• Ed Simmons: They Got Theirs

    Jobs With justice

    Posted By Ed Simmons
    Photos By Harvey Finkle

    ……….They really don’t give a damn about anyone else. They all lack empathy for the people whom they represent. Christ, the whole damn bunch of them took two summer holidays, leaving millions hungry. I went hungry, the bastards had me cut down to one meal a day. I’m down to 173 pounds and at 6′3″, I need to be somewhere near 195 to do my job in construction. Oh yea, I got a job today. Not that things are turning around out here in Los Angeles, I was just very lucky. The job situation out here is still ugly! This attitude of, I got mine, can be contagious. They split us up, the unemployed, left the 99ers behind, the American Workers who are most needy of a hand up!

    Poverty Kills

    In my work, if we’re not getting our job done, the entire crew is subject to being run off. Should our Congress not be held to this same standard? Now some of these slugs want to continue the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, the top 2%. This top 2% needs to accept some responsibility for bringing our economy down. They need to be throwing down some scratch, help our nation up out of this hole, not bury the 99ers in the ditch. Why is it in Congress, there is so much concern over Corporate America at the expense of the American Worker? All these corporations are doing fine. They all have plenty of money to hoard with manufacturing moved off shore, most of the money they make, doesn’t make its way back around into the hands of our citizens. It just pads the pockets of the privileged. Its skimmed off the top!

    Union

    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it once more, we as a Nation united need to run ALL these bums out. Put in people who will honor their oath of office, people determined to get their jobs done. Its hard for me to comprehend how a bill in Congress can run thousands of pages, yet our Constitution is only four. The only conclusion I can come to is our Government has gotten out of hand. Like a fright train rolling down a mountain side, crushing everything and everyone in its path! Our Government has been hijacked. It is no more a Government of the people, by the people, for the people. Today our Government has become an unyielding beast. I say let’s slay this beast and bring back our American Dreams! I’m sick and tired of this smoke and mirror Government, I’m fed up, the people of Bell got fed up too. The people of Bell, the first to step up, all across our Nation. Our Citizens need to follow their lead, enough is enough, they’ve all shown their stripes, We The People, need to take our power back!

    Unite

    Our highest court has sided with the powerful. No longer do they defend the rights of the common man. Their rulings on campaign funding spit in the face of the people their supposed to defend. Corporations are not people. We Are The People! Its ever more clear we are out here on our own, all alone! Absolute power, corrupts absolutely, the citizens in this country, need to follow the lead, set in place by the hoodwinked people of Bell! I can’t forget, I won’t forget about the 99ers plight, I will not let this go.

    A Shelter Is Not A Home

    Mom told me way back when; “Edmund remember always, but for the grace of God, there you go!”. I’m tired of this congressional conspiracy set on sabotaging our American Dreams! I’m embarrassed, I’m ashamed, there are broken down families, families that have been broken up, living as refugees, living in tent cities, all just cast aside! We can’t let this stand. We all need to see to it, that the disenfranchised American unemployed, get theirs back. Common men and women in our nation have to motivate, to get out and vote, and on the day after November 2nd, say to all of Congress voted out of office; hey pal,”You Got Yours!”

    End Poverty Now

    To read more of Ed Simmon’s blogs, log on to www.yeeha.org/art


  • Ed Simmons: Commentary

    Blackberry Self Portrait

    Posted By Ed Simmons

    Pride. Swallow It

    That’s what its there for. I spent the morning, and some of my afternoon, standing in the welfare line. Thank you Senators, for your job well done! A lot of men like me, standing in those lines are not broken men, just angry men. I heard a lot of rude statements about illegal immigrants. Our Government got a lot of people scared of the Sewer Gators, I know illegal immigration is not our problem, we are a Nation of immigrants. What we need, what we want right now, is work! Its important to say, the people working in this welfare office, are wonderful people, they get it. They know the people they’re seeing these days, are only the effect, the cause, a dysfunctional Congress! It takes more than talk, to make something happen. Where have all those shovel ready jobs gone anyhow, its ugly out on the streets out here in LA. Not much going on, nothing much will get going on, until the banksters cut loose with some cash. Why in the hell would they, they make so much more money moving it around markets, they’re still playing both sides of the fence, for them. This is a thing of beauty, the perfect storm!

