Jaff Noël Seijas Archives

Michael Slagle

2012-02-06T20:52:00.000Z

Michael Slagle - Feb. 7, 1951- June 10, 1991
Happy Birthday Memorial to an extraordinary human being -
everyone who knew him recalls his vitality and zest for Life and creative sensibilities.

Memorial thoughts for Marjorie Oberne

2012-02-06T19:25:00.000Z

Always grateful to the friends in life who have contributed to my spiritual development.
Marjorie Oberne had a wonderful exuberant influence on me. I have never written anything about her before and felt a need to honor her in her birthday month. Here are a few interesting facts about her colorful life (already history by the time I met her in Atlanta).

Marjorie Oberne (nee Borden) was born in Ottawa, Canada. Her uncle, Robert Borden, was the prime minister of Canada from 1911-1920, he died in 1937.
In her teens and early twenties Marjorie traveled round Europe. She met Jack Oberne aboard the Queen Mary on her return from England to America. They married in 1929.
She was a flapper and hung out at the Cotton Club and other 'wild places'.
In the early 30's she worked for AAP and drew background scenery for Popeye cartoons.
She was also among the 1st people (and 1st woman) to travel by dog-sled to remote spots in Baffin Island to bring back Eskimo Sculpture for collectors. She journeyed far from home to India as well seeking spiritual enlightenment.

New York City - Two Weeks in Manhattan

2012-02-02T18:17:00.002Z

Leland in front of 114 west 70th - his apartment

A side trip to Egypt (MET)

In Central Park - a snow day fantasy

Leland Wheeler & Spencer Leigh

Lelando on his birthday (Jan 24th)

at Sandro's opening at Lehmann Maupin

Tilda & Leland

with Tilda

Art scene

with Ruediger Glatz

Leland & Spencer amused

Blade Runner prophecy revealed (street scene in The Village)

a rare subway visit......

At the Blessing of the Dragons in Chinatown

on the Bowrey

Leland's greats hats

Spencer and his son Boris

Dragon Blessing

3 very nice people

New Orleans - Birthday

2012-02-02T17:58:00.002Z

Having some fun in New Orleans

during Christmas 2011 with Lady Marsha Bennett and Leland Wheeler

Bodega Bay (October) : Homage to Hitchcock

2011-10-26T23:33:00.003+01:00

Click to hear short Hitchcock Cello Musical piece by Amon Rowley

Mysterious Redwood Forest - Northern California

2011-10-24T00:35:00.000+01:00

Autumnal palette

Lelando within : Tree Worship

Impossible proportions - scale is not captured digitally

rocks and cool stream

Doorways in trees

something unknown

mists of Avalon view

jutting rock

Scene from a cliff

Seals & Sea Lions, Pacific Ocean, Redwoods & Shrooms

2011-10-23T00:33:00.003+01:00

Trinidad Cove California

Seals bask on rocks nearby

Lelando enjoys the Pacific

I contemplate the Ocean

Redwoods too big to photograph

Shrooms in the woods

Greenman

Mystic Mount Shasta

2011-10-22T01:20:00.000+01:00

Mystical Mount Shasta California- home of The Great Mountain...The Ancient Lemurian & Atlantians...Phylos (Dweller on two planets)...& St. Germain, the Ascended Master!

The VORTEX in Southern Oregon.............

2011-10-19T17:21:00.000+01:00

size and mass changes on level ground

A broom stands alone when placed in vortex

leaning into the energy field

faces and features altered by currents

Woodsy Identities Channeled!

2011-10-16T17:13:00.000+01:00

Lumberjack Chic

Trees recorded thoughts (or: The Tree's book of Humans)

Cleansed!

Chief Umquah Conjured

Lelando at the remote Hot Springs

Lithium Hot Spring makes one slightly less insane

Chinook face

Gods of the Past

Scenes of the Mighty Umquah River/Falls Oregon

2011-10-16T16:59:00.000+01:00

The colors really are vivid - the digital camera can't capture the nuances of Nature's palette...

Chlorophyll: A Mental Enzyme ! (Oregon Green Pics)

2011-10-16T16:50:00.000+01:00

Various Images of Oregon's Umpquah National Forest Greenery - October 2011

Winchester England (2011)

2011-06-21T09:14:00.000+01:00

London,Simon & Melanie Turner & Kids,Cynthia Beatt & Leland Wheeler

2011-06-21T09:10:00.001+01:00

In these pics: Simon & Melanie Turner (and children Isabel and Jasper) - Cynthia Beatt

and Leland Wheeler

Oxford England (May 2011)

2011-06-21T08:58:00.000+01:00

Glastonbury.Wells.& Millers Glencott House (May 2001)

2011-06-21T08:56:00.000+01:00

Wales & Tintern (May 2011)

2011-06-21T08:52:00.000+01:00

York & Lake District England (May 2011)

2011-06-21T08:48:00.000+01:00

Scarbourgh England

2011-06-21T08:43:00.000+01:00

A cherished visit with Tilda (May 2011 - Nairn, Scotland)

2011-06-19T22:49:00.003+01:00

In these pics: with Tilda Swinton, Sandro Kopp, Leland Wheeler

Some Highlights of Isle of Skye Sojourn May 2011

2011-06-19T17:03:00.001+01:00

Leland Wheeler appears in these photos.

Some highlights of the Portugal & Santiago Compestella trip -April 2011

2011-06-19T16:58:00.000+01:00

Art Basel Miami Beach 2010 December

2011-03-26T21:59:00.000Z

The Big Pink Snail

with "Peaches"

Leland questions the "Art"

Sandro, Tilda and Leland

with Tilda Swinton - what a treat!

