Friday, February 29, 2008

Work & Playlist: February 29, 2008


  1. "Foundations" - Kate Nash (Weeks at #1 - 1)
  2. "Listen All You People" - Darren Hayes
  3. "Let Go (Single Edit)" - Paul van Dyk (ft. Rea Garvey)
  4. "Anthem" - Filo & Peri (ft. Eric Lumiere)
  5. "In My Arms" - Kylie Minogue
  6. "Bonified Lovin'" - Chromeo
  7. "Time To Pretend" - MGMT
  8. "Lazy Eye (Jason Bentley Remix)" - Silversun Pickups
  9. "Music and You (Radio Edit)" - Alexander Perls vs. Phonjaxx
  10. "Acceptable in the 80's" - Calvin Harris
Green indicates songs new to the top 10 list.

This is simply a list of my favorite songs of the week and since I don't listen to the radio much some songs may be album tracks, international, a little older or simply obscure (at the moment).

Scent of Gay Art

Etat Libre d'Orange presents Tom of Finland the fragrance. Inspired by the muscle and leather images by Touko Laaksonen (1920-1991) better known as Tom of Finland. The scent is described as fresh water, clean, like a shaving from a cake of soap. Notes of aldehydes and lemon along with hints of suede, vanilla and saffron are among the aromas found within.

A series of Tom's images are imprinted on the interior of the box. A limited edition which includes a press brochure, Tom of Finland tank top, and a Tom of Finland Foundation badge can be order now through March 31st 2008, from the Etat Libre d'Orange website.

"Sex and The City" - May 2008

Thursday, February 28, 2008

On The Drawing Board: Warming up to Winter

One of the ways to make the most of winter, is taking a warm dip in an outdoor hot tub. Throw in a few naked friends, a six-pack and a rubber duck and you're sure to shake off the cold winter blues.

Here is the sketch for my current piece. I've got four hunky figures to render for a change, usually it's solo or couple scenes. It's a bit more of a challenge trying to fit four guys on the paper and achieve the right look and detail especially in the faces since they often are much smaller than the faces I typically draw.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Gay Artist or Artist that is Gay?

I received an email posing the question: "Do you considered yourself a gay artist or an artist that's gay?"


Hmmm..gay artist or artist who is gay? That's something that I've never felt compelled to define for myself, though I have been asked. I think other people feel the need to define and categorize others more than they do themselves.

I often find that I get labeled or rather my art gets labeled as 'homoerotic', which in some cases is true, but I think I express more in my art than that narrow category indicates. I guess that 'typecasting' is more an issue for me than the "gay artist vs. artist that's gay" is.

My art and my homosexuality are so intertwined. Being gay and growing up and living in a society that barrages you with attitudes of abhorrence and condemnation and even legally treats you as a sub-citizen surely effects your personality. I think it played a big part in my development, my sensitivity, my introvertedness, and escaping into art. On the flip side my art became an expression of myself.

The fact that my art illustrates the world from a gay mans perspective is set in stone. Sure I have done other types of art. For instance I used to do portraits. In that case I would call myself a portrait artist that is gay, because I'm not really drawing from within, but when I create for myself it's my passions, my thoughts, fantasies, ideals that I render. Of course being gay isn't my only trait and I think that's why many in the GLBT community don't like to be defined solely by their sexuality since straight people aren't. Sure I'm gay but people also say I'm funny, but I don't call myself a 'funny' artist. It's because I choose to let the fact that I'm gay rise to the surface and spill out onto paper that 'gay artist' is perhaps the more fitting term.

Though, I understand how some artists might reject that label as it segregates and marginalizes them from the collective known simply as 'artists' and most of us have spent our lives being pushed to the outside of the group.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Work & Playlist: February 22, 2008


  1. "Listen All You People" - Darren Hayes (weeks at #1 - 1)
  2. "Let Go (Single Edit)" - Paul van Dyk ft. Rea Garvey
  3. "Foundations" - Kate Nash
  4. "Music and You (Radio Edit)" - Alexander Perls vs. Phonjaxx
  5. "Bonified Lovin'" - Chromeo
  6. "Anthem" - Filo & Peri ft. Eric Lumiere
  7. "Lazy Eye (Jason Bentley Remix)" - Silversun Pickups
  8. "Time To Pretend" - MGMT
  9. "Relax, Take it Easy" - Mika
  10. "In My Arms" - Kylie Minogue
Green indicates songs new to the top 10 list.

This is simply a list of my favorite songs of the week and since I don't listen to the radio much some songs may be album tracks, international, a little older or simply obscure (at the moment).

Friday, February 22, 2008

Las Vegas '08

Well another year, another trip to Vegas with Edward for the Vet conference.

Spending a week on the Las Vegas strip seems fun at first but for a non-gambler, non-smoker, no fan of crowds, making a good time of it can be a challenge, and after 4 years it's harder to make the most of it. This year we got tickets to Bette Midler (great show!) and friends from Boston came out for a couple days so that made it a good trip. I spent one afternoon trying to take pics of the strip that weren't the typical tourist photos in front of the usual landmarks.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Work & Playlist: February 15, 2008


  1. "Let Go (Single Edit)" - Paul van Dyk ft. Rea Garvey
    (Weeks at #1 - 1)
  2. "Listen All You People" - Darren Hayes
  3. "Bonified Lovin'" - Chromeo
  4. "Foundations" - Kate Nash
  5. "Music and You (Radio Edit)" - Alexander Perls vs. Phonjaxx
  6. "Anthem (ft. Eric Lumiere)" - Filo & Peri
  7. "This Time" - Melanie C
  8. "Time To Pretend" - MGMT
  9. "Tempted" - Duran Duran
  10. "Relax, Take it Easy" - Mika
Green indicates songs new to the top 10 list.

