BG Exclusive interview!

Fillion promises to change all that. Selected as one of the artists for Antebellum Gallery's Toonfetish! exhibition, Fillion proves he is a true star of the gay art world. He has re-energized a classic medium and gifted it to a more mature, though no less horny, audience. Oh, and it doesn't hurt that he's so damn cute!

But size queens be warned! You ain't seen nothing quite this big before ...

some of the members of Fillion's comics

BananaGuide: How do you feel about being one of the artists selected for the ToonFetish showcase at Antebellum Gallery?

Patrick Fillion: I am very pleased and proud to be a part of the show.  I think that Toonfetish! is making a powerful statement – gay erotic art is truly a legitimate and worthwhile form of art.  It is deserving of recognition and attention, and is a growing genre which boasts many extremely talented creators. 

And I wasn't censored in any way when it came to selecting the pieces that would be included in the show.  This is also extremely important to me.  This is one of the first shows to my knowledge that is embracing Gay Erotica for its true colors and not trying to bend it into something its not, or only show a small portion of it. 

Why comic books? What is it about this particular medium that attracts you?

I love characters and being able to tell their story through art and narrative.  Comics are perfect for that because you can really explore every facet of a character’s personality. 

I also love that comics permit you to go to the extreme and really bring a story to life.  They can be quite animated in their own right.

From the comic "Rapture"

So many artists say that art has been a huge part of their life since they were young kids. When did you first discover your interest in drawing/art?

My parents like to joke that I was born with a pencil in hand! I have always loved art and drawing, and can remember drawing as young as 3 years old.  I just preferred doing that to playing in the sandbox with trucks and shovels. 

When I was 6, my family moved from Quebec to British Columbia, and this is where and when I first discovered comic books.  I was immediately captivated by the X-Men, the Avengers and the Defenders to name just a few.  This was art that mesmerized me like nothing I’d ever seen before.  I think my love for those characters and their adventures threw my love of drawing into overdrive.

And when did this translate into adult illustration?

It wasn't long before I was drawing my own personal collection of more "adult" themed images.  Of course, I wasn't sharing any of these with anyone.  I think I was too young to really understand their meaning at that point.  But somehow comics just naturally evolved into adult themed work.  Maybe it was all the skin tight spandex that did it to me! 

Do you remember the first naked man you ever drew?

Would you believe that I was 7 years old when I drew my first naked male figure?  I remember quite clearly. I took great pains to color him as well as I could.  I cherished the drawing for a long, long time, hiding it under my bed.  I had slipped it into some comics for safe keeping.  But eventually I got too scared that my folks would find him, so I ripped him up and threw him away!  I wish I still had that image.  I'm sure it was really crappy since I was so young when I drew it, but it would be a cool memento to have today! 

I don't think I felt I had been "bad" by drawing the image so much that I just had a sense it would not be understood by anyone else.  I can't say I fully understood the meaning of the image myself... I just knew I found it really beautiful.  It wouldn't be until much much later that I'd really understand the real significance of it.

Flamer!

What inspires your style?

Men are beautiful things, and I love drawing them.  But more than that I love my characters deeply and get such a charge drawing their exploits.  I really feel the need to bring them to life, and I think that desire really fuels my artistic style.

I think style-wise the things that influence me are the need to continue to improve in my craft and learn as much as I can.  I think any artist worth his or her salt has to be open-minded to constantly learning about their craft.  It's the only to keep on getting better at it. 

And why so graphic?

If by "graphic" you mean "sexually intense", then I can only say that I think that sex and the naked human form are beautiful things.  I think I love to draw them because they are very honest subjects.  You can't hide a thing when you're naked, and you are probably the most honest and vulnerable when you're having sex.  I like to think I can infuse some depth of emotion into my art and I really believe this is one of the biggest reasons that I am pulled towards depicting this type of art.

Did you find it difficult coming out as an artist of adult material? 

It took me a long time to fully comprehend and accept my adult material, so yes, it was not easy coming out as an artist of adult material... but it was vital.  I think it was really the only way I was ever going to affirm myself as a gay man and as the artist I was supposed to be. 

Not the comic most art teachers would encourage!

How did you come to embrace that part of yourself?

I had a fantastic art teacher in High School who was not afraid to go against the grain.  I think she could see that I had a drive to draw stuff that most people in a small community might frown upon.  She really encouraged me to just draw what I felt and not be ashamed about it.  I owe her a lot actually, because she did help me to find my voice as an artist. 

Moving to Vancouver after I graduated from high school really helped.  I made new friends, and met a lot of gay people who were very supportive and positive people to have around.  I think as I came out as a gay man I also came out as an artist of adult material.  Suddenly I had no more doubts and I was free to just be who I was, both on a personal and artistic level. 

Have you noticed a change in people's reactions to your work over the years?
How have they changed?

Yeah, people's reactions have changed a lot over time.  At first my family was a little shocked by what I do, but now they all regard it and respect it as erotic art.  My parents even have some pieces of my work hanging in their home, and they are always very proud to show it off to visitors.

As for the public at large, I think they are used to the fact that I am going to show them the most unabashed renditions I possibly can – not because my aim is to "shock" or "surprise", but because it’s an integral part of who I am. 

"Satisfaction Guaranteed"

You've started a new blog called Artistic License. Why?

