Pantone 3537 Up

By Sean August Horvath

The book "PANTONE 3537 UP" explores a brief love affair between two males in Los Angeles, California. 

Sean August Horvath, author and illustrator, navigates the emotional tidal wave that crashes and destroys all after falling for someone "too fast" with a dark lyrical grace. 

The young artist built a career in emotional storytelling, having spent the larger half of his late-20s producing social media content for animal rights organization, PETA, where he was nicknamed by staff "The Cry Maker" for introducing Facebook to make-your-mom-cry-about-a-pig viral videos. Yes, you can blame him for those. 

Through the 180 pages and 40-some illustrations of "PANTONE 3537 UP," Horvath leverages his emotional experience to dig into universal issues of human nature regarding how we approach love and loss, perception of time and consciousness—and of course, modern dating. 

The work as a whole represents commentary on larger issues encountered in Horvath's struggle fitting into the Los Angeles gay culture. It is an attempt to help wash away toxic masculinity and bring light to a more balanced collective subconscious—one of both the divine masculine and divine feminine that resides within us all. 

Only light can destroy darkness. 

In his own words Horvath notes, "I wrote this about him because (other than my being obviously infatuated) he was different. Harder to figure out. He was the first who didn't fit the toxic masculinity mold I'd been hiding from. But he still held this artful appreciation of masculinity. Something softer that made me feel, for the first time, understood. He made me feel safe. To date we haven't spoken but, to date I can't shake that feeling. 

My hope in publishing is to tell the story of how good men can be, even in trying circumstances of heartbreak. That we as men must forgive and understand to learn and grow. Also that falling fast is okay, too — what's most important is that we open our hearts. To share love in a time of so much hate." 

Love at first sight. Falling too fast. Opening your heart completely—whatever you want to call it—"PANTONE 3537 UP" is what a hopeless romantic can feel in just two months. And there is beauty in that. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sean Horvath
• Release date: Dec 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386934486

Book preview

Part I

Pantone 3537 UP

09/02 — 14:26

Reflecting

Trying to remember where I fell

Was I aware?

Was there a choice?

---

I think it was his eyes

---

They held depth

Told stories

Sang songs

Beckoning me to fall

---

With one glance

A timeless moment

A green entrance

---

Was he aware?

No,

how cruel!

Yet, yes

---

For I saw it in his eyes

Eyes

Missed (Chemical) Connection

09/02 — 14:35

In less

than two

hours

I found love.

---

Why is this terrifying?

Involuntary,

biologically

---

Yet always it terrifies

Their brain, unprepared

Not chemically there

---

I’m timing a missed connection

of chemicals…

Energy Face Explosion

Hobbies

09/02 — 14:45

‘But maybe I don’t want a man who also falls in love in a moment’

Then don’t terrify them

Hide your love away

---

Write your love away. Find new creative outlets.

---

‘I wish I could fall for a hobby

A trade, a task, any activity

the way that I fall for a man

---

I might understand The Beatles now

Hide your love away

The Magician

Unfinished Moments

09/02 — 16:22

I drove past your house last night

Feeling guilt when in sight

The large bedroom TV bright

The one you’d never turn on

---

Instead we’d watch the laptop screen

Searching for moments to be seen

Where laughter arises

And

Where it does not

---

These moments feel unfinished now

Fitting consistently with my feelings

For many

Of our few

Moments

---

A constant wondering,

yearning,

for moments more

---

But I won’t implore.

---

For moments are gifted,

not requested

Though their completion

Often neglected

---

Yet still I long for moments more.

Bob’s Burgers

Why

09/02 — 17:07

I could smoke myself to death

Sometimes

With my renewed love

New spiritual faith

---

I wonder

---

I could smoke myself to death sometimes

just thinking of you

Unused Magic

09/02 — 17:53

In my longing

There is magic

To be found

---

Or not

---

What happens to magic unused?

I wonder

As I let my feelings

Fade away

---

When they are gone

Won’t you return

To see a love, lost

---

Or not

Page of Cups

Old Soul, Young Heart

09/02 — 19:19

I’ve been here too many times before

---

Young love, when will my heart mature?

For you it could I’m sure

---

Though, there I have not been

Many times before

---

But adventure seeks

My unfortified heart

Breaking only when you depart

---

Old soul,

Of this I’m sure -

You’ll make my heart mature

Trite Romantic Moments

09/02 — 20:11

I sit for hours

Watching the traffic

Watching the people

---

Expecting to see you

---

I’m not sure where this comes from

Too prosaic,

Idealistic. Without logic

---

But the romance is never wasted

Each moment enjoyed

Even after

I finally stop

---

Expecting to see you

No One Wants a Hopeful Heart

09/02 — 20:48

No one wants a hopeful heart

For by its very nature

It can be nothing