Ocober 2010 images of Santa Fe & Taos

2011-03-26T21:50:00.000Z

with Forrest Moses

Moses studio

Forrest Moses and painting

UFO sighting?

With Leland Wheeler

Leland in Cerrillos New Mexico

Leland on the Ski Basin

Taos

Taos Mountains

at the Mable Dodge Luhan grounds

Mable,s humble gravesite

one black one white Taos Pueblo

Rio Grande

The Rio Grande

Autumn

at Mable Dodge House

Mary's House in Cerrillos where we stayed - Larry Brown's House where we were guests in Santa Fe and Bernadette Martinez

Cat People Revisited

2011-03-26T21:20:00.000Z

All paintings oil on canvas 36" x48"

The nearly Forgotten Illustrations of Alfred E. Kerr

2010-09-14T13:53:00.001+01:00

Alfred E. Kerr - Irish illustrator. Nearly faded into obscurity.
Shown here some of his drawings for Claude Houghton's work "The Beast" published in 1936 by Quota Press of Belfast.

Video of drawing

2010-07-13T19:03:00.000+01:00

Video taken in July 2010 - I am drawing at normal speed - pencil on paper.

Why do we do it?

2010-07-12T13:41:00.000+01:00

Rigid tradition needs to be broken up and reformed. Why should we continue to slog along, ankles in the mire of the goo of status quo?

Why do we continue to use limiting and confining conceptual terms; and insist on being bound by their constraints?

We speak of our lovers or our partners as our “man” or our “woman” – as though we own them. Others also address our partners by the same labels. I am reminded of those cartoons of a cave-man who has just clubbed his mate over the head and is dragging her off to his cave. The conquest and the confinement seem to be far more important than the individual.

In the presence of our friends and families we let it be known that “This Person Is Mine” – with countless quaint and syrupy expressions –“ my honey” – “my sweetheart” , etc. – How much has the “Romantic” notion actually hurt us rather than freed us?

Would a strong and abiding connection between two people – a deep love – really need to protect itself from the world at large with such feeble and adolescent devices? Instead – does not such a profound connection need protection at all?

The message we are sending out to our loved one and to our contemporaries is rooted in the psychological hand-me-downs of the Past. Countless novels, films and clever marketing ploys (ie: Valentine’s Day : a perfect example) – in which bold men – capture beautiful women and live happily ever after… their days measured out in pounds of chocolate and fading roses – or – in a negative, yet just as romantically imbued scenario , afflicted egocentric men try and ensnare mysterious and crafty women – both sides attempting to “outsmart” the other and frequently ending in a tragedy.

Why can we not break free such shenanigans?

Is it possible for two human beings to love each other and also free each other? Or must we suffer under the weight and defeatist prediction of incurable Romantics like Oscar Wilde who wrote: “Each man kills the thing he loves….” ?

God As P.T. Barnum!

2010-07-07T23:34:00.003+01:00

Who needs table-tapping? Big spook shows and ectoplasm? Who needs levitation or angelic materializations?

Why do people constantly crave P.T. Barnum Spirituality? When all about is every sort of proof that the Spiritual or Invisible world is present, active and clearly evident?

Just take a look around – is there not everywhere about you evidence of all kinds of connections?

Is not every created object near you a manifestation of some idea that was first a thought in someone’s mind? Is not the sustaining power of Nature an unfathomable affirmation of Cosmic mystery? Is not your own body a thing most mysterious and in most cases totally unknowable in its complete complexity?

People are always craving proof or assurance from other outside sources…seeking confirmation of higher powers through the so-called gifts of Psychic’s, Gurus or Ascended Spiritual Masters…disembodied intelligences or spirit guides – yet all knowledge and all strengths are available at any given moment to everyone who asks. If indeed – all is one in ALL THAT IS – then unlimited Power is at our disposal right here and now.

Yet do the faithless pout and rage – bored and insolent - jutting their lower jaw in defiance – demanding of God a show – some special effects please! – some glowing auras! – a little more drum-roll please!

While all about us – the quiet and ever-present glory of Miracle freely administers her bounty….

Recent Pics From Saint Petersburg

2010-06-19T15:05:00.000+01:00

Photos include: Victoria and Mike Melfi,Melissa Charette,Mark Bass,Steven Hamsness,Besty Schott,Nancy Antoon,Ron Z.,Marlys Cox,Leland Wheeler,Graham Aikley Barker and me.

Dear Animal Friends

2010-06-13T13:54:00.002+01:00

Magdalena ("Maggie") 1996-2010

A lovely creature and a dedicated companion

Oracle Paintings of 2010

2010-05-30T13:41:00.001+01:00

all paintings - oil on canvas

To see ourselves as others see us...

2010-03-28T15:18:00.000+01:00

Its always a surprise to see a portrait of oneself. In this painting by Sina B. Schott, I am portrayed as a dashing gent.

Politics of Families

2010-02-24T15:47:00.001Z

I have recently been amused and somewhat confounded by the politics of families. My own family is a perfect example. When my parents died - the whole Seijas clan suddenly transformed into a factional and feuding group of strangers. Sadly, this is not uncommon and my guess is that at least half of the world population is filled with such stories.
My brothers, for instance, of whom there are three simply disowned me. I am not actually sure if it is because I already seemed so distant and lived in different cities (and even countries) for most of my adult life...or if they were somehow threatened by my "life-style" choices...or whether they were simply uninterested in knowing anything about my life at all - or perhaps a combination of all those things. Regardless, all of us have no communication and I am pretty sure none of them even know my address of phone number.
Its hard to imagine that my mom and dad, both of whom I loved and I know loved me - are the same people who brought me and my siblings into the world - so vastly different we all are!
Conversely, my three sisters and my nieces and nephews all seem to be very happy to know me and include me their lives. Thank goodness for some re-affirmation from that quarter. Perhaps its just the Universe letting me know that its o.k. not to be on the same page with everybody or maybe not even reading the same book!

