KINK feature: Paul Richmond
Whatcha Reading? (high-quality prints available in the shop)
artist: Paul Richmond
Monterey, California, USA
artist instagram
(images featured below will also appear in the KINK book. available in the shop now.)
(dandy:) Your work in five words or less?
(Paul Richmond:) Cheeky, sexy, silly, colorful, genuine.
What's your personal kink?
I’ve always loved undies - seeing them, buying them, wearing them, and drawing them. My underwear drawer is overflowing, and I keep adding to it.
Turn ons?
My biggest turn on and source of joy is my husband Dennis. When I met him over 15 years ago, I wasn’t even looking for a serious relationship, and now I couldn’t imagine my life without him. I’m so lucky I found the perfect guy for me. We are opposites in many ways, but our core values are the same.
Turn offs?
I hate snobbishness, bigotry, close-mindedness, bullying, and forgetting to save a file before the computer crashes.
Favorite subject?
I love making art about all kinds of things, but one of my favorites - and the work I’m featuring here - is from a series called Cheesecake Boys. Based on the poses and scenarios of classic pin-up girl art, complete with hilariously contrived wardrobe malfunctions, I update the classics by giving them a long overdue gender swap. It doesn’t seem fair that only the ladies should be subjected to losing their clothes all over the place. In the name of equality- and because it’s a lot of fun- I’ve been comically disrobing fellas for over twelve years.
Ideal place to display your work?
When I first started the Cheesecake Boys series, I thought I would just make a couple of paintings and that would be it. I had no idea they would become so popular! So far, the Cheesecake Boys have been in art galleries, coloring books, cross-stitch kits, store display windows, tattoos, and greeting cards. My dream is to have my own Cheesecake Boy underwear line one day with my artwork printed on the fabric. So to answer your question, the ideal place for them to be displayed is on peoples’ butts.
Favorite non-art pastime?
I love anything spontaneous and fun - from making silly video projects with my friends to traveling adventures with the hubs. I can also usually tell you what’s going on with Dolly Parton’s career at any given point because I am obsessed.
Most memorable project?
A few years ago, Dreamspinner Press published a coloring book based on my Cheesecake Boys. People all over the world got into the Cheesecake Boy coloring craze - and I had a blast attending coloring parties at queer nightclubs, complete with mural-sized coloring pages and live Cheesecake Boy models. To go from my closeted, Catholic childhood in Ohio during which I felt such tremendous shame over my sexuality to the middle of a club in WeHo with my sexy fantasies as the theme of the party is a hell of a journey.
Art crush?
There are so many artists doing amazing queer pinup art right now! I love everyone who puts their own spin on this idea. Some of my favs are Joe Phillips, Ross Watson, Jeffrey Aviles, Caducado, Christian Cimoroni, Kevin Cakebread, Michael Breyette, Glen Hanson, Rene Farias, and Ryan J. Stephens — and there are SO many more!
Personal crayon color?
Peaches & Cream Cheesecake
What is unique about your process?
I think one of the things that is unique about my work is that I started painting male models in traditionally-feminine poses at a time before that was common. Men were hardly ever portrayed in a cute, cheeky way. Even guys in men’s underwear ads were as brooding as could be. Initially, there was some criticism for my Cheesecake Boys from gay men because they felt they were too “feminized,” whatever that means. I think they were more accustomed to the Tom of Finland aesthetic- who I have tremendous respect for, but never felt like I saw myself in his work. The discussion brought a lot of attention to my work and helped me connect with an audience who appreciated seeing dudes in distress with their pants falling down. Sexuality should be fun, and there are so many different expressions of it across the gender spectrum. Everyone deserves to be confident in their cuteness and sexiness! I’m thrilled and inspired by the diversity of artists doing similar work today.
Why make art?
I make art for the same reason I did when I was a little kid - to express myself. The subject matter has changed quite a bit since then, but no matter what type of art I'm making, when I’m in the process of creating a new piece, genuine self expression is the only thing that matters to me.
What's next?
I am currently working on a new Cheesecake Boys book project, a 25-painting commission, planning some upcoming murals, and a few other projects I can't share just yet.
