The Fezziwig News by Stu Jenks

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.

"Twelve Foot Aspen"

"Twelve Foot Aspen, Red Ridge Trail, Catalina Mountains, Arizona" (c) 2011 Stu Jenks

Long story short: Eight years ago, a forest fire destroyed 90% of the trees on one of my favorite trails in all of Arizona. It saddened me so that I didn't walk that trail for two years. But good news. The Aspens have returned. Pictured above is a twelve foot Aspen from the Red Ridge Trail. Touching its bark the other day made me very happy.

Merry Third Day of Christmas, y'all.

This year's 'Silent Night'

Two years ago, for the Gladstone Mothershead CD, I recorded Silent Night. Upbeat, bouncy, it was fun.

This year, I've recorded it again. Slower, sadder, hopeful of the coming dawn, I suppose. Still fun, but sadder.

2011 isn't 2009.

But it's still Christmas in a few days, and it's still Solstice tonight.

Call back the LIght however you do, and I hope you enjoy this little mp3 for you.

 

Silent Night 2011 #4 by Stu Jenks

 

 

 

 

 

The spiritual father of my company...

 

“A small matter,” said the Ghost, “to make these silly folks so full of gratitude.”

“Small!” echoed Scrooge.

The Spirit signed to him to listen to the two apprentices, who were pouring out their hearts in praise of Fezziwig: and when he had done so, said,

“Why! Is it not? He has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money: three or four perhaps. Is that so much that he deserves this praise?”

“It isn’t that,” said Scrooge, heated by the remark, and speaking unconsciously like his former, not his latter, self. “It isn’t that, Spirit. He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. Say that his power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count ’em up: what then? The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.”

He felt the Spirit’s glance, and stopped.

“What is the matter?” asked the Ghost.

“Nothing particular,” said Scrooge.

“Something, I think?” the Ghost insisted.

“No,” said Scrooge, “No. I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now. That’s all.”

 

-Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol"

"Christmas Haiku #26"

"Christmas Haiku #26" and "Ancient Ornament" (c) 2011 Stu Jenks

The Image in this post is of my family oldest Christmas ornament, at least from what I think Mom told me years ago. Was in her family long before she was born. Probably circa 1890, but I'm not really sure.

It hangs in front of me now from the bookcase key of my secretary desk. It delights me and saddens me. I miss my family, primarily my sister.

Pamela wrapped a small gift for me, 11 months ago, when she knew she was dying. The gift sits under my Christmas stick tonight.

Happy and sad, all at the same time.

And it's time for the Christmas Haiku.

Enjoy a bit of the nog this season, and have yourself a Merry little Christmas.

Christmas Haiku #26 by Stu Jenks

Deaths and injuries:

Empty spaces where they were.

But it's still Christmas.

Now available, on the Apple IPad: The Transpersonal Papers (1861-2010) and Bozo In Love

Been a long time coming for The Transpersonal Papers (1861-2010).

Three editors, two proofreaders, two designers, four printers, and hours, days, weeks, months, years, lifetimes, (I know I'm overstating), of writing, traveling, shooting, editing, remembering, hiking, and more writing, shooting, and editing, but I'm not complaining. No, no, no.

And apologies for not having the dough right now, to print The Transpersonal Papers as a coffee-table book as I had originally planned. ($10,000, it would have cost. Maybe someday.) But you now can buy it, for $14.95, as an Ebook on the Apple IPad, and I expect it to be available within a couple days on the Nook and the Kindle as well.

I just looked at it on my new IPad. The photos, text and design look grand.

And as an extra surprise, Bozo In Love is now up on IBooks too, ($9.95), as well as the rest of my catalog: Flame Spirals, Hoop Dancing, and Dementia Blues, on IBooks, Nook and Kindle.

Just in time for Christmas.

And don't worry. All but The Transpersonal Papers can still be bought as a book book through Fezziwig Press. I have plenty. Just go to www.fezziwigpressonline.com, for the hardbounds and paperbacks, but go to ITunes, today, (and Kindle and Nook, soon) for the ebooks.

Heavy sigh from my third story apartment balcony. I look out onto the Tucson city lights in the valley below. Cold, dry air embraces me. I inhale deeply. Exhale.

A very good night in the desert.

Think I'll make a cup of coffee with egg nog and play some Angry Birds on my new IPad.

Time to celebrate.

 

"Time To Remember The Poor"

Below are three different versions of this traditional English/Nova Scotian/North Carolinian song. There are many different lyrics for this winter's song, but I've chosen a hybrid of old and new lines. No matter the version, the message is explicitly clear. Remember the poor, especially at this cold, dark time of the year.

