The Art of Gay Love: Getting in the Mood for Valentine's Day

Love is a thief in the night; love stinks; love in never having to say you're sorry; love is in the air; love is a battlefield; love to love you, baby. Love takes many forms and expressions. It can be an elevated spiritual experience, it can feel like a wrenching gut ache, and a great love affair can change the course of history.

Our artist and photographer contributors show the range of love from sweet and tender to raging and all-consuming.

Puppy Love by Polly Guo

Marriage-Minded by Dwora Fried

Dipping Your Toes in the Pool of Love by Steve MacIsaac

Love in a Cape by Philip Bonneau

Love Me Tender by Cauro Hige

A Portrait of Love (Dani and Jen) by Jess Dugan

Bubble Bunnies in Love by Alexander Guerra

Love Muscle (Charlie and Matthew) by Dylan Rosser

Rabbit Fantasy Love by Andrej Dubravsky

Dream Date Love by Molly Landreth

Potboiler Love by Victor Gadino

Love Is Discipline by Elisar von Kupffer

Lesbian Love Drama by John Fallon

Drowning in Love by Claudio Bindella

Love Hostage by Rick Castro

Orthodox Love by Molly Landreth

Love Is Patient, by E. Gibbons

Homeboy Love by Hector Silva

Portrait of Love (Lee and Gunner) by Jess Dugan

Smusher Love by Ed Luce

Dripping With Love by Claudio Bindella

Naked Love by Dylan Rosser

Love Crush by Claudio Bindella

Reflections of Love by Kelli Connell

Straight Bro Love by Scott Waters

Love to Wrestle by Brian Kenny

Love, Walking Into the Sunset by Robert de Michiell