Tips For Your Holiday - No 3

Remember that the gay nudist beaches and cruising areas

will be less crowded out of season

The Art of Silverjow

Silverjow - Tomb Raider (feat Steve Raider)

Silverjow is a prolific producer of muscle-hunk fan-art, much of which is stylish and technically stunning. Taking images of real body-builders and fitness professionals as his models, he re-styles them in a painterly way, augmenting and smoothing their physique. The fantasy role in this case was suggested by the original image of Steve Raider and but he's kitted him out with new, sexy shorts and added dramatic crashing waves in the background.

Silverjow - Acrodave (feat Davide Zongoli)

Other men are transported to more abstract or fanciful domains. This image is an amazing transformation of the original photograph by Joan Crisol. Silverjow has enhanced the model's physique and subtly skewed it, which introduces a sense of the fantastic and powerful into his character. There's also a distinct tang of the erotic in those chunky thighs. The erotic is often present but not usually prominent in Silverjow's work. The bubbles here contribute to the mysterious atmosphere but it's hard to tell whether they are intended as anything more than a visual pun on the photo and Silverjow has not supplied an enlightening title.

Silverjow - Aquarius

 This image develops his fantasy credentials and showcases his technical artistry to the full. It's from a series of Zodiac images and by far the best of them for me, portraying the 'water carrier' in a way that is truly suggestive of fate, time and other such aspects of life governed by these gods. The use of a splash of water to obscure the water god's organs isn't entirely consistent with the rest of the image but, perversely, it actually becomes an erotic highlight that draws attention (unintentionally?) to the suggestive pose and the not unrelated symbolism of trickling water.

I've not identified a source image but imagine it's a conventional muscleman pose.

There's another fantasy image by Silverjow at my gateway blog, the handsome Merman 'Sven'
It's another of his best works.

Silverjow - Summer Breeze (feat Andrew Biernat)

This beautiful image requires little interpretation. Once again the transformation from the original photo is startling. Not only the appearance of the model's physique but the whole mood of the picture is changed from the downbeat to something more optimistic. Silverjow re-imagines the model wandering through a poppy-field in wistful mood. You can imagine the flower heads gently brushing his thighs as he walks through them, opening up to nature.

This image gives a sense of how Silverjow approaches the creation of a figure with distinctive, almost geometric planes and sharp intersections defining the surfaces and volume of the body.

Silverjow - Thanksgiving

That technique is made clearer in this image which appears to be unfinished, although I haven't seen another version and it doesn't really need more work. The erotic ingredient is the most overt I've found in Silverjow's work but it makes me wonder if there's a secret, porny stash somewhere, yet to see the light of day. There's also something faintly erotic in the way the human is shown in such intimate contact with 'nature', you can also see that in the preceding picture and others in this article.

I'm not aware of a source photo for this image but there's an interesting similarity in style and theme to a Harvest picture by Mel Odom which I published at my gateway blog last year.

Valentines Day by Silverjow

There's another, playful side to Silverjow's work and the abundance of sweet things in this picture gives a good idea of how he views life. By Silverjow's standards, it's an unexpectedly sexy image for commemorating what is normally seen as an occasion primarily for romance and sentimentality. The portrayal of an irresistible hunk as a coy, needy hopeful seems improbable, but will appeal to life's optimists and men who relish a fatherly role with their lover. Silverjow explores the intergenerational theme in depth in his Deviant art gallery, featuring a character who is more grandad than daddy.

Silverjow - Teddy Bear

I suppose this image is the epitome of the ideal lover for many. Handsome and sexy but with a soft, romantic and playful character. Silverjow adds nursery colours and childish cartoons just to underline the point. It's a little out of place in what is a fetish-oriented blog - I don't usually include fixations on soft toys! This character might seem altogether more interesting if there was a hint of him having more manly characteristics as well.

This is No 38 from Silverjow's 'Hunk of the Week' series at his Deviant Art page

 This untitled image is perhaps a more welcome 'gift' for my readers. It's the only hint of bondage I've found anywhere in his work and quite pleasing in many respects despite the exaggerated light-heartedness. You can see that the underlying pose is a body-builder doing standard beefcake. By wrapping him, as is, frozen like a statue, Silverjow conjures the fantasy of entrapping an otherwise unattainable hunk.



