feather2pixels

Well, after battling with old expired emulsion, runny ink and a shitty design problems (all mercifully not chronicled here), I finished Stephen’s Print.  It looks like this:

Careful observers will note that I needed to enlarge the size of the dots on his jacket from the previous design.  Details like this consumed me for the most part, but every once in a while the project made me sad.

I took the liberty of spreading a few of these around the neighborhood, particularly in the West end of Precita Park, where Stephen lived.  I found a few strategically placed trees to discretely nail into.  Also I placed a limited edition of prints for public distribution at Charlie’s and Precita Park Cafe.  I think they will either be gone very soon or sitting around forever.

I documented the project in detail for my objects section.

And finally here is a good Times article on the incident.

At some point in December there was an attack on  Precita Park‘s spiritual overseer/resident homeless dude, Stephen Stymiest.  Shortly thereafter, Stephen died of wounds sustained during the assault, alleged to be a random act of gang initiation.  The whole story is just sad.  Very sad.  And it is staying with me.  I feel like Stephen was one of the best things this fast-changing neighborhood had going for it and I miss his reliable and comforting presence.  Stephen was always looking over the neighborhood but who who looking over Stephen? This got me thinking about how much more I could do as a neighbor, citizen, and fellow human.

Well there’s a lot more I could do.  For now, the immediate aftermath, since I am a printmaker, I am going make a print.  This one’s going to be for Stephen.

Here’s my image:

And here’s my stack of cardboard:

More soon.

Some good local coverage from the ever-vigilant Bernalwood blog:

• RIP Stephen, Familiar Resident of Precita Park
• Memories of Stephen Stymiest Wanted by His Family
• Precita Neighbors Gather to Remember Stephen