Over the past few months, I’ve reported on and written about various events, contests and festivals. I have really been impressed by the display of all the leather arts, crafts and history behind it.
As most of us were, I was exposed to the naked human body through paper pornography. It was used for its intended purpose! It wasn’t until after I became a young man that I was able to see the sensuality and eroticism of art of the human body. I discovered the curves and contours, and the facial expressions of the models. I really discovered the beauty when I came across the pencil drawings of Tom of Finland and the oil paintings of beautiful men and women.
Today the erotic arts come in so many forms. And I have been honored by those who have shared their talents with me, for my enjoyment and my adornment. During the Mr. and Mrs. San Diego Leather Pride weekend, I was at both contests and I took the opportunity to look at some of the silent auction items. There I found art work in the form of paintings, drawings, books and stained glass. Yes, stained glass!
Dennis Wymbs, one of the San Diego and California communities’ most famed artists has unique talents. His art work can come in the form of stained glass, leather masks and copper etching images. He can take a photo of you and etch it into a sheet of copper, frame it and immortalize you forever. Dennis can also take images that you provide and work them into a collage of stained glass that brings your image to light; especially when the sun hits it. He has done stained glass pieces for a lot of clubs and organizations; the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and the Ms. San Diego contest to name a few. I have a few pieces of his hanging in my home, and in my closet! If you want to see Dennis’s work, go to his Web site at erosgallery.net. Dennis is also having an artist reception, where his work will be on display at Pleasures and Treasures, 2525 University Ave. on Aug. 12, 5-8 p.m. I can promise you that Dennis will have something to stir up your loins!
And if it’s your desire to be a more beastly guy or girl, San Diego also has an artist who can help transform you into that puppy, that wolf or that pig that lives inside you. Scotty makes rubber molds, constructs them into masks to resemble the puppy or beast you want to become. You don’t have to wish you were hooking up with the werewolf on True Blood. You can transform yourself into that very werewolf, or the one howling to get out! Go check the gear at rubberdawg.com.
So you want to know how you could learn more about leather arts and culture. Well believe it or not, there is a museum! The Leather Archives and Museum is located in Chicago, Ill. Go to leatherarchives.org for a detailed history of the leather community.
San Diego has its very own leather history project, which was prominently displayed at the Leather Realm during the recent San Diego Gay Pride. The San Diego Leather History project is curated by caryl of Club-X; pansexual leather, BDSM fetish group. Club-X provides workshops to educate its members and those who want to learn more.
In the recent past, San Diegans had a few establishments where you could go and have custom made leather gear. To give them honorable mention for their past service to the San Diego community, I will mention a few names that should jog a few memories; Moose Leather, Macleo Leather and Ringold Alley. Now we have Pleasures and Treasures; another family owned and operated establishment.
Speaking of family, it was great to see a lot of you come out and support the Gay Men’s Chorus Concert GuyTunes, last weekend! “Snap Snap, Second Verse,” you had to be there! And the cast after-party at True North, let’s say, it was very “lyrical!” They have a calendar on sale to help with travel funds. And one month features the “leathermen of the chorus,” standing in front of the San Diego Eagle dressed in leather.