This is No 40 from Silverjow's 'Hunk of the Week' series at his Deviant Art page

If bondage and fetish is pretty much non-existent in Silverjow's work, it's equally difficult to find the conventional homoerotic iconography of sportsmen, sailors, bikers, cowboys and cops, this image being a rare exception. Silverjow's icons and inspirations come from the realms of advertising, fantasy and sci-fi computer games, a sign of the changing times.


This is a nice depiction of a student's crush on uniformed men (still a near universal experience for gay men, I would think). I'd have liked to see the cop bulging out of his uniform, but Silverjow strips him to show his muscles. That's nice but doesn't seem quite consistent with the placing of the figures which appear to be portraying a real street scene. If he moved the student on past, then the topless cop would seem more like the student's fantasy. Perhaps that's an idea for a diptych!

Notice that there's no overt interest shown between these figures, the desire remains a secret. Compare that with the 60's picture by Harry Bush

Untitled, this is No 52 from Silverjow's 'Hunks of the Week' series at his Deviant Art page

Another sign of how the world has changed. Silverjow has produced a  stream of depictions of gay lovers showing affection for each other in domestic situations. The low slung towels here are very sexy and you can read erotic messages into the body positions and steaming coffee if you wish, but this is really a story of romance and real love. That gentle kiss sends a shiver up the spine.

Gay men have always shown love for each other but portraying it in such a softly romantic and demonstrative way would have astonished (and delighted) our forebears. Silverjow's sentimentality is delicious in many ways and you'll taste much more in his gallery, but I warn you, consuming too many of his sweets may make you feel a little queasy!

Untitled, this is No 63 from Silverjow's 'Hunks of the Week' series at his Deviant Art page

 I'm not sure how to categorise this image but I like it!  Three striking hunks appear to be sharing a steamy shower (or maybe they've been caught out in the rain). Either way the underwear seems to be inappropriate garb. There's a sense of mysteryand the men have facial expressions suggestive of confusion and secret anticipation - presumably of the sights (and emotions) to be revealed as water is gradually absorbed by their skimpy garments. There's a sense of mischievous brotherhood in this little group which is very nice. The men are handsome and appealing and project the air of being desirable as partners and friends.

Silverjow - Sakura Strolls

My final example is Silverjow's fantasy of walking the streets of Tokyo in Spring (Sakura) and features his own love of men in suits (also a relatively new iconography). He shows this character stripping further but this is my favourite. The muscular, shirted arms give a sense of the bulging I visualised for the cop picture earlier on. The Cherry Blossom is an integral part of the inspiration of this series, not just a decorative detail and it restates the idea of connection with nature which we noted earlier. The falling petals correspond to ......
well you work it out!

Silverjow gives his location as Malaysia which might explain his cautious eroticism. He is highly Internationalist in his subject matter, but much of his work is suggestive of Japanese influences, not least the subject and 'sun' design of 'Sakura Strolls' above. Interestingly though, his men seem to be predominantly Western not Oriental, possibly that is a reflection of the dominance of Western imagery in the media he takes for his inspiration.

There's a comprehensive free gallery of Silverjow at Deviant Art

and if you fancy seeing his payable images visit Silverjow at Patreon

Bondage Pop-ups - Paint Break 2

Alex's man has suddenly gone gay-shy after deliberately leading him on.
But, inches away from him, Alex can see the man's jock looks suspiciously inflated.
So Alex decides to go for broke and hope the guy doesn't bash him.

The Look - Do I like this or not?

Alex pulls out Rock's dick and finds it's aroused, just as he thought.
There's no objection from Rock above, so he gently begins to work on it,
bringing all his experience to bear and the best technique he can muster.

The older man doesn't try to stop him, he's starting to like the adulation

The Look - That's enough, I'm taking charge now

 After a while, Rock eases Alex away, alarmed by how far he has gone with Alex.
Part of him wants to end their game, but that same sense of his own 'manliness'
won't let him, not until he has exacted a compensating forfeit from Alex in return.

Alex wistfully eyes Rock's hard-on, wondering if there's a chance of more,
when Rock gruffly demands that he strips off too and half-jokingly suggests
that he makes amends by using his own T-shirt to clean up the area he sullied.

Alex obediently takes his clothes off, doing his best to appear reluctant about it.
He bundles Rock onto the settee and positions him, kneeling, facing the wall.
Alex claims it's the best position for carrying out his cleaning task.

