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I Swim For Life ~ A Self-Portrait #515Z

Photograph of artist Stephen F. Condren in swimming briefs at LA Fitness, in Round Lake Beach, Illinois 60073, with prints and scans.

I swim for life #515Z, self-portrait photo, and pen & ink drawing with pencil contour lines, by artist, and Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery. Prints & Scans Available.

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I swim for life ~ A Self-Portrait #515Z

Fitness For A Better And Longer Lasting Life

I grew up in the Jackson Park Highlands, of South Shore, because it was near Lake Michigan. As a child I first leaned to swim at the South Shore Country Club, in South Shore, Chicago, because our family were members of the club. The club had a beautiful beach, because it was on the shores of Lake Michigan. Here is where I first learned to swim. When I started Grammar School, dad had us take swimming lessons at the Chicago Athletic Association in downtown Chicago, on Michigan Avenue, because dad was a member.

Pedigree

The Condren’s

My grandfather was Dr. Francis Leo Condren, a successful dentist with offices in the Pittsfield Building, in downtown Chicago. My father, James Corwin Condren, was an attorney, and owned Favor Ruhl & Watson art supply company at 10 S. Wabash Avenue, in downtown Chicago. Dad also owned the entire Silversmith’s Building at 10 S. Wabash, which housed Favor Ruhl.

The Dunn’s

My grandfather was Philip John Dunn, owner of the Dunn Coal & Oil Company, in Chicago. Beulah Clark was my grandmother, and she was a model, and beauty queen, because she was Miss Chicago in 1920. They lived in the duplex-penthouse, overlooking Lake Michigan, on Stratford & Lake Shore Drive, in Lakeview, Chicago, where my mother Beulah Mae Dunn grew up. Mom attended, and graduated from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish on Belmont. My parents were married in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church.

Self-portrait of artist Stephen F. Condren, in pen & ink.
Self-portrait of artist Stephen F. Condren, in pen & ink.

Chicago Athletic Association Junior Members

Saturday Schedule

At 9:00 AM, on Saturday mornings, we junior members would be at the pool and were given private swimming lessons, because we were there to learn how to swim. After the swimming lessons we then went up to the gym to exercise, then at 11:30 AM we went to the main dining room for lunch. The Main Dining Room was very grand because it overlooked Grant Park on Michigan Avenue. The club has since become a hotel call the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, because it is housed in the club’s building.

Pencil Rendering For

Below is a pen & ink drawing that I did of myself at LA Fitness, because I was working out. I swim a non-stop mile every day, because I want to live a long, and healthy life. At the end of each lap I do a somersault, and flip over resuming my swim, because it keeps my momentum going. No exercise is better for you than swimming, because it expands your lungs, and gives you more air. Your heart, brain, and lungs get more oxygen, and thus are more healthy.

Sex, Drugs, Liquor, Smoking

I have never had an STI, nor will I have any, because I do not sex-up. Drugs mean nothing to me, and I have never done drugs in my life, nor will I ever, because they are repulsive to me. I do not drink, because I am allergic to alcohol. I have never smoked in my life, because my mother warned me about smoking.

Because I Swim Everyday

I am fit, and trim, because I swim everyday. When ever I have a cut, scratch, or injury it heals quickly, because I swim every day. I run, and move quickly all day long, because I swim everyday. All day long I am never short of breath, because I swim everyday. I sleep well at night, because I swim everyday. During the day I am never tired, because I swim everyday. I always have energy, because I swim everyday.

LA Fitness

Now that I live in Lake County, Illinois, I have joined LA Fitness, because it is located in Round Lake Beach, IL. I have been a member for over two years here, and it is the greatest place to be, because they take excellent care of the facilities, and the staff is outstanding.

Photos

At the top is a photo of me just coming in from my daily swim at LA Fitness, in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, because I am ready to shower, and change. I swim a non-stop mile everyday, and do somersaults at the end of the lane so as to keep my motions continuous. LA Fitness is the best, and I am glad to have joined. The photos at the bottom are of me at the pool in LA Fitness in Round Lake Beach, IL.

