I'll take a Philly cheese with a side of JC

Philadelphia is the 6th largest city in the United States with a population of 5.9 million. Being the first industrialized city in the United States was quite a feat, and can be seen in almost every part of the city.

One thing I did notice however is a lack of JC. The east coast attitude seems to be one of get out of MY way I'M busy. Quite selfish and cold. This could be the reason that JC ain't spilling out of the pores of city murals and statues.

A lot of artwork seems to be based on a few things; the industrialization of the city, African American influence, the liberty bell, and Ben Franklin. Take for example the picture to the left. Here I am looking out my hotey window at the Ben Franklin bridge to Camden, the most dangerous city in the United States. Even more crime ridden and scary than Detroit, the armpit of Michigan.

It seems that JC pops up everywhere, but this weekend has been in hiding. I'll keep my eyes peeled as I rage the last concert here tonight, Lotus headlines then it's early to bed, early to rise, fly back to Columbus. Maybe I'll see JC on the plane ride home, maybe he'll sit next to me so I can repent.

Artist Statement

One very human response to serious and dire situations is humor. By using humor we are able to lighten our fears and burdens in our hearts with laughter. Laughter is the best medicine, or so I've been told. Laughter's cousin, the smile is just as important, and it's amazing how pointing a camera at someone makes them smile.

The dire situation that is the state of our world today is very sad and depressing. Children are starving, wars are being fought, and morality has plunged especially in the Catholic church. So what are we to do with all this negative input, how can anyone be happy when so many horrors are taking place, now. Now. And Right now.

JC and ME is an alternative approach to the negativity being fed to us by traditional media outlets. JC and ME flip-flips the negative and puts a positive, humorous spin on the role religion, and specifically Jesus, plays in our society. I feel people should smile when they are confronted with Jesus rather than to fall into a religious stupor. This is why I propose to take pictures of myself with Jesus, this makes me smile, and I want others to feel this same joy by conducting their own photo shoots with JC.

Get serious, get JC and ME.

Thou Shall Not Covet Your Neighbor's Wife

Okay, so the ninth commandment states that you shall not covet your neighbor's wife. Pretty simple, if she's married, do not make an attempt to brake the sacred bond of marriage. At least that is what I would consider those words to mean in today's society. Apparently that is not so. If I were to look at a married woman with lust in my eye I have already committed adultery. Holy shit. That's a little harsh, no? I've met some hot wifes while spending the last 5 years of my life as a server at country clubs. Lots of botox and silicone, you might think you were in Cali if you didn't know any better. However I digress from my point.

The commandment says neighbor's wife, nothing is mentioned about fiance. Now more than ever marriage is a option that often ends in years of misery before a divorce finally sets free the two trapped parties. And that's what marriage is after all, a trap, just one you are comfortable being caught in. So in the event of a proposed marriage, one that has yet been made legal, is it (let's not use the word sin, i hate thinking petty things are sins) wrong to desire your neighbor's fiance? After all that sacred bond has yet to be made and perhaps this is just how the cards of life fall.

It's like making that full court buzzer beater to win the championship game, you have to make the most of the time you have. I know I will. Will You?