So remember the little hottie I shot Polaroids of down in Miami last week? Turns out he's one of Jason's boys over at Major. His name is Jeremy Santucci and he'll be up in the city soon. Check out these shots Randall Mesdon did on him.
My favorite little East Village photographer Brandon Herman is taking part in a group show entitled The Crooked Mirror at Envoy Gallery. The opening is tonight and the show will run until January 12th. There will be loads of cute boys there I assure you.
Envoy Gallery
131 Chrystie St.
6-8pm
So not only is K-Fed (I'd hit that) lookin' rough on the cover of next month's Details but they're throwing a block party this Saturday. The event is all over the Meatpacking District and goes from 12-5pm with a VIP silent auction from 7-10pm at Lotus. See you there!
Are we still talking about gays in the military, abortion and The Bible???? A girlfriend in Oklahoma, I spoke with moments after the Rebublican debate, gushed proudly over the potential candidates. Whereas all I could think was how horrified I would be if any of them were to make it in to office. I don't know how you could look at any of these people with anything but absolute horror.
Casey Spooner is not only "Performance Art Extraordinaire" or simply one half of Electro-Pop duo Fischer Spooner but, with a wit and charm like no other, he is also the stuff that good girlfriends are made of. His unique style and individual spirit have elevated him to super star status igniting an international fan base and cult following. AND he's a really nice guy.
From his early days in front of Starbucks to his collaborations with such greats as David Byrne and Susan Sontag, Casey's work has been featured on the highly rated series Nip/Tuck and his performances (which have been described as some of New York City's most exciting) have linked him to Andy Warhol. He has been described as a "flamboyant trickster" and it is his ability to straddle genre's that gives his versatility universal appeal.
Since September Casey has been entertaining audiences in Hamlet with the esteemed Wooster Group and will soon be releasing Fischer Spooner's third album. His schedule is relentless and I was thrilled that he found time to have a conversation with me via iChat, where he expressed his feelings about not only the art and music world but how he sees his role and accomplishments in both.
I adore Casey Spooner! His talents are endless and he is a lot of fun.
What's Up Casey Spooner?
JD Ferguson: Hey giblet!
Casey Spooner: I'm up. I'm up. I'm up.
JD: Oh my god your on iChat, you do know how to IM, I'm impressed. No rush, I'm eating instant oatmeal.
CS: Lemme make coffee.
JD: I seriously don't know what happened to me last night. I feel like I got hit by a truck. Could be all the Manhunt at 1am.
CS: Ouch!
JD: I know.
CS: I'm beat. I have not had a day off in 3 weeks other than Thanksgiving and I barely got through that!
JD: NO! Really? You were that way when I saw you months ago.
CS: I know!
JD: Should we start?
CS: We started.
JD: So how's the show going? How long has it been?
CS: I have been working full time on this show since September as well as performing (previews included) since October 9th, 6 days a week.
JD: That's a lot. Has it been worth it? Fulfilling?
CS: TOTALLY fulfilling just physically and personally challenging. I've also been doing photo shoots for my past two days off for the new FS album. Yesterday was incredible, I was so tired I just let the stylists go ballistic and there was no mirror in the studio so I couldn't see what anyone was doing to me.
JD: I read that FS was created as an outlet for your creative frustration and then it happened and you sort of blew up in a big way. What has the whole FS journey been like for you?
CS: I was a painter first and always a visual artist as a child (my mother taught art) I went to college and got into performance and worked in an experimental group for about nine years. So performance and visual art is my thang. FS was an antidote to the lofty and difficult performance styles. I wanted (initially) to speak in a language of performance more people could connect too.
JD: So you knew it would happen in some capacity. Did you think it would be with music or in the form of a collaboration?
CS: Well, I knew lots of musicians and loved music but it wasn't something I was studying. As far as collaboration, I am a very loyal person. Nine years with Doorika, the first group I was in, and nine years with Warren and FS. I like to get into it with people and go there. Hamlet, however, is my return to where I began and The Wooster Group was my art school fantasy.
JD: And you were aware of The Wooster Group for awhile right? Like always wanted to be there?
CS: Since I was 20. I am 37 now.
JD: So you must be on top of the world being able to pick and choose your projects. Do you have a dream gig?
CS: Dream gig...hmmm, I want to make a movie next. Or at least be in one. I want performance that is captured and can withstand the test of time.
JD: Your perfect for movies, I can totally see you singing and dancing in wild costumes. What's the new album like? Is it a departure from FS past?
CS: The new album is great. I am super excited. Warren is doing an amazing job. I can't wait for people to hear it. I am very proud of it, it's like the first and the second record, Electronic but better song writing. I feel like I finally figured out how to write and HAMLET helped! Being immersed in that language has given me a new perspective. I had a hard time with rhyme structures before, I felt that they limited the idea and meaning of language too much and DUH, rhyming is a big part of songwriting. I was more of a rhythmic writer but this is tough on melody. But after Shakespeare for two years I really have a love for rhyme and see how form and content can merge in a magical way. Not that I am some great singer/songwriter, that's not the point for me, I am an artist finding my way through American culture and entertainment is the dominant form that I love and hate.
