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Watch video on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5aZE4…
Queer illustrator Christian Cimoroni and I did an art swap for his Support Queer Artists project on Instagram. Here’s a timelapse video of me working on his portrait in Adobe Photoshop.
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Honored to have my Cheesecake Boys featured by The Advocate. Check out the article here: www.advocate.com/arts-entertai…
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JESSE ARCHER GETS DEPANTSED BY ARTIST PAUL RICHMOND
From www.outinamerica.com
Published Feb. 11, 2010
Why are Jesse Archer, Mike Ruiz, Jack Mackenroth and Perez Hilton having trouble keeping their clothes on these days? Because artist Paul Richmond has enlisted their modeling services for his upcoming exhibit of male pin-up paintings called CHEESECAKE. The show, which will feature oil paintings of fourteen gay male celebrities, opens at the Center on Halsted in Chicago this June.
According to Richmond, "It intrigues me that it was almost exclusively women who were depicted as hapless victims of comical wardrobe malfuncions in early pin-up art. Those ladies couldn't even walk down the street without their skirts blowing up or their underwear falling down (or both!). Meanwhile, male pin-ups by artists like Tom of Finland were generally afforded more control over their sexy shenanigans. I believe gravity and other forces conspiring to rob people of their clothing should take an equal-opportunity approach."
And thus, his impressive lineup of Cheesecake models should be prepared for a revealing experience. Paul recently released his first painting for the show, a tribute to slasher flick victims, featuring actor and OUT columnist Jesse Archer as the damsel in distress. He is shown running through a spooky forest with a shadowy, knock-kneed monster hot on his tail. Of course the treacherous branches tear Jesse's skimpy outfit to shreds in the process, leaving him in little more than his skivvies. Archer provided the artist with photo references for the project, and even helped him connect with several other celebrities who will soon be added to the show, including Ari Gold, Alec Mapa, and Darryl Stephens.
"I've never been painted before and it's an honor because Paul is so talented," explains Jesse. "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!" The painting, titled "In Hot Pursuit, Starring Jesse Archer," is available as a limited-edition giclee print in Paul's online store: www.paulypants.etsy.com.
The opening reception for CHEESECAKE is slated for Friday, June 11, 2010 from 6:30-9:30 pm at the Center on Halsted in Chicago. The address is 3656 N Halsted, Chicago, IL 60613. CHEESECAKE is curated by David Joseph.
To keep up with Paul Richmond's new work for the exhibit, visit his blog and sign up for his e-mail newsletter: www.paulrichmondstudio.blogspot.com.
From www.outinamerica.com
Published Feb. 11, 2010
Why are Jesse Archer, Mike Ruiz, Jack Mackenroth and Perez Hilton having trouble keeping their clothes on these days? Because artist Paul Richmond has enlisted their modeling services for his upcoming exhibit of male pin-up paintings called CHEESECAKE. The show, which will feature oil paintings of fourteen gay male celebrities, opens at the Center on Halsted in Chicago this June.
According to Richmond, "It intrigues me that it was almost exclusively women who were depicted as hapless victims of comical wardrobe malfuncions in early pin-up art. Those ladies couldn't even walk down the street without their skirts blowing up or their underwear falling down (or both!). Meanwhile, male pin-ups by artists like Tom of Finland were generally afforded more control over their sexy shenanigans. I believe gravity and other forces conspiring to rob people of their clothing should take an equal-opportunity approach."
And thus, his impressive lineup of Cheesecake models should be prepared for a revealing experience. Paul recently released his first painting for the show, a tribute to slasher flick victims, featuring actor and OUT columnist Jesse Archer as the damsel in distress. He is shown running through a spooky forest with a shadowy, knock-kneed monster hot on his tail. Of course the treacherous branches tear Jesse's skimpy outfit to shreds in the process, leaving him in little more than his skivvies. Archer provided the artist with photo references for the project, and even helped him connect with several other celebrities who will soon be added to the show, including Ari Gold, Alec Mapa, and Darryl Stephens.
