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Muhammad Qasim
(1627) Musée du Louvre, Paris, France.

Wine Pourer

Illuminated miniature of Shah Abbas I (1571-1629), Persia

Shah Abbas I, through the story of this ancient gay poem, tells of the Muslim prince embracing his servant wine boy through its seductive lyrics… “May life grant all that you desire from three lips, those of your lover, the river, and the cup.”

Risqué firmly presses his lips against his wine cup contemplating the lips of his lover and that of the river flowing from his cup.

Input needed LUSHES… should Risqué exchange his pool boy for a wine boy?

George Quaintance, a man of many talents was once a portrait artist, ballet dancer, coiffure designer, photographer, director of local plays, graphic artist, sculptor, night club dancer, body-builder and ultimately (tongue in cheek) just an art editor

George photographed nude men when it was virtually illegal and even Tom of Finland has openly admitted to copying Quaintance’s artistic style. His works paved the way for contemporary gay erotic art when there was no queer asphalt… This is not your average Bathhouse… as Risqué would love to find a bathhouse as beautiful as this and especially…. men as perfect as this. Risqué pictures himself among the Lilly pads tugging on the swath for the opportunity to meet their divine acquaintances.

Felix d’Eon - Man Picnic - Colored Pencil

Soliciting the effect of paint from a pencil is quite a rare talent. Felix d’Eon coaxes the classic masters via male form from this simple medium. The effect renders the desire within the viewer to join in. Risqué imagines the literary work “As You Like It” being read aloud with Shakespeare’s gay innuendo implied. The heat of the day begs clothes be shed and cool water be sought and perhaps even some delicious mischief pursued. Seems to Risqué, the readers gaze is far more fetched by other than Shakespeare’s pros.

Felix d’Eon was born in Guadalajara, Mexico to a Mexican father and a French mother…and you know how Risqué loves anything French. The San Francisco based artist portrays the male art form in a style considered timeless and impressionistic. His works reflect his daily life with friends and lovers as Felix attempts to blend his life and existence into his art.

Risqué delights in what must be the menu at this man picnic especially with the hints of the firmness and angle of the wood in this warm and enticing work.

“Life is a (picnic) and most of the son’s of bitches are starving to death.”

Leloir, Alexandre-Louis (1843-84) Jacob Wrestling with the Angel, 1865

(oil on canvas) Musee des Beaux-Arts,

Good and bad, heaven and hell, dark and light, heavenly and earthly being and blond and brunette are all antitheses which play into Leloir’s “Jacob and the Angel” where with each stroke of his brush the French artist captures the intense biblical scene illustrating strong luring homoerotic undertones. It is no wonder that the art was used in the gay themed film “Angels in America” (2003).

Artists such as Rembrandt (1659), Gustave Doré (1855), Eugène Delacroix (1861), Paul Gaugin (1888) and Léon Bonnat (1876) have all depicted their interpretation of Jacob and the Angel, but no other artist encapsulates the tremendous beauty, physical strength, determination and grandeur as Leloir. Risqué is taken in by the masculine body features, Jacob’s overpowering grip around the Angel’s waist, the Angel’s impetuous reach for the hollow of Jacob’s thigh and Jacob’s intense deep gaze back onto the angel’s eyes. …Risqué can only gasp and take another sip of wine while continuing to further explore Leloir’s vision of beauty.Such opposites…and opposites do attract!

Nebojsa Zdravkovic – Nude Bacchus - Oil on canvas

Bacchus, the great “God of Wine” is the most prevalent old world image associated with all things wine and decadence and this lovely oil work of “Nude Bacchus” certainly supports the mythology surrounding this notorious deity.

Hot and handsome, Serbian artist, Nebojsa Zdravkovic is a master of appropriating light with a brilliant use of color via a classic impressionistic style drawing heavily on his life experiences. His works convey a delightful but moody sense of realism with a curious innocent sensuality.

