The Diver

This back-flipping diver seems to represent the world's readiness to embrace a new era after the catastrophe that was 2020, cute trunks too!

It's Raining

Steve Walker - Rain

 The unashamedly romantic and pretty images of Steve Walker are usually a delightful diversion from the casual lustfulness of the gay universe, but this image seems to play on that difference to sketch out two contrasting personalities gathered together under the one umbrella to shelter from the rain. The stances of the two men show the one's relaxed attitude compared with a tenser, but so determined, stance next to him. Their clothing suggests they have different attitudes to self-image and gay love. A hint of separation might mean that the clouds are not all up in the sky. 

Is this a coming together? A parting? Or just a passing squall?

Unseasonal

Second Skin

A simple image that stirs the senses,

 painted in autumnal tones by Christopher Furminger

 

Confinement

Nice colours again. This one predates the virus but is strangely apt.

The view of confinement equating to isolation in this bleak open wasteland

is a bit idiosyncratic though!

See more at mitchmen blog 

and at his art Gallery CL Furminger on P-interest

White and Tight for a reason

Erik by Rick Day

"Is that for real?" you might ask.

Maximillian Feres

"Hmmmm, not sure".

Maximillian's comfort fit is not without interest.

Men in underwear, what else need I say?

Wet, wet, wet, wet

 

There's a summery, wet thing going on here recently, 

what with all the swimmers I've featured.

This contender for wettest T-shirt sombrely marks 

the transition into the rainy season and autumn.

Wet shirts always flatter shapely figures

but this takes wetness to a different level. 

Sometimes getting wet is fun!

it helps if you're wearing someone else's clothes of course.

I like the way this models abs mirror the quilting of his jacket.

But does that make you think the jacket is waterproof?

 Sometimes getting wet isn't fun!

I'm not sure this is a good advert for a raincoat either.

To me it seems to say "Should have stayed at home".

Still it's a fabulous image.

Getting into the realms of torture here!

(or some hare-brained charity stunt).

Water cascading over men's bodies in showers is a familiar sight

but flooding the face seems much more disturbing

The rivulets draw out the model's facial contours beautifully 

but coupled with his less-than-cheerful reaction 

there's an uncomfortable comparison with floods of tears.

This great set of photographs entitled 'Waterfall' are the work of

Solve Sundsbo

Models: Matthew Terry, Matthew Noszka & Vitor Melo

For more wet or uncomfortable men, click on the labels below

The Way We Were?

Swimmers 1934, Halley Johnson (?)

This is an eerie perspective on Summers gone by

 with two (male) swimmers seemingly stranded on a tiny island

one looking distinctly stressed as he clutches his beach ball

while a yacht serenely passes by with no sign of a human crew

and above them a strangely disconnected moon 

looks down through a window torn in a darkening sky.

The styling of this image is striking, Deco? 

Maybe, but it's initial promise of charming, carefree nostalgia

seems to rapidly dissipate on closer inspection.

 I've not been able to fully verify the artist's identity,

 but the date (if true) suggests a further ominous spin on the mood.

Or are the long shadows and gusting breeze simply signalling sunset,

and the sorrowful ending of an idyllic day in paradise?

Sorry, no link available!

Life Saver

Alex Cairns by Armando Adajar

I have a weakness for beautiful men in swimming trunks.

Model Alex Cairns has the strong lean look of a true swimmer.

The lifebuoy he is holding suggests he's in a life-saving job 

but judging by the placid water in the pool, 

there are no customers to save just at the moment.

Giving him time to think exciting thoughts apparently.

(for more swimmers click on label below)