I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. I've always been fond of printed matter. As a kid I made mix tapes just so I could design the J-cards. My family has always been very encouraging of my involvement in art and I ended up going to an arts high school and later to The School of the Art Institute of Chicago where I dabbled in lighting design, printmaking, and designed objects. Obviously much of this has influenced my work—moreso my process, not so much the content.
§ Do you think of yourself as gay and do you identify with any sort of gay subculture group, such as the “bear” or “leather” communities?
I am gay and I do identify as gay. I'm not into leather and I've never understood why it's so closely linked with Bear culture. Bearish men tend to like leather I suppose? Personally I'm attracted to big bellied, full-faced hairy men so naturally I find many Bearish men attractive. I don't cling to the terminology very much (although I jokingly dish out some nomenclature like "I gotta go wash my paws—hahaha!") but I certainly don't get hung up on splitting hairs. For instance, Pinups isn't about Bears per se but I've over heard guys arguing over whether the models are Bears or Cubs. I don't know why it's so important to some. I'm pretty sure there isn't a rule book.
§ What do you think of gay culture as it exists in New York right now?
There are many gay cultures in New York and it's easy to fall into a bubble, which is proably a good thing and a bad thing depending on how you look at it.
§ Are you a home body or are you more of a social butterfly, like hanging out in pubs and bars, shows, movies, events and things, out in parks and walking around?
I'm a home body more and more which is sort of ironic since I've become more of a party promoter through doing launch parties. When I set out to do Pinups I had no idea I'd be planning parties.
§ Do you own a TV and if so, do you have cable?
I own a TV and a DVD player so that I can watch movies. The only time I watch TV networks is when I'm on a plane or at a friend's place. I love Rupaul's new show Drag Race—it's such a farce! I hate most TV though. I don't even get basic TV.
§ What is in your pockets right now....and no thats not a dirty question....ok maybe it is?
The same three things I don't leave home without: keys, wallet and phone. Oh, and some change. Man I hate change.
§ Have you slept with any of the models for your magazine, are they friends of yours….?
All of the models are friends of mine and I share a history with a few of them but I've never used the magazine to sleep with any of them. It's important to remain professional during the shoot because I want the models to be as comfortable as possible. The magazine really isn't about sex so it doesn't come up during the shoots.
§ How did you start up the magazine, do you have prior experience with publishing or did you go to school for anything involving the publishing of a magazine?
I made a few zines when I was in high school. That was my only experience. When I tried to start up Pinups I really struggled because I had no money and it was difficult to get in touch with printers to figure out cost and production. I looked around for about a year before I decided to make it the old fashioned way. The first year the magazine was printed using Xerox. Now I have the magazine printed offset on a sheetfed press.
§ Are you a very sexual person?
Depends on who I'm with.
§ Do you believe in marriage and forever?
I don't believe in either but I do believe in happiness and that it can be attained without marriage or the notion of forever.
§ What’s the weirdest or dirtiest thing someone has ever said to you?
Someone really wanted me to beat him up during sex. He kept asking me to punch him in the face. That was weird. It really turned me off.
§ Do you like porn?
As far as the industry stuff, I like some vintage porn. Apart from that I like ameture porn (unless it's taken with a computer camera or phone—yuck).
§ How would you describe your magazine to someone who has never seen or heard of it before?
I'm faced with this challenge daily! Pinups is a triannual publication that features nude male models. There are no words—just an exaggeration of the classic centerfold. The magazine exists in book form but can be taken apart and tiled to reveal a life-size image.
§ Do you like ice cream?
NO! I HATE milk. To me drinking milk is like drinking blood since it's body fluid. When I eat ice cream I taste milk. I love sorbet though.
§ Are there any music artists right now that move, effect or inspire you with your work or do you get your inspiration from other sources?
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