I Swim For Life ~ A Self-Portrait #515Z As Fine Art

South Shore Country Club, in Chicago, on the shores of Lake Michigan. I swim for life with prints and scan by artist Stephen F. Condren of Condren Galleries.
South Shore Country Club, in Chicago, on the shores of Lake Michigan, where I first learned to swim.
Photo of the Solarium, at the South Shore Country Club overlooking the lawns on to the shores of Lake Michigan.
Photo of the Solarium, at the South Shore Country Club overlooking the lawns on to the shores of Lake Michigan, where I swam.
Façade of the Chicago Athletic Association on Michigan Avenue, downtown Chicago. I swim for life with prints and scan by artist Stephen F. Condren of Condren Galleries.
Façade of the Chicago Athletic Association on Michigan Avenue, downtown Chicago.
Grand Foyer of marble balustrade pool, of the Chicago Athletic Association.I swim for life with prints and scan by artist Stephen F. Condren of Condren Galleries.
Grand Foyer of marble balustrade pool, of the Chicago Athletic Association, home of my first swimming pool.
Members of the Chicago Athletic Association taking diving lessons at the pool.
Members of the Chicago Athletic Association taking diving lessons at the pool. My first swimming lessons were here.
Pool, now closed, at the Chicago Athletic Association.
Pool, now closed, at the Chicago Athletic Association. I grew up here, and learned how to swim.
The Main Dining Room overlooking Millennium Park, on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. I swim for life with prints and scan by artist Stephen F. Condren of Condren Galleries.
The Main Dining Room, of the Chicago Athletic Association, overlooking Millennium Park, on Michigan Avenue in Chicago.
Photo of LA Fitness in Round Lake Beach, IL.
Photo of LA Fitness in Round Lake Beach, IL.
Photo of Stephen F. Condren at the swimming pool, at LA Fitness in Round Lake Beach, Illinois.
Photo of Stephen F. Condren at the swimming pool, at LA Fitness in Round Lake Beach, Illinois.

Pen & Ink Drawings With Prints & Scans

Prints & scans available.

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I swim for life ~ a self-portrait #515Z, pen & ink self-portrait with prints & scans, by artist Stephen F. Condren of Condren Galleries.

Stephen F. Condren ~ Artist

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Male Beauty #446Z

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Gay Bartender Pen&Ink #514Z

Pen & ink drawing of a gay bar tender pouring drinks in a gay bar with low lighting, by artist Stephen F. Condren, with gay LGBTQ approved prints, and scans.

Gay bartender Pen&ink #514Z, drawing with pencil sketch, by artist, and Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery, with gay LGBTQ approved prints, and scans. Prints & Scans Of This Drawing #514Z ~ Order Here.

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Gay Bartender Pen & Ink Drawing

Bar Scene

The gay bar has been the tradition home base for the LGBTQ community, because it is a place of refuge. The gay bar offers LGBTQ men, and women the freedom to be themselves, because of the strong social stigma given to them.

Pencil Drawing

Above is my pen & ink drawing of a gay bartender, because he is pouring drinks. The bartender is the social focus of the bar, because he sets the tone of the conversation. A leading personality in the LGBTQ community, because he makes people feel good. I have made a point to detail the shadows with a good amount of hatching, and cross-hatching, because this nicely diffuses the lighting. I was careful not to put too many hatch lines in the drawing, because I did not want the drawing to become too dark. When working with pen & ink you have to be careful not to get carried away, because in the end you will ruin the drawing.

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Gay bartender Pen&ink #514Z, pen & ink drawing with pencil, offering prints & scans, by artist Stephen F. Condren of Condren Galleries, with gay LGBTQ approved prints, and scans.

Artist Stephen F. Condren Of Condren Galleries, A Fine Arts Gallery

Stephen F. Condren ~ Artist

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Male Beauty #446Z

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Gay Hookups #513Z

Gay hookups #513Z, pencil drawing of an unzipped shirtless cowboy, by artist Stephen F. Condren of Condren Galleries, with gay LGBTQ approved prints, and scans.

Gay hookups #513Z, drawing with pencil contour lines, by artist, and Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery, with gay LGBTQ approved prints, and scans. Prints & Scans Of This Drawing #513Z ~ Order Here.

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Gay Hookups

Hazardous Sex

In the world of gay hookups you have a vast spectrum of sexual options, because of on-line dating apps. With the advent of the Internet, and cell phone apps, gay hookups are far easier than ever, because you no longer have to go out to a gay bar and prowl. The horror, and danger in all of this, is that you are risking your very life, because the hookup scene is infested with swindle.

Pen & ink drawing of a gay bartender pouring drinks by artist Stephen F. Condren, with prints and scxans.
Pen & ink drawing of a gay bartender pouring drinks by artist Stephen F. Condren.

When you go on to Grindr or Gaydar, you will find all kinds of images of dudes wanting to hookup, because they are there, and waiting. The vast majority of these image are lies, because they are outdated or just not the person. It is safer to hookup at a gay bar, because you are at least meeting someone real. When you hookup with a stranger on-line be ready to get mugged or worse.

