Stills Of Gay Life

Hello everybody, Our name is Mark Jeffreys - I am Jeff & my partner is Mark. We share a life together and combine our talents to create art & music which we would like to share with you. Mark draws and paints - his series is called “Stills of Gay Life”, Jeff arranges music in GarageBand in the style of Street Organs.

[stillsofgaylife]

Hey there,

I first saw your Tennessee waltz painting years ago and have thought about it at least once a month ever since. I recently came out as transmasc and have been thinking of getting a tattoo to celebrate. How do you feel people getting your art inked on them? Would only be done with your blessing, obviously. Thank you for sharing your beautiful art with the world.

What a nice complement. Please feel free to utilize the image for your tattoo, it’s an honor to be asked.

[stillsofgaylife]

I proudly display my ROSIE THE RIVETER, which I bought years ago while visiting my mother's home town of Chicago. Jeff painted it, but does Jeff ever go publicly by Jeff's own surname? thanks, Judson Feder

No, anonymity is great. Happy to hear “Rosie” found a good home. Thank you.

[stillsofgaylife]

“Once Upon A Time”

Paintings - (Oil on Canvas - 30” x 40”)

After the last painting (Two Different Worlds), I wanted to do something happy.  The details were fun to do - even though they took a long time.  The step-brothers outrage, the step-fathers dejected resignation and, three mice plus a Fairy God-Mother!  Oh, and lots of lace.

[stillsofgaylife]

Calista Knight (Commission)

Pencil on Paper (20” x 30”)

An acquaintance asked if I could render a photograph she did in pencil.

[stillsofgaylife]

“Mad About the Boy”

Series 1 - (Pencil on Paper - 20” x 28”) Desperate living is never pretty—unless you’re watching it dance in a G-string in a dark barroom.  

NOTE: When this piece was on display in a gallery, some thought it might be offensive - then a deaf person told us though their spouse “how sweet, he’s saying I Love You in sign language - upside-down”, no one thought it was offensive after that!

[stillsofgaylife]

“By a Waterfall”

Paintings - (Oil on Canvas - 24” x 48”)

I asked Mark to create an allegory for a ceiling I was designing for our music room, something with a Satyr.  The title is from the lovely 1933 Sammy Fain/Irving Kahal tune featured in the film “Footlight Parade” directed by Busby Berkeley.  The ceiling however, didn’t turn out as well as I hoped (back to the drawing board for me) - but the painting inspired some new ideas.

[stillsofgaylife]

“High Hopes”

Pencil on Paper (12” x 24”)

This was made as a gift for the owners of the High Risk Gallery here in Chicago.  Mark was an artist in residence her for the many years exhibiting monthly and I volunteered help in creating space & decoration for events.  Alas, it could not sustain itself - as its mission statement observed “all art is a risk, for the artist as well as the viewer”.

[stillsofgaylife]

you dont happen to sell prints, do you? i think my partner would lose their mind over a piece of yours for christmas

Sorry, no but, you should be able to print out a decent 8x10 from the image

[stillsofgaylife]

Visit Original Link

Just for fun, my arrangement for "Harlem Nocturne" by Earle Hagen and Dick Rogers, preformed by me on an Allen Digital Theatre Organ, System 400, c1975.  The recording is with an iPhone so don’t expect hi-fidelity!

[stillsofgaylife]

“Two Different Worlds”

Paintings - (Oil on Board - 30” x 40”)

This is an angry piece.  Perhaps, that is why it took so long for me to paint.  I thought it was a good idea, topical, needed to be done - then half way through I felt worn out by the hatred - on both sides!  The passion though, comes from the kiss and, the snarky joy from the smiling policeman.  

[stillsofgaylife]

“Rosie the Riveter”

Paintings - (Oil on Canvas - 24” x 30”) In Private Collection

When helping hands are needed, nobody asks who you’re sleeping with.

[stillsofgaylife]

“Temptation”

Paintings - (Oil on Canvas - 30” x 40”)

This one is in the spirit of other “Trick the Nobleman” scenes - with a decided twist on “Trick”.

[stillsofgaylife]

It’s a wonderful world - if folks just let it be.  Everyone, try love - it WORKS!

[stillsofgaylife]

“My Inspiration”

Special Occasion (Pencil on Paper - 20” x 26”)

I was told the St. Therese is the Patron Saint of Artists, true or not I thought about an allegory of the unseen muse that guides an artists hand.

[stillsofgaylife]

“Got a Date With an Angel”

Paintings - (Oil on Canvas - 18” x 24”)

During adolescence, my imaginary friends could be found on glossy pages, often sticking to one other.

[stillsofgaylife]

"Cheech & Diesel"

Gift - 20" x 13" (Pencil on Paper)

A Christmas gift to our niece & nephew-in-law  They asked for a drawing of their two dogs;  Cheech, (the Puggle on left) older and very much in charge and Diesel, (the Boxer on right) has untreatable cancer but, is still as active as a puppy.  The drawing was created by an amalgam of photos sent - none had the two dogs in a pose together.  It was well received.

[stillsofgaylife]

In our neighborhood, we always know the holiday season has officially started - when the "The Holy Family Cafe" opens for business!

In keeping with the situation... A Merry Christmas, and a Happy New  Year!

Jeff&Mark

P.S. Note to new parents; don't put the baby on the table - that's what chairs are for!