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Marcus Barela

@marcusmonster

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International Mr. Leather #IML45
Eagle LA Mr. Leather 2023
“You know you like this durrrty POP!” 💥
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I’ve hesitated to post this because I feel like I’m supposed to write the perfect caption or my posts should tell the story of the lead up to this moment in just the right way… Or maybe I hesitate out of fear that nothing I write will properly convey how special this moment was for me… That’s just a glimpse into my inner dialogue. I’m sure you have a similar voice that you encounter in your head… Rather then continue to ramble, I’ll tell this story… In the beginning of this speech I tell my experience of coming out to a Catholic priest in confession. This priests response to me was “You’re going to have to accept that about yourself if you’re ever going to be happy.” Hours after that moment in confession I finally told my parents that “I don’t like girls, the way I’m supposed to.” I still wasn’t ready to fully admit that I was gay because I had never been with a guy. For that matter, I also hadn’t been with a girl either but I knew deep down inside I was gay. I always knew it. My parents loved me unconditionally from that moment and continue to love me unconditionally to this day. I know I’m lucky to have this experience and I’m grateful. I had a new thought I’d never thought before as I was waiting to walk on to that stage and say my speech. I thought of the moment I was sitting in that chair in front of that priest the day I decided to finally let go of the biggest secret that I’d been keeping my whole life. I thought of that priest, whose face I can’t remember but whose words have stayed with me like a tattoo that’s been inked into my heart. I told myself, “this is for you, where ever you are in this world, I send my most sincere gratitude to you for changing my life with your words.” With his words, this priest saved my life. It is my honor, privilege, and mission to continue to spread the gratitude I have for all of those who have helped me become who I am today. I believe that through my expression of sincere gratitude, my experience has the power to help others and hopefully lead them to the joy, light, and love of connection. Thank you Father (?????) for that moment in San Angelo, Texas when you saved this little gay boy’s life. 💖 #IML45 taken in Auditorium Theater, Chicago by @marcusmonster
246
3 years ago
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Opening Ceremony IML 45 Mariachi chaps made by @bearhoncho @roughtradegear #IML45 #roughtradegear #IML #InternationalMrLeather by @marcusmonster
88
3 years ago
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@marcusmonster and I met at IMLBB 48. We quickly bonded about our shared love and interest about the artist Etienne, who also signed his art Stephen - but whose real name was Domingo ‘Dom’ Orejudos. He was business and creative partners with Chuck Renslow and was heavily involved in developing the aesthetic of leather culture and fantasy, including, but not limited to, the creation of the International Mr. Leather contest. Marcus and I questioned why we (collectively) knew so little about this man and his story and decided to do something about it 💥 5 months later, we are well underway in the documentation of oral histories from our surviving elders and balls deep into archival research about this creative giant. I’m heading home after 3 amazing days with Marcus - time at the library at Tom House (an incredible resource, that should not be lost!), a FULL day at ONE Archives. My brain is full and my creative spirit surges with love, energy and inspiration. Thank you to Marcus for being copilot on this project. YOU ARE THE BEST. Can’t wait to see where this project takes us next. Wanna help? Follow @etiennerising We are looking for specific materials published by Target Studios Including: Dart (any issues) -The Drawing Series DA-1 Mothertruckers DA-2 DA-3 DA-4 Sporting Life DA-5 Master Sergeant DA-6 Night Patrol DA-7 Rough Games DA-8 DA-9 DA-10 Different Strokes DA-11 Leather Garage DA-12 Hot Broncs DA-13 Bike Buddies DA-14 Night Flight DA-15 Macho Militaire DA-16 Navy Grease AdventureTIME (Vol 2 (Issue 4-6) and Vol 3 (7-9) Eternal gratitude to Bob and the @_leatherarchives_ for their support #etiennerising by @marcusmonster
25
15 hours ago
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The Hunter’s Moon has risen, and the night belongs to the wild. The shadows are growing. And something is calling from the darkness. Will you answer the call? Follow the moon. Trust your instincts. Let the hunt begin. Boots and Boards Collage Workshop When: Monday 10/26 6pm-9pm Location: @eagle_la 4219 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029 Hosted by: Mr IML 45 @marcusmonster Mr Bear LA 26 @bapho.matt Supplies provided. Feel free to bring any magazines/images you would like to include. taken in Eagle LA by @marcusmonster
5
19 days ago