Pencil Rendering For

Above is my pencil drawing of a gay cowboy looking to hookup because his eyes are right on you, and his zipper is ajar. Is he a hustler looking for fast cash, or just newbie, because you do not know until you meet?

Sound Advice ~ Get A Proper Introduction From A Friend

The best advise I have to offer is stay at home, and do not hookup, because it is dangerous. If you need sex, then go through the appropriate channels like straight people do, because that is safer. In other words, get a proper introduction from a friend, because that is safety.

Gay hookups #513Z As Fine Art

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Gay hookups #513Z, pencil drawing of an unzipped shirtless cowboy, by artist Stephen F. Condren of Condren Galleries, with gay LGBTQ approved prints, and scans.

Artist Stephen F. Condren Of Condren Galleries, A Fine Arts Gallery

Stephen F. Condren ~ Artist

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Sex Is A Swindle #452Z

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Paul Tillich #512Z

Pen & ink drawing of Theologian Paul Tillich by artist Stephen F. Condren, with prints and scans.

Paul Tillich #512Z, pen & ink portrait with pencil sketch, by artist, and Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery. Prints & Scans Order Here.

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Prints & Scans Order Here.

Paul Tillich

German Theologian

A peer of the famous New Testament Theologian Albert Schweitzer, Paul Tillich ranks as one of the greatest Theologians of the 20th Century, because he understood New Testament times. Both he, and Albert Schweitzer died in the same year, 1965. Paul Tillich was more philosophical in his Theological approach than Albert Schweitzer, because he was more of a Philosopher than a New Testament Scholar. New Testament scholars are absorbed with the technical aspects of the text, whereas Theologian are more abstract in their writings.

Albert Schweitzer

Pen & Ink Drawing Of Paul Tillich #512Z

Above is my pen & ink drawing of Paul Tillich, because he was a professor at the University of Chicago. He wrote his famous Systematic Theology while at the University of Chicago. This work is very profound and looks at the Bible and Christianity in contemporary terms. Paul Tillich never attempts to put new wine into old wineskins, because he is a first rate thinker.

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Paul Tillich #512Z, pen & ink portrait with prints & scans, by artist Stephen F. Condren, of Condren Galleries.

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Paul Tillich, Systematic Theology, Ultimate Concern And It’s Impact On Social Justice And Aesthetics #127Z

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Mindset Of Biblical Authors #511Z

Mindset of Biblical authors #511Z, inspired writers pen & ink drawing with pencil, offering prints & scans, by artist Stephen F. Condren of Condren Galleries.

Mindset of Biblical authors #511Z, inspired writers pen & ink drawing with pencil sketch, by artist, and Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery. Prints & Scans Order Here.

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Prints & Scans Order Here.

Mindset Of Biblical Authors

Those Who Look Backwards

It must be made clear in the mind of today, the mindset of the authors of the Bible, because they are far removed from us. People today very wrongly pick up a recent translation of the Bible, and read it like it was fresh off of the press, because they think it is current work. The Bible is not current at all, because it was written thousands of years ago. Further, these people did not write in our language, because they wrote in remote Semitic, and Greek.

Pencil Drawing

Above is my drawing of a Jewish Rabbi writing in the Tora, because he is a devout Jew. Most of the New Testament was written by Jews, because the first Christians were all Jews. These Jews were what we call today “Judaizers”, because they were Christians that follow the Jewish Laws.

This is all fine and good, however, these people barely knew if the world was round, that there is a subconscious, and that we are formed genetically, not made from Adam & Eve. Further, these people were not aware of light, and the Theory of Relativity, Nuclear Fission, and Radioactivity. To even have the most remote expectation to ask a man of modern times to embrace a mindset of such crude, and remote circumstances, is pure folly. These people only look to Moses, and the law attempting to make people of their time fit into the old wineskins of the Tora. These were people only looking backwards, because they did not know anything else.

Humanity

The best course of action is to read what they have written, and to interpret it in our times, as we know and understand where they are writing from. For surely, their writings are not hot off of the press, and not fresh. I speak with respect, and not with disparagement, because few people in the History of the World have offered more to humanity than the Jews. Now, let us wisely take what they have given to us, because we can always learn something when we open our minds.

Below is my pen & ink drawing of Theologian Paul Tillich.

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Mindset of Biblical authors #511Z, inspired writers pen & ink drawing with pencil, offering prints & scans, by artist Stephen F. Condren of Condren Galleries.

Artist Stephen F. Condren Of Condren Galleries, A Fine Arts Gallery

Stephen F. Condren ~ Artist

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Zombie Of Easter Sunday #408Z

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Holy Spirit Clorox #510Z

Pen & ink drawing of the Holy Spirit, as a dove, baptizing Jesus with a bottle of Clorox, by artist Stephen F. Condren, with prints and scans.

