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reviews_and_ramblings) wrote2010-01-26 01:01 pm
reviews_and_ramblings) wrote2010-01-26 01:01 pm
New Cheesecake Boys by Paul Richmond
When I read a post on Paul Richmond’s blog about his next project, I couldn’t help to ask him for another special guest post here: Paul not only is planning to draw more Cheesecake Boys, once of my favorite theme by him, but he has also asked to many gaylebrities to be his models, and guess who is the first? My friend Jesse! Yes, the same Jesse Archer whose movie I adopted and who I had the pleasure to meet in New York last September. More, also stunning handsome Jack Mackenroth and talented Michael Breyette are among them. So, first of all I will let speak Paul and then I asked and posted some comments the aforementioned friends gave me about this experience.
"I’m excited to give you and your readers a sneak-peek behind the scenes of my new solo art exhibit, CHEESECAKE, which will be opening at the Center on Halsted in Chicago this June. I’m working my pants off (literally, at times) on fourteen new paintings for the show, each one depicting a gay male celebrity caught in a cheeky moment of accidental exposure. The vibe is reminiscent of classic pin-up art from the 40s and 50s, and I’m really enjoying the way these new paintings turn the tables on traditional ideas about male sexuality and gender roles.
I’m also thrilled with the lineup of amazing gaylebrities who have agreed to be models for the pieces, including Jesse Archer, Perez Hilton, Del Shores, Jack Mackenroth, Ari Gold, and Michael Breyette to name a few. Who knew so many cute gay men would let me paint them with their pants down?
For each subject, I’m devising a pin-up scenario that somehow relates to their profession. For example, Del Shores is filming a steamy scene from Sordid Lives when he inadvertently becomes the star of the show as his loose pants slip to the ground. In another piece, Mike Ruiz is shown squatting down to get the perfect angle for a photo shoot and his tight leather pants rip open. So many Cheesecake Boys to expose, so little time!
Currently, I’m working on a piece called In Hot Pursuit, Starring Jesse Archer. Jesse has been so sweet, and even helped me connect with several of the other stars who have agreed to participate. And how do I repay him? By casting him in a gay version of a horror/slasher film with a scary monster chasing him through the forest as treacherous branches rip his skimpy outfit to shreds!
In order to convey the concept to each of my models, I put together a rough, digital comp (usually using myself as a stand-in subject) and e-mail it to them. Here’s the comp for Jesse’s piece (with some majorly Photoshop-enhanced abs!):
In return, Jesse sent me a lovely selection of photographs to choose from with him imitating the pose. Here’s my favorite:
Using his photos, I then created a sketch for the painting:
And here’s the progress so far:
I am so excited to be preparing for my first solo show in Chicago, and I can’t wait for my Cheesecake Boys to experience Pride month in Boystown. It should be quite a revealing experience for everyone! If you would like to be first in line to see all of these boys and their impending wardrobe malfunctions, I invite you to sign up for my e-mail newsletter here: www.eepurl.com/bxNm
Next up on the agenda, Darryl Stephens (from Noah’s Arc) in a reinterpretation of the famous Marilyn Monroe scene from The Seven Year Itch…
" - Paul Richmond
Thank you Paul! I'm so glad to see among the gaylebrities some "old" friends (old not for age!) of my LiveJournal, and I asked them to "comment" on their experience as Cheesecake Boys:
As always I remember that Jesse's movie, both as actor than screenwriter, Violet Tendencies, my first "adopted" movie, is planned to be released in 2010.
And since Jack lately graced some magazine covers ;-) double picture for him!
Jack Mackenroth, shared with us his commitment to Living Positive by Design, his 40 birthday and him taking part to the 2009 Outgames in Copenhagen last summer.
Michael Breyette is also a wonderful cover artist, we will soon see his work for MLR Press
Sure the world is very small. I know Paul, Jesse, Jack and Michael for different reason (mainly since I contacted them in the past for a post here on this LJ); other than that Jesse Archer and Darryl Stephens were in the same movie, Boy Culture, by Q. Allan Brocka, from the novel with the same title by Matthew Rettenmund, Darryl as main character and Jesse in a little role; Jesse and Jack Mackenroth know each other and Jack will have a little role in Jesse's next movie, Violet Tendencies; and now this special "artistic" relationship between Paul and Michael, with an exchange of paintings for the respective partners ;-) And Jesse just today sent me the poster of Violet Tendencies!
