Through a Queer Lens

“A coked out blur between Studio 54 and some orgy on Fire Island” is not your usual inspiration when it comes to artwork, but then again illustrative artist Patrick Mullins is no usual artist.

Inspired by “figures like Peter Berlin, Tom of Finland, Richie Gallo, Jacques Des Bascher”, Patrick likes to tell a story with a cheeky perspective, one with an “androgynous queer lens” as he calls it.

We sat down with him to ask a few questions about his work and where it’s taking him.

“I started drawing from a really young age, often scribbling with a biro and a notebook that my mum kept in her handbag for me wherever we went, I always seemed to draw people, usually, little scribbles of dresses I thought up.”

“This seemed to progress for years until I wanted to insert more of my identity into my work. My doodles had turned into extravagant drawings of women but I didn't seem to relate any more to. So about a year or so ago, I started to draw men through more of an androgynous queer lens, and slowly but surely trying to carve a space for illustration that I identified with".”

Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to follow your path as an artist?

“I remember becoming disconnected with where I was progressing when I couldn’t relate and then I had this idea of creating male pin up drawings that had this cheeky open sexuality that I hadn't shown in my work before. My work hasn't been the same since, and I knew I was on the right path when people started sharing and commissioning my work.”

How do you go about creating your work?

“The process has evolved quite a lot over the years, I now tend to start with an idea and create various rough sketches until I feel that I have captured what I envisioned. Followed by looking up imagery that relates to my idea. Sometimes, I take photographs of myself from various angles to achieve the lines I want in a drawing and these these as a reference. After selecting the layout I want and putting together the right references, I create an outline for the drawing with pencil and when I’m happy with that, I trace the finalized pencil drawings on to a secondary page and draw in the intended lines and fill with colour.” 

What visual references do you draw upon in your work?

“At the moment I've had a huge influence from retro advertising, especially when thinking of how I layout drawings. But I always try to make sure my drawings have an element of mystery and tension if I can, to make it seem as If there's more going on outside the page".”

What’s your daily routine when working?

“I usually start in the evening, I seem to find my ideas flow so easily then. Usually, I set up all my equipment, put some music on, and just work through it till I'm satisfied, It becomes a kind of meditative time for me, just being by myself and creating something on the page is when I feel most myself. Most of my pieces I like to do in one sitting when creating the finalised version.”

“With my current series I had wanted to reintroduce the androgyny I had present in my work before - depicting strong, beautiful men in extravagant clothing seemed like something fun to do with a new perspectcive.

I’ve really attempted to hone in on depicting the male form with more detail and softness, I really tried to train myself in the first lockdown to draw the male form with more accuracy and define my own style of the figure, as I’d spent so long creating this for the female form - originally the way I drew the male was largely feminine in style due to my previous work. From this I've really started to experiment with how I depict my work, playing with perspective and layers to create work that has more fluid quality to it.”

What’s next? 

'“Well, I'm planning to incorporate more erotic themes as I move forward, looking more into fetish and also paying homage to queer legacy more overtly.”  

Who are your biggest influences?

“My biggest influences are illustrators of the past, I'm often told my work is Tom of Finland but make it fashion. Though I am hugely inspired by the movement and ease of Antonio Lopez's work along with the theatrics of Erte, Leyendecker's depiction of masculinity is also of huge fascination to me.

The photographer Helmut Newton has always had a strong hold over me, especially the tension and sexuality that exudes from each frame of his. I think when combining my influences there's a striking connection in how they depicted the body with such strength and power, I always want the people I draw to look like amazonian’s walking out from the page.”

Last but not least, why do what you love? 

“I think I just enjoy creating my own world, I've always found there's great power in being able to make anything you can imagine, a reality on paper, there's so much freedom by drawing, no constraints to it apart from the border. Creating an image is something that is so easily communicable, it doesn't need translation like words and I find that so freeing.”

What piece of your artwork would you like to be remembered for?

I actually think of a piece I made quite a while ago when I first started depicting male bodies. It was called 'Marc loved wrapping playboys around his little finger' and just depicted a guy rubbing sun cream on this boy's back by a swimming pool, there's something about that drawing that I have always loved. The technique is not as sophisticated I just love these story it tells, there's a lot of power and tension present and that's when I think I started to finally figure out how I wanted my work to look. 

What is your greatest indulgence in life?

Handbags. I can never seem to buy enough.

Which artist past or present would you most like to meet and why?

Nan Goldin. Her photographs are seared in my memory for their honest, raw, and beautiful depiction of life.

What’s your favourite gallery?

The White Cube Bermondsey.

Do you have a favorite piece of work? by you or someone else?

Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema's 'The Roses of Heliogabalus' the ostentatious delight of that painting will always have a place in my heart.

Who should we follow on Instagram?

I'd definitely recommend @Helias_doulis: his photography really depicts queer identity so perfectly. @jugodepapaya I've never seen drawings like his before.

@adam___chuck work is incredible, @chorusofbody for his intricate paintings of rather NSFW scenes and lastly @polanglada - the marriage of colour and erotica is a sight for sore eyes.

“I do currently accept commissions! So if you're interested in commissioning me the send me a direct message on Instagram or email me and I'd be more than happy to work with you.”

Follow Patrick on Instagram