Let it out!

2009-09-16T18:12:00.000+01:00

Remembering Nan Hoover

2009-06-04T13:48:00.005+01:00

Exhibition Photo

Nan and I in her studio in Amsterdam

Nan Hoover -Born in New York, May 12, 1931 – died in Berlin, June 9, 2008 -
She was one of my favorite teachers and her influence on me was profound. She was an Ex-Pat and lived in Amsterdam and then Berlin. Her art was daring and she was an accomplished painter and later a pioneer of Installation and Video- Art. She will be missed.

The Lost Art Of Letter Writing

2009-05-19T19:58:00.006+01:00

I have scanned a few letters from my archives: It is actually strange to even receive a hand-written* letter anymore, and somewhat odd to even hold letters and re-read them. Some seem like sacred objects from a world that no longer exists. How much of one's personality, not to mention heart & soul was put into these correspondences? In the era of email - such examples may seem quaint - but infinitely more human and mysterious..........

*I included a few typed letters - even a typewritten seems archaic at this juncture.

The New Roman Sampler

2009-05-12T22:13:00.002+01:00

Pope St. Allo sits by a globe slowly he spins it but can he mend it? The pressure on his large white shoulders weighs him down like Atlas at his job. He rests not night, nor day.

Cardinal Valentin, clever master of his Art, always perceptive, wrote a musical version of the Mass so abstract that angels on the head of a pin could not even take it all in.

Sister Saint-Maria's twist of inspiration came from her developed sense of synthesis. She could explain the “Fall” of Western Civilization with a brooch or couch deep Christian-Existential problems in a hairstyle.
Her “egg motif” habit said all who beheld it, was a “Glamour of Glory”, a “Spiritual Shell”.

Sister Anne as acting head of the public relations consortium for the convent; through organizational discipline counts the hours and keeps the minutes. Shut within the spider web of her womb is the small cassette tape of her desire eternally replaying her swan song.

Sister Fahallo, too excited about the Fashion Show, lost sight of the Whole and scrimped on details… alas, it showed her false Halo!
*

a selection of a few pieces from my 1982 exhibition "The New Roman Sampler" (sometimes known as "Nuns with Guns").

The idea behind this show, I believe, preceded the current mania of "Conspiracy Theories" - and it's premise was based on a fantasy of the future of the Catholic Church and it's role in world-domination and political reform.
Also interwoven into the theme was the notion of "Spiritual Glamour" and how it permeated the atmosphere of this future Church (which I dubbed "The New Roman Church"; close to the New World Order appellation in tone).
There is of course, as in most of my offerings, a certain tongue-in-cheekiness.
There was a pamphlet published for this show which contained the incidental writings I conceived to go along with the paintings and some excerpts follow bellow:

(Note: Obviously some of my prophecies did not happen {yet} !)
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Selections from:
B. Von Klingstaat Duffy
Archbishop of the Southern
Dominion
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Fraters Juan Valcedar & Frederico Demonas
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Claude Milton Lafayette
(St. Allspice)
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Compiled by Father Peter O'Driscoll
2025 A.D.
Art as Life Cathedral - Capitol of the Western Dominion
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Preface:

Anno Domino 1998

The people of the world dissatisfied with governments and power hungry rulers have at last been united by the various orders of the New Catholic Hierarchy:
The Supreme and Holy New Roman Church of Evolutionary Humanism.

Pope St. Allo, who celebrates his 35th birthday today, is the Angelic Embodiment of the Spirit, the Logos, and the Father in us All. We raise our glasses to him, who is first to sit in the seat of “Spiritual Arbiter” over All Nations of the Earth!

The Vatican is Located in the Capitol of the Western Dominion, (once called Paris, France). This great city is the home of the Holy See, and is located in the Louvre (now referred to as: "ART AS LIFE CATHEDRAL".

It is the birthday of Pope St. Allo that I commemorate today, as I trace a brief history of the New Roman Church of Evolutionary Humanism from A.D. 1983 to the present day. I write in a time of unprecedented peace. A peace the world has never known. For the world has never known Unification. You, who are to come, will perhaps grow complacent with peace. Remember then the 2000 years of the “Dark Time”, which began the early history of our world and demonstrates the auto-victimization of Man by the tyranny of his beliefs.

Bertram Von Klingstaat Duffy
Archbishop of the Southern Dominion.

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Excerpts from History of the New Roman Church of Evolutionary Humanism (N.R.C. 1982-2010)
B. Von Klingstaat Duffy
Archbishop of the Southern Dominion.

From Chapter One:
El Salvador Del Mundo

Early in spring of 1982, the United States senate held its Foreign Relations Hearing, dealing with the question of Military aid to El Salvador. Among the panel of consultants was Father Brian Hehir, of the United States Catholic Conference. In his message to the senate he outlined the Roman Catholic Church's position on the matter at hand; summarized in four main points:

1. Non Intervention

2. Primacy of the internal situation (Human rights as the core of this situation)

3. Necessity for a political solution from that country and

4. 0pposition to Military assistance.

The question was asked, “Why is the Church seemingly so unaware of the dangers of Communist take over if the Marxist's succeeded? Why does the Church lean toward the support of the Guerrillas?

At this time it was not known, that the Catholic Church itself, and not the Communists, were the instigators of a clever plan to obtain total control of Latin America. From there, as a stepping stone, the whole world was to follow.

