Fezziwig Press & Photography by Stu Jenks

Geoff Notkin on the 2009 Tucson Open Studio Tour

    Goeff wrote a very nice piece about last weekend's Open Studio Tour. For me, it was the best experience I've had in the eight years I've been participating. Everyone (and I mean everyone) who visited my studio was smart, funny, interested and interesting, and downright great to be around, old friends and new visitors alike. Very different from the horrors of a couple years ago. It might just be me, but I don't think so. With Mary's dementia and all, I'm pretty stressed these days, so the joy (and cash in some cases) that the patrons brought was very welcome. Thank you all, and hope to see you all soon, either in person, online or through my books. Here's a link to Geoff's Article on the blog he writes for the Tucson Citizen.

[Photos of Elizabeth Frank's work and of me in my studio by Geoff Notkin. I didn't even know he took that shot of me. Very sneaky, Geoff]

"An Open Circle for Metanexus"

"An Open Circle":
For the 10th Annual Conference of the Metanexus Institute, July 18th-21st, 2009, Tempe, Arizona
(c) 2009 Stu Jenks

The Spring Tucson Artists' Open Studios Tour

Yea, I know, I know. I railed against this a year ago, after having horrible experiences with the Entitled Rich. Well, in the words of my father: "Fuck Em!", or as a past mentor of mine, Levi Neill, once said: "If you want to sound spiritual, say 'Fuck Thou.'"

This Spring, I have very nice, reasonably priced things: $6 & $7 magnets, $35 small framed pieces, and $15 ceramic Christmas ornaments. And all the expensive stuff as well. So come by! I'll be there, but only on Saturday, from 11 to 5. (On Sunday, I'll be at the Festival of Books on campus). I'd love to see you. Yes. you! The art lovers! The wanderers! The seekers! The ones with the light in your eyes! Hope to see you all there. And remember, for me, it's just Saturday from 11 to 5. And the details are on the Tour's Website.

The "re-form" Show at Jeff Smith's Studio

The '"re-form" Show at Jeff Smith's Studio:

[See the flyer below for the details of this show. And Jeff took the pic of yours truly. My piece is simple and hopefully elegant. Just a piece of wood and three long strips of batik fabric. I'm quite happy with it. Kinda hoping it doesn't sell for I have a place for it, at home. Kinda hoping it does, for I just bought a $1700 F 2.8, 70-200 mm lens for the Canon. Mixed feelings are my middle names.

Please come by on Saturday, October 4th at 7 p.m. and see the show. I expect it to be pretty amazing, given the artists that will be represented. Bring a cover dish if you like. I'll be bringing sweets.]

"Red Ridge Prayer Stick" [Batik Fabric Detail] (c) 2007

"Red Ridge Prayer Stick" [Batik Fabric Detail] (c) 2007 Stu Jenks

"New Mexican Prayer Wheel" [Detail] (c) 2008

"New Mexican Prayer Wheel" [Detail] (c) 2008

(A better detail photograph, then before, of the 'New Mexican Prayer Wheel', a batik cloth and found object sculpture hanging at my studio. And please come by Studio BR-549 and see this and other works, by myself and other artists, during the Spring Open Studio Tour on May 10th and 11th of this year. Unless the Wheel sells between now and then, it shall be hanging on a well lit wall at our studios at 549 N. 7th Avenue in Tucson, Arizona)

"Rappahannock River Prayer Stick" (c) 2008

"Rappahannock River Prayer Stick" (c) 2008 Stu Jenks

[Batik Fabric, Crab Pot Buoy, and Eye Bolts: 7'10" x 21" x 5"]

"New Mexican Prayer Wheel" (c) 2008

"New Mexican Prayer Wheel" (c) 2008 Stu Jenks
(Batik Fabric & Plastic Hubcap from New Mexico: 7'9" x 15" x 4")

[Stu's Fun Facts: The Prayer Wheel was photographed in the hallway at Studio BR-549 in Tucson. No fancy lighting, just the Halogens that we have there, so there is some color-shift in the photographs that I tried to correct in Photoshop, but alas, I couldn't fix it all. If you would like see the piece in person, just give me a call. It is much better live than it is on tape. If you want to purchase it, one of my business managers suggests $1,250. By the way, the hubcap was found in the high desert, south of Carrizozo, New Mexico and the batik fabric is from Tucson. And this piece is dedicated to all those who pray on Bear Butte in South Dakota.]