"I’m excited to give you and your readers a sneak-peek behind the scenes of my new solo art exhibit, CHEESECAKE, which will be opening at the Center on Halsted in Chicago this June. I’m working my pants off (literally, at times) on fourteen new paintings for the show, each one depicting a gay male celebrity caught in a cheeky moment of accidental exposure. The vibe is reminiscent of classic pin-up art from the 40s and 50s, and I’m really enjoying the way these new paintings turn the tables on traditional ideas about male sexuality and gender roles.
I’m also thrilled with the lineup of amazing gaylebrities who have agreed to be models for the pieces, including Jesse Archer, Perez Hilton, Del Shores, Jack Mackenroth, Ari Gold, and Michael Breyette to name a few. Who knew so many cute gay men would let me paint them with their pants down?
For each subject, I’m devising a pin-up scenario that somehow relates to their profession. For example, Del Shores is filming a steamy scene from Sordid Lives when he inadvertently becomes the star of the show as his loose pants slip to the ground. In another piece, Mike Ruiz is shown squatting down to get the perfect angle for a photo shoot and his tight leather pants rip open. So many Cheesecake Boys to expose, so little time!
Currently, I’m working on a piece called In Hot Pursuit, Starring Jesse Archer. Jesse has been so sweet, and even helped me connect with several of the other stars who have agreed to participate. And how do I repay him? By casting him in a gay version of a horror/slasher film with a scary monster chasing him through the forest as treacherous branches rip his skimpy outfit to shreds!
In order to convey the concept to each of my models, I put together a rough, digital comp (usually using myself as a stand-in subject) and e-mail it to them. Here’s the comp for Jesse’s piece (with some majorly Photoshop-enhanced abs!):
In return, Jesse sent me a lovely selection of photographs to choose from with him imitating the pose. Here’s my favorite:
Using his photos, I then created a sketch for the painting:
And here’s the progress so far:
I am so excited to be preparing for my first solo show in Chicago, and I can’t wait for my Cheesecake Boys to experience Pride month in Boystown. It should be quite a revealing experience for everyone! If you would like to be first in line to see all of these boys and their impending wardrobe malfunctions, I invite you to sign up for my e-mail newsletter here: www.eepurl.com/bxNm
Next up on the agenda, Darryl Stephens (from Noah’s Arc) in a reinterpretation of the famous Marilyn Monroe scene from The Seven Year Itch…
" - Paul Richmond
Thank you Paul! I'm so glad to see among the gaylebrities some "old" friends (old not for age!) of my LiveJournal, and I asked them to "comment" on their experience as Cheesecake Boys:
"I've never been painted before and its an honor because Paul is so talented. I also love his concept for me. I can't think of anything better than an homage to female slasher victims who can't keep their clothes on!" Jesse
As always I remember that Jesse's movie, both as actor than screenwriter, Violet Tendencies, my first "adopted" movie, is planned to be released in 2010.
And since Jack lately graced some magazine covers ;-) double picture for him!
"I met Paul thru Facebook I believe and then he emailed me asking me if it would be OK to paint me as a Cheesecake Boy. I took a look at his work and I really liked it so I was flattered to be included. I love the arts in all forms and do anything I can to support them. He's very talented and I am looking forward to the final piece." Jack
Jack Mackenroth, shared with us his commitment to Living Positive by Design, his 40 birthday and him taking part to the 2009 Outgames in Copenhagen last summer.
"I know I first encountered Paul's work online somewhere, but it wasn't until he contacted me that I got to know him and his work better, and got lured into 'Pauly's World'. He was interested in one of my prints, (I believe he wanted it as a gift for his partner) and wondered if I'd be interested in a swap, since he was an artist too. When I looked at his work online, I went, "ahhh this is the guy who did the wonderful piece with Cher and the boy, and Tammy Faye!". I ended up showing his work to my boyfriend, who really loved the 'Dolly Pop' piece. That's the one I decided to swap with Paul. So it ended up that I gave HIS work to MY partner as a gift, and he just loves it as does everyone who visits." Michael
Michael Breyette is also a wonderful cover artist, we will soon see his work for MLR Press
Sure the world is very small. I know Paul, Jesse, Jack and Michael for different reason (mainly since I contacted them in the past for a post here on this LJ); other than that Jesse Archer and Darryl Stephens were in the same movie, Boy Culture, by Q. Allan Brocka, from the novel with the same title by Matthew Rettenmund, Darryl as main character and Jesse in a little role; Jesse and Jack Mackenroth know each other and Jack will have a little role in Jesse's next movie, Violet Tendencies; and now this special "artistic" relationship between Paul and Michael, with an exchange of paintings for the respective partners ;-) And Jesse just today sent me the poster of Violet Tendencies!