Revolutionary priests and nuns, already linked on a global level, formed an alliance with the existing Marxist Guerrillas. Fanning inflamed historical hand me down ideas, they used the Marxists as a cover for an out in out attack. Seeking to undermine, not only the Soviets, but the Americans as well; whose fierce secularist and Protestant ethic was as repugnant to the Roman Catholic Church, as was the atheistic totalitarianism of the Russians.

The assassination of Bishop Romero and the “Three Nuns and Four Church Women” (as the incident was labeled), was an unforeseen tragedy which became a blessing in disguise for the advancement of the New Roman Church during its inception, in as much as the Revolutionary Church could not be targeted as instigators of Salvadoran turmoil.

It is clear why the four main points delivered to the Senate Foreign Relations hearing, by Father Hehir, were as 'hands off” as possible. The less the United States had to do with the affairs of El Salvador, the more easily the task of the Revolutionary Church could be affected.

At that time, in the history of the crisis, many members of the clergy, in both high and low places were unaware of the ubiquitous network of their own organization on a global scale. However many of the most influential and distinguished Catholics were aware of the vast underground, which had been solidifying into a dynamic action coalition, and even could be counted among its core. Included in this illustrious assembly was Pope John Paul. Whether or not he had any direct control of Latin American Appendages, is uncertain. But his sanction of the N.R.C.'s ideologies is historical fact.

The strength of the Church, which had diminished in the Post-Modern world, had to be regained at all costs. This idea was not unknown to Catholics of past generations, and became all the more pressing in a world threatened by Totalitarianism and secular misdirection.

As in the Past, loss of lives seemed a natural side effect of the domination of Evil forces, for “the Heathen will always rage”.
The blood bath in El Salvador was the beginning of the true “take over” by the N.R.C. That country, whose name,
El Salvador del Mundo (the Salvation of the World), appropriately led the rest of the planet under the wing of the N.R.C. and 'the "Revolutionary Evolutionaries", as they dubbed themselves .This marked a new era in the dawn of human progression, that was to fully alter the course of History, and Mankind from that day.

In autumn of2002, the seizure of El Salvador’s rickety government, and subsequent infiltration of that country was made reality. At that time the N.R.C. was operating under the disguise of the E.R.A. (Revolutionary-Evolutionar

y Army). In the journals of Joaquin Villalobos, the assumed Commander of the E.R.A., many references are made to the "Catholic Commandos” and the “Sisters of the Dark Veil". It is now known that these two groups (one, a radical band of Catholic priests and Brothers of various orders- the other their female counterparts), represent the core of covert revolutionary activity and are totally responsible for the bogus formation of the E.R.A.

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2003 A.D.:
In Rome the new Pope was elected, Benedict XVI. The Catholic world left in shock at the death of the beloved and revered John Paul. The new papal inheritor was to be the first openly revealed revolutionary leader. A Swiss by birth, his career, led him around the world and he was even a member of the 'Catholic Commandos', during the El Salvador Crisis.

Following El Salvador, the N.R.C. claimed the territories of Central America, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. Shortly thereafter the remainder of South America was added to the Dominion.

At the end of year 2004, Ireland, and England (facilitated by the merging of the Anglican and Catholic Churches a year earlier), Scotland, Holland, Belgium, France, Spain, and Italy, had all come under the domains of the N.R.C. with the minimum of violence.

By the beginning of 2005, following the example of Sweden, many other countries voluntarily asked for admission to the new order. Finally, China, Russia, and the United States of America bowed to the obvious supremacy of the N.R.C. seemingly the first International Organization ever to effectively unite the various credos and religious philosophies of the planet Earth.

Thus did credos, monarchies, councils, parliaments, Parties, and presidents all melt away into the remote period of the “Dark Time”.

On Christmas Day 2005, the area that was once called Poland was selected as the representative country of the N.R.C., and was renamed the First Free Nation of Evolutionary Upstepment.

Three months afterwards, Mother Clare de Buenos Aires, formally announced the establishment of the First Free Nation.
One month later, Pope Benedict XVI died in Rome, in a helicopter accident. He was succeeded by Paul Phillip Halliday, then administrator of the First Greater Los Angeles Jesuit College (established in 2003).

Halliday's many books on "Evolutionary - Upstepment” had been widely read by Intellectuals world wide. He was considered the most important man in the movement, morally, philosophically, and spiritually.
In April, 2005, he was made Pope; Arbiter of the Spiritual Kingdom on Earth.
Everyone knew of his daring bravery in the Battle of Buenos Aires and of his miraculous work among the Costa Ricans, where many lives were saved due to his foresight, strategies and intelligence in dealing with Communist “Hit Men”.

In August 2005, he was commemorated as a "Living Saint", canonized and given the title 'Pope St. Allo', Governor of the United Continents of the N.R.C. He was then, but 35 years old.

At the signing of the Global Treaty held in New York City, September 2005 ,all remaining territories and countries, signed allegiance to the principles of the N.R.C.; thus sealing the success of the United Continents, and assuring an end to global tyranny, and over 2000 years of human misdirection!

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2015 A.D.

It had been twelve years since the “blossoming” of the N.R.C. and the World is a different place; a world without the threat of war; a world absent of misdirection.
There is something else emerging. It is a new way to live. The success of the Evolutionary-Upstepment movement has even rendered its Mother obsolete.
No one is afraid to admit the Church, as it was, has been swept away. Mankind suddenly stopped pretending, and like all good children who pretend, has grown up; yet a creative sense of “play” has not been abandoned.
The “Day of Judgment” was like being dead in a child's game; yet see how easily fallen Indians and Cowboys arise fully incarnate and living! One day, the worn-out notions of combat and destruction were tempered and assigned to their rightful place; thus redeeming Mythology at it's best.

