The Exposure Festival Exhibit . . . . November 23 & 24, 2007

The following slide show consists of the 15 pieces I showed at the TransAlta Arts Barn as part of the inaugural Exposure Festival. The reaction to my work was overwhelmingly positive and I was very touched by my friends who made it out to see my photography and show their support. I'd also like to thank Keith Andony who first brought the festival to my attention, and Heather Zwicker, who chaired the organizing committee of the festival and made it possible for me to be included. Also a big thanx to Anthony Easton for curating and hanging my show.

All photos are available for sale.
Framed or unframed, open edition, signed.
If you are interested in purchasing a print,
please contact me:
jackson@jacksonphotografix.com

The Starbucks 2007 Show

This is a collection of images that I will be showing and selling at Starbucks cafe on Jasper Avenue and 109 Street throughout November and December. For more information on other exhibitions, click here. If you are interested in purchasing a print, please feel free to contact me: jackson@jacksonphotografix.com

Exhibits in Edmonton

For all my friends in Edmonton, just wanted to invite you all to view and possibly purchase some of my work over the next few weeks.

I will be exhibiting several photos in the group show XXXposed Erotic Art XXXhibit at the Taboo Sex Show this weekend (November 16 -18) at the Agricom.

Then next weekend I will be doing a solo exhibit of my work as part of the Exposure Festival. You can view 15 of my male nudes in the lobby of the TransAlta Arts Barn (10330 84 Avenue) during the Loud & Queer Cabaret (Friday, November 23 and Saturday, November 24). Doors open at 7:30pm, admission is free for the exhibit.

And finally, starting next week (November 19 until mid-December) I will be showing a selection of my non-erotic work (read: no naked people) at Starbucks cafe (Jasper Avenue & 109 Street).

Quo - Mexico

Happy to report, that my model and good friend, Rodrigo was successful in getting payment from Quo Magazine in Mexico City, that ran the above photo without my permission.

The magazine came into having my photo from when Rodrigo gave them a CD of images I had shot of and for him and his company Service 69 to interest the publication in making doing an article on him. Several months later he picked up the magazine to see one of the photos printed in the magazine.

We approached the publisher to come up with some sort of payment or we would be forced to pursue legal channels - which obviously the magazine did not want.

After a fair bit of dragging their heels Quo Magazine finally paid both Rodrigo and myself for using the photo -- a happy ending.

I think next time I'm in Mexico City, I will make an appointment to go in and see the Art Director at the magazine to see if there is any possible opportunities to have more of my images published since I already know they must like my work. (insert sound effect of light chuckling here)

Are you left or right?

Loved this test, which indicates which side of your brain you think on.

Click on the image and then watch which direction the dancer turns; clockwise or counterclockwise.

If clockwise, then you use more of the right side of the brain and vice versa.

Most of us would see the dancer turning anti-clockwise though you can try to focus and change the direction; see if you can do it.

LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe

RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses feeling
"big picture" oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking

When I first looked at the dancer I thought she was turning counterclockwise but then when I looked at the image again it was most definitely turning clockwise and no matter how hard I tried to get her to reverse direction, it just wouldn't happen. So I am decidely right brain functioning - which seems pretty in keeping with how I view myself.

AIDS Walk 2007 Update

Happy to hear that the 2007 AIDS Walk here in Edmonton has generated $75,000 for HIV Edmonton.

On a personal note: I was thrilled to received several complimentary meal certificates, a family pass to the Waterpark at West Edmonton Mall, and an entire gift basket to, none other than, Starbucks (yes it is laughably ironic) for being the third highest individual fundraiser for this year's Walk.

AIDS Walk 2007

For the second year, I participated in HIV Edmonton's AIDS Walk. Last year, between Dustin and I, we managed to raise $1000. This year, because Dustin was working, I decided to go it alone. Thanks to the very generous sponsorships and pledges of family, friends, and co-workers, I personally managed to raise $1244.00 for this very worthwhile cause. I was also encouraged by the turnout (even though the weather wasn't as nice) which surpassed last year's attendance. And ... it appeared that, indeed, there was greater representation from the local gay community which I felt was sadly absent in 2006. Don't get me wrong, although it was better there is still a lot of room for improvement. I was very gratified to see that Starbucks (the company I work for when not doing photography) was also heavily involved in the event from a team that walked, to the District Manager, my Store Manager, and several of my co-workers. It is a good and conscientious company and I'm proud of them.

