Lone Star Series: Folsom Street Fair/Megahood

It’s my first solo exhibition!

This collection revels leather and kink, the feature of Folsom Street Fair and Megahood 2021. While studying fine arts at San Francisco State University, I was inspired by the cartoon-like styles of United Productions of America, where simple animation styles were visually appealing and portrayed the authenticity of the human condition. I keep returning to these works, baffled (but not surprised) that queer representation is lacking. My work celebrates the body and sex-positivity to help people feel seen and appreciated, moving us towards the reverence and beauty often distorted by those seeking to diminish our ability to thrive and age with dignity and love. All bodies have many sparks of magic, and through this exhibition, I invite you to see the loving-kindness and carnal embrace that each of these figures represents.

In this series I use my signature acrylic paint and ink, mediums I enjoy, especially the flatness and fluidity of ink over the paint. While I enjoy oil paint, acrylic flows on the canvas and dries much faster, allowing me to work on several paintings at once.

I’m so appreciative of having these works displayed at Lone Star, a historic building and site where the bear scene began. It was also a loving place during the AIDS epidemic and one of the few places all gay men could find acceptance in a world that vilified through ignorance. One of the owners, Charlie Evans, is a painter and provides space for emerging artists to display and sell their work. Many thanks to him and Lone Star patrons for their support. Also for providing me all the gear to hang up my first collection. Trust me - total beginner here who was ill-prepared and lacked the basics of tools. Excited for the next showcase in February at Lone Star where I’ll include a collection of queer love, mounted with my new tool kit!