“THE SINGER”

Two years ago, I’ve began this journey, and I’m now at the end of it. After a fun trip down to Washington D.C. for the Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend, I began the last portrait in the series.

About a year ago, I met Jordan at “The Woods” campground. I was there mainly to see the leather contest that night. I was mostly alone and only knew a handful of people there. At the end of the contest, I went back to a friend’s trailer and chatted with them. Jordan came up to the cabin and joined us. As I sat there looking at Jordan, I knew there was something about him—something interesting enough to draw. I kept that to myself at the time and went home that night.

After finishing the eighth portrait, I messaged Jordan. We had seen and chatted with each other prior to me messaging him, so he had been on my mind for a while. I reached out to ask if he wanted to be part of my series of leather men, and he quickly agreed. We scheduled a time to do the interview at the Paradise Hotel during “The Woods” reunion party. At the same time, I planned to stay with a friend for one night. After a quick oil change and tire rotation on my Jeep, I headed to the Paradise Hotel in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Once I got there, I went right up to Jordan’s room, sat down, and began the interview.

THE INTERVIEW

I had questions prepared for Jordan, like I did for the others, so this should have been a breeze. He was born in Philadelphia and raised in Delaware County (Delco), as well as in Colorado. After middle school, Jorden wanted to pursue a career in the United States Air Force. So when the summer of his junior year came, he enlisted in the military. Throughout his time in service, he learned about dedication and discipline, but the level of racism and sexual harassment ultimately pushed him out of the career he once wanted.

THE SOURCE

Now, for everyone’s information, Jordan is an amazing singer. I already knew this before I interviewed him because he had sung at one of the leather events in Philly. I couldn’t attend, but someone filmed his performance and posted it, and I saw the video. While he was in the service, he auditioned for American Idol back in 2004. And where was I? I was at home watching the very episode he appeared on. At the time, I had no idea who he was. Sadly, he couldn’t produce a note during his audition, which is a shame because, to me, he sounded great at the leather event.

I asked him why he couldn’t produce a note, and he said he didn’t know. I then asked, “Would you apply again?” He said, “No,” and I continued with the interview. Part of me didn’t understand why. If you have talent, why not go for it? You have nothing to lose—what’s the worst they can say? No? I want the reader to understand that this is just my perspective; my view isn’t the word of God. I then thought about the many singers whose dreams were crushed by judges on American Idol. Throughout my childhood, I watched several seasons of American Idol, The X Factor, and America’s Got Talent. I remember all the people who didn’t get a yes or make it to Hollywood. The only thing I’ll say is that if it were me and I missed out on an opportunity to become something more, I would regret it for the rest of my life—but that’s me, the artist.

After leaving the military, Jordan traveled for a while, eventually finding himself in Chicago at the Black and Blue Ball. That’s where he discovered leather, kink, and the community. About four years ago, he truly dove in during Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend and has been active in the scene ever since.

THE PHOTOSHOOT

Soon after the interview, I grabbed my camera, Jordan grabbed his leather jacket, and we went to the hotel window, which was the only place where I could get consistent lighting. Remember, I only have a camera—I can’t bring an entire photography studio with me everywhere.

I got a good photo of Jordan and then went on my way. I’m very fast and efficient with photos, and I’m also highly skilled in Photoshop.

THE PROCESS

For the record, Jordan knew he was the last one in the series. I told him during the interview. It took almost a year to get to his portrait, but I wanted to do my best and not rush to finish the series. So I really took my time and worked on the portrait almost every day for about an hour. I filmed each session and sped up the footage so it looked like a time-lapse. After the drawing was complete, I combined all the footage—from the twenty-plus time-lapses and from my camera—to create the final process reel.

The actual drawing of Jordan was done the same way as the others. The only thing I wish I had known about was a simple art supply. There’s a graphite pencil from Faber-Castell that I recently discovered. I tried it out on a small test drawing, comparing different brands, and that “Pitt” graphite—just a thick graphite pencil with no wood casing—was the same type of graphite that Tom of Finland used. I had assumed Tom used simple graphite pencils, but I was wrong. After using the Pitt graphite pencil, I compared his work with my small test sphere and noticed the same shading pattern. It was much smoother than regular graphite or matte graphite.

Was this a big mistake in the whole series? I don’t think so. There were similarities between Tom’s work and mine, but I can’t be Tom of Finland. The only person who could be Tom of Finland was Tom himself, and he passed away six years before I was born.

After finishing this series, I want to continue working on different leather men within the scene. I want to grow more as an artist, combining elements of black-and-gray realism and color realism, developing what I call “Color-Infused Realism,” which I’ve tested and really enjoyed. I loved working on this series as a whole and will never forget any of these amazing models of mine.

THE FINISHED PORTRAIT

This is the finished portrait, closing out the series. After fifteen men and two years of working on this project, I don’t know exactly what will come of my artwork. I do know the direction I want to go.

Leather Men Series #15 “The Singer”

11x14 Bristol Paper, Faber Castell Matte Black Graphite Pencils, Faber Castell Graphite Pencils, Ohuho 320 Marker Set, Prisma Color 150 Color Pencil Set, White Posca Pen, Zebra Brush Fine Pen

As for art shows or residencies in my future, I’m not sure. I’ve applied for one residency and two art shows—one at the International Mr. Leather Art Show, and I will also be applying for the art show at Claw. I hope they have enough room to display all fifteen portraits.

As for the residency, I’ve applied again for the Tom of Finland Artist-in-Residence program and will continue applying until I get in. This will be my second year applying. What do I have to lose? All they can do is email me a “no.”