loader from loading.io

EP 35 : Rusty Russo - Neon in Excellence

Taming Lightning

Release Date: 01/21/2021

EP 62: Bright Ideas: Balancing Art and Career with Jacob Willcox show art EP 62: Bright Ideas: Balancing Art and Career with Jacob Willcox

Taming Lightning

Blog:  Instagram  Support on  Guest Instagram: Hello Lightning Tamers, Percy here, and this is episode number 62. In today's podcast, I'll be joined by Jacob Willcox a young and experienced neon bender, artist, and educator from Tacoma, Washington. Jacob's journey with glass and light began in 2012 through the Hilltop Artists program. He went on to earn his BFA with concentrations in glass and neon from Alfred University in 2021. Currently, Jacob works in sales at a sign shop, where he continues to blend his artistic insights with his professional role.   So, get...

info_outline
61: Exploring Light and Ephemeral Art with Alexander Groves of Studio Swine show art 61: Exploring Light and Ephemeral Art with Alexander Groves of Studio Swine

Taming Lightning

Blog:  Instagram  Support on  Guest: Instagram: Hello lightning Tamers this is episode number 61. And in today's podcast, I'll be joined by Alexander Groves one half of the duo known as Studio Swine. Alex and their partner Azuza Murakami had decided to make this arrangement to manage tending to the lovely family they are raising. Just incase anyone is wondering! Who are Studio Swine?  The SWINE in Studio Swine, an acronym for "Super Wide Interdisciplinary New Explorers," is a pioneering collective founded in 2011 by Azusa Murakami (JP) and Alexander Groves (UK). Their...

info_outline
EP 60 - Neon Primer with Kacie Lees show art EP 60 - Neon Primer with Kacie Lees

Taming Lightning

Blog:  Instagram  Support on  Guest: Instagram: and Hello lightning Tamers this is episode number 60. Today, we have the pleasure of diving into the fascinating world of light and art with the incredible Kacie Lees. Born in St. Louis in 1986, Kacie has emerged as a prominent figure in the art scene, leaving her mark in Brooklyn, Chicago, and Los Angeles. With a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York, Kacie's artistic journey is nothing short of inspiring. As a dedicated teaching artist at NYU and SAIC, in...

info_outline
EP 59:  Neon Insights: Alta Robbins' Valve Innovations with Greg Wilson show art EP 59: Neon Insights: Alta Robbins' Valve Innovations with Greg Wilson

Taming Lightning

Blog:  Instagram  Support on  Hello lightning Tamers this is episode number 59. And in today's podcast,, I'll be joined by Greg Wilson, the President of Alta Robbins, a leading provider of precision engineering solutions, known for their high quality valves. With a wealth of knowledge in valve engineering and a deep understanding of the needs of the neon industry, Greg is here to share his insights and expertise with us. Get ready for a deep dive into Alta Robbins valves, where we will learn Alta Robbins connection to Neon while understanding the intricacies one of the most...

info_outline
EP 58: Neon Glo with Adam Smo show art EP 58: Neon Glo with Adam Smo

Taming Lightning

Blog:  Instagram  Adam smo:  ig: Support on    Hello Lightning Tamers this is episode number 58. And in today's podcast, I'll be joined by Adam Smo Adam Smolesnky aka Adam Smo is a San Antonio-based glassblower known for working at the torch in borosilicate glass, he creates intricately detailed and colorfully crafted marbles, pendants, drinking glasses, pipes, and sculptures, and as of the recent few years has been diligently sharpening and pushing his skills in neon. Welcome back to the Podcast Adam! For our listeners, I met Adam back in 2019 on the 4th of July...

info_outline
EP 57: Kiln-formed Glass and Plasma with Mark Ditzler show art EP 57: Kiln-formed Glass and Plasma with Mark Ditzler

Taming Lightning

Blog:  Instagram  Mark Ditzler: Support on  In today's podcast, recorded July 2023, I'll be joined by Mark Ditzler. Who has been hospital in my visit to the seattle area, after the class I taught at Pilchuck this summer with Harriet Schwarzrock. Mark Ditzler is a trained industrial designer, ceramic artist, and self-taught fused glass expert based in Seattle. With over 30 years of experience, he crafts kilnformed glass for commissions and galleries, blending clay techniques seamlessly into his work. Mark has taught fusing classes both locally and nationwide, with a notable...

info_outline
EP 56: A Conversation on Conservation with Suzanne Hargrove of the Toledo Museum of Art show art EP 56: A Conversation on Conservation with Suzanne Hargrove of the Toledo Museum of Art

