The Fezziwig News by Stu Jenks

The new www.stujenks.net...

There will soon be a new Stu Jenks website that'll include a store, galleries, books, etc. Just a teaser here, the front webpage for the gallery section designed by Gail Cross of DID Designs.

We'll keep you posted. Literally.

...from a 1978 Chapel Hill Newspaper article...

...written about a person they called The Spray Paint Prankster. That would be me. Photographer unknown. He worked for the paper. This photograph was taken inside the Chapel Hill Police Station after I turned myself in...

To know more, buy the book.

"Garden Of Airy Delights" by Flam Chen

"Garden Of Air Delights by Flam Chen (with The Missing Parts) at Barrio Brewing Company's Tea Room, May 17th, 2012, Tucson, Arizona" (c) 2012 Stu Jenks

Flam Chen playing with their food.

Would have liked to have tasted that fiery dessert but I was busy at the time.

Thanks to Paul for the all access pass, and to the owners and managers of Barrio Brewing for letting me shoot from behind the bar.

 

"The Shifting Light" now on Apple's iBooks...

After a long wait, The Shifting Light: A selection of sixteen stories taken from The Transpersonal Papers: 1861-2010; Flame Spirals; Bozo In Love; Hoop Dancing; and Dementia Blues is now available on Apple's iBooks. It's also available on Barnes & Nobles Nook and on Amazon's Kindle.

And best of all, it's only $2.99. I'm very happy with this sampler and it includes an introduction written by mythic fiction author Charles de Lint. Thank you, Charles.

P.S. Apologies to those who don't have digital access. The Shifting LIght isn't yet available as an analog book book, but hopefully someday.

 

 

"Scipio Sinclair"

"Scipio Sinclair, Utah" (c) 2012 Stu Jenks

"Century Plant Sunset"

"Century Plant Sunset, Arizona" (c) 2012 Stu Jenks

More chapter-heading-images for Novel SZ

Novel SZ is the super-secret public working-title for my novel. I'm about 1/4 ways through the revision. At first, I wasn't enjoying the rewrite but I really am now. I'm on a mission here, to produce a piece of work that will be helpful to others. That's all I can say for now. Below are some graphic-pen images that may be used as chapter-heading-images for Novel SZ. And for what it's worth, after the rewrite, Novel SZ goes to an editor for notes, then to a line editor for proofing, and then to press at Fezziwig Press. My plan is to print it hardbound and as an ebook. I much prefer hardbound books but ebooks is where the money is, or so they say. Anywho, enjoy these teaser images.

"Blue Window"

"Blue Window, Arivaca, Arizona" (c) 2012 Stu Jenks

I really hate HDR (High Dynamic Range) Photography. Can't stand it. I know it's popular and all, but it's too much like a big orange drink to me. I prefer unsweetened tea. I say that, for the blue you see in the above image was there when I shot it. Just the beauty of the reflected late afternoon light inside a burned-up house. No fiddling. Now the photo below is fiddled with, a graphic, full-black-full-white image to be used as a chapter-heading for my new novel (I can't afford to print the novel in four colors, so only black and white graphic images in it. Plus black and whites work better given the subject matter. You'll see.) But the above image is simply the product of good Arizona light on a nice day. Here endeth the sermon.

 

"Saguaro Window"

"Saguaro Window, Sonoran Desert, Arizona" (c) 2012 Stu Jenks

For the fairie folk in Atlanta, Raleigh, Ottawa and Chagford. Y'all know who you are.

"Monument Valley Road, Utah"

"Monument Valley Road, Utah" (c) Stu Jenks 2012

As seen in numerous automobile commercials, the iconic U.S. Highway 163.

This one goes out to William Todd-Jones. Sorry I missed you when you were in The States. Next time.

"Tehachapi Loop Hoop Dance"

"Tehachapi Loop Hoop Dance, California" (c) 2012 Stu Jenks

Y'all know how much I love the Tehachapi Loop. And I've done hoop dances all over, don't you know. About time I did a hoop dance near a very large man-made hoop.

And again, I'm attempting to make something new and old at the same time, echoing back to William Morris and the Arts & Crafts Movement yet building of the SFX of current modern aesthetics.