The N.R.C. of today is so vastly different from the original, that it is more as if a century has passed than a decade.

What may we say has happened?
The New Roman Church, having removed the pain and memory of Man's dark past, has given the human mind a new focus. The Spiritual Nature of Man, now exalted, reigns Supreme. The life of the Imagination has assumed command. Art has merged with Life, and now there is the pure Unity of Being, which before was the sole property of men of genius, artists, or mystics!

Such a world was unimaginable in the 20th Century.

The Word is God.
A.D. 2015

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Archbishop Claude Milton Lafayette was destined to be canonized as the second Living Saint of the N.R.C.
He was honored at The Capitol of the Western Dominion, in summer of 2010. His Nome de plume, “Allspice”, was to be the sacred name bestowed upon him by the Council of the Holy See, and he was henceforth referred to as “St. Allspice”.
Author of New Roman Twelve Stations of the Personal Cross, and A History of the Organization of the Capital of the Western Dominion, St. Allspice was already acclaimed in the world of scholars. His expert work in the transformation of the Boulevard Champs Elysee, into Headquarters, Convention Halls, and Conventariums was admired by all visitors and natives. His progressive ideas of fashion and manners developed him as a leader and one of the most popular men in the Capitol.
At the writing of this book, a life size bronze has been unveiled in Luxembourg Gardens which testifies to the popularity of St. Allspice.”
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Words come quickly, thoughts evolve slower, and so it is that the cloth of many seasons is not woven in a single day. The values of True Religion have only now been freed from mental slavery. Truth has become Truth, with a great AH! ... And a sigh.
All is well at last!
For are not Body and Soul one?

The grand philosophers of the past built a fabulous city of thought. Yet its core was unsound, for there at its center the great duality was revered; the original distorted perception of the difference between what is “inner” and what is “outer” allowed to interfere with human mental health. Difference instead of sameness monitored the inevitable prison of behavior. Some sought escape through avenues of Transcendentalism, or Lotus Eating, while others plunged head on into life of cold pragmatism.

The ages rolled on, life after life ... Man after man.
Until thousands of years later, the minds of men awoke. Christ returned!
It cannot be explained how this mystery was brought about, for its spiritual mechanism and implementation was the final aspect of the enigma. It can only be revealed that He did return, and the planet became settled in Light within the hierarchy of the known inhabited Worlds of Time and Space.

There are no modern Dogmas concerning the return of Christ. It is not an issue.
It is a fact, an unalterable bestowal; a Dawning.

What then is human life?
The age old question…
There is no one alive Now, who does not know the
Answer.

St. Allspice
Jan.22, 2025
London Sector
Grail House

Origins & History of Johnny Detroit

2009-04-23T14:53:00.001+01:00

The Origin of Johnny Detroit

One winter in Santa Fe, New Mexico during the early 1980s – I invented a fictional
character…Johnny Detroit. He was the result of an idea to spoof the renowned Judy Chicago Dinner Party and was intended to be the masculine personification and antithetical expression of that artist’s provocative idea.
My original idea was to be titled “Johnny Detroit’s Brunch” and I envisioned a phallic table set with places for famous men (both real and legendary) - and presented in much the same format as Ms. Chicago’s offering.
I teamed up with artist Michael J. Husband and we constructed and presented the first “Johnny Detroit’s Brunch” at the De Vargas Theatre in Santa Fe.
In addition we published an edition of the “Great Southwestern Fear Of Rejection Society” newspaper in which the entire event was documented. This event was well attended and the additional “Georgia O’Keeffe Look-Alike Contest” was also a featured but separate attraction.

Johnny Detroit was also adapted to a wonderful presentation shown at Seven Stages Theater (1990) and organized by the “Taboo” group of Atlanta, Georgia. Eventually, an entire traveling exhibit was assembled, sustained and offered. This exhibition was even taken on tour to New Orleans.

Later Johnny Detroit became the subject of several other of my projects, including my “Johnny Detroit’s Zen Renaissance” – a traveling Art-Installation. He is also appears as a subject in two collaborative fictional works, “Breadcrusts” and “The Jazz Abduction”.

Recently his persona has been revived in some newer works, namely – the “Secret Life Scrapbooks” and his memory is also featured in a selection of “Art-Songs” written by Cherry Gollogoly (recorded and performed by the Trash Research Institute Ensemble of London).

Caribbean Journey

2009-04-01T13:22:00.004+01:00

A Selection of Images from a recent cruise (March 21 - 30, 2009) on the "Emerald Princess" to Nevis,St.Lucia,Barbados,Antigua,St. Thomas and Eleuthera.

A Sweetly Sentimental Tome

2009-03-11T20:40:00.006Z

These images come from a little and short handmade book. All pages shown above in order from top to bottom.

A Book Of Poignant Spanish Short Stories

2009-03-11T16:28:00.002Z

Los Cuentos de Elvira is a wonderful book of very short stories by author Elvira Piñera. In these insightful psychological tales she visits the interior thoughts of her characters. I had the pleasure of illustrating her graceful voulme. Shown above is the book's cover and three selected illustrations.

A Canterbury Pilgrim

2009-03-11T15:01:00.003Z

copy of medieval pilgrim's token in silver I received -a later note from Father Diss & Pilgrim's window

One of the more interesting and dramatic pilgrimages I have gone on was to the famed Canterbury Cathedral in England. While I was there I went hunting for a man of the cloth to give me a blessing; just as so many others had done for centuries.
I was fortunate to have come upon Father Diss who, after hearing my story, asked me to follow him to the chapel for a benediction. I was more than surprised and honored to be taken to the actual Shrine of Thomas Becket and the adjacent "Lady Chapel" wherein the most beautifully spoken prayer and supplication was bestowed upon me by that gracious priest. It was a high point in my personal spiritual quest.