It feels awkward for Rock presenting his nakedness,
but he thinks it's a great way to make Alex grovel.

The look - Hey what is this? What's happening?

He's caught off-guard when Alex suddenly grabs his wrists from behind.
Pulling them back, he ties them together, using Rock's own masking tape.
Rock splutters in surprise and confusion.
 .

The Look - I don't quite get this

When he realises what is happening, Rock tries to turn away
but off-balance, tilted forward on his knees, he can't lift himself.
Unable to use his hands, his own muscular bulk prevents him.

Then it's too late, Alex has already trapped his wrists in the tape

Rock feels the knots pulling tighter and strange sensations envelop him.

Outwitted, made captive, he's entering a world he's never known.



In painting, Rock's masking tape defines the boundary he must not go beyond.
Now it seems to represent a boundary he has crossed, stopping him from returning
It's ties cancel out his precious manly muscularity and strength

allowing him to surrender with dignity to curiosity he didn't know he had.

 Rock could easily finish the game now if he wished,

but he knows he doesn't want to.
.

Alex is thrilled to have tamed his strong hunk, but wary of provoking the panicky beast.
He seeks out pleasure points and indulges them first, then on to more intimate places.
 "Are you ready for this?" he asks, gently probing.
Rock is tingling now with curiosity, excitement and desire.

"I don't really know" he replies, "but I'd like to find out"

The Look - That Feels Different!

Alex knows his stuff and he slips in gradually and easily,
(helped by his own oral preparations and Rock's vanity shaving).
It's a new and very strange sensation for Rock,
but Alex is gentle and reassuring with him.

The Look - I can take it, I'm a man!

Once accustomed to the presence, Rock is ready to explore further.
Excited by his hulking playmate, Alex happily shows him the way.

With both men fully engaged, it soon gets hot and very steamy
Rock feels a strange satisfaction in letting the younger man enjoy him

When Rock says he's had enough, Alex withdraws and unties him
(Though the flimsy tape scarcely needs to be untied).
Rock is still excited and feels great warmth for Alex and his kindness
He allows himself to be introduced into other new ways.

He even tries out Alex's approach to hygiene
recognising that it might be just as good as his.

But, once again, Alex has the last word on that!

~

My telling of this story is not the same as the original, which has very little in the way of dialogue or clues to a plot. The bondage sequence is sandwiched between conventional patterns of vanilla sex but the younger and less muscular Alex does take a more dominant role. You can just hear him saying "You're not getting away" as he starts to tie Rock up but it's really portrayed as a straightforward homoerotic fantasy that just happens because the two guys want to have sex. I've added in the thrill of seduction and self realisation and tried to explore the idea of bondage as a pleasurable, shared, consensual and indeed liberating experience.

I don't normally cover explicit sexual sequences in this much length but, as you'll gather from my captions, I find Rock's facial expressions in this sequence fascinating and the photography is great.

Alex has a mischievous face and an intriguing blend of youth and maturity that he seems to alternate between in different pictures. He's got impressive equipment to boot and makes a good foil for the more mature man, who is able to showcase his own special physicality. There's an element of ordinariness about both men that gives their encounter a added sense of the real world.

To view the full video visit

Men over 30 ( which has a very sexy clip with glimpses of the bondage sequence)

There's also a good gallery with a different trailer showing more of the bondage scene at Way Big

Bondage Pop-Ups - Paint Break 1

Every so often a routine, vanilla, porn flick unexpectedly develops a steamy, bondage sequence.

That's the case with 'Paint Break' from Men Over 30.

Alex Adams and Doc Rock feature as randy Painters and Decorators in this movie.
My re-telling of the story here re-imagines the scenario, with Alex as the young homeowner.
In the opening shot, he's removing his priceless modern art to a place where it won't get splattered and getting an eyeful of his hired workman.

 
Doc Rock is a real muscle hunk, but he fits masking tape as if he's been doing it all his life.
He fills out his work clothes equally impressively.

Alex has noticed this and wonders what his decorator is wearing underneath.
Not slow in coming forward, he risks a daring (near-groping) touch, 
Fortunately Doc is a man who's at ease with his sexuality.
He likes self-assured gay men, because they usually admire his chunky physique
and show appreciation of his hard work in developing it.