Risqué was enormously captivated by Zdravkovic’s works from first introduction. His works are succulently sensual and deliciously masculine with a quality of light that will illuminate any collection. Risqué can only offer his services as an adoring and accommodating Bacchante to such an amazing God!

Sisyphus, Franz von Stuck, 1863 - 1928 (c.1920)  

Franz Von Stuck’s works constituted many Mythological studies that captured human sexuality at the boundaries of polite Victorian Society and some that create speculation about his own sexuality such as his work “Kiss of the Sphinx”, considered the Victorian contemporary identification of Homosexuality.  But, no other work more than the intensely charged “Sisyphus”. 

Ancient Greek Mythology ascribes Sisyphus’ punishment of rolling a boulder up hill in Hades for eternity to having been loose lipped about the sexual conquests of Zeus.  Risqué finds the former King of Corinth’s strong legs, back, arms and flexing gluteus maximus most attractive and perfectly and appropriately attired for a rock rolling party in Hell!   Seems to Risqué, that Zeus must have had alternative motives for making this hot piece of man-flesh flex and strain into forever, like sitting back, sipping an ambrosia and enjoying the floor show! Sisyphus aggressive persistence leaves Risqué wanting to help push more that boulder! 

Geoffrey Laurence – “Steve and Steven”

Painting 1995-1996   

This painting quickly caught Risqué’s attention as the emotions captivated by Geoffrey Laurence in “Steven and Steven” portray a breathtaking touch of compelling sadness and tremendous longing between two men.  Geoffrey is able to orchestrate a difficult execution of creating an emotional response by conveying strong emotions of love, tenderness, compassion, apprehension, contemplation, weakness and angst. Remarkably good art engages the viewer and Risqué has been understandably caught up in the chorus of this emotional narrative. 

Risqué encourages everyone to visit Geoffrey Laurence’s website to view the fabulously contemplative art where one can feel the power of emotion through Geoffrey’s work.

Everyone loves the mysticism and magic associated with Fairies and certainly Risqué is no exception. In fact, Risqué only remembers during his earlier years there only being female fairies…you know…like Tinkerbell. Bart Dick undeniably uses his talent and imagination in creating the fabulous fairytale male pixie “Moonfairy”. Moonfairy appears to be working his magic by pointing his finger past his subject and spreading his magic dust. One wonders if the magic dust actually works or is it just his captivating long muscular physic, mythical elf like head, intricately beautiful wings or his prowess is what entrances his submissive subjects. As with most fairy-like creatures they are up to mischief and it is imaginable that Moonfairy is no different.

From drawings to paper cuttings, Bart expresses his emotions through all his amazing art. Check it out at www.mannenknipwerk.be/.

2005 Tenuta di Pietra Porzia Frascati Superiore Regillo

The label on this Frascati Superiore is what initially attracted Risqué’s eye but it was the dimension of the flavors that held his attention.

The lovely light golden hue swells with the HUGE scent of ripe pear, honeydew melon and billowous pink honeysuckle hinting at soft MAN musky notes. The body of this delight is light but again with HUGE wonderful citrusy acidity, succulent ripe white peaches and white pepper, and the perfumed taste of apples and cloves finishing into a LENGTHY almond finish.

The “Dioscuri” or the Youth’s of Zeus on the label are only a hint at the bright star that this lovely Italian table white is to the tongue. The delivery is so much greater than the expectation!

Risqué would say… .These twins are definitely GROWERS!

For those of you who loved Risqué Sommelier’s “Light on Dark” post December 28th of Ross Watson’s fabulous art, well he has some up and coming exhibits scheduled..

FORTHCOMING 2008 EXHIBITIONS

Melbourne: 24 January - 10 February

New Paintings, Photography, Edition Prints

Midsumma Festival Event

Ross Watson Gallery
465 Nicholson St., Carlton North

Sydney: 26 February - 8th March

New Paintings, Photography, Edition Prints

Mardi Gras Festival Event

Depot Gallery
2 Danks St, Waterloo