Artist, graphic designer, & tech consultant in Nelson County, VA
Author:lemsy
John LeMasney (lemsy) is an artist, graphic designer, and technology creative. He is located in beautiful Nelson County, VA, but works remotely with ease. Contact him at: lemasney@gmail.com to discuss your next creative project.
Sweetgum Seed lamp (detail), steel, glass, and LEDs, Robert Kuster and John LeMasney, 2015
There’s a lot going on now at LeMasney Consulting!
Teaching
John LeMasney teaching
Teaching at area schools and libraries has started up again! I’m at Rider University, Princeton Adult School, Princeton Public Library and other great venues and old friends like Cherry Hill Public Library. I’m talking about visual literacy, graphic design, personal branding, Arduino & Raspberry Pi, the Internet of Things, and lots of other fun topics. You can see all of my public events on the calendar in the sidebar or menu.
I’m doing a lot of WordPress work now in helping some local entrepreneurs get off the ground, developing branding campaigns, and strategizing about new avenues. A lot of people are really excited about one-page designs, but I’m not totally sold on their longevity. Call me and tell me your take on it.
I’m still very excited about the Photo Essay about Jedediah Higgins House though I’d love more people to see it. Have you checked it out yet? <blink> I’ve also been thinking alot about the social networking problem of chaos versus order, and how hashtags are a really great, open solution that many people are still confused about. Hashtags are an idea, simply, that collect other ideas. When I precede a word with a hash (#) it indicates that I am using it as a collector, group, or thread that leads to other content about that topic, because others have used that hashtag as well. I love WordPress in part because of how well it uses tags and categories as well as other metadata to prompt you to create a taxonomy (or folksonomy) of your content.
Art
Princeton Parklet Maple Seeds cc-by lemasney
The Princeton Parklet is coming down (today, in fact) and my seeds are coming down with it. I’m sad to see them go from the public view, but happy that two of them so far have been sold for $500 apiece! If you’d like one of these beautiful pieces, please contact me about their availability. We can make more!
In the meantime, we’ve continued the work with seeds, and here is a preview of the next seed, a sweetgum seed, those prickly balls that are underfoot all autumn long.
Sweetgum Seed lamp (detail), steel, glass, and LEDs, Robert Kuster and John LeMasney, 2015
TechArts is going to make a song, and share how they did it.
Technology and the Arts, my longest running podcast with the multi-talented Brian Kelley, is trying something different. We are making a song together, and sharing the process as we go. We are not sure what kind of song it will be, or what it will sound like. But we just recently locked down the tempo, agreeing on 80 BPM. We have also decided on Audiotool, the amazing cloud based EDM workstation. Some other details are revealed in the first two episodes of this season. all about making a song, collaboratively, remotely, and electronically.
Please watch below and subscribe on YouTube (links in the descriptions)!
“Streamed live on Sep 14, 2015 John LeMasney and Brian Kelley return for another season of Technology and the Arts – this time, they’ll take you behind the scenes of the creative process as they plan to collaborate on a music project.” found in Technology and the Arts – Ep. 75 (9.14.2015) – YouTube at https://goo.gl/92IdeF
“Streamed live on Sep 23, 2015 John LeMasney and Brian Kelley return for another episode of Technology and the Arts, as they continue to take you behind the scenes of the creative process of a collaborative music project.” found in Technology and the Arts – Ep. 76 (9.23.2015) – YouTube at https://goo.gl/v16Fwn
Of particular interest in episode 76 is a very brief overview of Audiotool, Audacity, and Drumbit, the tools we will be using to make our song.
An invitation to explore a historically significant house built in the early 1700s.
I recently had an opportunity to capture the beautiful light, materials, and soul of the Jedediah Higgins House, a Franklin Township Historical Preserved Site on Route 27 in Kingston, NJ, though many consider it extended Princeton. I knew of the house as the home of Onesen (Onesen for All) and many elements of their effects on the house (renovations, upgrades, spa, rooms) are clear in this collection of images. The next mission of this home will be one of helping people to recover from substance abuse, and in light of that, I tried to capture what someone living through that ordeal might meet and gain peace from.
