Category Archives: Berlin

More meet-and-draw, with the most stylish woman in Berlin!

Bindy at Adenauerplatz by Suzanne Forbes Sept 14 2021The chic-est in Berlin! I always think of Bindy that way, her style just knocks me out.

I drew her once before, at Drink and Draw Berlin, an event and community she helped create. I was so glad to get to hang out with her and talk and draw on a quiet Fall day. She is a native Berliner, quite unusual – Berlin is like NY in that people come here but are rarely from here!

Bindy is an artist, musician, MUA and scientist, plus the only other woman in town who says “FUCK!” as much as I do.

Bindy at Adenauerplatz with U by Suzanne Forbes Sept 14 2021We met up near my home, at Adenauerplatz, to draw and chat.

Bindy calls this look a “Monochromatic vampire slayer” look and you can find a tutorial on her makeup feed. You can follow her on Insta for music updates, and also check out her soundcloud!

I am so grateful to my Patreon Patrons, whose monthly financial support makes it possible for me to continue making art as a vaccinated but Covid-vulnerable disabled person.

With your support, I can work from home or safely outside and keep telling the stories of Berlin.

Berlin artist Maïmouna Coulibaly poses at Adenauerplatz.

Maïmouna Coulibaly posing at Adenauerplatz August 29 2021 by Suzanne ForbesWhat bonne chance this was!

Just as I’ve become re-obsessed with Neo-Victorian fashion and the bustle silhouette, Berlin artist Maïmouna Coulibaly posted a video of herself in a beautiful bustle outfit!

I asked if we could have a drawing meetup and she said yes, but it had to be this weekend, since she only had the costume rented for a few days!

So we met up on Adenauerplatz on the sunny Saturday, and wow, Maïmouna looked INCREDIBLE.

Maïmouna Coulibay by Suzanne Forbes Aug 29 2021Maïmouna is an author, director, choreographer and more.

She has a book coming out this Fall, and teaches Booty Therapy, a joyful form of dance therapy for femmes.

She has acted in films and also occasionally makes time to perform onstage at a burlesque or drag show. Extravagant Shambles was where I first met and drew her, and we have stayed in touch.

I very much want to attend one of Maïmouna’s big crowd events at some point!

Another upcoming project: 

Wayward Life: a performance on the trail of Black Activists, inside Berlin in the early 20th century.

The decolonial performance walk at Treptower Park happens Sept. 3 and 5. Learn more here!

Above and below you can see the drawing as it was when we finished our session and I brought the drawing inside to finish it.

Maïmouna Coulibaly posing at Adenauerplatz August 29 2021 by Suzanne Forbes work in processMaïmouna Coulibaly’s new book is Je me relève, from Éditions Carrière publisher. It will be out on November 19th 2021.

Booty Therapy classes happen in Paris and Berlin, and sometimes other places!

You can watch Maïmouna and her students, Les Bootykilleuses, perform Booty Therapy in the Berlin subway. You’ll be glad you watched!

Booty Therapy in Berlin Subway from Maïmouna on Vimeo.

I am so grateful to my Patreon Patrons, whose monthly financial support makes it possible for me to continue making art as a vaccinated but Covid-vulnerable disabled person.

With your support, I can work from home or safely outside and keep telling the stories of Berlin.