"Almond Orchard Star Circle"

"Almond Orchard Star Circle, California" (c) 2012 Stu Jenks

Again, going for a cross between the British Aesthetics and the Arts & Crafts Movement of the 19th Century and the American Contemporaries of the 21st.

And I love serendipity, that Dada moment where the meteorite crosses near The North Star during shooting. Blessed accidents.

"Finger Rock Star Circle"

"Finger Rock Star Circle, Tucson, Arizona" (c) 2012 Stu Jenks

Back to shooting with film for a while. I do love my Rolleis. And those dotted lines are airplanes on their final approach to Pheonix Sky Harbor, a hundred miles to the north.

I know, as Mike Birbiglia would say.

And you all know how much I hate ArtSpeak but I am trying here and in some future images, to make photographs that look both old and new at the same time, both Pre-Raphealite and Post-Post-Modern. I think this one works that way, with the plane trails, the saguaros and the sepia tones. But what do you think?

"179 Sunrises" by Ignas Kutavicius

"179 Sunrises" by Ignas Kutavicius (c) 2012 (Exposure: 2011.06.27 - 2011.12.23 in Kaunas, Lithuania)

I bought this print today at Photographic Works' Curious Camera Show. Stunning work, and personally, those six months last year when this image was shot, were tough for me, but the Earth still circles the Sun and this image helps me to remember that. To see more of Ignas' work, go to his website. Below are his words.

"Solargraphy is a very primitive and simple technique to take extremely long exposure photos of the Sun's movement. To make this possible you need a pinhole camera made from a lightproof can or box, a sheet of light sensitive photo paper and a tiny hole instead of a lens. Then the camera is placed somewhere in the city away from curious eyes and being kept up to 6 months (sometimes even longer). Later the exposed sheet of paper is taken from the camera in a dark room and scanned as a negative. Surprisingly the resulting images are color even when a monochrome photo paper is used. During the exposure movement of the Sun is fixed (bright lines). From the photograph you can even tell what days were cloudy – short cuts in the Sun-traced lines are made by clouds covering the Sun."-Ignas Kutavicius

"Prayer For The Hopi Clowns" on this week's Hearts Of Space

Good news: "Prayer for the Hopi Clowns", off my new CD Deaths And Injuries, is featured on this week's Music From The Hearts Of Space show.

Check your local public radio listings or listen to it (not for free) at Hearts Of Space, www.hos.com. Usually HOS broadcasts on Sunday nights on many NPR stations. Sadly, here in Tucson we don't receive the show anymore but you all in Prescott, Show Low, Page, and Flagstaff do. And across the country and world.

Again, thanks, Stephen Hill and Steve Davis for playing some of my work on this week's show.

Look for the show entitled "Floating Waves"

The State of Hate and Extremism in American

Photographs from "The State of Hate and Extremism in American" on Monday, April 16th, 2012 at the Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts, sponsored by the Southern Poverty Law Center. (c) 2012 Stu Jenks

(From top to bottom: Richard Cohen, President, Southern Poverty Law Center; Don Logan, Diversity Activist; Gerda Klein, 2010 Recipient of Presidential Medal of Freedom, and subject of "One Survivor Remembers".; and Morris Dees, Founder, Southern Poverty Law Center.)

Google any and all of the names above, or click on the links to the film or to the Center.

I need to rewrite my will to make it simpler to administer. (I've learned a few things about wills in the past year. My will is a bit of a nightmare right now. I'm OK, my health's fine, but I don't want to leave a mess for my executor.) In the new will, I'm going to bequeath 5% of my assets to the Center. You might want to, as well. Just a thought.

Fun fact from the night: I saw a photo of a Klan leader that the Center successfully sued. (The KKK and other hate and 'patriot' groups despise the SPLC because they take their money, their land and their stuff and then give the assets to the victim's families.) On the side of the Klansman's head were tattooed two words: Fuck SPLC. Donate as you can.

Red: A Juried Invitational

Today, Red: A Juried Invitational formally opens at Etherton's Temple Gallery. Click on this link to take you to Etherton's webpage promoting the show. Reception is from 5:30 to 7:30 today. Show will be up until June 1st, 2012.