JD: Well as a multi-faceted artist ( I guess we could say) it only makes sense that all things creative for you would affect the other. I love people that are just complete creative beings especially ones who are recognized and admired for their talent.
CS: I feel mostly despised. Art people loved us but then when we chose a "real" entertainment career they were put off. It was no longer a secret guilty pleasure and music people are generally very dismissive. I feel a bit like a failure.
JD: Doesn't that always happen though? And as obvious as it is, that, I guess you would still feel very affected by it. I would hardly say your a failure though.
CS: I thought (naively) I could bring the worlds of art and entertainment together.
JD: Well you sorta did though.
CS: Sorta. I thought and think it could go much further, really pushing the language of performance into an exciting and interesting place. But business models are what kill it.
JD: Really, how so?
CS: Well, art and entertainment are inherently in conflict on a business level and especially in terms of "value". The products of each business undermine the other. One is about total access and one is about limited access.
JD: So how do you deal with that?
CS: Well, I do what I love and I don't waste my time on creative work that I don't. I'm thinking smaller these days. I am not going to push myself so hard. I had a boyfriend early in my performance career who was very frustrated with how poor I was and could not understand what I was doing or why. He asked me what is was that I was headed for and I said, "I want to be famous in such a cool way that you don't know who I am." I think I have achieved that.
JD: Well if L'uomo Vogue has anything to say about it you have. How does someone with no PR get 9 out of 10 pages in the Fall style section? I had no idea you were such an icon in men's fashion.
CS: I'm not. But I would love to be.
JD: Well we both saw it with our own eyes. Hey our shots of your apartment looked great by the way. That was a fun day.
CS: Yeah, it was. I love making pictures, even if it is of a closet!
JD: I have to say since being in your place I've really been craving a home, its so comfy your place.
CS: Yes, home is a good thing. You just need some books and a good rug.
JD: And your cats certainly help.
CS: Oh shite! I have to go to rehearsal! It's 1:30 and I have to be there at 2pm!
JD: Okay GO! We're good here!
CS: Gotta run! Laters! xoxox- CS
JD: Thanks I'll talk to you later!
CS: And stay off MAHUNT!! Go out!
JD: Ugh...I know.
I finally found time to get the Club Kid story I shot for Paper Magazine scanned. The story opens with the fabulous Andre J (of French Vogue fame) and pays tribute to the city's most happening DJ's and party-goers. I didn't include all the images so pick up a copy of the November issue of Paper to see the story in it's entirety.
It's been awhile since I covered Request's Edward L as a New Face. He's managed to find time in his school schedule to get to the gym and I think he looks amazing. LOVE Edward L!
I am still blown away by the amount of exciting young blogs I keep finding out there. And unlike many, who seem too insecure to give props when they're due, I love sharing them with you. From the latest jewelry designs to favorite editorial or fashion icon, WheRe ThE LigHtS EnD offers a fun and eclectic array of all that is fashionable. Check it out!
Made it back to the city just in time for a surprise birthday party for one of my favorite people, Brian Molloy. Thrown by one of my other favorites jewelry designer Elizabeth Yarborough. Fun crowd, KT Auleta, Jay Massacret, Patrik Ervell, Alex Hawgood, Christopher Bollen, Kyra Griffin, Brian Phillips and the always fabulous Christopher Bartley. Total blast! Happy Birthday Ms. Molloy!
Back in the Big Apple just in time for Thanksgiving with friends. Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!
Its all comin back to me now. As I sit in the Ft. Lauderdale airport (which boasts some of Americas most stellar citizens) I am reminded of one of the major reasons I tired of modeling. Travel.
Sure being flown First Class or Business certainly helps the time from security to your reclining chair, however with clients cutting costs wherever possible, it's usually the model who ends up in coach. Sandwiched between two lovlies whose highlight of their vacation is the free soft drink and bag of chips they receive on their flight back to bum-f*ck wherever the hell their from.
Sorry. Airports make me cranky.
Started the morning over at the boys place before heading to the beach for pick-up shots on Pedro and Brenno. Saturday was overcast and as much as I was hoping to have a free beach-day before heading back to New York, I was thrilled to have a quintessential sunny South Beach Sunday. The light was amazing and really added a much needed element to my story. Thank GOD!
Brenno was a complete joy to work with all day and was so in to it that I can't wait for him to see the shots printed. Little Pedro was tired from his Saturday night out, as you are when your young and in South Beach living as a model. He's going to do really well so I was happy to capture such amazing shots of him. 
Spent the rest of the day chillin with my Zig-Zags and iPod. After much sun and a lot of fun we were starving so we walked over for some Diner action and on the way stopped to watch local Capoeira. All and all a great way to end a crazy week. New York here I come!
Shot boys all weekend and between playing stylist, hairdresser, photographer and babysitter to a bunch of unruly 20 something's, I was exhausted. Three days of "Okay get out of the tree!" and "Don't sit in the mud with the white Speedo!" It was crazy. Wait til you see the pics though, they're amazing.
The sweetest and most professional of all of them was Brazilian Brenno Rossi WHO as you can see was also the shyest.