It should be noted that the images are available for viewing at full size by clicking on any of them, at which point you can navigate through them by clicking to the right or left.
Also, it bears repeating that theses images are licensed under a creative-commons attribution (cc-by) license. This means essentially, you can use the photos as you wish, for any purpose, even commercial, as long as you cite me in credits for the photo work as cc-by lemasney.
In preparing for this essay, I did some research on the history of the house and Jedediah himself.
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Exterior, East facade, cc-by lemasney
The house was built between 1702 and 1714. Some suggest 1709-10, others 1714.
“The house was built somewhere around 1714, most likely funded by the construction of another important structure in South Brunswick and Franklin, the Rockingham house.”
Onesen’s renovation took three years to complete, preserved the history and beauty of the house, and included spa and other relaxation-service amenities. The site was part of a 1,000 acre purchase between 1705 and 1709, on the west side of the Assunpink trail from the Lenape for a sow and 8 piglets. The Lenape had recently developed a love for the taste of pork. It stretches from Raymond Road in South Brunswick to what is now route 518, and included Rockingham, Washington’s headquarters. The family burial ground is across the street and
“Jedediah and his wife Hanna are buried along with other family members. The stones have fallen and only two stand tall now, most are now unreadable or broken. Jedediah died in 1772 at 82 years of age and his wife Hanna died in 1779 at 79 years of age.”
Sources: The History of Kingston’s Higgins House | South Brunswick, NJ Patch, http://goo.gl/0MaiQg , History of the Village of Kingston, ,Franklin Township Historic Preservation Advisory Commission Minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting January 9, 2013
As I first walked around the house, I noticed its relationship with nature. The contrast of the red against the sky, the hard protrusions that jutted into the clouds, and strong angular lines everywhere. It argues with the space around itself, justifying itself, and pleading for understanding. This was my first feeling:
The house is loving and tragic and desperate to stand, to be understood and heard, hopefully forever.
The explosions of bright green leaf-branches from nearby trees and bamboo are polar color-wheel opposites with the growling, deep red.
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Exterior, East facade, cc-by lemasney
The exterior of the house is imposing, solemn, and sobering. The structures seem colonial, but the fanciful touches, such as the supporting decor and pillars are clearly additional. The first thing that I noted was that it did not seem like there was a perfectly straight line in the structure anywhere. Not that the walls are way off, but they are not perfect, nor should they be. The square has flaws as you do. The walls are uneven, as we are. It is imperfect, and it matches and reflects our imperfections. The other thing that becomes quickly clear is the reflection of the natural surroundings and the structure itself. Aside from necessary additions, such as exit signs or ingress/egress considerations, the layout and charm of the original structure are present. The deep red shingles of the exterior shout love and passion and care. The white details and trim whisper solidity, calm, and experience. The stone, wood, and metal all sing a harmony about what lies inside.
The Buddha and the Lotus
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Given the mindfulness, massage, and spa nature of the previous occupants (though I did not feel as though they had left, as their impact was clear and longstanding) it makes sense that some installations might remain from that time. Two of these stand out for me: The Buddha in the foyer, and the lotus metal wall relief in a meditation room. The Buddha is essentially a bust, about 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide, and has light and water features I thought were better left unused. The Buddha here is kind, understanding, and guiding, and will hopefully continue to serve those in need. The lotus is stark, linear, graphic, and cut. The methods used to produce it, probably a CNC or patient metal worker, seemed to fit with the rough-hewn beams and structural juts.
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Jedediah Higgins House, Princeton, NJ, Interior, Buddha and lotus wall piece, cc-by lemasney
Another thing I came away with was that I often ended up in places where the question being posed was:
“You are here, and there is where you want to be. Now, how do you get there?”
The places in which this question came up were at pathways, doors, windows, and gates. It seemed that they permeated the entire structure, always asking that same question. You will see the same idea in different ways in the essay sections below on stairs and bamboo.
I feel as though the inhabitants of the space, if suffering through change of body, mind, or need, will be constantly reminded of what is at stake. The house says:
“You are in this place. This place that you can see through the barrier is what you can have. Simply remove the barrier, and it is yours. Use whatever creative means necessary to do so.”
