To my readers......

SITE UPDATE NOTICE

Thanks for visiting mitchmen, home of Mitchell's Gay Art

For Artwork by Mitchell click on the 'Mitchell's Gallery Hub' tab just below
The Caps and Collars/ Flat Cap Gang story at Google Groups is presently paused. (see Group News for link)

Link to the Royale Studio Archive in the right sidebar


Message updated 26th Jun 2025
Showing posts with label encounters-with-creatures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label encounters-with-creatures. Show all posts

Sunday, 17 August 2025

Art by David Angelo - 2

 More David Angelo in Part 1 
 
David Angelo - The Swimmers

Underwater swimming was another theme beloved of 60s artists who wanted to add a touch of class to their erotic imagery. There was great potential for playing with graceful body shapes, and it was a legitimate excuse for depicting nude men together, reliving youthful adventures. The intersection of knee and groin here is a great example of 'hidden eroticism' (see labels at foot of post) but you will observe that an attempt to sneak in something naughtier was foiled by a keen, censor's eye.
 
David Angelo - The Swimmers

 Angelo contented himself with modestly interlocking limbs here, 
using streams of air bubbles to obscure naughty bits. The result is not entirely what the censor would have wished. With the inverted swimmer, the bubbles unexpectedly convey a sense of sexual excitement. Down below, his hand seems to have swept across his companion's groin leaving a stream behind that is full of teasing ambiguities. Angelo's treatment of the swimmer's hair in both these images is a well observed, lifelike detail, but not entirely without erotic significance either.
 
 
Like the cowboy fad, the interest in underwater action had its roots in TV and film. War films had introduced many to the role of the 'frogmen' who sabotaged the enemies warships during WW2. Lionel 'Buster' Crabbe was something of a celebrity for his wartime exploits and mysterious disappearance. His handsome namesake, an Olympic swimmer turned actor, muddied the waters for gay men by starring as Tarzan and Flash Gordon. TV added a different dimension with craggy Lloyd Bridges having underwater adventures in 'Sea Hunt' while Hans and Lotte Haas were a leading part of an exploration genre which introduced viewers to the underwater wonders of the sea.
 
David Angelo -Divers

 The underwater adventure and exploration themes often converged in dramas that depicted interactions with the inhabitants of the sea. Octopus and squid were the usual dangers, but this is a very curious mix which seems to depict a dolphin or fish as a threat and yet there seems to be intensely erotic interaction going on between the three of them. Is the diver protecting his friend from the phallic enormity pressing down on him, or is he jealous of the frottage that seems to be going on? 
 
Both humans seem to be finding it exciting. Their incongruous posing pouches, an unnecessary choice in this scenario, are bulging and seem to signal that the artist saw it as having a gay, erotic dimension. One that is helped immensely by the pleasing composition he has developed.

 
David Angelo -Diver Rescued

In this astonishing picture, Angelo goes further than erotic innuendo. The rescuer's fingers are clearly touching his buddy's pouch, and his own, straining with desire, is nestling underneath an upraised leg. No gay man could mistake the meaning of this arrangement of limbs. Nor could they fail to connect with the rescue scenario, with the ultimate gay-fantasy outcome in prospect. 
 
Angelo - Door Knob 
 
Angelo's other contribution to gay culture of the 60s was a series of delightful cartoons. He wasn't alone in exploring the possibilities of accidental disrobing, but this character has an innocent, boyish charm that is memorable.   
 
Angelo - Pitch Fork

Rather less innocence is in evidence here, with the yokel's pitchfork having performed a more efficient job than the doorknob in the previous example. For the avoidance of doubt, he hitches his thumb into his waistband, pulling it down and touching himself. The victim meanwhile makes a show of covering up but doesn't take evasive action. Just checking which of those prongs is coming his way, I suppose. You know who else has 3 prongs.

 

Angelo - Valentine

A fanciful design for a Valentines card. The artist depicts Valentine/Cupid as a winged messenger, carelessly reclining across the top of his missive, like a Royale Studio model. His cargo seems to have 'accidentally' barged into the back of a nice young man, but he doesn't seem to mind at all. 

In some respects this is an image of separation, but the twin, trailing ribbons of a bow flutter between their legs, forging a light-hearted but distinctly erotic connection between them. Cupid draws it between his legs, seductively. His target lets the ribbon go, patting his pouch in anticipation and seemingly miming his size.