Artistic License is a place where I can showcase art that I do "for fun."  It's important to me because sometimes I do feel the need to draw people with their clothes on!  It's rare, but it happens.

It's also my way of saying "hey!  I have layers!" I think a lot of people think that most artists of adult material do nothing but, but that isn't the case.  I think it's cool for people to get to peruse my non-adult works. 

Also, on a personal note for me, I love drawing strong, glamorous women.  I don't often get the opportunity to, so it's cool to have a blog that permits me to flex those muscles and show off the results a little. Hence my tribute to the Women of Marvel Comics! 

If you were given carte blanche to rework one of your favorite comic book characters, who would it be and what would you change?

Honestly I haven't always loved the direction my fave Marvel Comics characters have been written in.  Like all comic fans, I have my favorite writers and artists, and for the most part I believe that most comic book characters are handled with love and genuine respect... but I think I might really enjoy a chance to play with Nightcrawler a bit.  I think it would be cool to do a gay version of Nightcrawler.  He is so damn sexy!  It wouldn't have to be a strictly adult comic – maybe just be rated "Mature" – but I think it would be a lot of fun.  I'd love to do a story where he encounters another male character that he finds himself completely attracted to and how that plays into his understanding of himself.  

Patrick Fillion's rendition of Nightcrawler

In general though, I think the world of mainstream comics could use a few more Gay characters.  I think any Marvel project where the protagonist is a Gay superhero would be a lot of fun to do – so long of course as I could sexy 'em up – even just a little! 

What is Boytoons all about?

Boytoons is my way of "being out there!" I know that might sound kinda funny, but I got to a point where I felt a bit isolated.  I felt that it would be really cool to have direct contact with my fans and readers.  Boytoons Magazine is a great way for me to do that, but in a manner that permits me to be really creative and have fun at it. 

I am also a huge fan of several other artists of Gay erotic art and I use Boytoons to talk about their work and showcase their art.  If I can help to further expose the talent of another artist, that feels great to me.  It's kind of how I can give back to the fans and to Gay Pop Culture. 

Offering something back to the gay comunity means a lot to you...

It's really important to me to be a positive voice in the Gay community.  I want to participate and help our community grow as much as I can.  It does no one any good to just take and take.  I believe in giving back as well.  The Gay community has been extremely good to me and has really given me a huge break.  I appreciate that so much. 

"Space Cadet"

Do you get turned on by your own work? Ever? Any of your characters in particular?

Ah yes – THAT question!  The honest truth is that yes, my work turns me on – not always, mind you.  Sometimes it's really intensive work and the arousing elements aren't going to work on me – but when I first pencil an illustration, that is usually when I find it will work on me... that way!  I guess I also figure that if I find it hot, odds are others will, too. 

Characters that I get turned on by in particular – that would definitely  have to be Camili-Cat and Locus.  I just love drawing them and I find them so frikkin’ hot!  With Cam it's his whole "I'm a ravenous bottom – gimme more" attitude.  He's got a voracious sexual appetite, but he is the biggest softy.  Plus I find him physically really beautiful.

With Locus, it's his self confidence.  I think Locus is the first character I’ve created that is completely sure of himself.  He can sometimes be a bit arrogant, but under it all he's a real sweetheart.  I love that about him and it makes him so hot in my eyes. 

Camili-cat striking a pose.

What do you want people to take away from your work?

Much more than just the sex!  Yes, I would love for them to enjoy the erotic aspects of my work, but I would also hope that they could find something in the characters or story that appeals to them.  It's always my intention to further develop each character with each comic and illustration I create. 

When fans write and tell me how much they love a certain character because they can relate to him, that above everything else and every other kind of compliment makes my day.  It means that as a story teller, I’ve done more than just get people off – I’ve given them something in which they can become personally interested and invested.  Hopefully that fires their imagination.  That's what comics are all about after all.  I’d love to think I can do that – even just a little.

As for my illustrations, I’d love for people to walk away with a sense of the artistry that has gone into them.  Each piece is extremely time consuming and done with so much love.  I do it for the love of the craft and of expression and for the love of being able to express myself and who I am. That is really important to me.  If people get that, and if it helps them with being more expressive themselves, then I feel that gives my work real meaning. 

What's next for you?

As for what's next for me at Class Comics, I want to continue to develop the company with my partner Fraser.  He and I have big hopes and dreams for Class.  We laugh about it all the time, but we want Class Comics to become a "mini Gay Marvel Comics" of sorts.  In order to get there, we have started publishing the works of other artists of Gay erotic comics.  There's a whole bunch of other artists we're looking at and tons of cool new comics on the way.  We are always on the lookout for new talent. 

We want to continue developing our stories and characters and hopefully ensure that they become a staple of Gay Pop Culture!   

Personally, I have several new projects on the go.  I have a new hard cover art book called "Bliss" coming out in the fall of 2007 through the publisher Bruno Gmunder.  I have several new comics I’m working on for Class Comics and a few other personal ventures I want to look at. 

But mostly I just want to keep having fun and loving what I do.  I really believe that so long as I can continue to draw and write comics for a living, that won't be a problem!  It's, like, the best job ever!  

Dominion

Class Comic characters

The only question unanswered: Why can't we look that good in spandex?

• Patrick Fillion Official homepage [patrickfillion.com]
• Class Comics [classcomics.com]
• Artistic License Blog [Artistic License]
• Boytoons Blog [Boytoons]