Passing through the styles of Others

2009-03-06T20:06:00.002Z

I've always adored Georges Rouault and from time to time (in decades past at least) have tried my hand at reflecting his style. The paintings above are some examples.

Who are we?

2009-03-02T13:38:00.004Z

My Parents

From time to time the subject of ancestry must be interesting to us all. Who were these people, imagined in a long and distant chain, who offered their genetic gifts (or flaws) to us as individuals?
My own ancestry seems to be as convoluted and complex as the Rosetta Stone and the racial strains found within what I inherited from two divergent parents seem in some cases compatible and others discordant. Perhaps its true with us all? The paternal links seem to be Galician - Celtic Northern Spain and the surname itself cited with many spellings Cejas,Seijas, Seixas, Aceijas, Azexas, Aseixas, Acejas, Acexas, Azeixas and Xexas. Then from my father's maternal linage is a hafty dollop of Sicilian, whose linage spirals backwards to the Pheonicians. The maternal surname "Alderman" - is clearly British but further complicated by admixtures of French and German. So mix it all up into a genetic cocktail and one gets a gene pool that covers most of Antique Europe.
My question is: Are all these voices present in the so-called "racial memory"? Sometimes I feel they are and wish they would just shut-up. But other times I wonder if it matters really. Is not the sacred life of each indivdual beyond his or her ancestral hand-me-downs? Is not what we are in our present incarnation strong enough to rise transcendentally into a unique human expression that is uncolored by horoscopes,family trees and any possible links to our distant relatives, whether they were degenerates or glorified blue-bloods?

A Few Shots of The Eternal City!

2009-03-01T22:01:00.004Z

At the mouth of Truth - Steven Hamsness at the Temple of Saturn - Tivoli (it looks like backdrop but its real) - and some latter day Roman Centurions

2009-03-01T22:01:00.000Z

Santeria Sculptures

2009-02-22T22:02:00.003Z

Two shots of the large wooden (and painted metal) sculptures John Martini & I created in Key West - they represent the Gods of Santeria Cults.

Three Paintings from the "Forgotten Gods" series

2009-02-22T21:49:00.003Z

Hercules, Dionysius & Alexander

Noli Me Tangere

2009-02-22T21:46:00.001Z

The enigma of Mary Magdalene - interpreted as a large work on paper : Noli Me Tangere.
Click on image for larger view.

Cat Paintings from the Aesthetic Survival Era

2009-02-18T19:30:00.001Z

Atlanta Georgia Recollections

2009-02-18T19:20:00.002Z

All these photos were taken in Atlanta during the time I lived there. From top to bottom:
1. Double exposure if Michael Slagle & Bill Fibben 2. Michael Venezia & Don Cooper 3. King Thackstin 4. David Brasfield 5. Chipp Jamison, Judy Aycock & Michael Slagle 6. Allison McGlaughlin 7. Nanci Dubin 8. Ellen Gentry, Kathy Christensen and me 8. Micahel Slagle Birthday 9. Michael Slagle, King Thackston ,Don Cooper and unknown guy.

Sharon Gorman (A Dynamic Persona)

2009-02-18T19:13:00.002Z

In this selection I post some of my favorite pictures of Sharon Gorman (currently of Atlanta Georgia); an extraordinary woman with a unique world view - from top to bottom: 1. Sharon and I do our imitation of Marat Sade - 2. Aboard the QE2 - 3. On deck of QE2 with Michael Slagle & Ellen Gentry - 4. we dance in London - 5. Sharon at Kinsington Mews

Temporal Arts

2008-12-12T19:14:00.002Z

These lovely pieces were created by my friend Zoe Viles, who lives in Origny l'Roux, France. Tender evocations of earthly sentiments - artistic creations which are scattered by the winds...

Pics from The Celebrity Solstice Cruise

2008-11-30T19:11:00.013Z

This cruise was the Maiden-Voyage "Inagural" of Celebrity's new ship "Solstice" - sailing around Caribbean- West Indies - Puerto Rico, St. Martins and St. Kitts -Last week of November 2008.

Various ship board scenes

Publish Post

Scenes of St. Kitts Island

Mysterious Islands

Scenes of San Juan

Steven Hamsness on inner deck and in wine bar

Upper Decks

Persian Garden Spa room

Quasar Lounge

in the DJ pod - Quasar Disco

"I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date..."

2008-11-14T13:31:00.002Z

photo of Sam Lewis at the British Museum with the Rosetta Stone (an interesting coincidental shot: notice the sideways reflection in the glass of the pregnant woman? Very Egyptian.

I've been thinking about the various theories of Time. The most obvious and clearest notion is that - Time is arbitrary convenience and a great help-mate as far as a framework for structuring our appointments, meeting friends for dinner, etc.
But, in fact, Time when viewed out-of-body and in its Grand scale, is all-happening, forever and eternal. So much for the quaint idea of "History" - for in "BIG_TIME", the years, days, hours, minutes of convenience mean nothing at all. What was then, present and yet to be are likewise virtually erased. The moment of the completion of the Pyramids and the ending of the nightly news just viewed on television is, in a larger reality - the same moment. In "Big-Time", its all right now. I have been actively participating in this mode of thought and have begun to sense bleed-throughs of eternal moments everywhere now. How about you?

Meant To Be? Not.......................

2008-11-13T12:46:00.002Z

I never like the phrase "it was meant to be" - for it does away with free will. Likewise, it makes the individual unaccountable for every action in life. Its very easy to blame absolutely everything on God, Fate or the "Higher-Powers" (whatever they may be).
Is it not more likely that we set ourselves up for each event we find ourselves taking part in - be it for better or worse? Putting ourselves in harms way as a form of subterfuge - or exposing ourselves to beneficent creative influences as a matter of choice? As the Bard once said, "Nothing is good or bad, but thinking makes it so...."