The first version is by Debra Cowan, the second by Jennifer Cutting's Ocean Orchestra, and the third by Waterson Cathey. And the Sequoia tree image was photographed by me. Remember.

Download 10 The Snow Is On the Ground

Download 09 Time to Remember the Poor

Download 12 Time to Remember the Poor

 

Time To Remember The Poor

(Traditional English, Nova Scotian, North Carolinian song.)

Cold winter is come with its cold chilling breath
And the leaves have all dropped from the trees.
And all Nature seems touched by the finger of death
And the streams are beginning to freeze.
When the hills and the dales are all covered with white
And the flora attends us no more.
When you are enjoying a good fireside
That's the time to remember the poor.

When the north wind’s ascending and chilling the ground
And the sportsman again shooting go.
When the happy young lads o’er the river’s can slide
And the icicles hang at your door.
When our lips and our fingers are trembling with cold
And the rivers are froze on the shore.
When the bright twinkling stars they proclaim the cold night
That’s the time to remember the poor.

When the poor timid hare is tracked to the woods
With his footsteps indented in snow.
And the Robin Redbreast, he approaches your cot.
And in danger, the travelers go.
When your minds are annoyed by the wide swelling flood
And the bridges are useful no more.
When your bowl smokes with something reviving and hot,
That’s the time to remember the poor.

Soon a day it will come when our Savior will see
All nations shall join in one voice.
All the world shall unite to salute the sweet morn
All the ends of the Earth shall rejoice.
When grim death's deprived of its killing sting
And the grave rules triumphant no more
Saints, Angels and men Hallelujah shall sing
That’s the time to remember the poor.
Saints, Angels and men Hallelujah shall sing
Then the rich must remember the poor.

 

"Light The Winter's Dark"

"Light The Winter's Dark" by Jennifer Cutting's Ocean Orchestra

Download 10 Light the Winter's Dark

 

While searching online for a version of "Time To Remember The Poor", I found this. I bought it from ITunes. I cried once, twice, thrice. I just spent 30 minutes transcribing the lyrics, for they can't be found anywhere online. (My New Year's contribution to the World Wide Web.) This may be the finest new hymn I've ever discovered. Expect to hear from my lips at some point, but until then, enjoy Jennifer Cutting's Ocean Orchestra's version. It is stunningly beautiful. It is a statement of my faith. And being an artist myself who is trying to make a living, if you love this song as much as I, buy it from ITunes. I'm sure they could use the cash. And the photo at the top of this post is of Michelle and Barack Obama's hands, taken by the White House staff.

Happy New Year, and let us sing each other's names to light the Winter's dark.

 

Light The Winter’s Dark
by Jennifer Cutting’s Ocean Orchestra

When Jesus brought his light to Earth, a star shone in the East.
And Wise Men journeyed from afar to hail the Prince of Peace.
So let us all sing Jesus’s name, to light the Winter’s dark.
And may his light grow brighter still, with each new year we mark.

When Moses brought his light to Earth, his tribe from bondage lead.
In desert water from the rock, in wilderness sweet bread.
So let us all sing Moses' name, to light the Winter’s dark,
And may his light grow brighter still, with each new year we mark.

When The Prophet brought his light to Earth, he reconciled his foes.
When four clans raised a black stone high, upon his holy cloak.
So let us praise The Prophet’s name, to light the Winter’s dark,
And may his light grow brighter still, with each new year we mark.

When The Buddha brought his light to Earth, he saw beyond love and hate.
He said “To end all suffering, each mind must be awake.”
So let us sing The Buddha’s name, to light the Winter’s dark,
And may his light grow brighter still, with each new year we mark.

When The Lady brought her light to Earth, she took us to her breast.
Each fin and feather, hoof and horn, by her were brightly blessed.
So let us sing The Lady’s name, to light the Winter’s dark,
And may her light grow brighter still, with each new year we mark.

When we all brought our light to Earth, we made it a better place.
We loved and lost yet loved again, and learned from our mistakes.
So let us sing each other’s names, to light a Winter’s dark,
And may our light grow brighter still, with each new year we mark.
So let us sing each other’s names to light a Winter’s dark,
And may our light grow brighter still, with each new year we mark.






 

 

 

"The Ghosts at Hotel St. Michael's"

"The Ghosts at Hotel St. Michael's, Prescott, Arizona" (c) 2010 Stu Jenks

Happy Third Night of Christmas, from the friendly ghost who kept me company in a hotel room in Prescott, a while back. Film now. Story later.

"Dawn Tree" by Jeff Frazier

"Dawn Tree" by Jeff Frazier (c) 2010 www.jefffrazier.com

A Merry Christmas Eve to all good little boys and girls. (And thanks Jeff, for allowing me to post your stunning image on the StuBlog.)