A colorful event showcasing artists from South Florida’s LGBTQ community returns to Miami Beach to close out Pride Month. 

Queer Easels, the brainchild of local artist Patrick Louis, pops up again at Hotel Gaythering, Saturday, June 28. The event is for ages 21 and older and runs from 6 to 11 p.m. 

“It’s a fun event highlighting queer artists from South Florida. Each month we have four artists showing off their latest creations,” said Louis, a 34-year-old accountant who moonlights as a mixed media artist. “You can expect to see a lot of different styles and hopefully bring home something that strikes your fancy.” 

For Louis, that’s men and fish. 

“I’m a very out and proud gay man,” he said. “A lot of my paintings are of me and my husband because it’s very easy to convince us to get naked. It’s usually easier for us to strike a pose for a new painting, but I love capturing friends in the buff as well.” 

The guys got hitched last year in a ceremony on a scuba boat. The maritime wedding was a reflection of the couple’s love for the sea. 

Louis is a strong advocate for reef protection and donates 5% of his sales to the Coral Restoration Foundation.

Miami Beach’s neon reef is where Louis draws inspiration for his colorful paintings. 

”Fish expressions are great expressions,” he joyfully explains. “When you are down there, they are looking at you. They are very curious, and I try to capture some of those expressions.”

Louis has managed to capture the city’s attention in protecting the neon reef, which is home to staghorn corals, conches, sea turtles and several species of endangered fish. Commissioners have earmarked funding in next year’s budget for research and permitting. 

“It’s really full of life and worth protecting, so we’re excited to be working with the city and other ocean advocates to keep that project moving forward,” he said. 

Queer Easels takes place the last Saturday of most months at the Hotel Gaythering, 1409 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. Admission is free. You can follow Louis on Instagram @patricklouisart or on BlueSky @gayfishes