Rock is easily persuaded to take off his T-shirt and show off his muscles for Alex.
Seeing how excited Alex is, Rock decides to tease him about it,
 letting slip that he's wearing a new jock under his work-pants.
(you probably recognise the type of cocky man who does this, hoping to embarrass).

But Alex is not intimidated by teasing, he dares Rock to show his jock.
Now it's Rock that's being teased and, having started it all, he can't very well refuse.
Alex is so eager to see, that he even tries to undo the older man's pants for him.

(there's a nice bit of fumbling as a result, which is captured in the video)

Alex tells Rock he's got a great body and he'd make a fantastic stripper.
Doc laughs and pretends that he is, wriggling his hips and turning to flashes his backside.
Alex's eyes are out on stalks now, he immediately notices that Rock has shaved his ass.
Rock, red-faced, explains that it's a hygiene thing for him, all about feeling clean.

 

Alex is so intoxicated with the friendly atmosphere and his success in getting Rock to strip
that he can't resist making an admiring contribution of his own to Rock's hygiene regime.
It breaks the spell, The Doc is horrified, he doesn't want another man's spit down there.

Angrily he turns on Alex and challenges him.

"Come 'ere if it's a kiss you want mate!" he snarls, in classic, spooked-hetero fashion

But Alex is still caught up in the permissive conviviality and thinks it's an act
He responds by cupping his hero's jock pouch.

Alex's touch is like an electric shock for Rock, he can't understand it.
To cover his embarrassment he immediately forces the young man's head down,
pulling his nose into the pouch and telling him "Go on then, gay boy, have a sniff!".
Suddenly Alex realises he may have gone too far.

Continued in Part 2

photos courtesy of Men Over 30

New Rugby Player for the Gallery Page

Mitchell - Cry Baby Plays for The Whites

 As part of my on-going maintenance and up-grading of the site I have added this picture to the mitchmen 'Gallery Hub' page. It's a variant of the 'Cry Baby' picture which I often use as an alternative 'signature image' to the 'Dishonest Gardener'. In this version I have swapped the rugby player's red and white kit for a white and blue combination.You can see the red and white version on my Deviant Art page

for other mitchmen images in this blog click on the 'mitchpix' label below

The Process of Bondage

For me the tying up process is one of the sexiest parts of bondage.

The subject is a volunteer, but the gradual loss of his freedom is still real.

For any man submitting to a bondage master is a step into the unknown.

 At this point, when the arms are secured behind his back, tied to a chest harness,
the rope work moves into more intimate regions and there is very little he can do about it.

That cheerful smile has faded somewhat, not knowing what is planned for him here.
Tight knots in this vicinity have the potential to be quite uncomfortable and challenging.

Tying a man up is a lengthy process and the slowly accumulating restraints become
increasingly emphatic and intimidating (depending of his trust of the master).

Unfortunately, any video that records every single  minute of it (and some do)
tends to drain the drama, making it tedious to watch

Clever editing can catch the progressive entrapment and the subject's response.

But sadly most film-makers simply skip it altogether.

  

It's incumbent on the subject to writhe and struggle at some point (when it's too late of course).
This exuberant moment probably gives a misleading impression of the effectiveness of the restraint. Those little under-arm cinches severely restrict the options for lateral arm movement.

The struggling phase usually gets the lion's share of screen time,
but I don't think many men would try to escape their restraints in this way,
they'd soon realise it requires thoughtfulness rather than force and energy.

Stills allow us to get a good look at the captive's sensual details.

The master's coup de grace is to tie the legs together (and what fine legs they are!)

Suddenly the bondage model finds himself totally incapacitated.

He is discovering that this arrangement leaves very little scope for struggle.

(which is probably why studios don't use it very much!)

He now has difficulty even seeing what the bondage master is doing,

and realises he has become totally dependent on him for everything - including release.

Fittingly he's wearing a much more serious expression now!

This is a great picture for mitchmen.
 

If you like 'tying up' sequences look at Billy tied up in Olive Underwear

Beautifully Bound - Asian Jock

An Asian delight

Tight muscles, tightly bound with beautiful symmetry of the ropes.

The torso is bracketed between the simple, black gag and the line of the jock waistband

Beautiful too, from the same bondage session.
The white jock moulds nicely to the subject's body shape.
There's obviously something big going on inside it!
It's a stiffer pose reflecting and underlining the total restraint.
The blindfold adds vulnerability but obscures the face
which for me robs the picture of much of it's character.