This is simply a list of my favorite songs of the week and since I don't listen to the radio much some songs may be album tracks, international, a little older or simply obscure (at the moment).

"No" to Jamster

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a representative at Jamster/Jamba. If you don't know it, it is a site for downloading ringtones, images, videos, wallpapers etc. for your cell phone. They were interested in licensing my images for downloading.

I was a bit on the fence about it, as I usually am asked to license work. But I usually conclude that as long as my creativity stays separate and I don't compromise my motive or joy for my art I am not 'selling out'.

The terms allowed me to get out if I wanted, so I was going to go ahead and give it a try.

But before signing on the dotted, I Googled Jamster and discovered something that made me send off the following email to the Jamster representative.

Hi (representative's name omitted),

I did a little research on Jamba/Jamster and discovered that it is owned by Rupert Murdoch's NewsCorp, which also owns FOXNews. Well aware of Murdoch's propagandist use of his media empire and his war on journalism, I must withdraw from an association with your company for ethical reasons. Sorry for taking up your time.

Regards,

Michael Breyette

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Save the Internet from Corportate Control



Take Action: Save the Internet

A new bill has been introduced in U.S. House that would stop Comcast, Verizon and AT&T from controlling what you do, and where you go online.

“Americans need to ask themselves: What good is free speech if a handful of powerful corporations have the ability to shut off or slow viewpoints they find objectionable?” said International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa.

Go to savetheinternet.com and tell Congress to keep the internet free and flourishing in the hands of the people.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Countdown to Vegas

Soon Edward and I will be off to Vegas (yes again!) as he attends the annual veterinary conference there. To make the most of the trip we got tickets to Bette Midler's new show, The Showgirl Must Go On, at Caesars Palace. When we got the tickets several months ago we had no idea that it was opening night. It was so early the tickets were fairly reasonable.

As much as I find Las Vegas annoying after a few hours, I really am looking forward to the show, getting away from the snow, and meeting up with a couple friends of ours who are coming out for a few days as well.

Writer's Strike All but Over

With the Writer's Guild of America leaders endorsing the agreement with the studio's, the 100 day strike is all but over. Union members will be voting tonight until 6PM PST and are expected to vote for an end of the strike.

The fate of the rest of the season remains unclear. Some shows may not resume with new episodes until next fall.

I am eagerly awaiting the return of "Pushing Daisies", the freshman show with a strong 'fairy tale' vibe, about man who can bring the dead back to life with just a touch (and return them if he touches them again). A few other new shows I hope return are "Aliens in America" (which still has 7 new episodes yet to air, yay!) and "The Bionic Woman".

Friday, February 08, 2008

Work & Playlist: February 8, 2008


  1. "Bonified Lovin'" - Chromeo (Weeks at #1 - 4)
  2. "Listen All You People" - Darren Hayes
  3. "Let Go (Single Edit)" - Paul van Dyk (ft. Rea Garvey)
  4. "This Time" - Melanie C
  5. "Foundations" - Kate Nash
  6. "Tempted" - Duran Duran
  7. "Relax, Take it Easy" - Mika
  8. "Anthem (ft. Eric Lumiere)" - Filo & Peri
  9. "Music and You (Radio Edit)" - Alexander Perls vs. Phonjaxx
  10. "Thelo" - Despina Vandi
Green indicates songs new to the top 10 list.

This is simply a list of my favorite songs of the week and since I don't listen to the radio much some songs may be album tracks, international, a little older or simply obscure (at the moment).

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

THANK YOU!

I just received notice that my piece "Early To Rise" has won the Viewers Choice Award from Erotic Signature! Thanks to everyone who took the time and cast a vote. The piece will be featured across two pages in the forthcoming "The World's Greatest Erotic Art of Today Vol. 2".

Not only am I thrilled to have won, but I am hopeful that this will lead to a more balanced representation of masculine works (yes, naked men are erotic too!) in future volumes of the Erotic Signature books and the world of erotic art as a whole.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

On The Drawing Board: Metamorphosis

I've gotten quite a bit of work done on my 'butterfly guy'. Just by glancing at my previous post you can see the changes in the face. Not only has the hair changed and antenna been added but I've gone over most of the face, with the most striking improvements on the nose.

Though this pic doesn't show it, I've added in much of the background and am currently working on the wings. Stay tuned to see how it turns out.

Monday, February 04, 2008

On The Drawing Board: Old is New Again

I was going through some stuff and came across this piece that I started many many years ago. I just refer to it as 'the butterfly guy'. It's moved with me several times. Surprisingly, despite not really, trying to protect it, it is in rather good condition. I never thought I would finish it, but something has inspired me to try. I don't really do 'fantasy' pieces save for the Halloween works that I do on occasion, so perhaps the appeal is doing something different, something I haven't really incorporated in my work in years.

I've already figured out the background and have started working on his face. I see many little improvements I can make, things I've learned over the years, that will make him look much better.

So far it's turning out to be a whole lot of fun!

Friday, February 01, 2008

Work & Playlist: February 1, 2008


  1. "Bonified Lovin'" - Chromeo
  2. "This Time" - Melanie C
  3. "Tempted" - Duran Duran
  4. "Relax, Take it Easy" - Mika
  5. "Listen All You People" - Darren Hayes
  6. "I'm Not Dead" - Pink
  7. "Foundations" - Kate Nash
  8. "Pull Shapes" - The Pipettes
  9. "Thelo (club mix)" - Despina Vandi
  10. "Anthem (ft. Eric Lumiere)" - Filo & Peri
Green indicates songs new to the top 10 list.

This is simply a list of my favorite songs of the week and since I don't listen to the radio much some songs may be album tracks, international, a little older or simply obscure (at the moment).