These barrier elements throughout the house feel like a reminder of the journey that is possible to undergo here.
The bamboo grove is an amazingly rich experience. The leaves envelope you, hold you. You can see the sun through the canopy, but it is cool, dark, and soothing. The bamboo is probably also a development from the Onesen renovations. It is gloriously wild, present, and bright.
The trees surrounding the house are immense, imposing; their shadows obviously long-time caretakers of the space. As you look up at the house, you can barely help yourself from looking through the glorious outstretched canopy far above. Throughout the property, many other smaller trees exist, including small junipers crying out for bonsai work.
Jedediah Higgins House, Kingston, NJ, Featured details, cc-by lemasney
Onesen definitely had an impact on the structure of the close exterior grounds. An outdoor spa, bamboo grove, and other structures make up the courtyard. The result is stunning, and while also peaceful and calming, a wildly different mood from the interior.
Jedediah Higgins House, Kingston, NJ, Featured details, cc-by lemasney
The inside of the house is cavernous and labyrinthine. For someone who is searching themselves, the space provides a physical maze to match that internal experience. Each turn of the corner leads to a surprise in light or wood or stone. One thing that especially caught my eye was the reflection of sunlight combined with the casting of sunlight. The two lights illuminate differently and emote separately. If we are lucky, we see ourselves in these reflections.
The light in the house is vibrant, reassuring, and emotion-laden. Whether the somber wall light installation with low illumination, or the bright sunlight washing the floor at 4 pm, the light is a force in the space.
The rooms are large, beautifully structured, and solemn. They would be inviting to a mind that was working through chaos and upset. The rooms speak of secrets and darkness and seem to hold a deeply human pain. Being in the space reminds you of your insignificance, as if you were standing underneath the night sky.
There are a few rooms upstairs that have fabric resembling loose-leaf paper covering the walls. The texture and application are amazing, and I look forward to researching the technique. I tried to capture the simultaneous invitation to touch and the repulsion of the texture. You consistently find rough-hewn wood as structure peeking out of the plaster, and you are sure the most powerful pain from splinters awaits you. The bricks throughout the space ask you to be careful and avoid scrapes. These are a little reminder from the room:
You want to touch me, but you should not. I am for seeing and recognizing, but not partaking in. Stay steady, move slowly, and keep to yourself.
A powerful message for someone looking for peace in themselves, and not peace from external objects.
I was astounded by the symbology and soaring nature of the stairs in the space. The struggle and climb leading to uncertainty. Is this even the way I want to go? What will I get at the top or bottom of the stairs? There are hints of great revelations at the clearings, but a winding and steep path before we get there. The barriers we saw earlier are also present here, in the deepest centers of the house, connecting floors, and asking for effort in order for someone to get where they want or need to go.
Favorite Highlights and Details
Finally, I want to leave you with what I think are twenty iconic images that represent my feelings about the space. Dark, peaceful, spellbinding, rich, loving, imposing, zen.
This house cares for you in and of itself. It loves you unconditionally, even when you do not love yourself. It embraces you and holds you against your protests until you stop sobbing.
My name is John LeMasney. I want to thank the owners of the Higgins house for the opportunity to shoot. In the event that you know of a space that you love and would like to see explored in this way, please contact me at lemasney@gmail.com or 609 553 9498. Or, feel free to use the contact form below!
LeMasney Consulting – Let’s do something great together.
“Most physical keys have been chased off phones, thanks to the rampant rise of touch-screen technology, but here’s a DIY project that wants to bring a smarter kind of physical key to your smartphone. Pressly is a hardware button connected to a 3.5mm male audio jack that plugs into the headphone jack of your Smartphone or Tablet. It is compatible with both Android and iOS(Jailbreak required) platforms. So, for instance, if you always wanted a shortcut to snap a photo and upload it straight to a social network you could create that function in the app which link to Pressly. Of course there are apps that can do this sort of thing, but the point about Pressly is that it’s a chunk of hardware that sits within easy reach of your fingers — thereby cutting down on the number of actions required to perform the function you’re after. Pressly is compatible with a number of apps listed further in the Instructable.” – Pressly: The DIY Almighty Smartphone Button, http://goo.gl/dt1i5L