Their garments are frivolously decorated with flowers or bubbles (who knows?). However, the familiar ribbing of the jockstrap alerts us to their less romantic qualities, which seem destined to react together shortly. 

 

Angelo - Statue

Angelo's artiness got the better of him in this image, I fear, with a weird distortion of the horizontal and upright planes for the two figures to stand on. A slightly odd choice of pose for the chap in the foreground, too. Behold the conquering hero, I suppose, but the eye line isn't right and it looks rather like a weaponless archer at first sight. 
 
The interest lies in the way he has drawn his pouch, minimised and bulging. A captive beast. It's the same kink as the modern chastity cage. A far cry from modern depictions of this area, which usually demand much more fabric in any covering, in order to show an identifiable ramrod beneath it. 

More Angelo in Part 1 

For similar posts, click on the labels below 


Saturday, 22 February 2025

Homoeros - Recent Work (2025) - 2


  
1
 
This story, simply called 'Farm Boys', opens in a sunny field filled with gay flowers. Two Farm Boys are examining a scarecrow. Well, one of them is, I've called him Seth. The other, Tim, is keeping his distance. The scarecrow has an outer wrapping of well-worn sacking, it looks as if it's been around for a long, long time and it's very spooky. Horror movie fans will recognise the meme with relish. The pumpkins lying around on the floor confirm the worst, this has got to be Halloween. 
 
The presence of summer flowers in Autumn might be considered another spooky element. It's probably artistic licence, designed to give that initial impression of beauty, peace and well-being.


2

Despite his amazing muscles, Tim is unnerved by the scarecrow and wants to get away. Seth laughs and puts a reassuring, affectionate arm round his shoulder. The two friends walk off, unaware that behind them, the scarecrow seems to have reacted to them in a disturbing way.




3

The Farm Boys hold hands as they depart, clearly they are more than just friends. 
The scarecrow seems to be watching them. 
We see now that it isn't secured to the support.
 

4

That evening, a mysterious mist descends on the farm. 
As Seth walks home, he is unaware of strange creatures emerging from it behind him.
In the distance, the scarecrow's cross is now vacant.

 

5

Seth is attacked by the creatures, overwhelmed and stripped naked*.
As they carry him off, a storm breaks. Brilliant lightning sears the sky, 
Torrential rain pelts Seth's naked body.

*more images at DeviantArt (link below)

6

With the storm raging, the creatures carry Seth across the sodden field
Ahead, two scarecrow crosses are planted amongst the pumpkins.
One of them is already occupied, a naked man hangs from the cross piece. 
He's tied by his wrists and ankles.


7

Seth is dragged the last few yards to the crosses, where the 3rd creature awaits.
He looks up at the last minute and sees the unconscious, hooded figure already hanging there.

 
8

Seth is hung on the cross next to Tim.
The rain continues to pelts down on them, cascading down their naked bodies.
Lightning flashes illuminate their glossy, neutralised muscles.
 
You can fill in the gaps in this tale by starting to read at Deviant Art 
 
This tale is a splendid, gothic variation on Homoeros' favourite theme of crucifixion. 
A bloodless one, which pleases me. The horror iconography is a bit random, but the scarecrow role reversal is very effective, and the outcome is still disturbingly sexy. It does seem, as if Seth and Tim are being punished for being gay, the same might also be said of the story of hitchhiker Leo in Part 1. But equally, it may simply be that these malevolent creatures hate lovers and happy people.

See the foot of this post for other scarecrows 
and ominous farm settings at mitchmen.
 
 
9 Medieval 43

The artist's interest in depicting homophobic situations is even more explicit in this series, which is simply titled 'Medieval'. A nobleman's son has been caught in 'flagrante delicto' with a wandering Player (i.e. an entertainer). No guessing who's going to be blamed for this fall from grace! A dripping dick is the smoking gun. 
 
The Player is abused then dragged before a priest - to confess and reform, I guess. This is a great image with good composition and convincing figure interactions. The Renaissance style colouring and warm lighting in the style of Caravaggio is a very clever embellishment.
 
 
10 Medieval 59

The Priest proves to better at exploitation than rectification, but I suppose someone has to have a pop at the handsome offender before he is despatched to his fate. He also hangs around afterwards to legitimise the sadistic proceedings that follow. The Player is spread X-fashion across a timber frame and the whips are brought out.
 
