Lone Star Series: Sight of Love

The inspiration for this series draws from the bear and leather community. Most depictions of both may be seen as gruff, hype masculine and macho but I see that love is always there. A love for leather, love for body types, a love for an extension of oneself that still connects back to the main body. Love is a selfless act to say that you’d support your significant other or a close friend because you want to see them thrive and accompany them on that journey. People think that two men kissing or showing affection to each other may be seen as highly sexual or “too gay” but it’s the universal sign of expressing affection to another human being.

Here I focus on painting masculine men and bears and chasers interacting with each other in a positive manner. With the masculinity here, I’m not looking to glorify toxic masculinity but to say that the these figures can be more on the nurturing side, someone who’s tough and you feel comfort in their presence. No glorification of drugs and alcohol here because I want to show that love is capable of being reached without having to rely on such substances. I want to remind people the playful joy found in sharing love for each other. Being the month of Valentine’s Day I decided to limit the pieces to the color scheme of red, pink, and violet and create small lino prints that’s easily available to anyone wishing to have a copy to give to their significant other or self.

I want to thank Charlie Evans for making this showing happen and giving me the opportunity to showcase a second time here. Lone Star has given birth to the bear scene and has always been a safe place to allow a sense of belonging which is why I wanted to show here again. The people coming in the bar are the audience my work appeals to and it was amazing to see the smiles on their faces form as they notice the pieces hanging. If my work brings joy to one person, I’d say my goal has been met.

The series will be hanging for this month and will be rotated out on the first Monday of March.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!