Mario is going to freak when he gets a hold of Brazilian Pedro Bissi. He's adorable. I shot him all weekend and as he won't be in the city until Spring, this post is one part New Face and two parts Obsession du Jour. He is amazing and I guarantee you'll be seeing a lot more of him. Pedro is with Next Miami and DNA in New York.
After a week of craziness I was able to sleep in but, with a sketchy weather forecast for the weekend, I was anxious to get started with some shooting. So I called the agencies and had some of the guys meet up over at, are you ready for this, the model apartment. Holy cow. I hadn't been in one of those things since Milan in my early 30's which, surprise surprise, I was always the oldest guy amongst a dozen or so 20 yr. old mama's boys who had never left Texas.
Every Sunday I'd make a big batch of soup to get us all through the week. As you can imagine, with 8-10 guys piled up in one space- with all those young egos, ethnicity's and temperaments- I spent half my time breaking up fights and the other half rolling my eyes. It's funny there's always like a partying one, one that eats everyone's food, one that doesn't do their laundry, a clean freak that's always frustrated, a drunk, a pot-head, a pig, one that owns a computer and several that always wanna be on it. It's quite a scene.
Up early and back down to South Pointe for my last day with my favorite client. It's an all female crew from out West and not only are they a lot of fun but after years of working with them it's like being with family. Yvette, Mary, Rebecca and the funnest (and cutest) photographer from San Francisco named Kate Powers.
Two hilarious brothers were there and I had not seen Griffin, the older of the two since he was an infant. They were a pleasant relief from the feisty little Briana who not only smacked me in the face but kicked me in the shin.
Anytime Brazilians cross my path I take advantage of it and send some love down to my friend Juliano who has a fabulous blog called Made In Brazil. My shots of Evandro Soldati, Caroline Trentini and Alexandre Cunha started a trend among the Brazilian contingents and they have all since submitted their smiling mugs. I found these three "Playa's" or "Vagabundos," as the Brazilians say, over at Next while working on my Speedo casting. So you can add Pedro Bissi, David Jensen and Davi Costa to the list.
Oh my god I've been crazy. Ran my twat all over the beach today casting guys for a Speedo story I'm doing. Found this little hottie at South Beach's latest addition to the agency roster, Front Mgmt. which Christian Alexander started. Unfortunately all my pics are on my Mac and I'm exhausted with trying to size these on my friends PC, so as I have an early call time in the morning I'm going to tease you with this boy and go to bed.
There will be plenty more to come. I'm sure all of you are sick of seeing pics of me but don't worry tomorrow is my last day on set. I'll be shooting boys all weekend and then back in the city on Monday. Hope your enjoying this blogging from the road. I never wanted this blog to be one of those "Today I..." blogs, but for now I'm afraid it's the best I can do.
Hit the sand running and popped by Elite to see my favorite booker EVER Steve Wimbley (the one responsible for getting me back on the horse), so he could do some Polaroids and I could get the details for my first day back on-set. Stevie used to take care of me back in in the day over at Michelle Pommier and then later Wilhelmina and has recently moved over to Elite. Agencies don't matter to me, good agents do.
Headed down to South Point just in time for lunch before playing kid wrangler/babysitter for my first shot. Oh and FYI- kids LOVE me. Kids and dogs are sort of my thing. I don't know, it's like they think I'm a clown or something and all the moms always end up saying "Your great with her, here take her," and then they go sit in their min-van and leave me to watch their kids. Happens every time.
Hey! Word! So guess who's down in Miami all week? And UN-like last week's attempt at "Live Blogging" from Paris, I'm fully prepared to cover each day with my new digital camera. I've recently started taking direct bookings as a model and figured since I was down here working I'd schedule a few extra days and knock out a shoot as well.
Yes that's right, many of you may not be aware but I actually used to model. And like everyone else in the 90's I too bought a place on South Beach. For 8 years I would winter here and it was not only a good gig but my own personal haven. One I thought would last forever. That is until, like everything, word got out and it became overrun with white trash. I would spend six months on the road in Europe and the other half working for American clients like Land's End, J.Crew, Eddie Bauer and L.L. Bean. I was like the catalog King. Seems crazy now.
In addition to being back in front of the lens, I'm looking forward to doing some castings and seeing what Miami has to offer these days. It's very surreal to be here. Everyone I knew is gone and it feels like a ghost town. Oh and "Yes" to all my friends freezing their asses off in New York, I am once again enjoying being able to rub in your noses that I'm on the beach and your not!
Redken front man Guido Palau is my favorite thing about fashion. Not just because he's a genius with hair but because he's so much fun. Guido floats between the sets of David Sims and Steven Meisel and whenever anyone wants the best, Guido is the one they call.
In honor of her ex-step mom Heather Mills (who she famously hates), Stella McCartney has designed a necklace featuring one leg. Yowza.
Turns out I'm not the only Ryan Taylor fan running around. I woke up this morning and found this in my Inbox.
There's a reason why Kylie Bax was once the muse of Avedon, Helmut Newton and Steven Meisel. She's back. And One's got her.