Needless to say, I'll be at it all again next year.

Special thanx are in order for the following who helped me surpass my $1000 goal:
Jennifer Katz
James Hood
Val Brandt
Douglas Wasserman
Daryn Grassick
Bryen & Donna at The Roost
Shelley Chebry
Amanda Clements-Harvey
Matt Hall
David Low
Jessica Cross
Stephanie Hample
Jenny Ling
Cijay Morgan
David Billingsley
Wayne Chow
Cody Michie
Annie Haugen
John Hewett Hallum
Barb Lopeter
Ryan Mayer
Linda Jackson
Bradley Seewalt-Boman
Katie & Cynthia Cheung
Toan Huynh
Frank & Mary Jackson
Shane Bodie
Jon Reardon
Chantelle Lee
Jordan Dannish
Chris Garvey
Matt Chegus
Kevin Hay

Cover of Vendor Magazine

This is the current cover of Vendor Magazine that I shot for Gate Communications the end of June. I was very amused (and pleased) to see what designer, Zane Kroll, had done with the shots of the three writers.

Photo Shoot with Sammy

Thanx to Blue, he set up a session with a handsome, young, Nuyorican named Sammy and brought him up to the studio tonight. Sammy has a very defined physique (he works at 24/7 -- a gym in Chelsea), and has a face the camera loves - part sexually-charged papichulo and part innocent homeboy. With the professionalism and focus he showed in our first shoot, I'm very interested in doing a subsequent shoot with Sammy the next time I'm in NYC.

One more photo shoot with Blue

Tonight's shoot with Blue marked our sixth together but our first in two years. In the past I've shot Blue in my studio, in my kitchen, in my bathtub, in St. Nicholas Terrace Park, and out on Coney Island. Blue never disappoints, he always gives you that little added something that takes the creativity and subsequent photos to a new place. Tonight he brought candles and a deck of tarot cards - which made me want to shoot him strictly by candlelight - this made things more complex and difficult, but ultimately it made for some very interesting images.

Photo Shoot with Josh

detail (cropped and desaturated color)


full frame

Photo Shoot with Dominic San Juan

Several years ago, Dominic and I met online. After several lengthy instant messenger conversations, I convinced him to do a photo shoot with me and so we trekked off to Central Park one beautiful afternoon to do the shoot. The shots came out wonderfully, both of us posted them our respective sites, and best of all, we became pals. Since then, Dominic has become (much) more comfortable in front of the camera so ... finally the day has arrived for us to shoot his first nudes.

That was Dominic then... this is Dominic now (hotter than ever)!

Grey Gardens

I was fortunate enough to get a sixth row centre seat to see Grey Gardens for the matinee performance this afternoon (it helps when you're only looking for a single ticket.) This was the one show that I felt I just had to see since I saw a screening of the original documentary of the same name several years ago at the Edmonton International Film Festival with one of the Maysles brothers (the filmmakers) actually in attendance for a question and answer period afterwards.

The star of the Broadway production, Christine Ebersole, was beyond description playing the mother, Edith Bouvier Beale in the first act and then the daughter, Little Edie, in the second act. It was spooky watching two live actresses re-create the true-life characters to the point where you weren't quite sure that they were not, in fact, the real thing! And there was the musical number where Little Edie was doing her American flag number that was probably even better than in the movie because they were able to add the ghosts of the other members of the entire dance troupe behind/with her that she quite certainly imagined herself part of in the documentary. Also the muscial number, The Revolutionary Costume for Today, which Ms. Eversole did for the Tony Awards was phenomenal. It is so sad that this show is closing Sunday - it was jawdroppingly amazing and very touching - the final scene had lots of people dabbing their eyes during the standing ovation. This is a musical I won't likely forget ... ever. Da-da da dah dum.

Photo Shoot with Miguel (Mike)

Due to another last-minute cancellation for a shoot that I had scheduled for the early afternoon, I was able to invite Mike to the studio to do a quick session. Not only was he available and willing to have me photograph his tattoo, but he confided that this was something he had always wanted to do. Mike had a very cute demon baby on his shoulder that I wanted to capture but moments after meeting him, I quickly realized that the ink wasn't the only thing that was cute -- this boy had a million dollar smile.

