Swept Away
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| Fan Art | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Swept Away |
| Artist: | Shelley Butler as Scarlett |
| Date(s): | either 2004 or 2009 (date on art) |
| First Published: | |
| Medium: | |
| Genre/Style: | |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: TOS |
| External Links: | |
| online at AO3 | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Swept Away is an illo by Scarlett aka Shelley Butler.
It was printed in Devotion (Star Trek: TOS zine) in 2016 and KiScon in 2017.
Artist's Comments
I see Spock as a powerful Vulcan--- strong and passionate, but yet very sensitive. Here he is overcome with desire as his proper Vulcan side is swept away.No scans, some internet, but unusable for source material. K/S artists would sometimes take pictures off the TV for source material! Me --- I searched the gay porn magazines. These were only helpful a little because I didn't need lots of erect penises. I needed only loving embraces, of which there weren't many in gay porn magazines. And then there was the matter of getting any reproductions for prints. Artists had to take their originals to printer shops and be faced with explaining what the artworks were about.
This piece, as most of my others, are done with graphite pencil. And lots and lots of love. [1]
Fan Comments
2007
Young Kirk and Spock in bed together for the very first time, or so I imagine. Kirk looks properly stunned. Perhaps he’s contemplating the way all his dreams have come true, and how very much he loves his first officer. Spock’s looks like his eyes are closed. Has this really happened? Has he found his real home at last? As always, I’m amazed by the texture Shelley gets into her art: smooth sweep of Kirk’s chest, fluffy pillow, Spock’s hair. The faces are done to perfection." Another fan writes: "This is an interesting study...done in the impeccable realistic style we have come to expect from Ms. Butler. But it raises many questions. The pose is very fine, suggestive of post-intimacy. Kirk has his head on a bed pillow; Spock is leaning on his elbow, gazing down at him. What raises the questions are their expressions. Spock’s is somewhere between dreamy and studious. Kirk has lines around his eyes and that familiar crease in the center of his forehead that tell me he is deep in thought. Since Shelley calls this “the beginning,” it really begs to have a story along with it to tell me what both men are thinking. The likenesses are impeccable, their masculinity and strength shows in every line. This lady knows her Kirk and Spock! I just wish I knew what they were thinking… [2]
2022
Stunningly beautiful! [3]
I am so thrilled that I bought this print at KiScon. I wake up looking at it each morning as it hangs on my bedroom wall. In addition to K/S, I've always loved Gone with the Wind. This print reminded me of Rhett kissing Scarlett "swept away" in passion before he carries her up the wide staircase. It only helps that you signed your name as "Scarlett"!!!
- I love that you made the connection! I forgot that I signed that piece as Scarlett. I had thought I only signed one very explicit piece as Scarlett that had been commissioned. But thank you SO much for your kind words![4]
This is truly beautiful! Amazing work, love the light and shadow they are arranged so well!
I draw too, most with my pad and stylus, it’s very convenient to draw in apps, ctrl+z, rescale element, allow you to make a lot of mistakes…So I understand that it’s really challenging to draw with actual pen and paper, and the outcomes hold a vibe that digital art can’t simulate👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
- I can't imagine what it would have been like to have had the digital technology back then! Some good things came from having to use pencil and paper---I got to deeply study every feature of Kirk and of Spock. One example was Kirk's eyelashes were so long, they cast shadows on his cheeks! And don't get me started on Spock's silky gorgeous hair. But thank you for explaining a bit about your digital art. I've seen some really beautiful work. Could you post some of yours here?[5]
My favorite so far!! [6]
Lovely piece of work! I think you got them just right. [7]
I love it!! Seeing Spock as more dominant is a nice twist since we often see Kirk as the initiator. Beautiful.[8]
I'm so glad you've posted your art work to AO3. I enjoyed it back in the day of paper zines and it's wonderful to see it again. You were always one of my favorite artists! [9]
Your work causes me to literally catch my breath each time a drawing opens on my too small laptop screen. I love that you capture the weight and mass of their bodies in this space, the sense of muscle, sinew and bone all in purposeful motion caught in the frame at this microsecond. Even the differing firmness of skin - that between, say, lips and cheek; there is faithfulness to the real. I see passion not lessened one iota because Spock must necessarily rein his strength, and the cherishing expressed in his hands. Kirk has been caught up so quickly by Spock his fingers have barely found purchase against Spock's skin. As Miramanee said to Kirok, each kiss is like the first? Well, each one really IS like the first for Spock; he makes himself so fully present as every moment unfolds. He would commit each kiss, each touch, every sensation to memory, banking them against the most painful day of his long life, when Jim can give him no more. Masterful handling of light. Hard work I'd think, foreshortening (is that the right term?) Spock's ear because of the perspective. This drawing is so alive, they breathe!
- How amazingly perceptive that you see Kirk’s hand as he is surprised by Spock’s passion, but not resisting, in fact, allowing that moment of total vulnerability. Exactly what I tried to convey. And Spock’s strength has always fascinated me because when he makes love to Kirk, it is with muted strength. Except during pon farr, but that’s another story. But I can’t thank you enough for your beautiful comments. They inspire me to draw again. [10]
Love the art work. More more more.Lol im nowhere as good a artist as you, but I would love to see Batman/Joker Superman/Batman pairings. [11]
Oh my goodness! This is so powerful. So stunning. Incredibly breathtaking! Thank you so much for sharing this and explaining how you researched drawing this. Wow![12]
It really was a different time. Hi Shelley. I've seen a couple of your pieces in some vintage print zines I own. I was in K/S fandom a bit in the late 70s/80s and am back now and writing fanfic. Your work is so beautiful and subtle. [13]
2023
this whole collection is amazing but this is my favorite!! So emotional and powerful and passionate! You are an incredible artist.[14]
Oh god, I adore this one---Spock's hair! I mean, I mean---Spock's hair! OMG! [15]
References
- ^ from AO3 (2023)
- ^ from The K/S Press #131
- ^ Cate Adams, AO3 (2022)
- ^ LSPINGLES + reply by the artist, AO3 (2022)
- ^ from a conversation between BiTi + the artist, AO3 (2022)
- ^ waterfall, AO3 (2022)
- ^ Debbie Painter, AO3 (2022)
- ^ Dahliaxat68, AO3 (2022)
- ^ T'Purr, AO3 (2022)
- ^ from a conversation between Owyheewinds + the artist, AO3 (2022)
- ^ J.R., AO3 (2022)
- ^ isabol, AO3 (2022)
- ^ Herself_nyc, AO3 (2022)
- ^ spaceisgay (ChancellorGriffin), AO3 (2023)
- ^ lilybaggins, AO3 (2023)