New Original & Prints: "Selfie"

Ten years ago I did my first full frontal self-portrait, Naked. I remember feeling anxious about putting it all out there. But at the same time I found it liberating, not to mention a boost to my self-confidence. And while I have since posed for certain parts of my figures, and I was the model for the Restraint series, I hadn't since done a full frontal nude self portrait. But then a friend suggested I do a 10th anniversary piece, and I of course started feeling anxious. But here I am, once again putting it all out there, with my Selfie.

The original is available for immediate purchase, but as part of my upcoming show it will remain with the Lyman-Eyer gallery through July 23rd. 

Limited edition Gallery and Studio prints are available directly through BREYETTE.COM at the special Day of Issue price.

There is a dominant trait of competitiveness in men who participate in sports. The very nature of it is to see who is stronger, who is faster, who has more stamina. They are always testing and gauging themselves against the next guy to see how they measure up. And while most straight men wouldn't admit it, they also compare and check out other guys in the men’s room. It simply is in their nature. Perhaps for some, they just assess the physique but you know a lot are going to take the opportunity to check out the whole package. 

Men's Room is my latest work to be included in myupcoming gallery show in Ptown next month. While the original is available for immediate purchase through the Lyman-Eyer Gallery, it won't be delivered until after my show. 

However, limited edition Gallery and Studio prints areavailable for purchase directly through BREYETTE.COM.

Another cover.

I just received a copy of Walls That Divide by Michael Murphy, from DreamSpinner Press.  It's the latest book they've put out featuring my work (this time La Dolce Vita) on the cover. Cool :-)

Hopefully this summer, perhaps on vacation, I'll get a chance to start reading some of these novels they all look so intriguing. 

"The Pick Up": My newest work for my July show

Ever since moving back to town John had wanted to hang out with Patrick, alone. They hadn't seen each other since high school, and even then they hadn't exactly been best friends. But John had always hoped that was due to a mutual attraction that neither had been bold enough to act upon. Well this weekend John was feeling bold. Stopping by Patrick's, he asked his old friend if he'd mind helping out with some yard work, and then maybe hang out after and split a cold six pack. John was thrilled when Patrick eagerly accepted with a huge grin and the hint of a devilish sparkle in his eye. 

While the original is available for purchase, it will remain with the Lyman-Eyer gallery through the end of my show this July. However limited edition Gallery and Studio prints are available for purchase direct through BREYETTE.COM.

on the drawing board: one of three

While I almost always work on one piece at a time, other than when I'm planning a series, this time I got inspired by 3 ideas and decided to start on all three at the same time.  I have the outline of all 3 done.  This is the first one I've chosen to dive into with the pastels.

My work as cover art on new novel

My "La Dolce Vita" painting is the latest to be used as cover art.  It will appear on the novel "Walls That Divide" by Michael Murphy and be available from DreamSpinner Press this coming February.

New pastel painting: "Holy Trinity"

"The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace." 

- Mahatma Gandhi 

The original as well as Limited edition Gallery and Studio prints are available for purchase at www.breyette.com

Note: The original has sold to a private collector.

on the drawing board: suds on studs in a tub

While I have been fairly successful in my efforts to limit the number of paintings featuring men kissing (this will only be my second one in 3 years) I do have to indulge once in a while.  I am also incorporating a few of my other favorites, bath tubs and soap suds!

New Pastel Painting: "Tie the Knot"

It almost feels like a cosmic alignment. My latest piece celebrates a sexy beginning to Summer as well as a playful twist on gay marriage, and it turned out that the first full week of Summer saw the Supreme Court grant federal recognition of same-sex marriages by overturning DOMA while their action on Prop 8 resumed same-sex marriages in California. Happy Summer!  The original as well as limited edition Gallery and Studio prints are available for immediate purchase at BREYETTE.COM.

Footnote: So those who have asked about a self portrait ...those are both me. So as not to have the figures look like twins I made additional alterations to the figure in turquoise.

New Work: "Thirst"

It is a natural craving, an animal instinct, a driving force that can cause you to disregard all else until you are satisfied. Whatever it may take... a tall glass of water, an ice cold beer, or perhaps a big muscled hairy bear of a man... you have to quench your thirst! 

