Pretty On The Outside

Prop 8 Portraits: Steph and Alek

Goodness, it's been far too long since I've done one of these portraits.  For those of you who are new to my site, I began this series after Prop 8 was passed here in California.  I've asked gay people in my life: partner, friends, my blog readers and blog buddies to share their thoughts on gay marriage and Prop 8. It was and is still such a touchy subject that a good number of my friends have been too frustrated to contribute in this ongoing project.  I understand, and when you're ready--- I'll be ready too.  I'm especially talking to you Billy.  For those of you keeping count, these would be the ninth and tenth participants.  Steph and Alek are a couple who run the extremely popular site Oh La La Mag which is one of my daily reads.  It's a place for eye candy, fashion, pop culture, and plenty of David Beckham and Hugh Jackman coverage.  Those two obviously go under the eye candy category, but I just wanted to type their names.  I especially like that there's no Miley Cyrus coverage unless her off- the- hotness- chart- boyfriend is present.  And, there's no Jonas Brothers nonsense as far as I've observed.  They also run the online fashion magazine Bello Mag.  And the male fashion guide Man Chic.  And Adonis Mag. And their photography site Alek and Steph.  Busy guys.  They were kind enough to join in.

 
There's the handsome couple painted with watercolor, ink, and gouache.

Prop 8 Portrait: My reader Otis.

The eighth participant in this Prop 8 portrait series is artist, illustrator, and activist Otis Richardson.  Please click here to see his LavenderPOP greeting cards.

In his own words................

Prop 8 Portrait: My reader Terry.

This would be the seventh entry in this ongoing series of gay people in my life sharing their thoughts on marriage and the passing of Prop 8.  It's still difficult to believe that passed and I do trust that one day we'll look back and wonder why this was even an issue.  That's my hope. 
A short time ago, I did a portrait of my reader Jeff and now I'm adding his partner Terry to the series.

In his words..............

Prop 8 Portrait: photographer Frank Louis.

This would be Prop 8 portrait number six.  I'm endlessly fascinated how connected we all are through the internet.  Does that make me sound old?  I first encountered the beautiful work of New York based photographer Frank Louis when pictures he'd taken of the uber hunky Jack Mackenroth from Project Runway season four were splashed around the internet.  Those would be some very, very, very important undressed pictures.  I followed a link back to its source and discovered Frank's site--- and stayed for a long time.  I'm just going to get this out of the way and say that on his site, there are some nude portraits.  And they are fantastic.  So now you can decide if you'd wish to follow the link to Frank Louis's photography site.  Hope you do.  I was struck by the intimacy and sensuality of his portraits.  There's an instant connection in his portraits and even a playful nature.  The models look like they are at ease.  Beautiful people in beautiful photographs--- they should be having fun. 
After finding his site, I was so inspired by Frank's photos of Jack that I did a drawing based on one of them.  At the time, I was doing my usual TIVO drawings of Project Runway.  At the end of one of those PR postings, I included that drawings along with a link to Frank's site.  You'll see that drawing at the end of this link.  Frank noticed hits coming in from my site, sent me a very nice message, and an email friendship was born.  Frank let Jack know about my drawings and Jack then emailed me.  I sent him that drawing and would like to think that Jack has it displayed in a prized area of his home.  Remember how I said I was fascinated by how connected we are?
Beyond gorgeous portraits on Frank's site, you'll see headshots, fashion photos, travel shots, and many are available for purchase.  I asked Frank if he'd like to be included in this series and he kindly agreed to participate.  I'd like to mention that home page of his site has an End Prop H8te portrait.   

Please follow the link to read Frank's thoughts on gay marriage and the passing of Prop 8.

Prop 8 Portrait: My reader Jeff.

One of the best things about doing this blog is the interaction with my readers.  All your comments and emails are so meaning, helpful, appreciated, and taken into consideration.  So many of you leave the most astoundingly funny and insightful comments and for that, I'm forever grateful.  One such reader is Jeff in NY.  He has left comments which have had me doubled over from laughing so hard.  We've exchanged emails and those are just as entertaining and wonderful.  I asked if he'd be interested in participating in my Prop 8 series and he was gracious enough to say yes.