    40% of this Country’s GNP is all about nothing, they aren’t producing product, they just continue the poor business practices that got us into this mess in the first place. WE THE PEOPLE, bailed them out once, don’t be fooled, all this crap is still going on! We need to clean house in this Country, I’m not talking about the immigrants. Who I’m speaking of, are the bastards, and the bastardetts, wasting space in the Congressional Hallways of Washington. I remember hearing more than once, first we’ll kill all the lawyers, we desperately need a cross section of the fabric of America, occupying the seats of Congress, people in touch with the Citizens they represent, the Common People of America, taxi cab drivers, carpenters, janitors, and cooks, our labor force and librarians, our fishermen and our farmers, people not beholden to the corporate scum! In their quest for unbridled profits, these corporations have sabotaged our once Great Nation, just think about this situation for a minute, tent cities, sprouting up, all across our Country.

    I’m sure Congress would truly feel shame, if only they cleaned their Capitol Office windows. You know, this assumption I make, hinges on believing they have a conscience, with all we’ve witnessed through these troubled times, we all know they don’t! Christ, all I hear from them, is more tax cuts for the rich, I’m not the sharpest tack in the pack but I know, with the tax base eroded as it is today, any solution other than an increase in tax, is insane.

    If I could just get a job, I would be more than happy paying double the tax, I know, I’d be bitching and moaning, in lock step with everyone else. However, as a result of these misdirected polices, firemen, police men, and our teachers in our communities now are loosing their jobs! These are the jobs that grow our society, the professionals that keep our communities safe! So I am going to reread the Secret again this weekend. I’m wearing out the pages in this book. I’m just a little worried the pages may turn to dust before this awful economy turns around! Here is the hope I can believe in, the November Elections are coming and all these clowns in Congress who’s seats are up for election will leave!


  • Mikel Elam: Comment Of The Day

    Artwork By Mikel Elam

    Posted By Mikel Elam

    I am getting sick and tired of the blatant attempt to undermine Barack Obama’s intelligence and leadership abilities. Basically he walked into a problem created by the previous administration. Everyone now expects him to solve every problem within one and a half years. I think it’s unfair and I know many will not be able to understand this next statement. Some of it is racially motivated. Probably coming from many who don’t think they are racist. It’s like the comment ,”I am not a racist, some of my best friends are black or latino etc, and yet these “friends” really aren’t so much in their lives.
    The art represents Obama in a box. The box is getting smaller and smaller trying to squeeze the life out of him. People are taking shots at him. In this case it’s the splatter from paint balls.(I hope nothing worse ever happens) They take shots at him like comparing him to Hitler and calling him a communist, socialist……the list goes on.

    Invisible One

    So many forget he is a black and white president and he represents the face of real America in the 21st century. Not the confederate flag waving, wishing it would go back to the old days of whites getting to sit and Blacks standing in the back of the bus mentality.
    Yes this country is in financial trouble. I am in financial trouble. So in fact I represent someone who should be angry with the status quo. However I recognize where the problems started and no one seems to be holding that person and their administration accountable for past actions.
    Its an unfair practice. A selfish act of aggression without thought. Again this reminds me of the times when a person of color opened their mouth only to have a gun placed there to shut them up. Make them disappear.

    Invisible Two

    Recently I created a series of portraits .Men of color from around the world. I have entitled the series “Invisible” based somewhat on Ralph Ellison’s great novel,”The Invisible Man” who writes about living in a society where we co-exist with others who want us to stay away unless they need us for servitude.
    Obama is a reminder to everyone we are not going back to the days of the settling fathers. And thankfully he is very visible.


  • Interview With Kevin Stewart

    Self Portrait With Handlebar Mustache

    TW: When did you first realize you had a distinct eye for mens fashion?

    KS: It began In High school, I was an Art Major, painter and sculptor. I wore black clothing covered in Gesso on purpose, very Jackson Pollock.

    TW: Did the way your father dress for work and casual time impact your early view as to how men should approach the way they attire themselves?

    KS: Yes my father dressed very well, he was a white collar man. This was the 70’s you had to look fly even for work. He also dressed for evening, Tux all the way. He is a 33 degree Mason so he had to come correct. He wore a wide variety of hats and cologne that made my eyes water, but he was always well groomed. He’s still a fly cat. Smooth like china silk. I love him for that.

    Mississippi At the Crossroads: Photo By Kwaku Alston

    TW: Who is your favorite menswear designer today?

    KS: I like a bit of every one. I take designer sport coats and cut them below the pockets to crop the front of the jacket. I’ve just finished a Paul Smith sport coat. I’ll rock that today with Pink shoes. I’d also like to add, I only wear ROGER CHARLES NEW YORK, the shirt company I started with a partner in 2007.

    TW: We met during the glory days at VIBE during the early 90’s…. How did your tenure there impact your approach to mens fashion as you moved forward with your career as fashion director for several other popular culture magazines, including DETAILS and GEAR?

