The Art of Leather, Part 2

(Published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #47, March 14, 1997)

Part 2 — Local Leather Artists

Presented here are three local artists who identify themselves as members of the leather community, and whose work includes (but is not necessarily limited to) leather/SM themes.

Satyarthi (Marc DeBauch) works in oils, watercolors, graphite, tempera, and pen and ink. He describes his art thusly: “I create erotic art that is mysterious, occult, sensuous, educational and sometimes humorous. I hope to excite the viewer visually, emotionally as well as spiritually, because sex is one of the most powerful forces in our lives.” His travels throughout the United States and to India, Europe, and Mexico have influenced his art, which covers a diverse range of styles from monochromatic figure studies to wildly-colored mythical images.

Satyarthi recently distinguished himself by winning First Place, Group Figure Division, in “The Second Tom of Finland Emerging Erotic Artist’s Competition.” He has had solo exhibitions at Patrick’s Cabaret in Minneapolis and Quatrefoil Library in St. Paul, and has been published in R.F.D., Art Police, Holy Titclamps, Speed Demon, and a book entitled Yeah . . . But Is It Safe Sex?

You can see Satyarthi’s art on exhibit until the end of March as part of a group show at the Sex Art Gallery (241 2nd Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612/672-0556). His art will be part of “Erotic,” a show opening this weekend at the Art Jones Gallery (2101 Kennedy St. NE, Minneapolis; 612/331-3909). The opening reception for “Erotic” is March 15, 7-10 pm and the show runs until April 12.

Works by Satyarthi have found their way into private and public collections in Minneapolis, Chicago, Los Angeles, Milan, and Zurich (to mention a few). He accepts commissions.

“Dungeon Master” ©1996 by Marc DeBauch

Damon Thrift of Da Ray Studios has been producing leather-oriented art for the last eight years. You’ve seen his art on the poster and program cover for the 1995 Great Lakes Mr. Drummer contest; he also recently created two drawings of Steve Kelso which were auctioned at Kelso’s recent local appearance. His art is “inspired by Tom of Finland, but it’s not as X-rated”; he prefers to leave more to the imagination. His subjects have included leathermen, men in uniforms, and construction workers. He’s recently started painting men as angels, including this year’s Steve Kelso angel.

For a period in his art career Thrift worked in a pointillistic style, starting with gray board and adding dots in both black and white. (The Great Lakes Mr. Drummer poster was done this way.) His more recent pieces, starting with what he calls “the Rainbow Shorts guy,” are colored pencil on tan board. He plans to continue in this medium and perhaps add airbrushing.

While his art has been predominantly representation studies of the male figure, he is starting to explore different directions. For this year’s “Celebrate the Art of Living” art auction presented by DIFFA (Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS), he produced a drawing hearkening back to WPA-era posters, and he plans to do more art with the male form in an environment, as opposed to the form alone.

Thrift has done commissions, and his work is often on display at local leather gatherings. His future plans include a display at the International Mr. Leather Contest’s Leathermart..

“Steve Kelso Angel” by Damon Thrift

Jeff Jacklin’s art has been appearing in print for 10 years. His work appeared in the 1988 book “Strip AIDS U.S.A”, as well as in Gay Comics #8 and #25. He currently has a work on display at Zachary Showrooms, International Market Square, Minneapolis. His art has also been seen in ads for The Saloon, the old “315” baths (remember when we had baths in this town?), and most recently Town House Country.

Jacklin says he “likes drawing masculine men.” His art is “sensual — not explicit, more suggestive.” His photorealistic style is partly inspired by the art of Tom of Finland, and he credits Bill Ward, who draws the “Drum” comic strip in Drummer Magazine, as another influence (“He’s a great visual storyteller.”). His subjects, often drawn from memory, include weightlifters, men in workout wear, blue-collar men, soldiers and other military scenes, men embracing and cuddling, and policemen (which he calls “cop art”).

His media of choice are pencil or pen and ink, and he sometimes adds watercolor. He has also done “animatic” art of military scenes — artwork that is filmed, making use of the camera’s pan and zoom capabilities to add the illusion of animation. He is also currently working on a graphic novel, and plans to do more life-drawing and male-figure art as well.

Animatic art by Jeff Jacklin

Upcoming Leather Events

Mr. Minnesota Leather Fund-raiser
Sunday, March 16, 4-9 pm, The Saloon
Hosted by Kevin Cwayna, Mr. Minnesota Leather ’97. Get warmed up for St. Patrick’s Day — green leather, anyone? $5 at the door.

Ms. Minnesota Leather Fund-raiser: “All Together Leather, Whipped Into Spring”
Sunday, March 23, 5-9 pm, The Saloon
Food, discounted drinks, unique door prizes. On-site scenes: electricity, whipping, waxing, liquid latex, bondage, tattooing and piercing by Body Arts, and the power play of the team from Hard Mondays. $6 at the door ($5 if sporting a whip, paddle or your favorite play toy). FFI: W.I.L.L.O.W. Productions.

Sunday, March 30 (Easter Sunday): Atons Bar Night at the Men’s Room Bar, Gay 90’s.

Saturday, April 12: Atons Bar Night at the Chicago Eagle. For further information call the Atons.

Sunday, April 13: Mr. Minnesota Fantasy Contest 1997. It could be you. To compete, call Dale Willman (Mr. Minnesota Fantasy 1995).

Saturday, April 20: Mr. Northwoods ’97 Fundraiser hosted by Colin Spriestersbach at The Saloon.