Tag Archives: Suzanne Forbes art

Art archives: St. Paul cafe drawings!

St Paul cafe drawing by Suzanne Forbes working as Rachel Ketchum circa 1990 1I started seriously drawing in cafes or coffee shops in 1990.

I finally got into the habit of having a sketchbook with me at all times, not just most of the time, once I had a car!

St Paul cafe drawing by Suzanne Forbes working as Rachel Ketchum circa 1990And I had a teacher at MCAD who said the best way to draw the figure confidently was to draw “in situ“, constantly.

Good advice! Seriously, look at the foot of that little girl.

St Paul restaurant drawing by Suzanne Forbes working as Rachel Ketchum circa 1990I drew everywhere I went.

And as a person in early sobriety, it was the perfect way to be comfortable in social situations.

Self portrait with Day by Day cafe cruising map 1991 by Rachel Ketchum aka Suzanne ForbesThe Day by Day Cafe!

Such a part of sober life in St. Paul back then. And even now, I think? Also, as indicated in this drawing, a total cruising spot for me and all my gay friends 🙂

Minneapolis Dunn Bros 5 29 91 by Suzanne Forbes working as Rachel KetchumI lived near Dunn Bros, worked at Dunn Bros, hung out at Dunn Bros.

The coffee was incredible. This is from 1991.

homage a degas 1990 by Suzanne Forbes working as Rachel Ketchum

This homage to Degas is one of my favorite cafe drawings ever.

Dunn Bros, 1990.

Denise and Zora March 15 1994 at Music City Cafe by Rachel Ketchum aka Suzanne ForbesThere were other sober hangouts, like the Music City Cafe.

This is my friend Denise and her daughter Zora there, 1994. Children have never been my specialty!

musicians at Music City Cafe St Paul Jan 4 1991 Rachel Ketchum aka Suzanne ForbesI also did a whole series of drawings of musicians in cafes during this time, like this one at Music City Cafe.

You can see some more of them here on flickr, in my Musicians album. Later coffee shop drawings are here.

Most of these drawings had never been scanned or uploaded; until now, no online record of them existed – if we had a fire or flood they would just be gone forever.

I am so grateful to my Patrons on Patreon, whose monthly financial support makes it possible for me to take time to document my art archives.

Miss Lola Rose, Muse!

Pink Butterfly headpiece and drawing of Lola Rose by Suzanne ForbesI am so inspired by Berlin drag performer Miss Lola Rose.

Here are two summer works inspired by her style and beauty. I spent much of this spring making this headpiece for Miss Lola, who is working on a piece with a song about butterflies.

Butterfly Headpiece of Holographic vinyl UV resin and Angelina Fantasy Film for Miss Lola Rose by Suzanne Forbes August 2022 6Then I had to take a hiatus as my health crashed, and I finally finished it a week ago.

It’s made of holographic vinyl, UV resin and Angelina Fantasy Film, plus lots of gradient pearls, AB crystals and gold lace.

Butterfly Headpiece of Holographic vinyl UV resin and Angelina Fantasy Film for Miss Lola Rose by Suzanne Forbes August 2022There are a dozen hand-cast pink UV resin butterflies with glitter inclusions, panels of iridescent Angelina Fantasy Film in the laser-cut butterfly frontispiece, and uncountable pearls and crystals on the flowers.

Pink Butterfly headpiece for Lola Rose by Suzanne ForbesThis might be the last big piece like this I do, as it’s harder for me to sit up for long periods.

I’m glad this one came out so well, and I cannot wait to see what Miss Lola does with it.

Lola Rose birthday drawing by Suzanne Forbes Aug 22 2022As for the drawing of Miss Lola, I made it during my sick leave cause I was so inspired I HAD TO DRAW!

I took six weeks of sick leave from my Patreon this summer, my first break in seven years. But on August 22, Miss Lola had her birthday cabaret. The power of Berlin’s drag scene and Miss Lola Rose in particular is so great, I was moved to make this drawing while watching her livestream from Tipsy_Bear_Berlin. Lola went to special lengths to make sure me and other housebound folx could watch, and it meant so much to me to share in the experience.

What a show!!

I am so grateful to my Patreon Patrons, whose monthly financial support makes it possible for me to continue documenting and decorating Berlin performers as a shielding disabled person.