This is a lengthy series that is just as important to me, as the Lynching Blues series. Both of them are very explicit and express the very essence of my being as an African American, gay man. The Body Machine series, is mainly about gay sexuality and the preference of the two individuals, a bodybuilder and a man, who is deeply drawn to him. They meet in a gym named Body Machine. The man with the cornrows is also the one in the beginning of this series, with the afro. This series was created during a duration of about three years. I actually worked on both " Lynching Blues " and "Body Machine " at the same time. During my lunch and fifteen minute breaks at work, I drew "Lynching..." and treated myself to creating the homoerotic adventures of "Body Machine" when I came home for the day. There was plenty of ink wash experimentation taking place, and overall I had a very enjoyable, educational and even spiritual journey creating these numerous pieces. Most , if not all of these drawings were done very loosely and spontaneously, without any premeditated sketches or renderings. I showed up on the paper, and put down what I felt and saw at the time. Like straight ahead jazz, it involved improvisation. I never new what I would end up with, and built upon each revealed results. The sketching, drawing and searching was all done on the spot, like a live performance of improvisation. This is actually my favorite way to draw, although my approach has become more structual now, and even mechanical ( eeeww. Did I just admit that! )
1. Body Machine # 41
2. Body Machine # 42
3. Body Machine # 43
4. Body Machine # 44
5. Body Machine # 45
1. Body Machine # 41, is a part of the several drawings I did to showcase the bodybuilder being a professional and competitive one when he is in "beast mode." I did not think true black and white were necessary during this creative period. I often left them out of my shading and value scale. There was a certain look I was after, that did not always present itself within these works.
2. Body Machine # 42, is an experiment with using true black and white, with a brush application. I dipped the brush in ink for lines, and added washes. This one is not one of my favorites, because it shows how bold and overpowering the black ink can be. It is too bold for my style. And it tends to flatten the figure, but it is often pieces like this that get the most responses, unexpectedly.
3. Body Machine # 43, is a play on the pin up approach. I wanted to show the character in a common setting, appearing rather uncommonly sexy, like the typical pinups in history tend to express.
4. Body Machine # 44, is a scene of the main characters being intimate. I was becoming more confident, in drawing erotic scenes for my own enjoyment and fantasy. It began to become more of a purpose and a protest for me as a black gay male. These drawings liberated me in such a way, that I suddenly felt obligated to create them as a sense of strength and deliverance from shame. Although it took a while before I had the nerve to share them with most people. It only mattered that I drew them for myself first and foremost.
5. Body Machine # 45, is another intimate scene, that began in the bodybuilder's living room. I added a true black and white appearance, with the lamp.
