From Chuck Suchy

May, 2000

Our society maintains its frenzied regression to the mean. Life quality is increasingly gauged by approaching assumed normalcy and Dow Jones Industrial averages–our lives packaged and delivered to us by corporate and media minds determined that we consume and believe we are in ultimate control.

It is by the heart and hand of the artist we are saved from such complacent arrogance. Be it the brushed oil of Van Gogh or the Crayola blossom of a third grader, it is the artist who takes us not only to the outer realms of life but also makes us aware that even within the eighty per-cent average of the bell curve joyful absurdity exists and that we can take delight in our faulty humanity.

James R. Dean is such an artist. Compelling wit, constant effort, and quick, steady camera are the instruments of his art. His photos like mirrors offering reflection of the obvious, or windows open to grand vistas of what might otherwise be passed over as insignificant, remind us to take heed and take time to listen and notice, less true life pass us by–or we pass true life by.

In our college days, Deaner and I lived in concentric circles, mine much smaller than his. He was the big gun folk singer on campus whom I viewed shyly from a distance to be a big scary guy. Guys who have the courage or abandon to reach beyond the norm are scary to those of us who don't. We parted; we grew, thirty years later our circles interact again – this time intersecting. I am better for that.

Experiencing life through the mind and camera lens of James R. Dean changes how you see yourself and how you see the world. Once you find the courage to notice the joy and affirmation found in the seemingly ordinary you won't be able to stop. As Deaner says, "It's everywhere." And you will be better for that.

James R. Dean 's 2001 Photo Calendar

Photographs by guess who. The little cover photo shows a two-lane highway and its grassy verge in low sunlight. Friendly cumuli fill the sky. To the right, some high brush. Standing beside the road facing us is a bearded man in work clothes and a hefty jacket. Between him and the high brush is a diamond-shaped road sign that says DIP; under the dip sign a diagonal arrow points down to the hefty jacket and the man, who may well be James R. Dean, sneaky person that he is. The caption says "Dip, Avon, MN • October 16, 1999 #99-82-9" (frame 9, roll 82, 1999. I appreciate if when a photographer gives us such data--no idea why, unless besause it shows both concern for the work and self-respect [as distinct from "self-esteem," a pop cliche that means "unmerited vanity"].)

Each month has a photo, and each photo has its own quiet sting of wit. These are gopd messages. Add to this, significant dates identified, as, T, February 20, lvan Albright, 1897, North Harvey, lL. The cognoscenti know:that this is Ivan Le Lorraine Albright, mad painter and titlemonger, among whose works are That Which I Should Have Done I Did Not Do; Into the World there Came A Soul Called Ida; and Ah, God! Herrings, Buoys, the Glittering Sea! He was a son of Adam Emory Albright, and brother of Zyzsly (sp?). (Z. decided that since Ivan was at the beginning of the list in exhibition catalogs, he would be at the other end and thus the brothers would contain all). If you don't know Ivan's painting, look for a tape of the 1940s movie of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. He painted The Picture for the movie in various stages of decay and dissolution--a specialty of his. I once met Adam Emory Albright, the father, in Chicago--a nice old painter who made good, but modest, unassuming art. His brilliant sons took off from there.

Thing is, Dean knows, and his knowing spices his work. Wait till you see Total Lawn Care (July).

Hint. The calendar is for sale. If you'd like a friendly calendar with photos that provoke and entertain without enraging, this might be for you. Calendars for all years since 1995 are available. The 2001 one is priced at $16; MN residents add 6-1/2% sales tax; everyone add $3 postage per order. Need I point out that, since GRUMP carries no ads-never has, never will—this is noncommercial information to use as you see fit?

Send (it says) your order and check to James R. Dean, 17010 Norman Road, Avon, MN 56310. Allow 3 to 4 weeks for delivery. Dean can also be reached about his prints for sale at www.cloudnet.com/~image

This article was reprinted with permission from the author.