Flaming Idols comes out of my deep love for my queer community and the support we give one another. While the Luminaries Collection is only one part of Flaming Idols, it was the inspiration for the project. The first candles I made had an image of radical Detroit organizer Grace Lee Boggs. I made six, one for each member of my queer anarchist study group. Over the 10+ years we have studied together, we have read many pieces by Grace, and she is a source of great inspiration to us. I wanted to be able to light a candle when I had a tough question and ask Grace what she would do. After I made the initial six, I started thinking about the many other people, especially queer people and queer elders, who I would love to have an idol of to call on for guidance. Thus, Flaming Idols was born!

I choose people to draw who have been influential or inspirational to me and my friends. I try to represent and appeal to a wide array of the queer community and our allies. Some idols, like TLC, gave me affirmation in my childhood and preteen years, while others, like Rachel Maddow, I didn’t come to know until much later.

The Luminaries Collection is the part of Flaming Idols that I am most proud of. My passion as an artist is to make art in service of social change and radical social movements. Through the Luminaries Collection, featuring portraits of queer artists and activists who have passed on, I am able to help financially support organizations that continue the legacy of these brave ancestors. The proceeds from the sales of different Luminary candles go to organizations that organize and advocate for queer people.

Each candle begins with an inspirational figure. I then use photo references to draw the person. Next I scan the drawing, edit and color it digitally. When it's finished, I print the image on a glossy adhesive paper. I then hand-cut each image and affix it to a hand-poured candle.

Flaming Idols is an inherently political project for me. To read more about me and my art and activism please visit http://www.robinmarkle.com