces with devil horns, or disembodied eyes. One ashtray has an Egyptian figure on it. On another ashtray, a face appears that resembles a distorted version of Spider-Man.
The pieces range from $50 to $1000. The items in the higher price range represent the more complicated pieces that take longer to make, such as one called “Albert Einstein’s Brain” (pictured here). This particular item took four to five hours to make. Simpler pieces may take only one hour.
Some of Russell’s work has even made it into the hands of famous people. Russell and several others contributed to making a custom piece for the band Sepultura. They were able to give the item to Sepultura when they passed through Tucson on a tour. A few glass artists, including Russell, also
presented a custom piece to the band Fear Factory.
Russell has also taken part in the Arizona Project (AZP) for some time now. The Arizona Project brings Arizona glass artists together to raise money for charities. These artists will donate their time and effort to make items that can be auctioned for particular charities. When AZP held an event last November at Tucson’s Franticus Glass Studio, the money raised at that time was donated to Integrative Touch for Kids.
Russell’s glass work can be found at the Moon Smoke Shop or Space Smoke Shop in Tucson.