My photograph Bozo & Bozette At Point Reyes, California is in the show.

And to those of you who have bought my book Bozo In Love, thank you so much for your financial support. It puts a roof over my head, gas in my car and food in my belly.

And for those of you who are creeped out by clowns, I hear you. I know a lot of people hate clowns. I understand.

Can I interest us you perhaps in a flame spiral book or a hoop dancing book or perhaps a nice CD of soothing music. (Shameless promotional grin.)

Come by tonight. It's a great show Etherton Gallery has juried.

And Happy Friday The Thirteen. It's usually my lucky day.

Stu Jenks' Studio BR-549 by Jeff Smith

I've taken a number of good photographs of my studio, but none are better than this one taken by Jeff Smith, last Maundy Thursday.

Three tracks from 'Deaths & Injuries' were recorded at BR-549.

Thanks, Jefe. You are a very good man and a very good artist.

Chugwater Train...

"Chugwater Train, Wyoming" (c) 2012 Stu Jenks

Old & New Oil...

"Old & New Oil, New Mexico" (c) Stu Jenks 2012

Wyoming Oil & Natural Gas & Antelopes Too...

"Wyoming Oil & Natural Gas & Antelopes Too..." (c) 2012 Stu Jenks

From Thursday's 'Deaths & Injuries' CD Release Party...

Thanks to all who attended my CD release party on Maundy Thursday, supporting my new album Deaths & Injuries. A good time, I believe, was had by all. And if you want to see and hear a couple of the songs played that evening, just go to the StuTube and you'll find them there. I only played (or rather sang) one song from Deaths & Injuries. Watching me play atmospheric music is as entertaining as grass growing, plus it was a lot of fun to sing some old songs to everyone. I was a bit pitchy but I sang with commitment (LOL.)

And many thanks to Jeff Smith for pics and some vid, and to Kathleen Dreier for pics too. (Kathleen's pics have her watermark. All unmarked images here are by Jeff Smith.) And thanks to Laura for providing the wonderful spread of food for the occasion.

I can't thank everyone enough. Again, if you want to hear me play a Mike Ness song, a Buddy and Julie Miller song, and Man Of Constant Sorrow, just click on this link.

And Happy Bunny Day and Happy Passover. Prayers all around.

Morley Safer on Contemporary Art

I've been saying this for years. Decades. It's not sore grapes on my part. I make money. Some. I just wish it was any type of grape. Just something grape-like: tasty, sweet, refreshing, with real fiber and good for you too. But no. It's not. Contemporary Art isn't good for you anymore.

One point Morley does explicitly makes in this great 60 Minutes piece is that this is where the super-rich, the .01%, or the .001%, spend their extra cash.

Christ, Daddy Warbucks, donate half of what you spend in Miami to your local Salvation Army, will you?

Did that art dealer just use the word 'organic?' Shoot me now.

It's shameful. Truly shameful. And this is coming from a reasonably successful artist. Me.

Watch the piece at this link.

Best quote from an art dealer: "This is theatre. This is all theatre."

Yes it is. Very bad theatre from The Art World. Very good TV from Morley Safer.

"Owl's Head Tortoise"

"Owl's Head Tortoise, Arizona" (c) 2012 Stu Jenks

A CD Release Party at Studio BR-549

A gathering to celebrate the release of Stu's new CD "Deaths & Injuries" on Maundy Thursday, April 5th, 2012, at 549 N. 7th Ave, Tucson, Arizona.

I will be performing a short musical set from 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. I promises to entertain.

As an Episcopalian by birth (and partly by faith), Maundy Thursday is my Christmas, the night Jesus gave his final commandment, to love one another. Seems important to me.

I'll be performing a song or two from the CD, old mountain spirituals, punk rock songs, and sea shanties.

Please come if you can. It won't be dull. And all are invited. This is not a private affair.

Again, the performance will be from 8:30 to 9:00 on the night.

And I know many who read this blog are nowhere near Tucson. Wish you were closer. Wish you were here.