"I've never been painted before and it's an honor because Paul is so talented," explains Jesse. "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!" The painting, titled "In Hot Pursuit, Starring Jesse Archer," is available as a limited-edition giclee print in Paul's online store: www.paulypants.etsy.com.
The opening reception for CHEESECAKE is slated for Friday, June 11, 2010 from 6:30-9:30 pm at the Center on Halsted in Chicago. The address is 3656 N Halsted, Chicago, IL 60613. CHEESECAKE is curated by David Joseph.
To keep up with Paul Richmond's new work for the exhibit, visit his blog and sign up for his e-mail newsletter: www.paulrichmondstudio.blogspot.com.
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Paul Richmond: Ins and Outs
8 min read
I was recently interviewed by Elisa Rolle for her website:
elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/59…
1) Can you tell us something more about you and how you decided to become an artist?
As a child, when I wasn’t prancing around the house wearing my blanket as a skirt and pretending to be a Disney princess, I was at the dining room table drawing. My mom brought home big stacks of scrap computer paper from work and claims I turned out about two hundred drawings a day. I’m really grateful that my parents encouraged my artistic ambitions (if not my Disney princess ones). They even sought the mentorship of a local artist, Linda Regula. who took me under her wing when I was only three years old. Besides being a wonderful teacher, Linda also became my first real-live diva role model! She encouraged creative expression and storytelling on canvas, which were great outlets during the rocky times I encountered as a blossoming gay boy in a repressed, conservative environment. I always took great pride in my art and in my identity as an artist. This helped balance some of the shame I was learning to feel about myself otherwise. Looking back, I believe it was during this challenging period of my young adult life that I made the decision to pursue art as a career.
2) I browsed your website and see two main galleries, Paintings and Cheesecake Boys, and they are quite different in style from one another. So, what are the techniques you use for both of them? Are they really as different as it appears? And what inspired you to create the Cheesecake Boys? (BTW they are so cute
)
The Paintings section houses my fine artwork, which combines personal narrative, a little political commentary, pop-culture influence, and a healthy sprinkling of glitter (when it’s called for)! When I graduated from college and finally came out of the closet, I used art to examine that journey and tell the story of my subsequent transformation into an out and proud, bona fide homosexual.
The pieces in the Cheesecake Boys gallery also tell a story, one that involves sexy men who just can’t seem to keep their clothes on! They’re my nod to the classic pin-up paintings from the ‘40s and ‘50s that depicted women in hilariously contrived scenes of underwear-exposing peril. I thought it would be fun to turn the tables and come up with some similarly creative predicaments for the boys!
With all of my work, I tend to straddle the fence between illustration and fine art. If I were a Cheesecake Boy, I’d probably rip my pants on that fence! I approach most projects very similarly, whether they’re for a fine art or commercial purpose, by focusing first on the story I’m trying to tell. I develop the image through a series of sketches (using digital means or good old-fashioned pencil and paper) before I sketch it on canvas. If figures are involved, I’ll take reference photos too, which usually means coercing my reluctant partner, Dennis, to pose for me. He’s such a cutie, and I love when I can talk him into modeling! If he’s feeling too dignified for a particular concept, sometimes I’ll ask other friends or just set the self-timer and jump in front of the camera myself. All in a day’s work! The last step, of course, is to paint it, and I do most of my pieces these days in oil.
3) I understand that the cover art world is quite new for you. How did you approach it? What are your projects for the future? Any new collaborations, like the one with MLR Press, of which you can say something more?
Since my work seems to be getting gayer and gayer (“the gayest painting of our time” according to a humorous article on towleroad.com), gay fiction seems like a natural fit!
Through my website, I’ve been able to share my portfolio with a much broader audience which has opened the door for some exciting opportunities. That was how Puerto Rican author Carlos Vázquez Cruz discovered my painting “Not Just a Closet” last year and came to license it for his gay fiction novel Dos Centímetros de mar (Two Sea Centimeters) published by Librería Isla.