Taming Lightning

Episode Sponsored by , use promo code "LIGHTNING" for 10% off your first order. Blog: Instagram  Support on    In today's podcast, recorded August 13th, 2023, I'll be joined by Suzanne Hargrove former Head of Conservation at the Toledo Museum of Art in a Conversation on Conservation.   We met in February 2022 during my GAPP (Glass Artist Pavilion Project) Residency, and she had graciously set up the Paul Seide Radio Light from the Museum's collection. I have a wide interest in glass and gas-illuminated artwork, so I wanted to discuss Paule Seide’s Radio Lights ...

info_outline
EP 55: Under Vacuum with Angie McHale ft. Pat Gadzinski show art EP 55: Under Vacuum with Angie McHale ft. Pat Gadzinski

Taming Lightning

Episode Sponsored by Alta-Robbins   Blog:  Instagram  Support on  and  In today's podcast, recorded June 1st, 2023, I'll be joined by Angela McHale aka Angie aka Rose featuring Patrick Gadzinski. We just finishing up the week teaching at the Pittsburgh Glass Center in a class called Under Vacuum a Flameworking and plasma Intensive. We’ll get some insights into being an instructor or educator in the field of glass and plasma, nerd out about scientific glass, and discuss the challenges and learning opportunities found in workshops for professional practice. Music...

info_outline
EP 54: A Glowing Potential with Kate Herron show art EP 54: A Glowing Potential with Kate Herron

Taming Lightning

Episode Sponsored by Alta-Robbins   Blog:  Instagram  Support on  and    This is episode number 54. And in today's podcast, recorded May 18th, 2023, I'll be joined by Kate Herron on the second to last day teaching a workshop at the Toledo Museum of Art’s Glass Pavilion! We’ll talk with Kate and her experience making art through covid, what brought her to glass, Alfred University program and her introduction to Neon, teaching plasma at Toledo, and what’s next after getting her Masters in Fine Arts! Music Credits:  Preview - Retro by   The...

info_outline
EP 53: From Furnace to Flame - Pulling Neon Tubes with Ethan Samaha ft. Zach Layhew show art EP 53: From Furnace to Flame - Pulling Neon Tubes with Ethan Samaha ft. Zach Layhew

Taming Lightning

Blog:  Instagram  Support on  and    Hello Lightning Tamers! This is episode number 53. In today's podcast, recorded April 8th, 2023, I'll be joined by Ethan Samaha AGAIN and this time featuring Zach Layhew, where we talk about Ethan’s most recent residency at the Pittsburgh Glass Center. Here we talk about the application process for residency, Pulling Tubing for Neon: its challenges, Navigation color palettes, and the importance of residency when trying new ideas.   Welcome Back to the Podcast Ethan and Zach! Music Credits:  Preview - Retro...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

In today's podcast, I have Rusty Russo, who has been working and developing his skills in the area of Illuminated Glass Tubing for over 30 years in which he’s acquired an expert level proficiency in glass fabrication, vacuum tube processing, system design, and construction, leak detection, technical support, packaging design, and technical writing.

He’s also a Senior R+D Glass Blower for a Boston-based start-up specializing in energy-efficient inductively coupled soda-lime light bulbs.

 

From his beginning as a neon bender, he’s worked as a technical consultant for The EGL Co., a columnist for Signs of the Times Magazine, demonstrating artist and technical assistant for The Glass Art Society, and assistant instructor/visiting artist for various education facilities such as the Pittsburgh Glass Center, Penland School of Craft and Urban Glass.

Additionally A recognized industry authority on all phases of neon vacuum tube production. Having served as Co-Chairman of the ISA Research and Standards Committee on Neon Processing, where he co-created an internationally recognized standard for the processing of neon tubing. This provided a practical, teachable, repeatable solution to what had been a historically random intuitive process.

He currently works as a freelance technical consultant, and glass artist, conceptualizing and creating 3-dimensional sculpture using glass, light, and mixed media.

 I met Mr. Russo in the summer of  2018 during the Pittsburgh Glass Center’s first Plasma Workshop taught by Wayne Strattman and Mundy Hepburn where he assisted alongside Ander Mikkelsen. In the chaos of that class, Rusty was a grounding tether to the complexities of plasma and neon, someone who was very comfortable with meeting you at your level. He’s been such a great source of information and support in regards to troubleshooting and identifying components in the manifold, and helped provided confidence and guidance in my career development in technical consultation on several jobs.

Like many of the guests on this podcast, Rusty has a rich history and knowledge, and we barely scratch the surface of who Rusty is. Treat this as it is, an introduction, he’ll talk about the origins of his interest in neon, the influence of music and martial art on his practice and teaching philosophy, and his drive toward excellence through repetition, self-examination, and refinement.

Episode Show Notes

Music:

Intro: Boost by Joakim Karud

Intermission: Sunnyside by ONE

Outro: The Process by Lakey Inspired

 

www.Taminglightning.net