It Happened Again

I was messaged online by another man because of my HIV status. At fifty-six, he found out he was HIV+ two months ago. He had no one to talk to as nobody in his world knows he has sex with men. The man is divorced with five adult children. He works in construction doing small jobs. He doesn’t make a lot of money and doesn’t own a computer. Thankfully, he qualifies for Medicaid. He is taking medication and is undetectable.

After his divorce, he started going to arcades to be orally pleasured by men which eventually led to barebacking. He told me he didn’t think he would catch anything because he never got anything from a woman. Clearly, that wasn’t sound reasoning.

I’ve talked to the man two times. I’ve explained HIV status, PREP, medications, integrase inhibitors, opportunistic infections and safe sex practices. Essentially, it was HIV 101.

He was a second man to contact me in recent history who became HIV+ because he had unprotected sex with men after divorcing his wife. How sad is that?

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Art Therapy

This painting represents the angst I feel given the current political turmoil in the United States.

Vrba, Devil Dare, oil on wood, $300. Image was rotated forty-five degrees.

I have never seem so much political unrest in the United States. And I’ve been around for a while. I protested with Act-Up in the 1980s. I attended the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. I marched in Gay pride parades. I attended rallies for same-sex marriage. I’ve been pretty calm until recently. Hilly lost the election. I was shocked and saddened like most people I know. The country was turned over to another white man. Look what has happened to United Stated in the last eleven days. The people who do not support the current administration are taking to the streets.

The President fired Sally Yates last night. The White House statement said she betrayed the Department of Justice and was weak on borders and illegal immigration. Really? Were harsh words really needed given she spent almost three decades in the Justice Department? The most respected government office has resorted to name calling, one of the most damaging forms of bullying. The statement is fueling the fires of the opposition.

I’ve had enough. I joined an Indivisible group this morning. I also emailed both Colorado senators asking them to oppose the nominations of Jeff Sessions, Rick Perry and Betsy DeVos. I’m not sure my message will make a difference but I expressed my opinion. I will resist. And I will also look to art for comfort.

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Local Man Achieves Success

Mack and I attended the Leon Gallery opening on Saturday night. The gallery was presenting new works by Michael Dowling, a local artist. Mack and I have been following Michael’s career. He’s incredibly talented. His previous openings have always been well attended and a lot of fun. This one did not disappoint.

Michael’s career has taken off. He’s now represented by galleries in New York, Miami and Los Angeles. That’s the good news. The bad news is he will be showing less in Denver. It’s great to see a local talented artist make it into the big leagues.

Sculpture $3,000

From my collection:

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That Man

That man, who is now living in the White House, has done more to embarrass the United States in about a week than anyone else in the history of the country. I’m appalled by what is happening. Everyone I know is upset. It seems to come up in every conversation. It was talked about in the art galleries on Friday night. It was discussed at the Wrangler last night. It was talked about the gym. I can’t escape it, but, that’s a good thing! The anger needs to be kept in the forefront. The protests need to continue. The deplorable action of that man need to be kept in the conversation. The majority of the people are pissed as hell. The people are resisting. The revolution has begun.

The latest offering at Pirate by Shannon W. Kelly can be interpreted in many different ways. Most people I talked with thought it was a commentary on the current political turmoil. I’ll let you decide.

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A Million Random Thoughts

I was falling asleep while watching a movie last night. I turned off the TV and prepared for bed. A few minutes after my head hit the pillow my mind shifted into overdrive. It was as if a switch was thrown letting a million random thoughts run wild in my head. I tried calming my thoughts by thinking about a serene beach and other peaceful places but nothing worked. I tossed and turned for seemed like hours but was only forty-five minutes. I gave up and took an Ambien.

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Mask 4

African mask given to me by my friend Peter.

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100,000 +

The Denver Women’s March was attended by over 100,000 people. Organizers only expected 30,000.

Organize!

Check out the Indivisible Guide for resisting the Trump Agenda.

Resistance is not futile.

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Selections From Art Night

A selection of offerings from art night for your viewing pleasure:

Mary Mackey Art, Mary Mackey, untitled, 24 x 24, about $1,200

Mary Mackey Art, Mary Mackey, untitled, 18 x 24, about $1,200

Redline, Tracy Tomko, The Fruiting Body, oil on canvas, not priced

Redline, Dustin Young, Outlook, graphite on paper, not priced

Redline, Dustin Young, Weight (Heavier than air), graphite on paper, not priced

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Get A Job

I saw this painting at Redline tonight. I think the universe is speaking to me. Get a job. Buy more art.

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Mask 3

It’s a day that’s calling for art. I’ll be hitting the gallery openings tonight with Paddy and Mack. Here’s a mask by Kate McGuinness to start the day. What does it say to you?

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