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This is a "furry version" of a painting by John Currin. Currin's work is well known in the contemporary art world, and controversial for his depiction of women; many people have probably seen his work "Bea Arthur Topless." When flipping through a book of his works at a library recently, I came across an anomaly: Two men in a domestic setting, titled "Homemade Pasta." It was striking to me for not containing women. His commentary in the book said something like that he wanted to focus on the affection of a couple, and for him, eliminating the attraction that might occur with a female subject. As a gay man, I wondered if he had the similar motivations of straight female Yaoi consumers, who are purported to enjoy such content because they can enjoy a love story without feeling competition with a female character. I haven't read too much about Currin's work, and I won't cast any judgement.
What his piece did for me, though, was make me think about how I depict masculine subjects in this realm of anthropomorphic furry characters that I've made over the years. They're most commonly in domestic settings, and as I've come to realize, may represent the gay men that I don't hang out with: A deeply professional life spent in pursuit of a career have made casual hangouts in queer settings infrequent. So, is my practice of drawing anthropomorphic animal men my way of experiencing an idealized queer existence?
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Comments
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Not sure if I'm reading this right, but are you saying that, because you are pursuing a career, you're having to do without, that you don't have access to what you're drawing? And what is 'idealized' queer existence? Domesticity?
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For the past few years of my life, I didn't pursue any of the local queer community in the city I was living in; I was expecting to leave quickly after grad school but I ended up staying for three years. In many ways, the online furry community and regional fur friends made up the majority of my IRL queer interactions, if that makes sense. As I made scenes that were more and more domestic and/or intimate, I wondered about the role of drawing as an outlet for that kind of expression.
My main motivation is drawing this is to conflate Currin's use of gay men as a concentrated vehicle of exploring affection with my use of harmless, gentle, anthropomorphic animal men as my way of fantasizing about idealized human interactions. But it's also about my own fantastical settings; I would like to be with a group of hunky animal men playing croquet just as much as I'd like to be one of them. I certainly don't think of the domestic life as an "idealized queer existence," but making pasta with someone can be part of a gentle friendship, domestic or not. I hope this makes sense.
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It makes sense, it just seems a little sad that you would be wanting and missing so simple a thing. I hope your situation has changed or will change such that you can experience this as well. It does make a nice little scene. I'm all for simple depictions of 'furry life,' as not all of them can be adventurers, barbarians or super-jocks. :"D
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Well, focusing on my professional life was definitely my choice, I did not want to put down roots on the other side of the country. And I am slowly building up more of the life I want to live. Thank you for the kind words, T, you're always so sweet. :3
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love this & the comment too
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I thought of your own impressions of classical paintings as I made it! Thank you~
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WELL DUH.
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As a straight female, I find this adorable.
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I admit I enjoy slipping into the cozy queer world of your artwork myself
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And I'm very happy to share them. Thank you. :3
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i think what you're referring to is a valid point, as well as the fact that a lot of anthro artists consider what they do a form of escapism. i can't remember if it was you or pierre who shared that old sci-fi channel report on anthrocon, but i remember a lot of the interviews in that video being about how the attendees are just otherwise normal people who like this weird subsection of fantasy.
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Absolutely! Of course, no one can be the subject of spaceship-dwelling wolfmen's locker room affections, or other fantasies like that- It's the trend of utterly attainable situations in my own work that made me step back a bit.
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yeah i get what you mean. i've also noticed that i've been looking at the porn aspect of yaoi/furry stuff less and focusing more on relationship-oriented works recently
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Huh. Hrmmm. Yeah. You are making me stop and think about your work; abour my work; about other people's work.
I clicked on it thinking:" Is one of them going to turn unto pasta? fruit, maybe?" And then I see it's a rather pleasant, thoughtful, kitchen scene and read your description.
Now I am thinking about your private life and career and the balance of the two. What does the fruit mean? Is it a self objectification: a desire to be hungered after; carefully tended; round and brightly colored? What are my own motivations in my art and participation in this community? And a number of other varied and sundry thoughts and questions.
And now I want to make pasta. -
It is possible that you're using your art as an expression for things you idealise, yes – art is always wonderful for allowing us to express ourselves, and explore situations that are interesting, exciting, or quite unreal. And in your case, the romanticised notion of settling down in the country (you also do a lot of rural artwork so I'm assuming it'll be the country) with the man of your dreams may indeed be that fantasy situation you've got sitting in your subconscious. There's nothing wrong with dreams like that, or having a fulfilling and busy professional life – just make sure you don't over-work yourself, ok? Dreams are always best when lived. :)
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I love this piece, and I love the little essays and stories you put in the descriptions to your pictures. Thanks for sharing and letting us come on this journey with you.
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The best part is having friends along for the ride! I'm so glad I can share, and thank you so much, Kris.
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fuckstrot
i really like your art style