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PV TOMORROW The past 10 weeks have been an insanely creative ride… And I met many wonderful men here in LA who I portrayed for my upcoming exhibition CODES OF BELONGING. Today I am posting some footage from a recent session with the amazing International Mr. Leather IML#45 / Eagle LA Mr. Leather 2023 @marcusmonster at the Eagle Bar - Thank you Marcus for being such a wonderful inspiration. You are warmly invited to my solo exhibition CODES OF BELONGING at the Tom of Finland Foundation in LA. The exhibition brings together drawings and paintings created during my residency, including works that incorporate fragments of garments, extending the narrative beyond the drawn image. They explore how dress shapes identity, and how clothing can evoke confidence, belonging, nostalgia, and desire. I will also premiere segments from a film project created at TOM House with artist and writer Alexander Abramov @abramov_lex , exploring the intimate relationship between artist and muse — the act of observing, being observed, drawing, and allowing oneself to be seen. During the exhibition, I will also host an Artist Talk, sharing the personal journey behind my work: from the gay leather scene of 1990s Germany, to studying menswear at the Royal College of Art in London, designing for a leather fetish brand, and creating costumes for dance, ballet, and opera — and ultimately to my residency here at TOM House. Opening Reception: Thursday 17th September 18:00h–21:00h Please RSVP https://givebutter.com/georg-meyer-wiel-codes-of-belonging Artist Talk: Saturday 19th September, 15:00–16:00 Limited to 20 places. Almost sold out. Please RSVP https://givebutter.com/codes-of-belonging-qa-artist-talk General Admission: 18th–22nd September, by appointment only (DM me) Tom of Finland Foundation, 1421 Laveta Terrace, Los Angeles @tomoffinlandfoundation #artistresidency #londonartist #gayart #contemporaryartcollector taken in Tom of Finland Foundation by @marcusmonster
104
a month ago
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Thank you to everyone who came for the last Boots and Boards to let go and be creative for a few hours. Looking forward to seeing everyone again in October! The Hunter’s Moon has risen, and the night belongs to the wild. The shadows are growing. And something is calling from the darkness. Will you answer the call? Follow the moon. Trust your instincts. Let the hunt begin. Boots and Boards Collage Workshop When: Monday 10/26 6pm-9pm Location: @eagle_la 4219 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029 Hosted by: Mr IML 45 @marcusmonster Mr Bear LA 26 @bapho.matt Supplies provided. Feel free to bring any magazines/images you would like to include. taken in Eagle LA by @marcusmonster
10
a month ago
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Thank you to everyone who came for the last Boots and Boards to let go and be creative for a few hours. Looking forward to seeing everyone again in October! The Hunter’s Moon has risen, and the night belongs to the wild. The shadows are growing. And something is calling from the darkness. Will you answer the call? Follow the moon. Trust your instincts. Let the hunt begin. Boots and Boards Collage Workshop When: Monday 10/26 6pm-9pm Location: @eagle_la 4219 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029 Hosted by: Mr IML 45 @marcusmonster Mr Bear LA 26 @bapho.matt Supplies provided. Feel free to bring any magazines/images you would like to include. taken in Eagle LA by @marcusmonster
2
a month ago
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Thank you to everyone who came last week to let go and be creative for a few hours. Looking forward to seeing everyone again in October! The Hunter’s Moon has risen, and the night belongs to the wild. The shadows are growing. And something is calling from the darkness. Will you answer the call? Follow the moon. Trust your instincts. Let the hunt begin. Boots and Boards Collage Workshop When: Monday 10/26 6pm-9pm Location: @eagle_la 4219 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029 Hosted by: Mr IML 45 @marcusmonster Mr Bear LA 26 @bapho.matt Supplies provided. Feel free to bring any magazines/images you would like to include. taken in Eagle LA by @marcusmonster
8
2 months ago
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A few sketches from a very memorable afternoon with the amazing International Mr. Leather IML#45 / Eagle LA Mr. Leather 2023 @marcusmonster up in Tom's room, where I resided for the first month of my stay here in LA - Thank you Marcus for your patience and infectious smile. I’m currently Artist in Residence at the Tom of Finland Foundation and for the past couple of months have been working with local gay men on a new series of portraits for my upcoming solo exhibition at the Foundation, 'Codes of Belonging'. #artistresidency #londonartist #artforsale #omhouse @tomoffinlandfoundation taken in Tom of Finland Foundation by @marcusmonster
106
2 months ago
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Here comes the Sturgeon Moon, ready to share the bounties of the ocean. Are you following the tides, and riding the waves? It is your time to set a course, and open the sails. Prepare to cast off toward the dreams on your horizon! Boots and Boards Collage Workshop When: Wednesday 8/26 6pm-9pm Location: @eagle_la 4219 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029 Hosted by: Mr IML 45 @marcusmonster Mr Bear LA 26 @bapho.matt Supplies provided. Feel free to bring any magazines/images you would like to include. If you’re still reading there will be key lime pie. taken in Eagle LA by @marcusmonster
6
2 months ago
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My G00ners shirt has been getting lots of love in LA. My good friend and creative partner @marcusmonster bejizzled and featured (amongst many 🔥looks) while emceeing the Mr Rough Trade Gear’s annual Leather Competition AND earlier in July the whole bar staff customized and bejizzled their own versions at @jerkofalltrades wildly creative and fun @hollyweird_la party - both events at The Eagle LA. Thanks to Seth and Marcus for letting me add some of my own perverted whimsy to the creative cauldron. I heart you guys. 💙🖤 taken in Eagle LA by @marcusmonster
18
2 months ago
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Seeking donations of used magazines and books for our collage workshop. Please contact us if you have any to spare. by @marcusmonster
3
2 months ago
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