Famous Creatives Amongst Us (International Edition): Jeff MacEachern

In this fifth instalment of FAMOUS CREATIVES AMONGST US we meet Jeff MacEachern. Art Director at Taxi 2, photographed at Habaneros on Rojo Gomez in Puerto Morelos, Mexico.


He is a FAMOUS CREATIVES AMONGST US.

Jeff MacEachern shields his eyes from the International sun.

On that rather hot day, a delightful table of three was sitting around at Habaneros (a wonderful bar and live music venue in Puerto Morelos. Open Daily).
Upon learning that Jeff MacEachern was a FAMOUS CREATIVE AMONGST THEM, they became enchantingly enthralled and proceeded to ecstatically enthuse their enthusiasm at being photographed with Jeff MacEachern.

From left to right: Cathie R, Jeff Mac Eachern, Richard W, and Christina B. from Germany. 

What international looks they gave!

What robusto handshakes were exchanged!
What enthusiasm they enthused!

What a joyous grupo abrazo they executed!

In fact, a perro callejero came by and smiled at the happy scene.

Perro Callejero a.ka. Stray Dog.

May the meaningful (and occasionally international) gestures continue!

Who will be the next FAMOSAS CREATIVA ENTRE NOSTROS?

The Holy “C” word: Crèche.

A Crèche is not a cookie and has nothing to do with cherries. That’s "Kirsch" a German cherry liquor.

A Crèche is a Nativity Scene that is meant to depict the birth of Jesus. Just like in the Little Drummer Boy cartoon by Rankin/Bass.

As a kid, I would play with these figures for hours in their wooden manger underneath my parent’s Christmas tree. There was the usual gang: Jesus, Mary, Joseph, a shepherd and the Three Wisemen. Occasionally, arguments would break out amongst the Wisemen regarding who should stand closest to Mary (obviously) or who was to blame for the shepherd’s sheep straying too far. I fondly remember the feel of the cotton baton that was the snow on the roof of the manger and the delicate clinking sound the figures made if they got too close to one another, usually Mary.

In the very same holiday spirit, I wish you a Merry Christmas, abundant with joy and Kirsch.

Famous Creatives Amongst Us: Alan Lukatela

In this fourth instalment of FAMOUS CREATIVES AMONGST US we meet Alan Lukatela.
Alan Lukatela is an Art Director at COSSETTE.


He is a FAMOUS CREATIVES AMONGST US.


I photographed him on the north west corner of Spadina and Wellington just steps from ROOSTER in Toronto. A delightful man named Ahmed was walking along on that rather frosty day when upon learning that Alan Lukatela was a FAMOUS CREATIVES AMONGST HIM he became decidedly drawn to be photographed with Alan Lukatela.

The delightful man named Ahmed shook Alan Lukatela's hand. The delightful man named Ahmed looked at Alan Lukatela's face with admiration. When it was over, overwhelmed, like so many others before him, Ahmed left briskly. The moment seemed just too much for him to digest all at once.

But what an admiring look he gave!
What a handsome handshake they shared!

May the meaningful gestures and looks continue!

Who will be the next FAMOUS CREATIVE AMONGST US?

Exhilarated by the exchange, Alan Lukatela quickly demonstrated his prowess for hanging off things. 
I now ask myself, "What can't Alan Lukatela hang off?"

Home is Where the Pigeons Aren't.

This is my parents’ house in Welland, Ontario.

They built it from scratch.
Although there have been some renovations throughout the 

years some things have never changed:

This box used for holding potatoes is on a ledge as you walk downstairs.

This is one out of a 100+ Bolo ties that my very sweet Aunt Stephie's husband made. Aunt Stephie is not really my Aunt. We called all adults Uncles or Aunts when I was a kid. She is sweet though.

This doorknob is 54 years old.

This phone doesn't work as the battery last for only 49 seconds. When I asked my Dad why he doesn’t throw it out he replied,

“Why? It works if you only say important things quickly!" 

This is an ashtray that has always been here although no one smokes anymore.

These plastics flowers are in the room my mother calls the "Florida Room." My dad calls it the "glorified porch."A room that's too hot in the summer and freezing in the winter although it is a good place to store Walnut Kolache.

This is a plastic owl that hangs outside to keep pigeons away.

I have never seen a Welland Pigeon but, if they exist, they will not be roosting around my parent's house in Welland.

The Truth about Turkeys: TTS (tetanic torticollar spasms) or just not so smart?

I photographed a turkey once for a Canada Post 35¢ stamp.

The turkey, who was named Tom, was very uncooperative. During a break in the shoot
the farmer accompanying Tom related a Tall Turkey Tale to me.

"You know Tom (Tom Feiler), if you leave a turkey outside in the rain the turkey will stare up to the sky and open it's mouth and stay frozen in that position. As if hypnotized. It will leave it's mouth open until it drowns."

"Hmm..", I thought.
The shoot continued and I got the shot along with some turkey poo on the studio floor but the question remained:

So why do turkeys sometimes stare skyward? 

Tom Savage, a professor of animal science at Oregon State University, says that the root of this behaviour is not stupidity, but genes. In the early 1990s, he discovered an inherited condition in turkeys, called tetanic torticollar spasms. This condition can cause turkeys to exhibit abnormal behaviours, such as looking at the sky for 30 seconds or more at a time.

Not Tom the Turkey.

So the debate remains: genetic defects as a result of TTS or just plain dumb?
All I know is that Turkeys do not like being photographed and they get nervous. In a bad way.