 
11 Medieval 61

The executioner lays the whip on with ferocious energy. I can't say I enjoy the sight of blood, especially after having read about the consequences of harsh floggings in Clavering's 'Under The Lash', but this is an intensely dramatic image, made more so by the crazy angling. 
 
The executioner's arched torso expresses a determination to inflict the maximum pain. The stiffness of the victim's physique reflects his efforts to manage and contain it. The naked man's anatomy is more compact and realistic than in older work by this artist.


12 Medieval 77

Once the tormentors have completed the designated flogging and discharged their own interest, the victim is taken down. He's set on the floor, with a timber block under his shoulders, and they proceed to nail his arms to it. I've selected this single image to represent that process (depicted at length by Homoeros), because it illustrates the victim's horror and helplessness as he grasps what they intend to do to him. The torturers continue to show their keenness to do the job well, sitting astride him, not shying away from intimate contact with the condemned man. 


13 Medieval 88

When the grisly attachment process is complete, the block is lifted into brackets high up on a wall frame especially built to hold it. This elaborate arrangement suggests crucifixion is a regular occurrence in this particular dungeon, but it seems the perpetrators never tire of watching their victim's suffering and descent into oblivion. Unlike Leo the rambler in Part 1 of this post, there's no-one to rescue the young Player.

Fill in the picture gaps at Deviant Art starting from Medieval 01
 
~
 
There are a number of other examples of spooky scarecrows 
and ominous farm settings at mitchmen:-
 
EdDraws (sinister happenings in a corn field)
Amalaric (scarecrow punishment in Cruel Justice)
Jotto (scarecrow conversion)
RomanAI (sinister corn fields)
Palanca (corn fields and corns)
 
click on the labels at the foot of the post for other related articles
 
~
 
14
 
Here, it looks like the Player from 'Medieval' has got himself into more trouble.
The naked man, drunk and disorderly, is arrested and handcuffed in a modern city centre.
I suppose reincarnation might well perpetuate the terrible traumas of a previous existence.
This detention may not be without bodily consequences either, invasive maybe, but not fatal.  
The moment when a man submits to capture never fails to stir me.
 

   
15
 
This appears to be a very different situation where two men have emerged from an underground tunnel to discover the opening is sealed by bars. You can feel their frustration and disappointment. This may be an escape attempt that has come to naught. Maybe they didn't even suspect they had been imprisoned, but were just exploring. Now the terrible truth unfolds. 
There's an echo of Gilgamesh in the idea of a labyrinthine prison.
 
 
16

This man certainly knows he is a captive, because he's in a bare stone cellar with his hands tied.
He must have tried to escape, but thwarted now, he kneels submissively to await his fate.
The simplicity of the image gives a sense of his helplessness and abandonment.
 

17

This captive is tied to an easel-like frame, as if by a man who sees himself as an artist.
A man who sees his captive as worthy of display, a canvass for his artistic talents.
However, it's a frame of tremendous size and strength, built to withstand great forces.
Neither of these ingredients bode well for the young captive.
His muscularity pleases the eye, but will be sorely tested in the coming days, sorely.


18

The final image in this selection is another simple but powerful idea.
A naked man has been brought to his knees by another, skimpily dressed in gladiatorial accessories.
He's not restrained, nor trapped in a cell, but bought low in a vast open, deserted arena.
With his back turned, defenceless, to his antagonist, his bowed head signals total submission.  
 
The telltale clues to this sorry state can be seen in the area below his left armpit:-
Flecks of blood and a glimpsed loop of a whip.
His strong jaw and masculine stubble underline the depths of his subjugation.
Dejection, humiliated. A great little image.
 
~
 
 
&

Friday, 13 December 2024

More Art by Doodlefish

Following the recent, short post of Milk Outlets by Doodlefish
a further selection of his beautiful and sexy imagery.

 
Doodlefish - Ready for Play

I'm not usually a fan of long hair but Doodlefish's shaggy haired hunks have an individualistic, earthy appeal that's enhanced here by manual work clothes and muscles bulging under tight restraint. The squared-off design of the rope harness displays the captive's upper-body bulk, but eliminates any chance of him using it to escape. He's coaxed into a humiliating, public display of milk production.