Another recent project I really enjoyed was producing a book of my own called Ins and Outs: A Collection that presents some of my most personal, gay-themed paintings along with stories about their inspiration. The book also includes a touching foreword by my friend, the amazingly talented painter Melissa Forman.
Just last week, my good friend Jane Seville released a wonderful gay thriller novel called Zero at the Bone through Dreamspinner Press, for which I was thrilled to illustrate the cover. It’s a must-read!
As you mentioned, I’m also currently working on illustrating a book for MLR Press called The Golden Age of Gay Fiction. It's a collection of essays from gay icons discussing the impact of pulp novels on gay culture. In doing research, I’ve been highly entertained by some of the fabulous cover art created throughout the pulp genre’s history, and I’d love to find ways of continuing that tradition through more cover projects of my own in the future.
4) I read that you will have two artworks in the coming soon art book by Bruno Gmunder, Stripped Uncensored. Can you tell us something more? What type of artwork did they choose?
I loved the work in the first Stripped anthology, so I was honored that they asked me to participate in this new “Uncensored” edition. They chose two of my paintings: “The Clearing” and “The Greatest is Love,” and I enjoyed teasing Dennis about becoming a star of the erotic art world because he’s featured prominently in both.
“The Clearing” depicts both of us standing against a railing looking out into a vast, open space. It was inspired by a weekend getaway to a remote cabin in the woods where we could escape the daily grind and really focus on connecting with each other. The painting also represents reaching that point in our relationship where we were able to set aside the baggage from our pasts and start intentionally creating something new and wonderful together. “The Greatest is Love” represents my hope that the love shared by so many LGBTQ couples will one day eclipse the entanglement of church/state that has kept us from enjoying the same legal rights as our straight counterparts.
Honestly, I hadn’t really applied the term ‘erotic’ to either painting prior to the Stripped invitation, only because I was more focused on their respective stories. Of course, in both pieces, you also have pantless boys in love – so I can certainly see how the erotic label isn’t much of a stretch!
I’m really excited to be included in this anthology and am looking forward to seeing the contributions of the other artists!
5) And now Paul, if you want to add something else, my LiveJournal is white paper for you...
Thank you so much for helping share my work with your readers! The most meaningful experiences I’ve had since I began sharing these paintings have come from connecting with other people who see themselves or aspects of their own journey in my art. Ironically, growing up gay I felt very isolated. It’s been overwhelming to realize how many others can relate to my story.
I know that many young people continue to feel marginalized because of their sexuality today. I wish I could go and personally tell all of them to hang in there, that everything will be ok. Since I can’t, I’m going to keep painting my super-gay paintings and send them out into the world in hopes that they’ll make a difference for someone – or at least remind them that they’re not as alone as they might think.
Links
Paul’s Website:
www.paulrichmondstudio.com
Paul’s Blog:
www.paulrichmondstudio.blogspo…
Paul’s Online Store:
www.paulypants.etsy.com
Ins and Outs: A Collection:
www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail…
Zero at the Bone: www.dreamspinnerpress.com/curr…
Stripped Uncensored:
www.amazon.com/dp/386787025X?i…
MLR Press:
www.mlrpress.com
elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/59…
1) Can you tell us something more about you and how you decided to become an artist?
As a child, when I wasn’t prancing around the house wearing my blanket as a skirt and pretending to be a Disney princess, I was at the dining room table drawing. My mom brought home big stacks of scrap computer paper from work and claims I turned out about two hundred drawings a day. I’m really grateful that my parents encouraged my artistic ambitions (if not my Disney princess ones). They even sought the mentorship of a local artist, Linda Regula. who took me under her wing when I was only three years old. Besides being a wonderful teacher, Linda also became my first real-live diva role model! She encouraged creative expression and storytelling on canvas, which were great outlets during the rocky times I encountered as a blossoming gay boy in a repressed, conservative environment. I always took great pride in my art and in my identity as an artist. This helped balance some of the shame I was learning to feel about myself otherwise. Looking back, I believe it was during this challenging period of my young adult life that I made the decision to pursue art as a career.
