Wood Sculpture.

Russ is a southern California native with a love for the sea. In his early 20's, Russ lived in a small shack he hand-built on the north shore of Kauai where he surfed and collected pukka shells. His respect for the natural beauty of the shells translated into a business venture which led to pioneering pukka shell jewelry to Southern California in the early - 70s.

Since moving to Laguna Beach, Russ has incorporated the natural beauty of driftwood into his art. Driftwood is a result of the ever changing makeup of the northwestern coastal forests. As generations of trees succumb to time, rivers deliver the wood to the sea where it's sculpted by the tide's ebb and flow.

Russ personally selects driftwood from the beach which has been sculpted and polished by the sea. Using nature's final product, the driftwood is hand crafted into sculptures, mosaics and seaside décor. He considers driftwood a gift from the sea and respects its natural beauty when he transforms it into organic art. Russ also utilizes accents of seashells and sea glass in his art. The seashells and sea glass are also hand selected on the beach by the artist.

As a Laguna Beach resident, Russ is inspired by the beauty and creative vibe of the charming, seaside artist colony and its magical coastline.