    KS: VIBE was my first real taste of artistic freedom. I could choose my calibrator’s like you my friend. We could test the boundaries of traditional American publishing, go on location and show beautiful nudes. The work was seamless in the context of VIBE. It allowed me to dream and make pictures I wanted to see in a magazine.

    Mississippi: Photo By Kwaku Alston

    TW: We have both shared the experience of working for the famous Guccione family. I for the father Bob senior. and you for the son Bob junior. What was it like to work for the son of the founder and publisher of Penthouse magazine?

    KS: Bob junior is a true original thinker and thoughtful man. A great human being. I was lucky to be in his company and at all times I love him very much. When he writes his memoirs I’ll be first in line to buy the book. He has his place in the American history of publishing. SPIN Magazine stood alone as the voice of the late 70’s and early 80’s. It covered bands that couldn’t get arrested at the time. I could go on forever about Bob. I learned how to bring a product to market, communicate the vision and sell it to marketers. He had a great deal to do with who I am today.

    TW: You are currently fashion director for ESPN the magazine. What is the most interesting fashion editorial you have published thus far?

    KS: Every year we do a shoot called Kings For a Day. It features up and coming NFL Draft players. Young guys who enjoy the work I do. The other amazing shoot was with the Washington Capital Police posing as Secret Service agents protecting the President. It involved blue screen and great gray suits.

    Photo By Albert Watson

    Photo By Jody Ake

    TW: What is your favorite mens fragrance?
    KS: Tough one I have a very bad nose, due to years of allergies. I have worn Calvin Klein Obsession. I think I drained the bottle and never got a refill.
    I may start to wear ODIN 04 as it is clean, light and natural.

    Self Portrait With Beard


  • New Adult Model

    Emily Parker

    Posted By Emily Parker

    Hello my name is Emily Parker, I am new to the industry and would love to shoot more scenes! I am 23 years old, 5′9, 135 lbs, brown hair and hazel eyes. I am available to shoot b/g, b/j, g/g, b/g/g, group, fetish, solo, soft core, and solo with toys. I do not do gang bangs, DP, or IR. I have attached some photos that were taken a week ago.

    Available


  • Kong Magazine

    For Immediate Release

    Posted By Jessica Moats

    Introducing KONG Magazine

    KONG Magazine is pleased to announce the launch of its inaugural issue on Friday, July 2, 2010. This bi-monthly magazine will be available both online and with a limited edition print version containing all the original artwork from the site. KONG Magazine is a sex and comedy publication that seeks to bring stimulating entertainment and art to women around the world.

    Creative Director and Founder, Jessica Moats, uses her impressive background at publications such as New York-based Playgirl and BlackBook Magazines, to create a magazine that will fill the void in the current women’s interest market. KONG Magazine creates an interface were sexual interests coincide with cultural ones by offering the newest trends in music, art, foreplay, design, humor, comedy, politics, technical innovations (including vibrators and other sex gadgetry) and photography—the X-rated kind.

    The first issue seamlessly blends the mission of KONG Magazine by entertaining, informing, and promoting collaborations between emerging artists and writers. Cover model, Greg Sestero of famed cult classic, The Room best exemplifies the magazines’ ability to effortlessly mix sex and comedy.

    Please email press@kongmagazine.com for a press kit, interview requests, and additional information on the magazine or any of its subjects.


  • COSMO CASTING

    Letter From Editor In Chief

    ……….TW has been invited by German Cosmopolitan to produce a 10 page editorial for the 30th anniversary issue in October, 2010. TW is casting a fashion or glamour model in the Philadelphia or New York area for the “Art & Sex” special edition. Minimal nudity is required. Interested models should contact the studio at tony@tonyward.com. TW is also in search of a hair and makeup artist for the production as well.

    Minimal Nudity Required


  • Cartoon Of The Day

    Artwork By Victor Della Barba


  • COVER SHOOT: MONTH OF APRIL

    Alejandra Guerrero


  • Opening Scene: Stars Shine

    Heading To The Limo

    ……..Adult film stars Amy Brooke, Bobbi Starr and Carla Cox are filmed by paparazzi exiting an L.A. restaurant in the opening scene of Tony Ward Productions new adult feature film created for Private Media Group, Barcelona Spain. A dark comedy about hard core sex and the cheating ways of soccer wives, amongst soccer’s elite players. The film is in the final stages of editing in Los Angleles. More about the release of the film and its stars in upcoming posts.

    Bobbi Starr

    Amy Brooke

    Carla Cox