Publisher's Note: This article contains strong language and the photo gallery contains some adult images. If you are easily offended I suggest you refrain from reading any further.
 

That statement of Mr. Kirwan’s, from his press materials for his October-November exhibit, "Girls Who Do: The Illustrations of Michael Kirwan" at The Erotic Museum in Hollywood, impressed me and sparked my curiosity to go back for a meticulous look at his work.

On first viewing Michael’s illustrations seem exaggerated cartoons of people in every conceivable type of sexual situation. They wantonly cavort in worlds without racism, sexism, ageism, economic prejudices, body image issues like, who’s got the biggest penis or breasts (in Michael’s world as everyone is exceptionally endowed.), where attractive people happily engage in raucous sex with downright ugly people, where fat people get to be intimate with perfect specimens, where physically challenged people are lusty with each other and regular people. Or Michael may depict situations that seem dark and threatening but turn out to be dark and exciting: where even a hardcore bible thumping Redneck or a dedicated gay basher, of any color, can indulge themselves in some repressed sexual fun and still walk away convinced they didn’t compromise themselves because they let another man "blow" them.

That’s what Michael means when he says he doesn’t judge people and that his randy little creations are never debased, demeaned or derided for being different. In Michael’s world there are no barriers or restrictions as to who can have sex and with whom.

Knowing this, I was really looking forward to meeting Michael at this exhibit, co-sponsored by the Tom Of Finland Foundation, November 17th in the beautiful upstairs gallery of The Erotic Museum.

Michael is a force: outrageous, outspoken with a persona as big and brash and colorful as his work, like a giant windmill coming at you at 300 mph with its rotor whirring out of control, he approaches, encased in a leather kilt, with a long, strawberry blond mane blowing wildly in the wind.

His energy is not undirected. Michael is an enormously funny and entertaining guy with a sarcastic wit that keeps a person engaged and laughing at the same time. Michael’s like a hybrid of Paul Lynde, Rip Taylor and Lief Erickson the mad Viking of yore.

Due to the graphic nature of Michael’s work we can only show you the tamer samples of what has made him a true star in the world of erotic art; so, please, have yourselves a unique experience and visit, www.kirwanarts.com.

JF! Michael, considering that you’re gay, and I see your gay artwork and it hits the correct homoerotic tone, how is it that you can accomplish the same result when you do heteroerotic art?

MK: Well, getting paid for it is a strong incentive. Seriously, it’s about men’s desires, and I know what men feel and what they want and how they respond to certain types of visual stimulations; plus there’s always a fantasy element for both men and women.

I spent many years as a somewhat straight guy; I was married for seven years. I have a son who’s in his thirties; so for a while, I was trying to do that "bi" thing. However, at 41, guys, 41 girls I went to 42 guys and 41 girls then 53 guys and 41 girls; and it dawned on me, that, "Hey, I might be a total cocksucker."

JF! Do you see a difference in the dynamics of gay and hetero relationships?

MK: Well, I do think that there’s more of a friendship, brotherhood, unspoken understanding among gay men; whereas with men and women I think there’s a bit more of a barter system that exists. Not that there’s anything wrong with that; however, I think women are not as sexually obsessed as men. Someone once said to me, back in the days when I was "Bi-ing" around, "Don’t you feel terrible if the girl doesn’t orgasm?" Who the hell cares?! That’s her problem; I’m not here for her; I’m here for me! Which is weird because in my "gay" sexual experiences, I’m definitely there for my partner.

JF! Is it important that "you" orgasm with your male partner?

MK: No, no, no! In fact, I prefer not to.

JF! Is it more for just the experience then?

MK: Yes, I like to savor and save it up and then think about it later on.

JF! Like a bank account?

MK: Yeah. My idea of a sexual encounter is where someone walks in the door, pulls down their pants, I suck their dick, they come, they pull their pants up and they say, "See you next week." To me, that’s perfect! All the other unnecessary stuff ….that’s why I prefer having sex with straight guys-- because they’re just happy to get a good blow job. With gay guys, a blow job turns into a fuck, turns into tying up, turns into whipping, turns into fisting, you know; it’s an eight hour ordeal! I’ve got television to watch; I’ve got cigarettes to smoke; I’ve got other things to do!

JF! In your opinion, is there more to your images than just sex?

MK: Yes. One of the things I really try to do with my artwork is give context to the characters. It’s not like they’re just waiting around all day to have sex. These are stolen moments, golden opportunities; so they appreciate them more.

I’ve seen artists that, you know…..you see this naked guy lying there and he’s beautiful and he’s sexy and he’s hot but, WHAT THE HELL ELSE DOES HE DO?!! Why is he in bed at 4 o’clock in the afternoon? Why is he lying around with his legs spread; doesn’t he have anything else to do?

JF! What’s your assumption?

MK: My assumption is that he’s a crashing bore or a prostitute. I want my characters to look like, ‘This is our moment and we’ve got to grab it, take it, and celebrate it, whether it’s the gays or the straights. It’s also about choices: just like I can say, "I can either go this way and be a chicken shit, or I can roll the dice and jump right in."

I like that right before the act there’s still the possibility of pulling back. The actual sex act is not that interesting to me, the before-and-after definitely has the tension, the emotional investment, the insecurities rising to the top; and I want to get all of that because sex isn’t just wonderful; it’s also annoying, taxing, messy and, sometimes, irresponsible. Nonetheless, it’s still beautiful.

JF! Is that what you’re approaching in your work?

MK: That’s exactly it! Also, I went out of my way to give the women in my drawings an agenda. (At this moment a camera crew got noisy and Michael, with hands a flaying and full of attitude yells, "Hey, we’re taping here, you ass wipes!)…I didn’t want the women to be vacant vessels for the men to pour their lust into.

JF! Your women do look very strong both in character and physical strength.

MK: I determined, early on, that I’m never going to make anybody a victim.

Coming up in Part II of "Enfant Outré" is the work that Michael considers his most controversial, and I have to agree, in the Flazh!Foto Gallery.