Tag Archives: Berlin burlesque

Found, finished and scanned: the lost drawings of Dr. Sketchys Berlin “Broken Baroque”!

Marijn van der Waa at Dr Sketchys Berlin Jan 28 2018 by Suzanne ForbesI actually produce so many drawings that I sometimes lose track of some of them.

Having a Patreon has reduced the orphan drawings rate enormously, but some still slip through the cracks! During the Dr. Sketchy’s Berlin Broken Baroque sessions, I did some large pastel drawings on Canson Mi Tientes paper. I tried to work on them at home, then abandoned them, as it was early days in my re-embracing of pastels.

Luckily, I just bought an A3 scanner and searched through my large drawings. I am so glad I found this drawing of beautiful artist Marijn van der Waa!

Evilyn Frantic at Dr Sketchys Berlin Broken Baroque Jan 28 2018 by Suzanne ForbesThese three portraits of sexy, spooky Evilyn Frantic merely needed to be finished.

I found it surprisingly easy, two and a half years later.

Evilyn Frantic and gent at Dr Sketchys Berlin Broken Baroque Jan 28 2018 by Suzanne ForbesHere we see Evilyn and a lad whose name I will have to get.

I was very nervous, two years ago, about how to handle the pale pastel shades.

Evilyn Frantic at Dr Sketchys Berlin Burlesque Week June 23 2020 by Suzanne ForbesNow I am confident!

Adding the watercolor brush pens has made a huge difference to my mixed-media drawing technique. They are physically pleasurable to use, as pastels are not for me. And they allow me to apply fine control to detail areas.

Mixed media art is all about finding what works for you – no rules, except consideration of issues of archival problems. I honestly do not know how my drawings of the last couple years will hold up over time. But since they are created to be shared online, I am kinda not fussed.

Yes, my lonnnnng art education instilled the value of archival materials. But it was pre-internet. And because in school I meant to be a fashion illustrator, then a comic artist, my intention was always to make work for mass distribution. Ephemeral, yet joyful 🙂

I am so blessed by my Patrons on Patreon, whose monthly financial support makes it possible for me to grow and develop as an artist.

As usual these drawings are licensed Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) for all to share and enjoy!

In addition, I release the copyright on each drawing to the performer shown and they may use the drawings for their own profit and pleeeasssure in any way they choose.

 

 

 

April 11 livestream portraits: The Beige Biitch, GodxNoirphiles and the Velvet Creepers!

The Beige Biitch April 9 2020 by Suzanne ForbesI have been drawing more than one livestream some nights!

Above, The Beige Biitch in a stream put on by radically inclusive performance center Sophiensaele.

Amazing performer GodX Noirphiles was a guest on the show and did a fantastic performance. I want you to know Godxxx, who is an enormously popular performer and Mother of drag house House of Living Colors, has lost all expected show income while they are pregnant so—

GodxNoirphiles for the Beige Biitch April 9 2020 by Suzanne ForbesFor fuck’s sake if you can, donate to the Doula Fund for this single trans boi mama!!

Above, my attempt to capture Godxxx’s piece. It was so beautiful and fascinating to try and draw a piece that had layering and texture and digital glitch, and started black and white and then transformed into color, and I had a great experience! Please check Godxxx’s Drag King Don’t Rush challenge, you will faint. Godxxx aka Adrian Blount is doing a Youtube series on Queer Birthing!

EDIT Jan 2120: GodXXXNoirphiles has a Patreon and you can support their art and the Queer Birthing series, which is a radical and historic project.

And you can give funds to help their baby have a lush nursery right here.

Nana Schewitz and Fifi Fantome livestreams for Velvet Creepers by Suzanne Forbes April 11 2020Then, I popped over to The Velvet Creepers’ livestream!

Here’s Nana Schewitz guest hosting with Fifi Fantôme of the Velvet Creepers ! Fifi Fantôme is very active during quarantine and you can check out her Insta for when she is teaching and check out her Patreon for performance tips, art and treats! I don’t know why Fifi and Nana had heads on sticks but I liked the heads on sticks.

Muse Dunja von K did spooky hooping!

Dunja von K for Velvet Creepers by Suzanne Forbes April 11 2020Dunja is teaching her famous hula hoop classes online!

You can get moving with her here.

Lilly Mortis for Velvet Creepers by Suzanne Forbes April 11 2020And Lilly Mortis was a poignant, creepy vintage clown.

I am so grateful to my Patrons on Patreon, whose monthly financial support lets me keep documenting Berlin’s queer performers and release the art free to all, while I work safely at home.