original Archives - JC Washbourne | Nude Men In My Studio

The Resting Conquistador

My friend JMT* introduced me to Jordon,* and upon entering the studio he immediately responded to my collection of mid 16th Century style armor. One of my favorite paintings in all the world is in the collection of the El Prado in Madrid and it is Diego Velazquez’s Mars. A nude Mars is seen in helmet resting after removing his breast plate, sword and shield. Great art speaks forever and this painting from 1640 has for centuries held the soldier’s admiration and an erotic quality for gay men. I am sure Velazquez was aroused during the painting of his model, it shows in the charged color and brush work. Inspired by the Mars painting, and Jordon’s appeal for the armor, I surrounded his resting nude body with elements of a Spanish knight but painted him in a lying position. A Castilian-Leon banner hangs behind the model for color adding a historical note.

Timmy

I created this drawing of Timmy over several afternoons while he stood on the back patio with his back to the sun.

I felt terrible for the sunburn on his bare back side. This drawing hangs in my studio and I think of him often. In my world of cautious collectors and insecure artist, it is a joy for me to hang out with models totally comfortable in their own skin.

My Exhibitionist Friend

Daniel was raised in the agricultural business near Chicago. I met him by chance at a Sedona Film Festival event. He was dressed in character from one of the year’s top films as a shirtless victim of a gun shooting. He was a very handsome with a toned cute body and I could not resist, I asked him to model for me. I gave him some references and in a few days he called. After a morning shot of whisky, he was ready for his first nude model session. I did several sketches and took hundreds of photos, exploring his likes and dislikes of positions and finding his personality. He was unafraid of his sexuality, be it all disappointingly strait, possessing a fearless delight in the visual of his body. Daniel spent many days and hours in my studio and also shared the model stand with his girlfriend. In this painting “My Exhibitionist Friend” , Daniel chose this pose, open legged facing me, in a true exhibitionist gesture.