The art of Danny Gunn
Danny Gunn is a man of many talents, but what’s really caught our eye recently has been his paintings.
We caught up with Danny to talk about the art of painting cocks.
Have you always drawn or painted?
When I was very young, I used to draw and paint. I used to get an art set every birthday or Christmas. When I was in high school was where I kind of drifted away from painting and drawing.
I started doing makeup around that time, which creatively satisfied me and also blossomed into a fairly successful career. Recently, within the past few months, I’ve started painting again and I’m enjoying it.
When did you start painting cocks?
I was inspired to paint, so I went to the art store and bought a bunch of oils and canvases, got home and looked blankly at the canvas.
I couldn’t think of one thing to paint, I just knew I wanted to paint. So I pulled out my phone to look for inspiration. I found a dick pic, and thought I might as well do a quick study of an easy shape with a lot of colour and texture. That’s how it started.
The series that you’ve been painting recently are disembodied cocks — why are you isolating the cocks in this way?
Originally, it was just a study to get back into painting, but then I started searching for beautiful picture of penises to paint.
I think having them on display as just an object makes it less sexual, but also more regal — if that makes sense. I don’t want it to feel arousing, I want it to look like a phallic entity of some kind.
I think they’re beautiful on their own, but very misunderstood. Penises — specifically, erect ones — are shocking to a lot of people. Vaginas and boobs, or even a flaccid penis, are not as intimidating as a fiery hard cock. I like that they’re rebellious and elusive.
Who are some of the cocks that you’ve painted recently?
The early studies are very impressionistic. I painted Sean Zevran first, then Antonio Biaggi, Trenton Ducati, Francois Sagat, Rafael Alencar, Brent Everett, Cory Kane, Ty Roberts, Ty Roderick, Leo Giamani, Phoenix Fellington, Chad White, Adam Killian, Gianluigi Volti and Austin Wolf.
There’s also been some random internet cocks in there also.
What sort of feedback do you get from the guys that you paint?
A lot of people seem to enjoy them! I’ve noticed a huge improvement in my work since I’ve started painting again.
The most recent pieces have been much bigger and more detailed. I’ve had lots of people show interest in wanting to buy them, but I haven’t sold any yet. Obviously, starting this creative endeavour, my goal wasn’t really to make money.
Do your fans send you suggestions as to who they’d like to see you paint?
I’ve actually made polls and asked for people to give me suggestions. I’ve also asked for people who have aesthetically pleasing dicks to send them my way!
A lot of the requests — as far as porn stars go — have been fulfilled, but I always want more. Especially the guys that I never worked with who were before my time.
Are some cocks harder to paint than others?
Yes! This isn’t because of anything other than the quality of image or reference that I’m working from. It might be a beautiful cock but perhaps it isn’t lit well, or it’s a bad angle, or overall it’s just poor image quality.
When I paint, I look at the image for reference but I don’t trace or use a grid to make the image. I just recreate what I see with paint — colour, tone, light, and shadows. The image has to be pretty detailed for me to get a painting that I’m proud of.
Have you done a self-portrait of your cock?
This has been frequently requested. I may do it.
Any plans for an exhibition of your work?
Yes! I’m working on finding a place in Provincetown where I can have a show. I also have friends who have suggested I do a show in Palm Springs. My goal is to create a decent body of work and have enough to do an exhibition.
Photos of Danny Gunn
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