John Barrowman Gifts Husband Vintage Plane Painting
A desert flight scene by Jon Gamel brings aviation charm to a Palm Springs bathroom window
Image: Instagram
John Barrowman surprised his husband, Scott Male, by unveiling a bespoke painting of the historic DeHaviland Comet in their Palm Springs home. The actor shared the news on Instagram, capturing how the artwork transforms a private bathroom into a window on aviation history.
A Gift That’s Taken Flight
Barrowman’s Instagram reveal features a crisp rendering of one of their favorite jets – the world’s first commercial jetliner – soaring above a sun-drenched desert plain with Palm Springs airport sketched in the background. He explained, “I bought Scott a painting of one of our/his favorite planes, The DeHaviland Comet flying over the desert with Palm Springs airport in the background.”
Local Talent Meets Celebrity Canvas
The artwork comes from local painter Jon Gamel, known online as @jongamelart. Gamel has built a following for his aviation-themed oil and acrylic pieces, which balance precision and vivid palettes. Barrowman tagged Gamel and @artdaddyjon, inviting fans to explore the artist’s “fantastic” portfolio of desert vistas, retro airliners, and dynamic skies.
Morning Ritual With A Flight Path
Instead of spotlighting the piece in a living room gallery, Barrowman opted to hang it just outside the bathroom door. “He wanted to hang it in this specific place so in the morning when he is showering he can look out through the door, he sees the mountain and the green, and it looks like the plane is on the actual flight path,” Barrowman wrote. Each sunrise perfectly aligns the painting’s jet with the real mountain horizon, turning a daily routine into an immersive aviation experience.
A Hub Of Creativity And Advocacy
Barrowman and Male have been household names in LGBTQ advocacy since their 2013 wedding at Laguna Beach, California. The couple splits time between Los Angeles and Palm Springs, where they host fundraisers, attend gallery openings, and champion queer artists. Their social feeds regularly showcase art installations, design collaborations, and candid moments with friends.
Fans Join The Conversation
The post quickly garnered attention online, with followers praising the creative placement and tagging local painters who capture desert light. Fans flooded the comments with sunrise photos and hometown inspiration. Aviation buffs also chimed in, thanking Barrowman for shining a light on an underappreciated chapter of airline history.
Echoes Of A Jet-set Past
The DeHaviland Comet’s maiden flight took place in 1949, and it entered passenger service with BOAC in 1952. Despite later technical setbacks, the Comet remains a landmark in aerospace design; its aerodynamic innovations continue to shape modern jets. Aviation museums worldwide still feature restored Comet airframes, underscoring the model’s enduring legacy.
From Torchwood To Home Décor
Best known for his roles as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and Torchwood, Barrowman has extended his creative reach beyond screen and stage. His podcast, A Gay Old Time with Nigel May, tackles candor, comedy, and personal history. His Instagram also showcases cooking videos, behind-the-scenes tour footage, and convention appearances alongside fellow celebrities.
This latest installation illustrates Barrowman’s flair for blending showmanship with sincere home life, turning a simple bathroom doorway into a portal for imaginative travel. As the couple greets each morning with a vintage jet in motion, they—and their followers—are reminded that art can make any space take flight.
Trivia