Big Kids

2008-10-30T12:15:00.004Z

This morning I had a sudden odd sensation: I felt like I was a little boy. I don't know what triggered it - but for an instant I lost the identity of my grown-up persona and felt transported to an earlier manifestation of my psyche.
Maybe we all never really "grow-up" (as they say) - Perhaps there is no need to let the so-called "inner-child" out - maybe he/she is out - only cleverly disguised as an adult. Certainly as we mature we become more socialized and in some cases (not all) behave better - but think about it. How like the child you were is the present "you"? Are not our reactions, predilections and affinities much the same as when we were children.? I think so...perhaps we are more refined manifestations of that kid...perhaps we have convinced ourselves that there really are "stages" of Life...but in fact it is actually but one journey (dislodged from arbitrary human time-keeping conveniences). As the old saying states, "Everything is inherent in the genesis".

Its So You!

2008-10-27T15:19:00.002Z

I always cringe when I hear the phrase "Its so you".There have been several times in life when somebody has made this announcement, or it has preceded the giving of a gift, and I have been left wondering, "It is? Is that me?"
Upon deeper reflection (and this is the point of this Blog submission), I have come to believe that the old saying "Tip of the iceberg" - is oh so true in matters regarding individual perception. Clearly, there must be something about a person's projected persona , which resonates with another persons observations - but everything seems to be about "point of view" and depth of sensitivity. Example: just because someone is an artist, it does not necessarily mean that he loves everything eccentric, bohemian, or left-field. Or, if someone has shown a marked developed imagination, it does not always hold true that the person is incapable of great practicality or pragmatic decision making capabilities. I am sure that everyone can think of examples from their own personal experience.
It does give one pause, however, to consider how impenetrable and often unfathomable our masks are. How many times have you been in a conversation when you may have been wondering - "what would so-in-so think if he/she could read my mind and know what I am really thinking"?
So we are all revealed in the flesh, yet hardly known internally, psychically, or spiritually.

Things....

2008-10-22T17:08:00.002+01:00

Does the destiny of objects mirror our own lives? Things come into being out of our ideas and thoughts...and once given form, pass from person to person and place to place with their own fortunes impressed upon them like a horoscope.

The mysteries of photographs

2008-10-04T14:42:00.000+01:00

I have recently been studying the composition of ordinary photographs. Sometimes what is captured in the image is more than meets the eye initially. In this shot above...a friend snapped of me coming out of bakery in the Marais district of Paris...I never noticed the two birds facing in opposite directions in the street or the girl standing in the doorway in the distance. How many strangers are captured in photos intended to be pictures of oneself?

Guess Who?

2008-08-12T17:09:00.001+01:00

Silent Images Of Then...

2008-05-31T17:33:00.002+01:00

found this film of some of family members: Great grandmother, aunt, and uncles, mother, father,bother, sister and me...old country, old colors, old passing moments of gaiety.

memory

2008-05-30T20:43:00.002+01:00

Coincidence is the Messenger of Truth

Hendaye, Côte Basque

2008-05-14T21:27:00.000+01:00

The Cross of Hendaye and the Realm of Imagination

Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

2008-05-14T21:07:00.001+01:00

view of the seacoast near Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Saint Remy As It Was

2008-05-14T20:59:00.001+01:00

In The Magic Forest Near Vaucluse

2008-05-12T14:10:00.002+01:00

2003 A Very Good Year

2008-05-11T20:43:00.003+01:00

Côtes du Luberon: More Scenes

2008-05-11T20:40:00.002+01:00

Côtes du Luberon Scenes

2008-05-11T20:35:00.001+01:00

Provence Scenes

2008-05-11T16:12:00.003+01:00

St. Rémy Interiors

2008-05-11T12:56:00.002+01:00

St. Rémy, Provence

2008-05-11T12:46:00.000+01:00

St. Gervais - Paris

2008-05-10T12:10:00.003+01:00

La Sainte-Chapelle, Paris

2008-05-10T11:59:00.001+01:00

Scenes Of Paris

2008-05-09T20:02:00.000+01:00

More Scenes Of Paris

2008-05-09T19:46:00.001+01:00

Some Scenes Of Paris

2008-05-09T19:40:00.000+01:00

The Moon & Gender Confusion

2008-03-22T14:09:00.001Z

Why is the Moon designated as female, and yet people always say "the man in the moon"?

Worm Moon

2008-03-22T14:01:00.000Z

Photo of Easter Full Moon over the Intracostal Waterway

Honoring A Friend

2008-03-20T22:27:00.000Z

Steven Hamsness is among the most beloved friends of my life. When we look at our friendships, how many of us, as I have, wonder at the mysterious forces which bring people together! Let's raise a toast to our "mates" in Time & Space and be happy that we don't have to walk through this ole' world without the reflections of others....what a one-sided and ponderous existence it would be if every situation were unshared and totally subjective!

Queen Victoria Sails from Ft. Lauderdale

2008-02-18T22:09:00.000Z

Click on the arrow below to view a video of Cunard's new ship Queen Victoria - I filmed from the inlet near the port of Ft. Lauderdale as she departs on her Maiden World Cruise - January 2008.

Transformations

2008-02-18T21:15:00.000Z

As Ophelia said in Shakespeare's Hamlet - "Lord, we know what we are but not what we shall become"...In this vintage photo of myself from another incarnation - I spoof my own persona!

An Extraordinary Sentiment....

