Do you believe in Magic?

Hey friend,

We’re all going to do something fun for Halloween and I’m looking forward to seeing you there.

If you’ve been to one of my shows before, you know what to expect.

If not, things are about to get a whole lot more interesting.

My advice is to roll the dice, take a risk, and get your friends together before you head out to party.

Come as you are, fancy dress encouraged.

Will I look stupid?

Dear friends,

It’s 94 days until Halloween, and my first show in London. This will be my fifth show, but it’s the first time I’ve done any form of marketing for it (normally I just text a bunch of people a week before). This is also my first year taking social media seriously.

If I’m honest, it terrifies me.

Art is tough. I’m making things that try to talk to people I don’t know, on a level that makes me feel vulnerable. This is how I see the world, and over the last 30 years, I’ve realized my view is unusual. But I believe in it, I believe in what it has given me and my friends so far, and what I believe we have met so I can now work for you.

I began sharing what I’m doing on social media because I believe what I can see is helpful for you too. When I look at the world, I see something out there that wants to make us feel bad about who we are and what we see in the mirror. It removes our freedom to feel good about ourselves and grow in the way we deserve, and I believe the only way for us to stop them is by working together.

Everyone I know in the art world says the same thing: “This will cheapen your work,” “You’ll look like one of those TikTok creators,” “Social media people don’t appreciate art.” I think otherwise. I think we’re all looking for answers, trying to connect over something that we can’t quite describe.

I believe art is where those answers live.

But art is fragile. It is delicate and needs to be protected. It’s like a kitten—curious and full of love, but hiding to stay safe. Art stays hidden from view to protect the magic inside of it. When you get the chance to experience it, art can be overwhelming. Some don’t believe in the magic and can be cruel. Others just want to look at things that make them feel good, so when they see something raw, they become scared. Others are intimidated by the meaning behind it, and it makes them feel stupid. So, we as artists keep it hidden.

For the past five years, my rule has been that the right people will find me, and it has worked well so far. Thanks for finding me, I hope I’m able to share the same magic with you as all those before you.

There is a magic to real art, and if you’ve lived with authentic pieces in your home, you’ll know what I mean. They are transformative. Some of that magic brings the right people through the door. Some of it stays with the work when it leaves the protection of my world. But the majority of it leaves with the people who connect with the work.

I will never forget the look of gratitude from someone leaving my last show in London with a tear rolling down their cheek. The gentleness of the nod, the agreement that we didn’t need to speak about it, and the content feeling that we may never see each other again. IYKYK.

For some reason, we stopped feeling some of these things. Maybe because someone said that’s what we’re supposed to do. For me, for a long time, it was because I thought I’d look stupid. That they aren’t real and that if I let anyone know I’m feeling them, I’m crazy. Maybe I am. But what I do know is how I feel when I see something beautiful: a little piece of me clicks into place, a tear rolls down my cheek, and I become a little bit stronger.

I’m looking forward to showing you how deep the rabbit hole goes.

Nothing but love,

Russ

Installations

Last week I tried to see if I could get a group of random people to become friends by giving them a game to play.

@russjones

The winner answered the question, “If you could change anything about your life right now, what would you change?” All I want is more time... See more

IG Video coming soon. I’m working on the format in both spaces, if you want to chat in the comments leave a 💄 with your comment and I’ll know you’re part of the team.

Mirrors

I have some good news and bad news

Good News

I’m making more.

The next available mirrors will be released next newsletter. If you want to get the newsletter before anyone else share this edition with a friend using the link before.

Bad News

I’m only releasing one.

I tried my hardest to make a small collection, but I have to be honest with myself as an artist, I don’t like prints and I don’t like editions. I try to put my heart and soul into everything I do, but as soon as it starts turning into a production line, a part of me that is far less creative and way more boring takes over.

So next week there will be one mirror, and the week after, another.

If you want access before everyone else, share this newsletter with a friend.

To the 35 owners of the first few drops. If your friends want one, send me a DM for queue skip.

You’ll both get access 24h before and a nice shout-out from me next week.

Reading List

Here’s what I’m reading and consuming this week.

 🔊 #063 B - A few years ago a close friend showed me this cool trick with playlisting his life, I stole it and I’m now on album #063. Every morning I wake up and play music, the music turns off when I go to sleep. These playlists are the best of what I find every week

🪩 Flute Rooftop, Soho - New hotel bar and Rooftop, classy, beautiful, and will make you feel like a million dollars. Book it a few weeks in advance with your friends, dress up, and have a blast. Mention my name when you get there for special service.

📖 God or Space: what difference does it make [rewiring human perception of time] - Watches helped us become productive, now we’re productive, how do we enjoy the new time we have? It’s a short read with a lot of punch. Good for the beach or the train, or if you want to feel poetic take it to a coffee shop.

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