Holy Spirit Clorox #510Z, pen & ink drawing with pencil sketch, by artist, and Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery. Prints & Scans Order Here.

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Prints & Scans Order Here.

Holy Spirit And Clorox

Bleaching Out Miracles In The Bible

The Bible is a book that looks backwards, because it is written by backward thinking people. The Bible is not the inspired word of God, because it was written by mortal men. No book has ever been written that is inspired by God, because that is a myth. A better word to use is motivator, or encourager, but not inspired, because that smacks of the Divine.

Pencil Drawing

Above is my pen & ink drawing of the Holy Spirit holding a bottle of Clorox over Jesus, because He is going to bleach out the myths of the Bible. Great thinkers like Albert Schweitzer, and Rudolph Bultmann have worked very hard to come closer to the true meaning of the message of the Bible.

People that believe that the Bible is the inspired word of Go are putting themselves to a disadvantage, because they are not being objective. The Bible needs to be read like a common book, because all of the miracles need to be stripped out. These miracles were meant to enhance the authority of the writing, however, they only make it less credible, because all miracles are fables.

Approach

The most important thing to understand is your approach to the Bible, because that affects how you read it. If you approach the Bible like those from the Chicago Statement of Biblical Inerrancy, then you have a very limited understanding of the task at hand. If you want to get a better understanding of the Bible read it for yourself, because others will have you read it in their way.

Below is my drawing of Jesus preaching.

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Holy Spirit Clorox #510Z, pen & ink drawing with pencil, offering prints & scans, by artist Stephen F. Condren of Condren Galleries.

Artist Stephen F. Condren Of Condren Galleries, A Fine Arts Gallery

Stephen F. Condren ~ Artist

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Case For Saint Stephen #298Z

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Sinaiticus Redaction Criticism #506Z

Sinaiticus Redaction Criticism #506Z, pen & ink drawing, prints & scans, by artist Stephen F. Condren.

Sinaiticus Redaction Criticism #506Z, a pun of Biblical Criticism pen & ink drawing with pencil sketch, by artist, and Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery. Prints & Scans Order Here.

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Prints & Scans Order Here.

Sinaiticus

Ancient New Testament Manuscripts

Found by Constantin von Tischendorf, Sinaiticus is one of the oldest Bible manuscipts in the world, because it was found in its place of origin. Sinaiticus ranks in status with Codex Vaticanus in historicity, because of it’s authenticity. Modern Bible research has taken a secular stance on the hermeneutics of the Bible, because they think is written by man not God. I agree with this view, because the Bible is a document made by men. The inspiration of the Bible is personal, because all people approach it with different points of view.

Bible scholars from all over the world look to Sinaiticus for deeper understanding of the Scripture, because it is closer to Jesus. The logic is that if the manuscript is old it is a closer news account of the life of Jesus, because hit would be an eye witness.

Pencil Drawing

Above is my pen & ink drawing with pencil sketch of Sinaiticus being cut to pieces, because it is a pun on Biblical Criticism. The scene takes place in Tischendorf Hardware, where scissors, and razors are being used to cut apart Codex Sinaiticus, because it is cleaning up the Bible. A portrait of Constantin von Tischendorf hand on the hardware store wall, because he is the owner. The razors are manufactured by Bultmann Incorporated, because they are a discount razor supplier.

Below is my drawing of the Holy Spirit bleaching out the miracles from the Gospels, because miracles are not real.

Sinaiticus Redaction Criticism #506Z, pen & ink drawing by artist Stephen F. Condren. Drawing of the Holy Spirit holding a bottle of Clorox over Jesus being baptized.
Pen & ink drawing of the Holy Spirit as a dove hovering over Jesus in the Jordan River, baptizing Him with a bottle of Clorox, by artist Stephen F. Condren.
Sinaiticus Redaction Criticism #506Z, pen & ink drawing by artist Stephen F. Condren. Drawing of Jesus sitting with His followers.
Pen & ink drawing of Jesus teaching to the people by artist Stephen F. Condren.

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Sinaiticus Redaction Criticism #506Z, pen & ink drawing, with prints & scans, by artist Stephen F. Condren of Condren Galleries.

Artist Stephen F. Condren Of Condren Galleries, A Fine Arts Gallery

Stephen F. Condren ~ Artist

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Rudolph Bultmann #505Z

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Rudolph Bultmann #505Z

Rudolph Bultmann #505Z, pen & ink drawing with pencil, by artist Stephen F. Condren.

