Member Spotlight: Joey Chabolla ✨🎨
Meet Joey Chabolla, one of the incredible members of Salon Naturale! 🌟
In this month’s Member Spotlight, we introduce you to “That Guy Joey”, Joey Chabolla.
About Joey:
Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your background?
I’m Joey Chabolla, from Dallas, Tx
It’s been a pretty long art journey. Drawing since I was a kid, I tried any medium available. My parents were very encouraging.
What inspired you to start creating art?
There was always a reason to make art. Sometimes I wanted to tell a story, or just create a beautiful design. Other times, I wanted to make people laugh.
Maturity brought me to homoerotica, just took me a while to get here.
How would you describe your artistic style?
I’d definitely categorize myself as an illustrator, sometimes in portrait, and sometimes conceptual. I like to take a figure, and put them in an environment that plays on surrealism or symbolism.
What influences your art the most?
Definitely, gay erotica. Magazines and stories. Also, Latino culture.
Are you a nudist/naturist, and how did you get into it?
Part time nudist? Don’t practice as often as I’d like to. There have been times at a campground or a beach, but those were just occasions. Making it a lifestyle, would be something else.
What challenges have you faced as a queer artist, and how have you overcome them?
As a queer artist, you can either fit in, or stand out. It’s about choosing your battles. When I chose to pursue male erotic art, I knew I was gonna limit my exposure, but I wasn’t going to change what I do. It’s a niche aesthetic, so I had to find my audience.
How do you stay inspired and motivated to create new work?
Personally, motivation is challenging myself. Challenging myself in new mediums, new skills, and new ideas. The technical execution is just as important as the design, and if I can do better…I will certainly try.
What role do you believe queer art plays in society?
Queer artists serve the community as historians. We capture the people and the culture from a variety of angles. We record moments, and illustrate the gay experience.
Can you give us a glimpse into your creative process?
It always starts with the figure, either a live model or a reference photo. I like to take the subject and use the positioning to inspire an action or put them in a situation. Combining details and design, I can refine a sketch to a completed drawing.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?
Draw everyday! It doesn’t have to be full drawing. Even a small sketch or a simple doodle can spark inspiration.
You can see more of Joey’s art at his Bluesky @thatguyjoey.bsky.social
His website is: https://joeychabolla.wixsite.com/joey-chabolla
Check out some of Joey’s amazing work below! 🎨
Stay tuned for more stories from our creative community!
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