Hello handsome!  This is Jeff and you can read his thoughts on gay marriage and Prop 8 passing in the second part of this posting.

Prop 8 Portrait: My friend Jason.

This is Jason and he's my friend Rob's significant other.  It's such a relief when your good friends are in a relationship with someone who you really like as well.  They are such a great couple and it's a pleasure that I can call Jason a friend too.  He's funny, compassionate, and dare I say--- easy on the eyes.  On a side note, something I love about Jason is his true blue Madonna fan status.  If I need to rant and rave over a new Madonna song, he's my first email.  :)      

I emailed Jason last Friday afternoon to see if he'd be interested in participating in this series and, if so, to get his thoughts on marriage and Prop 8.  Jason emailed me back minutes later with the following response which you can read in the second half on this posting.

Here's how the series is shaping up so far.....

                   Please click to see a larger size.

Prop 8 Portrait: My friend Rob.

This would be posting #3 in the series of gay people in my life commenting on marriage and the passing of Prop 8.

Meet my friend Rob.  I've had the pleasure of knowing him for 17 years.  He's sincere, thoughtful, and one of the funniest person I've ever met.  Whenever I see his name on my caller ID, I know I'll be in for a great time.  His thoughts in the second half of this posting.

Portrait of Rob done with ink on paper.  Some digital color used in the background 

Prop 8 Portrait: My friend Mitch.

This is the second portrait from an ongoing series which focuses on they way gay people in my life feel about marriage and about our rights being stripped away with the passing of Prop 8 in California.  Florida, Arizona, and Arkansas also voted down equal rights.  This equality issue affects us all. 

I have a family by blood which I love, but obviously did not choose.  My family of friends which were chosen are just as- if not more- important.  I have a band of brothers who I treasure.  If I live one more day or 100 more years, the people I'm starting this series with will be with me- next to me for all that time.  I started this series with my partner of 13 years and next is my bff Mitch.  Those two are my guys. 

Mitch and I have been friends since kindergarten which was many, many, many years ago.  Each many represents a decade.  He's smart, funny, genuine, and loyal.  Mitch knows more dirt about me than anyone else and the reverse is true as well.  :)  What can you say about a best friend?  He makes my life better and I hope he'd say they same about me.  Mitch has been with his partner for over five years which makes him a perfect candidate for this series.  His thoughts in the second part of this posting.

Prop 8 Portrait: My Guy.

I had to find a way to process and channel all the the anger and disappointment that has been consuming me since the passing of Prop 8 in California.  I watch the news coverage and read about the protests in the aftermath and feel so helpless.  I got a question--- How is it possible to take rights away from a group? It just doesn't make sense to me. 

My goal is to do about three portraits a week of gay people in my life: close friends, acquaintances, blog buddies, and email friends.  I plan on spending roughly an hour on each of these.  I'll pose the question to each person: What are your thoughts about gay marriage and Prop 8?  My site will continue to have the Tivo drawings about those wacky Housewives and the Martinique and my nine year old nephew fabulousness.  I just don't want this gay marriage issue to go away.  To those of you who've written and asked that I stop pushing my ideas and stick to what I know, I'll say this---  I don't take kindly to my rights taken away, I don't like the message that the passing of Prop 8 sends to young gay people, and I know as long as I'm doing this blog--- I'll do it the way that feels right to me. 

I'm starting with my other half.

I call him my honey bunny which is why I have that little rabbit in the corner.  Our thirteen years together have been much like anyone else's relationship: we share our lives and love, struggles, joy, and difficulties.  I see his family as my extended family and hope he feels the same about mine.  Had Prop 8 been defeated then certainly we would have gotten married.  One day. 

So I asked my guy his thoughts about gay marriage and Prop 8.

I feel that marriage should be a fundamental right belonging to all consenting, rational-thinking adults regardless of the gender of the two individuals.  It's a shame that during a time of such unimaginable social progress in America that we find ourselves allowing the discrimination of a segment of our population.  I can only hope that one day the majority of Americans can put side their feelings and understand this country is made up of many different beliefs, cultures, political and social views, and it is very important to respect all.  HOPE!

Thanks honey bunny!

Pen and ink on 9" x 12" hot press watercolor paper.