Rudolph Bultmann #505Z, Theologian, pen & ink drawing with pencil sketch, by artist, and Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery. Prints & Scans Order Here.

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Rudolph Bultmann

New Testament Theologian

Rudolph Bultmann was a German New Testament Theologian that changed the course of modern Bible scholarship, because of his approach to the original Bible documents. Bultmann developed Form Criticism, and expanded Redaction Criticism, as tools of Biblical research. He is in league with the Lutheran Theologian, Albert Schweitzer, whose work changed the course of modern Biblical studies.

Below is my drawing of Tischendorf Hardware, because it is a pun on Biblical Criticism.

Sinaiticus Redaction Criticism #506Z, pen & ink drawing by artist Stephen F. Condren. The drawing shows scissors, and razors cutting up Codex Sinaiticus of Tischendorf by Rudolph Bultmann.
Pen & ink drawing of Sinaiticus being cut to pieces by Rudolph Bultmann as a pun about Biblical Criticism, by artist Stephen F. Condren.

Below is a link to my article on Albert Schweitzer, because he is a Bible scholar.

Below is my drawing of Norman Perrin, because he is a New Testament Scholar.

Pencil Drawing

Above is my pen & ink drawing of Rudolph Bultmann with pencil sketch below, because the sketch lines show through rendering. I have made use of contour line, because I want to bring out the form of his face. More use of bold lines have been made, because cross-hatched lines can become confusing. With figures that have little lighting contrast it is best to use contour lines, because they are strong.

Below is my drawing of Martin Marty.

Below is my drawing of David Tracy.

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Rudolph Bultmann #505Z, pen & ink drawing with pencil, by artist Stephen F. Condren.

Prints & Scans Order Here.

Artist Stephen F. Condren Of Condren Galleries, A Fine Arts Gallery

Stephen F. Condren ~ Artist

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Zombie Of Easter Sunday #408Z

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Gay Cowboy Pen&Ink #502Z

Gay cowboy pen&ink #502Z, drawing with pencil, by artist Stephen F. Condren.

Gay cowboy pen&ink #502Z, drawing with pencil contour lines, by artist, and Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery. Prints & Scans Order Here.

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Prints & Scans Order Here.

Gay Cowboy Pen & Ink

Erotic Male

This pen & ink drawing of a gay cowboy is one of my favorites, because it has captured the spirit of the inner gay male. His eyes are covered with the crossed-hatched lines of my pen. This is a very alluring image, because you cannot see his eyes. The 10-gallon hat covering his head, and eyes, are nicely detailed with vertical hatched lines, because the lines are closely aligned.

Gay Cowboy Pen & Ink #502Z

The use of the pen & ink in this drawing is exceptionally well executed, because of the use of fine lines. The lighting is strong so, because the contrast is high in the drawing. I have used fine pen lines to capture the shading, because a thicker pen would be too blunt. He is looking up and resting his back on the wall, because he is taking in the sun.

Below is my pencil drawing of a hot gay cowboy, because he is looking at you!

Below is my drawing of the face of a gay cowboy, because his eyes are in shadow.

Below is my article on Cupid Chastised, because it is a beautiful gay love story.

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Gay cowboy pen&ink #502Z, drawing with pencil, by artist Stephen F. Condren.

Stephen F. Condren ~ Artist

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Shirtless Gay Cowboy #441Z

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Gay Cowboy Drawing #501Z

Pencil drawing of a gay cowboy with 10-gallon hat by artist Stephen F. Condren.

Gay cowboy drawing #501Z, in pencil with contour lines, by artist, and Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery. Prints & Scans Order Here.

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Prints & Scans Order Here.

Gay Cowboy Drawing

Male Beauty

This drawing of the gay cowboy is similar to my last one, because my focus in on his head. His persona is very difficult to capture, because I do not want to stoop down to copying photos. I demand to capture his expression, because I will not sacrifice my talent on mindless reproductions.

Gay Cowboy Drawing #501Z

Above is my pencil drawing of the gay cowboy, because I want to capture his persona. The photo that I am working with is not clear, because of the soft lighting in the image. I must try, and try again until I have achieve my goal, because I will not compromise my talent.

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Gay cowboy drawing #501Z, in pencil, by artist Stephen F. Condren.

Gay Cowboy Drawing #497Z

Gay Cowboy Drawing #488Z

Beautiful Male

Male Beauty #446Z, with pen & ink drawings by artist Stephen F. Condren.
Pen & ink drawing of a shirtless gay cowboy.

Stephen F. Condren ~ Artist

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Gay Cowboy Drawing #500Z