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Coming in 2019: The Return of Mythulinity!

Now that Tumblr has determined the real world of varied sexuality no longer exists, I've decided to head out in a different direction and prove them wrong. It was fun while it lasted and all things must pass. I am now passing on Tumblr and reigniting the flame that once burned bright here at Blogger. Join me!


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WARNING: This blog is devoted to gay adult themes. If you are under the age of consent (18) or are an uptight prude please leave this zone immediately!

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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Male Art Dept.: Tom of Finland

This seems a good time to reflect on the enormous contribution to male homo-erotica of Tom of Finland.

When Tom's art appeared everything up to that time became pale by comparison.

"I work very hard to make sure that the men I draw
having sex are proud men having happy sex."

Tom's Men Kissing

















That statement truly sums up why his work had the impact it did. Tom's men were like jets compared to biplanes. Not only were they bigger than life physically, but their sheer macho, swaggering bravado made them into sexual heroes the like of which had never been seen before by gays starving for visual stimulation. At last, images of men made to masturbate to the way minuet music was meant for dance.

There is no possible way to accurately measure the impact of Tom of Finland. But there is this yardstick: just take a look at male homoerotic art now and you will find his influence almost everywhere. 
















Tom made men with impossible phalli not just acceptable but de rigueur. His men were not hothouse flowers or innocent fauns, they were cowboys, sailors, soldiers, men in black leather drag on motorcycles; all hyper-masculine he-men bursting with testosterone driven goodness. They were handsome, yet rough with 5 o'clock shadows, and clothing that looked like if it were any tighter it would burst and release a flood of pure masculinity. You could put those impossible cocks over a shoulder and burp the damn things. These male characters were to gay men what Superman had been to young boys of the late 30's. To dream the impossible dream and cream over him.
















 So, if you love male art as much as I do and enjoy the now large field of very out and up front homoerotic cartoonists/illustrators (Patrick Fillion, Logan, Rob Clarke, Absolut Bleu, Joe Phillips, etc.), the man you have to thank for helping to make a place in society for such work is definitely Tom of Finland. He didn't just blaze a trail he created a jet stream or a super hiway into the great gay milky way.
























2 comments:

  1. Hi Greggerman, I just discovered your blog thanks to Anadae, and what a blog it is! This post is beautifully written - really captures the power St. Tom of Finland had on gay consciousness. I remember my first visit to an adult book store, and I walked by a small gay section that included a small book by Tom of Finland, and that is the one thing I still remember about that book store.

    Regards, Deimos (ha! really Michael but the avatar fits). From Seattle BTW, hi neighbor! :-)

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  2. Thank you very much, Deimos, for the kind words. Nice to here from a local!

    Greg

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