Perhaps my recent visit to Provincetown and the upcoming annual Bear Week - which I've had the pleasure of experiencing - had something to do with my latest work, Thirst. Perhaps. All I know is that I started it right after getting back. 

The original as well as limited edition Gallery and Studio prints are available for purchase at the special first day pricing through Midnight ET tomorrow.

On the Drawing Board: Evolution

While I often make subtle changes from my original concept and layout drawing when I'm working on the actual pastel painting, occasionally, as in this instance my initial scene and setting for the piece is a little vague or just not that defined.  As someone that usually likes to have a roadmap, it's also fun to see where it may end up on it's own.

New Work: "Power Bottoms"

Those sexy executives, strutting across the office all day in their fitted suit pants, making decisions, brainstorming ideas, and taking charge. The thin material clings and hugs as they walk and bend, showing off every muscular curve of the company's best assets. It's hard not to imagine them showing the same "take charge" attitude in the bedroom. 

The original as well as limited edition Gallery and Studio prints are available at the special first day pricing through Midnight ET tomorrow at www.breyette.com .

New Work: "James"

James likes his sex rough, tough and dirty. It's no wonder that he's so into leather. He knows his gear has the strength to take the abuse he craves! Do you? 

The original (12½ x 18½ pastel on pastel paper) as well as limited edition Studio prints are available at the special day of issue pricing through Midnight ET tomorrow.

on the drawing board: full tilt

I don't quite know why, but when I work on a face that's at a sideways angle I need to turn the paper so the face is upright.  Just need to make sure everything remains balanced and not distorted.

on the drawing board: devil in the details

Because most of my pieces are more 'body centric' the faces that I work on aren't usually that large.  So when I do find myself with a life size or larger face to work on it's really fun getting to do all the little details that are often just a line or a smudge, things like shadows and highlight on teeth, the creases in the lips and individual eyelashes.

on the drawing board: a commissioned boat

A client from Germany has commissioned me to do a piece for him. Above is my sketch for the piece and as with any commission I do, I have to find something about that excites and inspires me.  This one does.

When a client asks for a commission they tell me what they are looking for and I come up with a preliminary layout first that hopefully satisfies most of their request.  This client told me this sweet romantic story of the first time they got to be 'out' and alone together on a vacation to a lake.  He neglected to mention that he wanted the figures naked or that is was to be more sensual and a little less sweet.  Below was my first sketch for him. While it's a good concept, I'm very glad that it ended up being the sexier one above!

New Work: "Wood"

From vulnerable nuts it can grow to stand strong and tall, it can be polished to a slick finish and it certainly can heat us up. It's the simple elegant beauty of Wood.

The original as well as limited edition Gallery and Studio prints are available for purchase at the special day of release pricing through Midnight ET January 14, 2013.

on the drawing board: front to back

With most of the figure done, though I can decide to tweak or make changes at anytime, I've now started on the background.  Other than working from top left to bottom right to limit smudging, I used to always do the face and figure first because I didn't want to spend time on the background if I wasn't able to get the man looking right.  Not sure if it's just become a habit, because after rendering hundreds of figures successfully, you'd think I'd have the confidence to start with the background.  

New Release: "Ghouls Gone Wild"

Each with a devilish grin, they knew it was time to take a bite out of this Hallowe'en party. The vampire had been wanting to sink his teeth into his handsome mummy all night. Time to make a move and see if he could raise the dead. A little tug here, a little unwrapping there, and long before dawn they were both a couple of ghouls gone wild. After all, getting undressed for Hallowe'en can sometimes be more fun than getting dressed up for it! 

Ghouls Gone Wild is my first post-show work. In addition to the Original, limited edition Gallery and Studio prints are available for purchase at the special day of release pricing through Midnight ET tomorrow.

on the drawing board: cowboy up!

I'm not sure why, but throw a cowboy hat on a guy and he's sure to get a second glance.  I certainly have a good 'ole time whenever I express the cowboy in me on paper.  And though I've painted many men in many situations, (the number of speedo/beach scenes must be up to a few dozen by now) it seems the cowboy pieces are what sticks in many peoples minds when thinking of my work.