My Great Grandfather’s Moustache and Drying Noodles.

Movember. 

The month that people focus their attention on mens’ prostates.

There are a lot of moustaches out there and every time I see one 

I can almost smell drying noodles.

Noodles?

In my Grandma’s house, the upstairs bedrooms were used as places not to sleep. But dry noodles. When I was about 7 years old, I remember climbing up the stairs and entering one of these rooms. Noodles were splayed out all over the bedspread, and on a dresser where there was a framed photograph. I can still remember picking up the frame and staring at the people in the photograph. Especially the solitary moustached man.

I don’t know how long I was upstairs in that room when my Grandma (Mary Curko) walked in and began pointing at the picture.

"Tommy this is my mother. My sisters. My father. And your Great Grandfather. He loved his moustache." 

She paused for a second and then said,

                    "Tommy. It is time for soup.” 

She turned and walked out of the room. I carefully put the frame down, followed her down the stairs and had soup. She made good soup. 

Years have passed and I haven't thought about that photograph until I was asked to shoot this series for Bensimon Byrne. The smell of noodles was in the air that day.

Happy Movember Great Grandfather.

Creative Directors: David Rosenberg, Hayes Steinberg, Chris Harrison


Art Director: Chris Harrison


Copywriter: Hayes Steinberg


Famous Creative Dogs Amongst Us: Bill Mastiff

In this the second instalment of FAMOUS CREATIVE DOGS AMONGST US we meet

Bill Mastiff (Davies).


Bill Mastiff, or Bill, as he prefers to be know as, is a FAMOUS CREATIVE DOGS AMONGST US!

I photographed Bill in front of The Hive located approximately at 507 King St E, Unit 16
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M5A1M3.

According to owner Klint Davies, Bill is a polite, non-biting, quiet dog who loves to be spooned.

"... He does let you spoon him."

Klint Davies

Guilty pleasures for Bill Mastiff include gaze longingly into his friends' eyes and mud eating (Pica or Geophagy).

Klint Davies explains:

"... Bill used to chomp on poo and mud a lot. Thankfully, he kicked the poo part of that gross habit. However, he still loves a good pile of mud though. " Klint Davies

Who doesn't love a good puddle of mud now and then?

Who will be the next FAMOUS CREATIVE DOGS AMONGST US ?
What about your own  FAMOUS CREATIVE DOGS AMONGST US ?

Is it their time to be recognized as a FAMOUS CREATIVE DOGS AMONGST US ?

Bill Mastiff asks, "What's all the fuss about?"

Famous Creative Dogs Amongst Us.

In this the first installment of FAMOUS CREATIVE DOGS AMONGST US 

we meet Ludwig Von Beagle (Spivak).
Ludwig Von Beagle is a FAMOUS CREATIVE DOGS AMONGST US!
I photographed Ludwig on the southwest corner of Ossington and Argyle Street in Toronto.

According to owner Michelle Spivak, Ludwig Von Beagle is an affectionate yet equitable beagle.

"...when we call him up on the couch and he won't choose who to lean on or sit with, but instead positions himself exactly half on me and half on Jonah - just so he can have a bit of both of us. And then he'll stay there even if we move around, until we actually have to force him back down to the floor. All he wants to do is cuddle with his pack." 

Michelle Spivak

Guilty pleasures for Ludwig Von Beagle include unsolicited belly rubs and sneaking cat poop into his mouth whenever he can. Apparently this behaviour (coprophaegia) is quite normal. Zebras do it too.


Who will be the next FAMOUS CREATIVE DOGS AMONGST US ? 

The Classic Farrah Fawcett Red Bathing Suit Poster.

My friend Dennis Lefebvre had the classic Farrah Fawcett red bathing suit poster in High School.

He had it in his locker for about two weeks and many of us came by his locker during that time to see the cultural icon.

Our research into the newly discovered artifact lasted until Father LeBlanc our school principal caught sight of it and 
the classic Farrah Fawcett red bathing suit poster disappeared into the office never to be seen 
by any of us again.
This was devastating to us having had only two weeks of research time. 
We all felt deflated in this unexpected stoppage in our studies.

I hadn’t really thought about Farrah Fawcett or that poster for years until recently I was at the Aberfoyle Antique Market strolling amongst the vendors shooting porcelain figurine  after figurine when I stumbled upon 
a Farrah Fawcett trading card.

I didn’t know Farrah Fawcett cards even existed.
I don’t think Dennis Lefebvre did either .

For if he did  I'm sure he would have bought the classic Farrah Fawcett red bathing suit poster and trading card.

Just in case.

For purely cultural and anthropological research.

Famous Creatives Amongst Us: Michael Tung

In this third instalment of FAMOUS CREATIVES AMONGST US we meet Michael Tung.

Michael Tung works at SAATCHI & SAATCHI.

He is a FAMOUS CREATIVE AMONGST US.

I photographed him on the north west corner of Yonge and Bloor near the entrance to The Bay

in Toronto.

A lovely woman apparently named "I Can't Say" was walking along when, upon learning that Michael Tung was a FAMOUS CREATIVE AMONGST HER, became coercively compelled 

to be photographed with Michael Tung.

The lovely woman named "I Can't Say" stood close to Michael Tung!

The lovely woman named "I Can't Say" held Michael Tung's hand for approximately seven seconds!
Overwhelmed, she left briskly the moment being far too much for her to digest all at once 
but what bravery!

Bravo indeed! 

May the meaningful gestures continue!

Who will be the next FAMOUS CREATIVES AMONGST US revealed?