Doodlefish - Art Model

Many a student has scratched some beer money by posing for an Art 'Life' class. Quentin Crisp, Britain's famous queer, made a career of it. It often means going nude (hence the Naked Civil Servant) but I imagine posing in shibari bondage is relatively rare. Our student here displays an interesting combination of post-adolescent nonchalance and bemusement about this requirement. I suppose the ciggy he is smoking may be contributing to that detachment (r whatever else he took last night). 

My guess is the class resorted to restraint as the only way to make the unruly man keep still, but the art-work on the wall suggests they have employed this measure before. Such muscularity on one so young certainly deserves appreciation and there's no finer tribute than wrapping it in ropes as if it were too dangerous to be allowed freedom in a confined space. The leg suspension is a little unkind since it will become more than a little uncomfortable if the length of the class period stretches into multiple hours, but the rugby-style long socks he's wearing imply he's fitter and tougher than most. 


Doodlefish - Not Again

There's similar sporting background to this image with shorts, undershorts and long socks in evidence. It's clearly a locker-room ritual and I imagined it at first to be a private 'man of the match' ceremony enacted on the player adjudged to have put in the worst performance. If you think about it, over the course of a season of 30 or so matches, every man in the team would be liable to find himself in the bottom spot once, at least. Bottom seems to be the operative word here, judging by the condoms lying ready on the bench. 

But no, it turns out that this is the team captain rewarding his team with a treat of their own choosing. It looks like every one of them is going to take full advantage of the offer. It must work as an incentive, though, because the title tells us that this has happened before. I suppose he doesn't want to change a winning formula so he takes the team's parts in good humour, offering half-hearted resistance and a request for them to be less rough. That seems to  imply that he enjoys it as much as they do.


Doodlefish - Do Me A Favour

There's an unintended embarrassment here with a parcel delivery man making an unfortunate discovery when a damaged box sheds it's contents on the customer's doorstep. He's terrified of being held responsible for the damage and also, I imagine, for discovering something that most men would prefer their delivery men not to know about. Luckily this customer is not at all worried about it, but sneakily takes advantage of the poor man's confusion by asking for a favour. It's not the obvious one suggested by this image, instead he invites him in to establish that the articles have not been damaged.

Most of these images have an explicit sequel and you can imagine what form this one takes. You should be able to track it down by visiting Doodlefish75 at 'X'. This image stands up on it's own, however, as a vivid illustration of frightened submissiveness by a very cute-looking guy. I'm a sucker for uniforms and shorts anyway, they seem to imply a certain level of 'amenability' to giving service. Name tags also contribute to that impression and I particularly like the way this one dangles in front of his crotch.


Doodlefish - Make Me Cum

We've all had a go on those machines at fairgrounds where you manipulate a crane with a claw grabber to drop down onto a prize and retrieve it. I don't think I've ever seen anyone get a prize out from one so I'm all in favour of this alternative idea. The captive, relaxing on his cushion, seems to be unaware that he's on public display (free of charge) with strangers paying (small) sums of money for the chance to tease him into wetting his pants. The picture is about his looming, public embarrassment which can be a powerful thing in some parts of the world. 

Other than enjoying his plight, there's limited reward for the on-lookers. There's a cup at the front of the case which suggests a (probably small) liquid prize for beating the challenge and they can have fun manoeuvring the vibrator (no it's not a microphone) into position and chasing him with it if he moves. However, I suspect it would be just as frustrating as the conventional fairground game. Why dispense with the claw, you might ask and I would agree. As far as I know the artist hasn't depicted that variant but there are other images in the series with the captive minus briefs but plus plug. This being a fantasy, he ultimately manages to fill the cup (via the rectangular drainage funnel just beyond the control buttons) and whitewash the inside of the cabinet. 

Doodlefish also put a different captive into a glass case to be a commercial milk dispenser rather than a fairground entertainment (in Milk Outlets by Doodlefish).


Doodlefish - The Next Number

This idea would certainly liven up bingo nights, which let's face it are a bit of a bore unless you have an engaging companion. The artist has made it even more interesting by portraying the balls as if they were like pool balls (i.e big and hard). Accommodating ninety of them would be a bit of a challenge for most men, a would-be 'shooter' would have to practice for months. Perhaps they start with ball-bearings and work up. At this level though he ought to be able to command an extra fee for pure entertainment value, perhaps selling tickets to the audience so they can kiss their lucky number and pop it in themselves.


