My work centers on the two slightly overlapping circles of comics and painting. Two different worlds and aesthetics that appeal to me equally and provide ideal vehicles for what I want to express and bring into the world.
As for subject matter, whether comics or painting, the imagery of gay masculinity predominates. In other words, beefcake! To serve up the beefcake, I rely on representational styles and traditional media. Beyond the representational, is my desire for representation. Just as beyond the erotic, I want show the entirely of the gay experience as both individual and part of a big, messy, lovely, and endlessly amazing community. And not just any representation, but gay people in the throes of pleasure and discovering their power.
Beneath the surface, underneath all that frosting on the beefcake, I also desire to bring passion, joy, and love into the world through my art. I want to make images and stories of big heart, of triumph, of the rising of the spirit’s sun after the long dark night.
VIDEO INTERVIEW
Join us in this candid interview with renowned artist Edward Ficklin, where he delves into his artistic journey, focusing on the intersection of comics and painting.
EDWARD FICKLIN
Among the many things that influence me, I give top billing to Tom of Finland, J.C. Leyendecker, and the whole boisterous genre of pulp covers of the mid- to late-20th century. Tom and J.C. define, for me, the essence of the visual language of gay masculinity. The pulp covers appeal to me for their vividness and unrestrained attempts to arrest your attention and not let go till you’ve made a purchase. They’re a fascinating blend of tight technique and wild expressivity that I aim for in my own work.
Visually speaking: vintage beefcake photography, vintage sci-fi and fantasy cover art, Tom of Finland, J.C. Leyendecker, George Quaintance. Philosophically, I draw on the principles of pleasure activism so expertly described by adrienne maree brown combined with a long study of Tibetan buddhist teachings on the nature of mind. Pleasure, just like true liberation, comes from letting go of self-centeredness. The two can be aids to each other.
For painting, I work mostly in the studio with oils, watercolor, and gouache. I draw from both life drawing and found photographic materials. The comics are more a blend of digital tools and traditional media. Digital tools play a huge role in the generation phase, leading to traditional media to produce the final art. Then, it’s back to the digital to prepare for reproduction and dissemination.
I work mostly in traditional media. My favorite is oils, followed by watercolor and charcoal. My techniques are pretty old school as I love the look and feel of the traditions that go back centuries and the indulgent sensuality of it all.
I want people to enjoy themselves. I want them to be turned on, of course, but also fascinated, amused, or curious at the same time. I don't want an objectified focus just on sex or genital-oriented pleasures--lovely as they are!--but in a larger, more joyous context. I want them turned on, but turned on to wonder and awe as much as pleasure--pleasure that's an energetic propulsion toward our greater selves and true potential.
