Surf's Up

Our first Harry Bush drawing is one of my favorites.  The man 

seems to be surfing in various positions and states of undress.

 

Hitchhikers 1

I made this composite showing two hitchhikers, one on his way 

to California, and one on the way to the beach with his surfboard. 

 

Phaeton

Harry Bush called this one "Phaeton" who was the son of a water nymph.  It borders on the abstract, and the subject looks like 1950s physique model Jack Thompson.

 

Hitchhikers 2 . . . Or Bust

Our second hitchhiker composite shows one guy on the way to California and one 

on the way to Malibu . . . or bust.  I'm not sure what would bust, but I have an idea.

 

Carnaby Street

This looks like Carnaby Street meets California.

 

Zodiac

This Capricorn "Old Goats" Zodiac number appears

 to have been from late in Harry Bush's career.

 

California Boys

Harry Bush captured a lot of the quintessential California Boy elements in his work.  

Sun bleached (or in some cases peroxided) hair, tans, and of course surfing.

 

Cover Man

From what I can tell, Harry Bush's work began appearing in physique pictorial as early as 1963.  By January, 1966 Mr. Bush had a cover image in which a young man appears to have been sent for a disciplinary session with the camp counselor.  We all know where this is going, lol.

 

Spanky

The Little Rascals were never like this.

 

Honey Tan

Here we have a typical California scene, a neophyte sunbather with a "beginner's guide," a sheet of camp rules, and an admonition not to burn.  He's using a product called Honey Tan, and it seems to have attracted a bee . . . or is that a fly?  There's quit a bit going on here.

 

Jolly Old Saint Nick

Closing our Harry Bush series with a seasonal favorite called "Santa's Present."

A candy cane and that '66 Corvette should get him what he wants.

 

Just tickled

Although his package is far from the most pronounced in today's series,

I had to include this guy because of that beautiful smile.

 

Backyard beau

 

Somebody's backyard was the setting for this one.

Harry Bush and some Literal Inspiration

I've featured the art work of Harry Bush on the blog before, and you can check it out by clicking the label.  I recently came across some old files of his work while setting up a new PC, and I have to say I'm both pleased and puzzled by them.  They are side by side composites that show a late 60s model next to Harry Bush drawings that must have been inspired by them.  I did not make these composites, so I don't know if they were ever published like this, or if someone matched them up later.  My files don't have any info other than the obvious Harry Bush designation.  If anyone knows, please clue us in down in the comments.  I did a Google Images search, and all that came up was a reference to Handjob Magazine, a publication that is supposed to have operated 2000-2014.  We start with Douglas Turner, whom Harry Bush depicts emerging half out of a posing strap.

 

Unknown

I don't know who left the unknown model's right cheek off 

the drawing, Harry Bush or whoever made these composites.

 

Rex and Joe

This drawing seems to combine images of Rex Plummer and Joe Graffagnino, but the faces don't exactly match and it leaves a key element of Joe out.  Was it unfinished?

 

Cowboy switch

We go from cowboy to Indian in this Harry Bush drawing.  The unknown (to me) model's right arm in a completely different position, the tattoo is understandably missing, and some fake looking Native American embellishments have been added.  Otherwise, we have a copy with even the turned up corner of his mouth matching exactly.  Big Dude's favorite shadow is in both as well.

 

JIm

Jim Burke is almost literally copied in Harry Bush's drawing.

The only thin missing is the curtain.

 

Don

Harry Bush added a cap and pulled down pants to his lookalike image of Don Mercer. 

Was this just an artistic embellishment or some way to avoid copyright issues?

Again, if anyone knows the story behind these drawings, please let me know.

 

Harry Bush

Harry Bush (yes, that's his real name) did a lot of erotic art work in the 1960s and 70s, often using collegiate or athletic themes.  And sometimes it was just slightly smutty gay stuff.  His work appeared in Physique Pictorial, among other publications.  This little number is called "Roommates," and it's a favorite because it quite simply shows how well Harry knew his way around male bodies.