Doodlefish - Room-mate's Noise 2

Anal experiences come high up this artist's pecking order and here's another rebellious young man getting his as a punishment for making too much noise with his music deck, disturbing his housemates and aggressively rejecting their complaints. I suppose it's debateable whether this is necessarily a punishment for him, there's hard evidence to the contrary, but being able to subdue and override an objectionable jerk is reward in itself for most of us. When the batteries run down and the music stops he may sing a different tune. And if he does like it? Well, why not do it to him again?

The timeless fashions of youth are nicely depicted here 
and like most of this artist's images, it's very pleasing to the eye. 


Doodlefish - Put It In

Gay Asian artists seem to have a particular interest in exposing the foibles of their office superiors. This image shows such a boss who summons his employees to give him ritual humiliation. They arrive to find him undressed and in a receptive position for his preferred devices - animal ears and a bushy tail with handy butt plug for secure attachment. 

Animal references also crop up in this artist's fantasy pictures which don't qualify for this blog, but the interest for me here is the deliciously snug-fitting underwear the boss is wearing. Needless to say, the pants soon vanish, as the laws of porn demand and as the title suggests it must!


Doodlefish - Time To Do You 2

This chap starts out in sports shorts but the naked version is relatively uncontroversial and another nice view of a pleasant, innocent fantasy. This artist's titles are rather uninformative and no use at all for search indexing but have the virtue of inviting you to imagine. As to what 'do you' means exactly, older visitors may recall a vintage, radio, comic association with this phrase, which shows humour hasn't changed very much over the years, it's just become less subtle.


Doodlefish - Loosen Up

If you are going to self-censor work (which all bloggers have to do sometime) this is a marvellously clever way to do it and it probably ends up being more provocative (and more interesting) than the undisguised image would be. It's a subterfuge that is not easy for censoring computers to spot since it just implies, especially when the apparently bland title is added in. The image itself incorporates an element of the locker-room bondage ritual shown earlier but doesn't seem to be directly related to it subject-wise.


Doodlefish - Who's The Idiot Now?

This seems to be a variation of the humiliated boss meme, but in an educational context. However, the man being taught his manners seems to be a sports coach rather than a conventional teacher. They used to double up roles when I was in that stage of my life, with sports or art master usually being a second string, but I don't know if it works like that now. The guys tormenting him don't seem to be sporting types, however, and the exam paper doesn't seem to have that connection either so it's all a bit puzzling.

None of this detracts from the splendid depiction of a handsome, chunky-thighed, games man, sexily stripped of his shorts and (soiled) underwear, but not his top or socks (I must admit, I share this artist's predilection for sports socks). The man at the centre of attention gazes up stoically, vacantly almost. as a very large vibrating plug is inserted into him from behind. The only preparation for this demanding test seems to have been a string of much smaller balls. This sub-dom imagery is superb but the reason why he is so acquiescent is a bit of a cheat. The idiocy referred to in the title is a student's interest in hypnosis which his mentor has ridiculed. Now the tables are turned and he is in it's grip, totally compliant (and hopefully, more accommodating of invasive devices). 


Doodlefish - Tentacle Revenge 1

Octopii have become a regular feature at this blog of late (search 'octopus') and it's not surprising to find them groping their way into the work of an Asian artist. This invocation of a fisherman discovering an unusual species in his net is like something out of the 1001 Arabian nights but the traditional influences don't stop it having a subtle sexiness, possibly because we arrive at it forewarned about the rapacious tendencies of these creatures, which the strange appendages on their tentacles in this case do nothing to dispel. Doodlefish works his usual magic with the fisherman's appearance, conjuring up an intensely interesting, youthful masculinity. 


Doodlefish - Tentacle Revenge 2

There is something very satisfying and sophisticated in the way this artist does not direct his tentacles to strip the unfortunate young fisherman naked, but merely to lift his apron and bare one leg so that the way is clear for him to be plugged at both ends. There's a sinister intelligence in the way the octopus has clamped his hands together to accomplish this. 

