Madison Square Park

Nice lazy day drawing in Madison Square Park today! I'm so happy that it's finally sunny, and so was everyone else. The park was mobbed! As soon as the clouds started to roll in, though, the park practically emptied out. Catch the sun while it lasts!

Pride

Yesterday was the Gay Pride Parade in New York City, and it was my first Pride event. Up until yesterday, I never really understood the relevance of Pride. It was my thought that people already understand that yes, we're here and we're queer, but now it's our job to help them get used to it. And the vocal extreme fringe minorities that I thought of when Gay Pride came to mind, were not the way to do it.

After going to the parade, yesterday, my feelings began to change. I began to see that Pride isn't about flaunting yourself, it's about camaraderie. It's about being able to go out and see the overwhelming sense of unity and support that are present in the gay community. Being able to step out anywhere in the city and feel a sense of belonging, and yes, Pride in oneself and one's community, is a wonderful feeling. A feeling that I hope soon, everyone will be able to experience. So although this was only my first Pride Parade, it won't be my last!

This post is part of my project "A Picture For A Thousand Voices".

Summer Drawing

Now that it's summer, I've gotten some time to draw around the city a little bit more! Here are a few drawings from various places in New York:

Chris: The Unwitting Model

The MoMA Sculpture Garden

The Cloisters Museum


The elms in Central Park


The Subway






Union Square
In the last one, a man had cruised this girl for about 15 minutes, and then knelt down next to her, handed her a flower and schmoozed on her for another 15 minutes. A rather ballsy (creepy) move, I thought. But she seemed to like the attention whether she was interested or not!

A Picture For A Thousand Voices

I'd like to let you all know about a project that I'm working on for the gay rights movement called "A Picture For A Thousand Voices." This is a project that seeks to help establish a dialogue between members of the LGBT community and the straight community about why the equal rights movement is a fight worth fighting. Since words have often been falling on deaf ears, I would hope that perhaps through art and illustration, these ideas can be better understood by both the straight and LGBT communities.

If you are an illustrator, ask yourself or your LGBT friends what their hopes for equal rights are and send me (evan@evanturk.com) your artwork. If you’re not an artist, send in your story, and someone can help illustrate your hope for equal rights (this includes non-gay members of the gay community!). If you are an artist and would like to be involved but don't have a story to illustrate, e-mail me and I'll find you one.

The idea of equal rights is about understanding others, not just tolerating them. If we can show others, and remind ourselves, why this fight is important, it will be that much easier to win.

I hope that you'll all participate!

-Evan

Portfolio Site!

My portfolio site of illustration and design work is now up! Take a look, I hope you enjoy it!

My Portfolio Site

Also to view more reportage work, please visit my flickr page:

My Flickr Page

-Evan