A book with penis drawings inspires deeper conversations

When she is not behind the bar, Rashel Gordin is a mother, artist and author of Dick-tation– an illustration and coloring book of penis drawings collected over the years by colleagues and supporters.

Gordin studied photography and art history at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Despite her creative background, she had no intention of becoming an author, let alone conceiving a book of penis drawings. Her co-worker at the Dark Horse Bar began leaving Gordin notes on sticky notes that always featured phallic images. The two worked at different times and often missed each other. These encouraging words and the creative penis depictions gave Gordin something to look forward to at the start of her shifts.

“So after a while I started collecting all these notes… and then I started expanding my field of activity.”

The drawings range from simple outlines to abstract concepts like a Chicago-style hot dog. This illustration shows a penis on a poppy seed bun with classic toppings like tomato wedges and peppers. Another shows a snake-shaped penis, complete with eyes and forked tongue. An accompanying message reads: “Here’s a snake tail. Have a great shift!”

Gordin compiled these drawings in a book in 2019. The Dark Horse was closed during the pandemic and Dick-tation found its new home in Jacqueline’s bar on Broadway. News of the book spread by word of mouth, and since then people from all over the city have flocked to Jacqueline to browse through it and contribute their illustrations.

Emory Murphy collaborates with Gordin and has contributed numerous original drawings. He began drawing penises in elementary school; according to Murphy, anyone can draw one.

“It requires creativity, but not necessarily talent, and that’s what makes it so much fun. It’s just something we do to make each other laugh at work.”

The depictions offer a lighthearted respite for many, but for Gordin, the public’s fascination with the book has highlighted the male-dominated society around her. Following in the footsteps of other iconic Chicago artists like Cynthia “Plaster Caster” Albritton, Gordin’s work uses phallic imagery to spark conversations about gender binaries, double standards, and sex positivity.

“People found it really funny, but for me it was a bigger statement,” Gordin said.

The book made Gordin think about why certain body parts, such as penises, are considered more acceptable as a topic of discussion; in comparison, the subject of vaginas seemed like a taboo subject. She also began to reflect on her experiences and observations about how people view women’s bodies. In Gordin’s experience, there was a lack of comprehensive sex education in public schools, so nothing was taught about the female anatomy. While many states in the country mandate some form of sex education, only 18 of them require the curriculum to be medically accurate.

Dick-tation works in different directions, is light and fun while also having the potential to highlight something deeper.

Chicago comedian Rogue Schmidt found the book hilarious at first glance. He later echoed Gordin’s thoughts.

“I remember learning how to draw a penis in sixth grade,” Schmidt said. “I can’t even remember when someone taught me how to draw a vagina. … Vaginas are a secret and you don’t really talk about them, especially growing up in rural Illinois where the sex education system isn’t great.”

“(Vaginas are) automatically seen as sexual, while dicks are seen as the punch line,” Schmidt added. “The taboo is still there.”

Gordin plans to publish Dick-tation. At the moment, the original is with Jacqueline, providing laughs and varied conversation. Although the book is finished, people can still contribute phallic illustrations for their ongoing projects, which will feature images drawn exclusively at the bar. Gordin is working on books titled Cock-a-doodle-doo And The second coming. How Dick-tation, They also serve as an artistic opportunity for Gordin to combine her career as a bartender with her love of art.

“In bars, anything is possible,” said Gordin. “Inhibitions are blown away and I get to hear the raw, the essential from the people around me. People love seeing their work in book form. It’s great.”

Dick-tation
Find Dick-tation in Jacqueline’s Bar
3420 N. Broadway, 773-404-5149