"Miller's Spiral"

"Miller's Spiral, Sonoran Desert, Arizona" (c) 2012 Stu Jenks

"Colorado Dystopia"

"Colorado Dystopia" (c) 2012 Stu Jenks

"Sipapu Bridge"

"Sipapu Bridge, Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah" (c) 2012 Stu Jenks

Bear Butte, South Dakota

"Bear Butte, South Dakota"

All images (c) 2012 Stu Jenks

I like to talk. Ask anyone. I'm not going to say much here. Here's a wikipedia excerpt about the place.

"Human artifacts have been found on or near Bear Butte that date back 10,000 years, indicating a long and continuous interest in the mountain.The Cheyenne and Lakota people have maintained a spiritual interest in Bear Butte from their earliest recorded history.

Notable visitors like Red Cloud, Crazy Horse, and Sitting Bull made pilgrimages to the site. In 1857, a council of many Indian nations gathered at Bear Butte to discuss the growing presence of white settlers in the Black Hills.

Violating a treaty of 1868, George Armstrong Custer led an expedition to the Black Hills region in 1874, and according to custom he camped near Bear Butte. Custer verified the rumors of gold in the Black Hills, and Bear Butte then served as an easily identifiable landmark for the rush of invading prospectors and settlers into the region. Indian reaction to the illegal movements of whites into the area was intense and hostile. Ultimately the government reneged on its treaty obligations regarding the Black Hills and instead embarked on a program to confine all northern Plains tribes to reservations.

Ezra Bovee homesteaded on the southern slopes of the mountain, and by the time of World War II, he and his family were the legal owners of the site. In the spring of 1945, the Northern Cheyenne received permission from Bovee to hold a ceremony at Bear Butte to pray for the end of World War II. The Cheyenne found that the Bovee family welcomed their interest in the mountain, and over the years the Bovees continued to encourage native religious ceremonies.

By the mid-1950s Ezra Bovee was attempting to stir up interest in making Bear Butte a national park. After his death, his family continued the effort. When federal interest in the project waned, the state government in Pierre took action, and Bear Butte became a state park in 1961 and was registered as a National Historic Landmark in 1965.

Frank Fools Crow, the Lakota ceremonial chief (d. 1989), made pilgrimages to Bear Butte throughout his lifetime. Fools Crow taught racial harmony not just between whites and Indians, but among all the peoples of the world. He believed the Lakota should never sell the Black Hills. A bust and plaque in front of the education center at Bear Butte State Park honor Fools Crow’s efforts." - Wikipedia.

All 8 1/2" x 11" A/P archival pigment prints by Stu Jenks for $25, shipping, handling and taxes included...

Image: "Queen Esther Baptist Church, Lancaster, Virginia" (c) 2011 Stu Jenks (Just down River Road from Victoria's house. Love that luscious red carpet. And for you nocturnals out there, it was handheld. Rare for me.)

In this time of making photos on iPhones and Macbook Pros and only looking on screens, I forget I'm a old-school guy. I make a 8 1/2 x 11 work print on archival paper of EVERY image I make. EVERY one. It's the only way, for me, to accurately check for color shift, density, composition, etc. I really like my iPad screen but it's no way to make a good print.

And I have hundreds, if not thousands, of work prints artist proofs at my studio.

If you see an image of mine on The StuBlog or on my old website or on the Fezziwig Press Store or in any of my books, there's a beautiful small print in a box somewhere, perhaps with your name on it. And since I'm organized, I can find it.

Many of you can't afford my larger prints. I understand. I don't have an extra 50 or 100 lying around either. But I do have an extra $20 for stuff I really like.

So if you see an image of mine on any of my sites or in any of my books and you want it, it's yours for $25, shipping, handling and tax included. (I believe in paying taxes, sales and otherwise.)

Just email me at my facebook page or through the StuBlog or at stujenks@gmail.com, and tell me what print you would like or just pull the jpeg and send that to me.

I was just watching the Tarhells lose today in basketball, working on images at my computer when I thought, 'I bet people don't realize I have boxes of work prints here.'

You all do now.

Love and light,

Stu

p.s. Ignore the catagories belows. The computer went wacky. Another reason why I prefer a print in the hand as opposed to an image in The Cloud.