At this point he seems to be teetering on the edge of his boat and is probably more worried about being pulled into the water and drowned, than the minor inconvenience of perfectly good food making it's own way into his intestines. It's even inducing a pleasurable response in the process, probably fuelled by his fear. 
This is a great little series.

Doodlefish - Locker Room Reveal

Back in the locker room, another player strips off to wash away the sweat and grime of the match and in the process reveals the weals left by shibari ropework (and possibly, punishment implements too). Already the other users have noticed the marks and are exclaiming in surprise and probably registering other emotions ranging from horror to arousal (as suggested by the basketball player's exploding drink).

Little do they know that when the player turns round an even more unexpected sight will confront them, a chastity cage. It's already dripping with his sexual excitement at being 'found out' as a man who likes to be dominated and controlled in the crudest fashion. There is no way of knowing how the other men will respond. Some will be appalled, some amused, but there may be others who take advantage.....


Doodlefish - Let's See How Deep

This isn't the official sequel but it fits that chain of thought. Some senior players have decided to exploit the opportunity to satisfy their own sadistic impulses. They've even brought toys of their own to the locker room. With a willing victim who knows where it will end?

For more visit Doodlefish75 at 'X' (with links to his Patreon pay site)

Also on Blue Sky

and Instagram



Thursday, 21 November 2024

More Art by Oliver Frey

This article adds to my original A-Z review of Oliver Frey's work

Frey - Tennis Victory

 This image was my first glimpse of Oliver Frey's incredible talent for portraying the energetic wrestling of men gripped by lust. The image of bare buttocks pressed against the net still sends a shiver up my spine! In 1970's Britain, visualising gay sex taking place in front of a audience and in a setting of a place like Wimbledon Tennis Club, the epitome of the Establishment, was defiant indeed. 
He also applied his imagery to the equally unlikely sports of Golf and Cricket.


Frey - Bikers in a Dark Alley 1

This image of bikers getting hot in a dark alley was closer to reality but it's frankness also struck a blow for gay freedom of expression. It was gay art of a sort never seen before - high quality and spelling out what gay means without pussy-footing innuendo.  


Frey - Bikers in a Dark Alley 2

Frey revisited the biker subject in many other images of varying degrees of raunchiness which were, astonishingly, published in glossy, top shelf gay magazines without attracting reprisals from the Police, despite the efforts of conservative pressure groups.


Frey - Leather Lube, Biker Oil

The biker persona was perfect for expressing a boisterous, roughly expressed, bursting out of the closet and entering into forbidden places that reflected the spirit of those heady days when gay men felt that even if they weren't completely free exactly, not really able to realise these fantasies in real life, they nevertheless finally had a legitimacy that would enable them to push open doors that had been closed for all those years.


Frey - Biker Elopement

Frey's pictures did not just express excitement, there was an exuberant joy in them.
Imagining the trappings of conventionality and self -restraint being ripped apart.
It was an exciting time to be gay.


Frey - Lover

But he did not just portray excitement and lust
He also showed a vision of gay love as a beautiful thing, 
performed by beautiful people, beautiful men. 


Frey (as Zack) - Splash

His artistic skills here transform the old, tentative, AMG, shower hook-ups into something much more memorable. A loving shared experience of cleansing vitality with fierce, needle-like sprays of water battering and enveloping the two lovers.

Frey - Chains Broken

Frey's character rogue set the scene for a series of gay, comic book heroes whose masculinity was unquestionable and who were assertive and comfortable in their gay sexuality. Rogue's apparent taste for young virgins seems dubious in retrospect, but at the time reflected the common experience of a youth lost to unrequiteable desire. At that time most gay men of all ages probably were virgins or not long out of it and many no doubt saw themselves as his willing victims, given the chance. 

Bill Ward's later creations - Drum and King - were able to be more balanced characters in that respect 


Frey - Hard Wrestle

Frey's depictions of hard, rough sex were about showing the inherent masculinity of gay men, 
a reaction against years of being universally labelled as effeminate and soft.

Frey - Devilry

If homosexuality was the Devil's work, Frey's men boldly embraced that identity 


Frey - Mortal Combat

That vision of gay toughness also pervades his non-gay, fantasy work.


Frey - Tribal 2

Oliver Frey 1948 - 2022

A gay hero


This article adds to my original A-Z review of Oliver Frey's work
see also Night Visitor in the 'targeted' series