2008-02-14T12:24:00.001Z

"Myself, I long for Love and Light - but it come so cruelly must it burn so bright?" -

-Leonard Cohen from the song Joan Of Arc

The David Problem

2008-02-01T22:04:00.000Z

Mapplethorpe's vision is one of obsession...indeed there is beauty in it, but there is also a misdirected attempt (in my opinion) to deliver ones obsessions up to public scrutiny in the form of a polished and artful subterfuge...certainly his flowers are only flowers...but his erotic offerings are only glossy pornography...they only amplify his personal sexual obsessions and though they ask to be "honest" looks at sexuality (and specifically homosexuality) they do not succeed ... because his tastes do not transcend.

There are other artists like him of course...but perhaps artists like Francis Bacon...or Balthus... are more successful in that territory. All in all it is very difficult to explore ones sexuality overtly in Art...it seems better to explore it inadvertently...allowing the mystery of sexuality to arise in ways that do not blatantly become iconic...perhaps this is the fine line between what is porn and what is erotic. Pornography seeks to excite and that is its single minded purpose...eroticism seeks to reveal something about human nature. One of the most interesting quandaries in expressing the nude form seems to be the portrayal of the nude male figure. For centuries everyone (or nearly everyone) has accepted the female nude as part and parcel of the artists offering. But the male nude is another story....all one needs to do is walk through any major museum to see what the fate of male genitalia has been...fig leafs, or worse completely lopped off! Those which have survived intact are often the source of giggles and smiles and funny photos taken in the Louvre! Even the David in Florence, is still thought of as the worlds biggest naked guy...and the tourist souvenir sellers stalls around the streets capitalize on his endowment with funny men's underwear, or aprons, or silly postcards drawing ones attention to David's uncircumcised wanger. Why is male full frontal nudity so hard to swallow? (forgive the pun)....Is it because the male member itself is perhaps unpredictable...or is too predictable?

The nude male or female is of course one of the most beautiful and mysterious of all of God's creations and Nature's handiwork...if we had been educated properly from the beginning then all people would know that any honest and passionate depiction of humankind in art will not seek to diminish such a spectacular creation, but relish it as the vessel which is ultimately conjoined to the soul.

Dawn

2008-01-01T12:12:00.000Z

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

-Book of James

Mysterious Xmas Images

2007-12-26T13:22:00.000Z

Happy Christmas

2007-12-21T18:50:00.001Z

Happy Christmas to all my family and friends! Many thanks for your support and love........

Jaff

Mithras

2007-12-21T18:40:00.001Z

The religion of the Ancient world that was the most successful was that of the cult of Mithras. The early Church-fathers incorporated some aspects of the mythos into their own agenda. Mithras birth was also celebrated at the winter Solstice and a feast of December 25th. Earlier this year (2007) I made a pilgrimage to the Mithras shrine in Rome, which is now below the Church of San Clemente. As I peered into the dimly lit shrine at the alter of the mysteries, I could not help but think what power "beliefs" hold over the human mind.

Return of Banished Light

2007-12-21T13:08:00.001Z

Image above is Runic calendar...today marks the Winter Solstice...the shortest day but also the turning point of the return of banished light. We join our ancestors of the centuries who marked this time as symbolic moment of powerful spiritual forces in relationship to the earth and cosmos.

Nicholas

2007-12-20T21:06:00.000Z

Saint Nicholas, aside from being patron of children, is also the protector of sailors...another of his alleged attributes was his power of bi-location...The above image is a beautiful Russian Icon of the legendary man and bishop who transformed through time as Santa Claus.

Krampus

2007-12-19T23:08:00.000Z

Let's revive Krampus! The scary fellow who is Saint Nick's companion....he hurls chains and thwacks people with switches who have been naughty...and there are so many spoiled people who could benefit from a good thrashing!

The Spirit of Christmas Present

2007-12-19T23:00:00.001Z

How detached are we as "Moderns" from the original pagan customs of the Yule-tide season? Just wander through any Shopping Mall and witness the smart but very safe gifts people purchase to represent their sentiments. I rather like this image of Santa Klaus coming over the roof with a kind of wild-man aura bringing surprises - rather some antiseptic present from Macy's, The Gap, or Banana Republic.

Glamour - A World Problem,

2007-12-19T16:22:00.001Z

Often we may assume an identity briefly, just for the hell of it. But are our characters so plasticine that we may indeed be capable of becoming some adopted role? Above is a photograph taken aboard the Queen Mary 2 this past July. The photographer asked me to assume a James Bond persona...I wasn't sure if that was really who I wanted to be in this shot, so instead I began doing Tai Chi exercises....

Have Your Cake & Eat It Too!

2007-12-19T14:59:00.000Z

avoir le beurre et l’argent du beurre

Point of View

2007-12-19T14:53:00.000Z

Avec un «si», on mettrait Paris en bouteille

Cure

2007-12-19T14:50:00.001Z

Aux grands maux, les grands remèdes

This image is a painting by my friend Zoe Viles who lives in Origny-le-Roux, France.

The Two Paths

2007-12-13T10:32:00.002Z

Regardless of turbulence stirred up by choosing to come to consciousness, it is essential to act on these impulses; otherwise you will be thwarted for life and become simply another of the walking dead. Those who have chosen the easy path- which is self-surrender to all the forces which seem to govern us: God, the Church, the State, national identity, heredity and a paltry list of attributes which we are told we must swallow if we are to uphold the status-quo.
Of course this is Life, and either choice is not easy;
except that one leads to the freedom of clarity and the other to a life of numbness among the artifacts of Fuzzy-Wuzzy land.

Mental Arches

2007-12-12T22:23:00.001Z

Knowledge can only be called such when applied.....