2) I browsed your website and see two main galleries, Paintings and Cheesecake Boys, and they are quite different in style from one another. So, what are the techniques you use for both of them? Are they really as different as it appears? And what inspired you to create the Cheesecake Boys? (BTW they are so cute
)The Paintings section houses my fine artwork, which combines personal narrative, a little political commentary, pop-culture influence, and a healthy sprinkling of glitter (when it’s called for)! When I graduated from college and finally came out of the closet, I used art to examine that journey and tell the story of my subsequent transformation into an out and proud, bona fide homosexual.
The pieces in the Cheesecake Boys gallery also tell a story, one that involves sexy men who just can’t seem to keep their clothes on! They’re my nod to the classic pin-up paintings from the ‘40s and ‘50s that depicted women in hilariously contrived scenes of underwear-exposing peril. I thought it would be fun to turn the tables and come up with some similarly creative predicaments for the boys!
With all of my work, I tend to straddle the fence between illustration and fine art. If I were a Cheesecake Boy, I’d probably rip my pants on that fence! I approach most projects very similarly, whether they’re for a fine art or commercial purpose, by focusing first on the story I’m trying to tell. I develop the image through a series of sketches (using digital means or good old-fashioned pencil and paper) before I sketch it on canvas. If figures are involved, I’ll take reference photos too, which usually means coercing my reluctant partner, Dennis, to pose for me. He’s such a cutie, and I love when I can talk him into modeling! If he’s feeling too dignified for a particular concept, sometimes I’ll ask other friends or just set the self-timer and jump in front of the camera myself. All in a day’s work! The last step, of course, is to paint it, and I do most of my pieces these days in oil.
3) I understand that the cover art world is quite new for you. How did you approach it? What are your projects for the future? Any new collaborations, like the one with MLR Press, of which you can say something more?
Since my work seems to be getting gayer and gayer (“the gayest painting of our time” according to a humorous article on towleroad.com), gay fiction seems like a natural fit!
Through my website, I’ve been able to share my portfolio with a much broader audience which has opened the door for some exciting opportunities. That was how Puerto Rican author Carlos Vázquez Cruz discovered my painting “Not Just a Closet” last year and came to license it for his gay fiction novel Dos Centímetros de mar (Two Sea Centimeters) published by Librería Isla.
Another recent project I really enjoyed was producing a book of my own called Ins and Outs: A Collection that presents some of my most personal, gay-themed paintings along with stories about their inspiration. The book also includes a touching foreword by my friend, the amazingly talented painter Melissa Forman.
Just last week, my good friend Jane Seville released a wonderful gay thriller novel called Zero at the Bone through Dreamspinner Press, for which I was thrilled to illustrate the cover. It’s a must-read!
As you mentioned, I’m also currently working on illustrating a book for MLR Press called The Golden Age of Gay Fiction. It's a collection of essays from gay icons discussing the impact of pulp novels on gay culture. In doing research, I’ve been highly entertained by some of the fabulous cover art created throughout the pulp genre’s history, and I’d love to find ways of continuing that tradition through more cover projects of my own in the future.
4) I read that you will have two artworks in the coming soon art book by Bruno Gmunder, Stripped Uncensored. Can you tell us something more? What type of artwork did they choose?
I loved the work in the first Stripped anthology, so I was honored that they asked me to participate in this new “Uncensored” edition. They chose two of my paintings: “The Clearing” and “The Greatest is Love,” and I enjoyed teasing Dennis about becoming a star of the erotic art world because he’s featured prominently in both.
“The Clearing” depicts both of us standing against a railing looking out into a vast, open space. It was inspired by a weekend getaway to a remote cabin in the woods where we could escape the daily grind and really focus on connecting with each other. The painting also represents reaching that point in our relationship where we were able to set aside the baggage from our pasts and start intentionally creating something new and wonderful together. “The Greatest is Love” represents my hope that the love shared by so many LGBTQ couples will one day eclipse the entanglement of church/state that has kept us from enjoying the same legal rights as our straight counterparts.
