Today is 1/1/2020 and I met Jordan

Today has been a pretty cool day. I went to the Trolley Park to get some fresh air, walked around the park and passed a young man at the bus stop, looked homeless and he was making art. So, I went to my car got my sketch pad, walked back and struck up a conversation about art. He was 28 but looked much younger, some are lucky like that. We talked about our art for awhile, I told him who I was and talked about Joshua who I'd flown to Colorado in October to help get established after getting out of jail. He too has artistic skills, Jordan the young man I'd just met reminded me of Joshua because of the markers and overall vibe.

Jordan said he was the youngest in his family, from Bakersfield (if I recall correctly), he came down with this older dude from San Francisco to here in San Diego for the New Years celebration. They kind of had a disagreement and he split. He had a bus ticket for 9:30 am, I said I'd take him, stop for breakfast too. He was appreciative for that. So, we talked about our lives and San Francisco, I told him about my "art life" and how that I've stopped drinking and am putting Jesus first again in my life.

He learned from our conversation about my photo essay and documentary on youth culture as art. He learned about Bray who had taken his life by jumping off the GGB there in San Francisco in 2009 and that he's in my documentary. I told him I'm enjoying our services at Maranatha Chapel, a Calvary Chapel church...he knew of a Calvary Chapel up north near where he usually stays. It was a chill conversation, showed me the really cool oil based markers he has, never really seen this type where you can blend colors, very cool.

So he got his breakfast meal, then to the Greyhound Station downtown San Diego as promised. Jordan asked for my number, gave it to him. Who knows if I'll ever hear from him or see him again. Nice way to start the New Year, felt good about dropping into his life for a minute, talking about Jesus and life, art and stuff.

The rest of the day was great, sent out a bunch of texted from my I Phone. When you type in "Happy New Year", all the fireworks go off and the phone vibrates! Nice to hear back from so many family and friends! God bless us all in this New Year, may those who don't know you as their Lord and Savior, get to know you and grow an eternal everlasting relationship with you. You love us so much that you died on the cross for our sins, but rose from the grave 3 days later having conquered death, hell and the grave. Praise be to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!


Sincerely,

Terry Smith

Congratulations to Zach Zaubi!

Zach is now a successful man in the TV and Motion Picture Industry. I still remember when I discovered him at age 17 skateboarding in Poway, CA about 20 years ago. We waited until he turned 18 so he could sign his own talent releases. He mustered up enough confidence to let me start photographing nudes of him...then he began modeling for Art Classes, Colleges, private Artists and put himself through Art College. He worked in Hollywood for several years, from time to time would still model for me and was Live Art at an exhibit of mine in 2003. You can read about him on my current website: www.americasfinestkids.com So, I'm congratulating him for his 2nd EMMY AWARD! He's such a hard working man, and a wonderful husband do his wife and father to his children. 9 months he worked with his Team on the very popular HBO production, GAME OF THRONES..."12-14 hour day weeks", and it all paid off!

NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS, WORK HARD TOWARDS A GOOD GOAL AND STAY FOCUSED, DON'T LET OTHERS CONTROL OR MANIPULATE YOUR VISION.


                                                         GO FOR IT!!! DO IT!!!


God bless Zach and his family, friends and colleagues!

Spiritual Awakening & Art Expression...

So much has happened this year. It literally began in January of 2019 with a visit to my Doctor. Afterwards a lifestyle change began to fall into place. These new changes have spawned the Spiritual journey that's so affecting, changing and breathing new life into my soul, spirit and body.


Some aspects of my physical health are better and perhaps the other aspects of my health are just par for the course as I'm getting older, not younger.
But God has used this opportunity to speak into my life. And as the Creator He's been bringing things back to memory, such as my neglecting His Son, Jesus Christ. This is a big thing, really! What is so challenging is the Spiritual renewal and awakening is applying pressure or making me deal with how I've lived my life these past few decades.


I'm not a perfect man for sure, a good sinner and a bad Christian...but God's grace is lovingly poured out to all, me included.


What is coming about is a NEW VISION for my life and it's more than my analog photography and bigger than making this Documentary Film, it's a LIFESTYLE change that embraces my reality of HOMELESSNESS and need to be accepted as an ARTIST and then to allow my personal life history to become a part of this NEW ART & LIFESTYLE EXPRESSION Inside The White Cube and wherever my SPHERE OF INFLUENCE has been, is currently and where it's going.


"To whom much is given, much is required" the Holy Bible says.


The light exposes the darkness, in all of humanity, all of nature and of course in all of our lives. Be tolerant with me as my lifestyle is changing and evolving, as it were. I'm sure I'll make mistakes and then get some things spot on, but I truly am embracing where it is that I'm going and I feel so eternally grateful to the HOLY SPIRIT as He's stopped me in my tracks and has been guiding me and protecting me as I'm learning, seeking still and praying that God's will shall be realized and that I'll be able to meet the right people who will work along side of me to make something happen that will be "ART" and also LIFE CHANGING for humanity to realize and know HIS peace. I hope and pray that someday people within my sphere of influence will meet JESUS, in their own time and then start walking for themselves a healthier more fulfilling LIFESTYLE.


with Love,


Photographer Terry Smith

We're editing the documentary film: America's Finest Kids

We are editing the documentary film: America's Finest Kids. I'm off to Brooklyn again next month to work with my Editor. As for the Indie Go Go fundraiser a year ago, it didn't go that well, so it will take longer to finish the film as most of the funding is coming out of my pocket.

I'm thankful to have Sasha as the Editor for this historic film project. It's been an incredible journey thus far together. He's loyal and dedicated friend and I very much appreciate his friendship and talents.

There is an opportunity to have a photography show in Manhattan, however the funds to make a good show are not available and I don't want to have a show that's mediocre. So, all or any funds are going into the documentary film.

We are looking at having a rough cut of the film ready by the end of this year. Still needing funding going into 2020, but then we should be ready to begin submitting the film to film festival later next year after music, sound engineering etc... are done.

Over the years I've lost a number of friends, they simply didn't stay loyal or lost interest in me or became inpatient possibly. When one lives as I do, on the "fly' as it were, it's difficult to live a lifestyle of an Artist and do humanitarian work too. However, I've done this for many many years and continue to do more than my means can meet for sure.

Please feel free to contact me via the link on my website: www.americasfinestkids.com

Send me an email or request: Should you wish to buy a print or have any questions about the film, post-production or desire to contribute in some way...I'd love to hear from you.

All the best,

Photographer-Filmmaker Terry Smith

Crowdfunding Campaign is launched!!! PLEASE Donate now, THANKS!!!

We just launched our crowdfunding campaign on IndieGoGo to raise funds to help with post-production on the America's Finest Kids-Documentary Film. It's only active for 45 days, so please go check it out and DONATE whatever you can. I pretty sure you'll like the Perks as well.https://igg.me/at/afk

Here are some photos of Jonah, my last Model of 2017

My photography exhibit at LeStat's Hillcrest ~ July 15 through August 15, 2017

Look at your calendar and plan on coming to San Diego, California. 22 of my photographs will be on display and for sale at LeStat's Hillcrest.

Location: ~ LeStat's Hillcrest ~ 1045 University avenue 92103

Time: July 15 through August 15, 2017

Thanks for coming,

Photographer Terry Smith