Getting Cultured With AJ Sloan: Come See Mr. Jon’s Arousing Fetish Art at the Tom of Finland Art Fair, GlobalSexual

October 6, 2023
AJ SLOAN

As the Tom of Finland Art & Culture Festival GlobalSexual approaches, we are super excited to get the chance to know the talented artist Mr. Jon, whose work will grace the event with its captivatingly erotic presence. Mr. Jon's work represents not only a celebration of the male form but also a powerful expression of love and identity within the LGBTQI+ community. With a commitment to pushing the boundaries of fine art as well as giving voice to those who may search a bit harder for intimacy, Mr. Jon is all in for the transformative potential of art. Through diverse subjects, body positivity, and the exploration of kinks and fetishes, Mr. Jon's work has a uniquely profound impact. Join us in exploring the artist's journey, inspirations, and the powerful messages conveyed through their art.

@TomsFoundation pic.twitter.com/hp2Ays45F7
— mrjonart (@mrjonart) October 4, 2023

With the Tom of Finland Art & Culture Festival GlobalSexual featuring your work this weekend, we'd love to hear your thoughts on what this exciting event will bring to the already vibrant art scene of Los Angeles.

TOF GlobalSexual is going to bring the artists, like myself, who have grown up with Tom's work. The future of unapologetic artists existing and expressing bold new creations that display an unstoppable love. Mr. Jon Art strives to push fine art boundaries and use this form of speech to give a voice to all of the LGBTQI+ community. We are all loved, but some have to search harder for that love. I AM ALL IN!!!

Your art features men of various shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, celebrating the diversity of the male form. What message or statement do you hope to convey about body positivity and representation through your work?

These are real men that I have encountered around the world and from my hometown. The diversity portrayed in my creations shows the raw beauty of every body type under the heavens. The juxtaposition of my everyday man being on display in the Los Angeles art scene is not lost on me. The men that I have painted are shy and often do not understand why I ask to paint them in the first place. Once I show them the creation they become inspired. They almost always reply with how good the work makes them feel. Then, ask to be painted again.

#gaypride pic.twitter.com/B2v2jEMAiy
— mrjonart (@mrjonart) July 20, 2023

The LGBTQ+ community has a rich history of using art to explore sexuality and identity. How does your art contribute to this tradition, and what impact do you hope it has on viewers?

I hope that the boldness in Mr. Jon's art pieces can move the viewer into more clear mental health about their sexuality. My art is not one size fits all but rather will show the viewers what they like seeing along with what they do not. The continuation of expression through art is power. Intimate identity can lead to great things for an individual. Stifled identity can lead to the opposite. Knowing oneself is the best I can hope for. Courage and love are gained through knowledge. Certain desires aren't wrong, and exercised with willing participants are exhilarating and liberating.

Your art often delves into kinks and fetishes. What draws you to these themes, and how do you approach portraying them respectfully and artistically?

Kinks and fetishes are a great way to learn about oneself and the other(s) that are sharing in these acts. Sexual pleasure is the ultimate expression of one's full self. Only so few others will ever know the true person's inner self. I have found that acting on these desires can bring people much closer together.

They have the utmost place in art because they demonstrate a level of love, trust, and bonding that when carried out between committed partners nothing else can compare. The darker it is perceived by certain groups makes it even brighter and bonding in the moment you are being invited to view is nuclear.

Can you walk us through your creative process when starting a new piece? How do you decide on the subjects, poses, and emotions you want to convey?

Everywhere I look I see a man or group of men that I want to paint. I'm constantly gaining inspiration in my daily life. The poses of the scene in real life captured in my head are usually similar to the pieces I create. Sometimes there is such a jumble of inspiration that leads to my montage creations. These are where there are so many men I want to paint and no time to do them individually, so I group them into one work. The scene unfolds into an all-inclusive piece unique to Mr. Jon's art. I'm always seeking the gambit of emotions from anticipation to experience to fulfillment.

#gayart #watercolor #watersports #fineart pic.twitter.com/gsoEuPFqOW
— mrjonart (@mrjonart) June 26, 2023

Many artists have their own rituals or sources of inspiration. Is there a particular routine or muse that helps you tap into your creative mindset?

I find sources everywhere, Grindr is a great tool for finding what men want. I have a muse in Brazil. He is an example of hesitant at first but then keeps sending me more and more content to work with. He is on the TOF static ad for my art. I am a designer by trade and am in the creative mode full-time.

What projects or themes are you currently exploring? What can we expect to see from Mr. Jon in the future?

My latest project is a kink and fetish coloring book that will be available at GlobalSexual. It is for artists that are not creators. I would like to encourage those artists to color outside the lines and truly make it their own. I will continue to create art that causes a stir and opens conversation.