Honestly, I hadn’t really applied the term ‘erotic’ to either painting prior to the Stripped invitation, only because I was more focused on their respective stories. Of course, in both pieces, you also have pantless boys in love – so I can certainly see how the erotic label isn’t much of a stretch!
I’m really excited to be included in this anthology and am looking forward to seeing the contributions of the other artists!
5) And now Paul, if you want to add something else, my LiveJournal is white paper for you...
Thank you so much for helping share my work with your readers! The most meaningful experiences I’ve had since I began sharing these paintings have come from connecting with other people who see themselves or aspects of their own journey in my art. Ironically, growing up gay I felt very isolated. It’s been overwhelming to realize how many others can relate to my story.
I know that many young people continue to feel marginalized because of their sexuality today. I wish I could go and personally tell all of them to hang in there, that everything will be ok. Since I can’t, I’m going to keep painting my super-gay paintings and send them out into the world in hopes that they’ll make a difference for someone – or at least remind them that they’re not as alone as they might think.
Links
Paul’s Website:
www.paulrichmondstudio.com
Paul’s Blog:
www.paulrichmondstudio.blogspo…
Paul’s Online Store:
www.paulypants.etsy.com
Ins and Outs: A Collection:
www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail…
Zero at the Bone: www.dreamspinnerpress.com/curr…
Stripped Uncensored:
www.amazon.com/dp/386787025X?i…
MLR Press:
www.mlrpress.com
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Recent article from outinamerica.com
4 min read
ARTIST PAUL RICHMOND OPENS THE FLOOD GATES ON KEN STARR
Most of Paul Richmond's artwork is pretty gay. However, his new painting "Noah's Gay Wedding Cruise" was recently dubbed "The Gayest Painting of Our Time" by towleroad.com.
In it, Richmond interprets the biblical flood story in a new way - one where the pool of drowning sinners includes the likes of Ken Starr, Sally Kern, and Fred Phelps, while the ark/cruise ship takes same-sex couples to safety. View the painting here: www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21465325.
"Noah's Gay Wedding Cruise" is on display at Gallery Arcane in San Francisco in the exhibit "Sweet & Low: Optimism in a Pessimistic Age" which opens March 5 (the same day Ken Starr will address the Supreme Court about nullifying the unions of gay and lesbian couples in California). The theme of the exhibit combined with the nationwide pro-marriage movement led Richmond to develop the concept for the piece. "The recent passage of Proposition 8 and the subsequent efforts of Ken Starr to break apart marriages in the name of family values certainly inspire pessimism," he explains. "However, I've been so incredibly moved by demonstrations across the country in support of marriage equality, and I believe we're on the cusp of great progress."
That sense of optimism certainly comes through in "Noah's Gay Wedding Cruise." Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are on-board, as are Jack and Ennis from Brokeback Mountain, Elton John and David Furnish, and Rosie O'Donnell and Kelli Carpenter, not to mention giraffes and flamingos in top hats, and some love-struck elephants. The unlikely group drifts toward an opening in the clouds where a bright rainbow emerges, one that, according to the artist, reminds "hopeful voyagers that full legal recognition and acknowledgement of same-sex love are just over the horizon."
Of course, not everyone in the gay community sees the painting or the issue in this light. Some of the buzz generated by the piece online accuses it of going too far, with accusations that it is "distasteful," or representative of the LGBT community's "great strategic mistake" of alienating moderate opponents. Richmond sees it differently. "I can't stand behind accepting a lesser version of marriage. It would be like going back in time and telling women who were fighting for the right to vote, 'Oh, sorry. There are just too many people who would be upset by this. Besides, men should be in charge. It says so in the Bible. How about you express your political ideas in another way - maybe make some pretty banners for your favorite politician?'"
Despite its critics, others have responded more favorably to Richmond's contribution to the marriage debate, including one commenter who went so far as to suggest that it is "the single most important piece of gay art produced in the last sixty years."
