Hwhup The Deans List? The Jason Dean here, bringing an end to the weekend like it died trying to save daylight. You know, I used to love ‘Fall Back’. Then I had kids and the whole thing got ruined. Thanks a lot, kids! As I get older, these one-hour shifts randomly sprinkled throughout the calendar ruin my entire life for a week. And for what Just so that it gets dark a little bit later according to The Clock???

But I digress. Let’s talk about the ‘plan’ I alluded to in the title. That’s right- I haven’t just been dilly-dallying the last few weeks; I’ve been marinating, serenading, percolating in the lab.

Long story short, I’m tweaking my newsletter format. I’m still doing Waves are Wednesdays on, um, Wednesdays and The Weekender on Sundays but I’m clarifying the focus. Waves are Wednesdays is going to be wave photos (I’m ditching the ‘astute reader’ gimmick🪦) and expressions of appreciation for your support while The Weekender is going to focus strictly on updates about my art.

I do still want to write about other things, but that will be incorporated in a different way. More to come on that; I am building the plane as I crash it, so your patience is appreciated!

Anyways. Let’s get into it.

Look ma, I’m doing the thing!

I took the first week off post-employment to spend time with family that was visiting from out-of-state, so this past week was the first week of Operation: New Career, and folks, I gotta tell ya- I am absolutely loving this change of pace! I am not a millionaire yet but the freedom and lightness I am feeling has been worth its weight in gold. There’s a lot of healing happening already, and I can’t wait to see that how that healing seeps out into my work.

Art Show

I’m busy getting ready for the 25th Annual Holiday Art Show at the Marquette Regional History Center, busy-busy-busy. I am making progress on going from almost no physical inventory to Art Show-level physical inventory and am working with a local printer, Second Story Studio, for my Holiday Art Show printing needs.

Right now, I’m planning to mostly sell various sizes of unframed prints of 15 or so of my photographs at the show. I will have some framed pieces and some canvas as well, with an eye on implementing a more diverse array of products in the coming months.

thejasondean.com is now live(ish)!

I’m pleased to announce the soft-launch of my fully operational battle station photography website. That’s right folks- many have asked for it, I’ve teased it for a long time, but now, you can honest-to-goodness purchase prints directly from my website! As with the art show, I am focused on selling unframed prints at this point but will be adding other products eventually.

I’ve also revamped my Artist Statement to reflect my philosophy and intent. Please read it; it’s a glimpse into why I am doing what I do in the way that I am doing!

I say liveish because I am still adding information about my photography services. I will be offering family portraits, senior pictures, weddings, events…basically, I am become Have Camera, Will Travel.

Lizzie:The Musical Promo shots

Last month I had the opportunity to shoot promotional photos for Big Lake Theatre Co.and their fall production of Lizzie: The Musical. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to see the show because of schedule conflicts…and because they sold out so darn fast. Congratulations to them on another successful, outstanding production! I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the company grow from just an idea and it’s inspiring to see what Amanda and Sara, the co-founders, have been able to create from nothing.

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the shoot, which took place in the Honorable Distillery’s Disrepute Room.

Clara Usealman, who played the titular character, is a delightful human being who brilliantly captured the dead-eyed energy of a woman who “allegedly” (😉) killed both of her parents with an axe.

At the beginning of the shoot, I was told that pears would be used symbolically to represent the “possible” (😉) romantic relationship between Lizzie and Alice Russell​, Lizzie’s close friend portrayed in the show by Rachel Hay.

As an abstract photographer interested in the use of symbol and metaphor to convey deeper truths…I obviously used the absolute heck out of that pear during the shoot.

New Art!

Okay, okay, I suspect I know why at least some of you are here. Less words, more speaking. If that’s you, then here are a couple of pieces for your soul hole.

Royal Red maples are really incredible. Forget that green nonsense; we’ll have purple and yellow leaves all year long, thank you very much! This photo was taken back in August. I just love these leaves!

Dem Oak leaves though.

Humana Obscura submission

Yesterday was the submission deadline for Humana Obscura’s Winter issue and I submitted several pieces for consideration. I’ve been fortunate to have been involved in their last few issues and am hopeful that I will be included in this issue as well.

An Apple a (100) Day(s)

I am pleased to announce the the gallery of my Apple photos is now viewable online!

Next week I’ll be writing more about the whole experience, including the assembly of the final, physical version of the project. For now, you can check out this time-lapse video of me assembling it!

I hope this new structure is helpful for you, the reader. I’d love to hear your thoughts! I am always making strides to become the best version of myself that I can be. Feedback, both positive and constructively critical, is an important part of that process. 🙂

See you around,

Jason