Photo Shoot with Doug

Doug is an old friend and former model of mine that I first met in the 90s back at The Tunnel. He's no longer working as a gogo boy in the clubs but is still modelling when he can with the hopes of landing some work as an underwear model. We did this shoot so that he could add some images to his portfolio.

Second Shoot with Tony, Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Did a follow up photo shoot with Tony, who I shot a couple days ago up in the studio. This time we shot in the basement of his apartment in Hell's Kitchen, New York City. The space was ideal. And for the most part, I used all available light and got some exquisite results. Tony was phenomonal today as well. He applied everything he had learned in the first shoot we did and demonstrated superb concentration and discipline. Modelling is seldom easy work and down in that basement it was sweltering. However, it was all worth it when you get images like this. I'll add more photos here at a later time as there are countless images to select from - this was the sort of shoot that I absolutely love.




Update:
I don't usually post replies from people but Tony (the model in this shoot) sent me such a sweet message that I wanted to keep it.

OK I am almost embarrassed to say this but I wasn't quite sure what a blog really was, and then BBAAAAMMM right in the head like an arrow it / you hit me. Thank you for saying such nice things about me, I am overwhelmed with what you wrote and thrilled that you enjoyed the shoot as much as I.

I know it is sounding redundant , but honestly, I don't think you realize what you have done for me, and keeping it simple, you have helped me beyond what I thought was possible for the fixing of my head........lol. I got so much enjoyment from the shoots, both learning experiences about modeling, as well as myself , and yup even about you.

I preach the word passion, when one does something for work or even play, without it - it's not even worth talking about, let alone doing. You, my friend, reak of passion for what you do, it's your work, it's your play ..........it's you. I am very happy for you that you have been blessed and are able to live your passion.

Just know one thing, I am a real man, with real thoughts, both are honest and heartfelt entities in their own right, and when I compliment you, please know I am not blowing smoke, I truly mean what I say with great feeling.

And now enough.

Photo Shoot with Tony, NYC

After being back in NYC for a few days, and finally cleaning out the studio of all the junk that accumulated there while I away, I started shooting again today. My model was Tony (Antonio) Leonardo, who at 43, is a sexy, masculine, and very sweet Italian-American living in Hell's Kitchen.

Photo Shoot with Scott #2 - Abstract Nudes

As expected, I did a second shoot with Scott and once again I am extremely pleased with the results. As we began to explore at the end of our first shoot, I've come across a concept that I want to pursue further -- glass brick nudes. Everyone that I've shown these first series of images to has been very excited and positive in their feedback about the potential of this project. They have even gone as far as saying they would like a print to hang in their homes. I can see this becoming an extensive series and an unique exhibit. Expect to see more of this style of photo in the future as I shoot other models of varying body types/builds/ethnicities and hopefully even couples.

XTRA! Magazine

Happy to see that the portrait I did of Cijay Morgan here in Edmonton has finally appeared in the May issue of Xtra! published out of Toronto. This was my first shoot for the magazine and hopefully more work will come of it. Here's the photo that ran -- click on this link to see how it turned out and to read the full article.

Analyze this!

Here is but one of the many dreams that I had last night. I am in a tug-of-war with an almost full-grown lion or tiger (not quite sure which, or maybe it was both) cub over meat. What seemed to start off as just a large bone in the scramble to keep possession of it turned into a full roast-sized piece of meat by the time the lion/tiger finally won possession of it. I felt I couldn't challenge the animal any more because it was still "wild" even though I really did what to control it. But I also let it have that piece because I knew I had a full-side of beef size piece of meat put away where the lion/tiger couldn't get at it. Make any sense to you? It actually all makes sense to me. Scary huh.

I also had another dream where I was showing someone a very large tank (think aquarium only bigger) where sharks were hiding under/amidst the sea plantlife. I was using a wooden chair to show them how the sharks would attack, which a large one did, once you started poking around. I can't remember much more of this one so it doesn't make nearly as much sense to me.

There was also an elevator dream which ended with a short french woman and I running through a parkade to evade the other passengers who were in pursuit because we hadn't held the elevator for them. Well it was more complicated than that but you get the idea. Signficant factor the elevator was going down.

Anyway I'd be happy to hear anyone's idea what they think this all might mean or if you are into dream intrepretation at all I'd like to hear what all the images symbolize. Or maybe not.