"I'm just thrilled to see it has sparked some interesting discussion," Richmond notes. "What more could an artist hope for?"
Paul Richmond's paintings have been displayed at venues including the World of Wonder Gallery, A Bitchin' Space, 2nd City Gallery, BoMA: The Bar of Modern Art, and the Columbus Museum of Art. Utilizing a multitude of artistic methodologies, his work explores themes of personal narrative and social commentary, sometimes addressing unique experiences of the GLBTQ community or self-realization and empowerment at large. See more of his work online at www.paulrichmondstudio.com, and order giclee prints and other merchandise from his online shop at www.paulypants.etsy.com.
"Sweet & Low: Optimism in a Pessimistic Age" opens on Thursday, March 5 from 6-9 pm at Gallery Arcane, located at 575 Sutter Street in San Francisco. Visit www.galleryarcane.com for more details.
Most of Paul Richmond's artwork is pretty gay. However, his new painting "Noah's Gay Wedding Cruise" was recently dubbed "The Gayest Painting of Our Time" by towleroad.com.
In it, Richmond interprets the biblical flood story in a new way - one where the pool of drowning sinners includes the likes of Ken Starr, Sally Kern, and Fred Phelps, while the ark/cruise ship takes same-sex couples to safety. View the painting here: www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21465325.
"Noah's Gay Wedding Cruise" is on display at Gallery Arcane in San Francisco in the exhibit "Sweet & Low: Optimism in a Pessimistic Age" which opens March 5 (the same day Ken Starr will address the Supreme Court about nullifying the unions of gay and lesbian couples in California). The theme of the exhibit combined with the nationwide pro-marriage movement led Richmond to develop the concept for the piece. "The recent passage of Proposition 8 and the subsequent efforts of Ken Starr to break apart marriages in the name of family values certainly inspire pessimism," he explains. "However, I've been so incredibly moved by demonstrations across the country in support of marriage equality, and I believe we're on the cusp of great progress."
That sense of optimism certainly comes through in "Noah's Gay Wedding Cruise." Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are on-board, as are Jack and Ennis from Brokeback Mountain, Elton John and David Furnish, and Rosie O'Donnell and Kelli Carpenter, not to mention giraffes and flamingos in top hats, and some love-struck elephants. The unlikely group drifts toward an opening in the clouds where a bright rainbow emerges, one that, according to the artist, reminds "hopeful voyagers that full legal recognition and acknowledgement of same-sex love are just over the horizon."
Of course, not everyone in the gay community sees the painting or the issue in this light. Some of the buzz generated by the piece online accuses it of going too far, with accusations that it is "distasteful," or representative of the LGBT community's "great strategic mistake" of alienating moderate opponents. Richmond sees it differently. "I can't stand behind accepting a lesser version of marriage. It would be like going back in time and telling women who were fighting for the right to vote, 'Oh, sorry. There are just too many people who would be upset by this. Besides, men should be in charge. It says so in the Bible. How about you express your political ideas in another way - maybe make some pretty banners for your favorite politician?'"
Despite its critics, others have responded more favorably to Richmond's contribution to the marriage debate, including one commenter who went so far as to suggest that it is "the single most important piece of gay art produced in the last sixty years."
"I'm just thrilled to see it has sparked some interesting discussion," Richmond notes. "What more could an artist hope for?"
Paul Richmond's paintings have been displayed at venues including the World of Wonder Gallery, A Bitchin' Space, 2nd City Gallery, BoMA: The Bar of Modern Art, and the Columbus Museum of Art. Utilizing a multitude of artistic methodologies, his work explores themes of personal narrative and social commentary, sometimes addressing unique experiences of the GLBTQ community or self-realization and empowerment at large. See more of his work online at www.paulrichmondstudio.com, and order giclee prints and other merchandise from his online shop at www.paulypants.etsy.com.
"Sweet & Low: Optimism in a Pessimistic Age" opens on Thursday, March 5 from 6-9 pm at Gallery Arcane, located at 575 Sutter Street in San Francisco. Visit www.galleryarcane.com for more details.
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