Tag Archives: portrait drawing

Berliners at the Lohmühlenbrücke!

Amanda of Shimmies at the Lohmulenbrucke by Suzanne Forbes Oct 26 2021A beautiful Autumn afternoon, drawing by the water!

Lilith in Winter handmade earrings by Shimmies Scintillate Studios etsy 2021This past Saturday I actually went to draw at a live show for the first time since Feb 29, 2020!

Amanda, figurative artist and Creatrix of Shimmies accessories, joined me to provide accessibility support. She was kind enough to let me draw her picture while we waited for the show to start. It was a performance from Siren Quingdom on boats, which is why we were outside by the canal!

Amanda was wearing the most wonderful colors, which actually matched her Shimmies earrings!

Shimmies is a phenomenal brand, with earring and accessory designs that iterate constantly. Amanda’s creative evolution over the last year has been incredible. I ordered a pair of custom Shimmies Lilith hoops (like the ones above, but of course more blue!) and I love them so much. If you’re in Berlin, Amanda is vending at the Queer Winter Market Nov. 27th/28th. If not,

Shop for Shimmies here!

Audrey at Siren Quingdom by Suzanne Forbes Nov 29 2021My dear friend, muse and Patron Audrey arrived in the last of the golden light.

I did not expect to draw Audrey for the first time in Berlin in a mask, but this is where we are. Hugging her for the first time since Christmas 2019 was like a shock of nourishment to my body, like hot soup on the cold day.

Boat at Siren Quingdom by Suzanne Forbes Nov 29 2021I am not good at drawing boats. OR outdoors.

But I was sure as hell gonna try. Here is one of the Siren Quingdom boats, from across the canal.

Father and child at the Lohmulenbrucke by Suzanne Forbes Oct 26 2021I also drew this dad feeding his little baby.

The baby was so bundled up! It was cold as hell by the water, it must be said. He was feeding the baby some baby stuff, mush of some kind! So nice to draw random Berliners again, probably the closest I’ll get to an unterwegs til the Spring.

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.

Drawing Dornika at Adenauerplatz!

Dornika by Suzanne Forbes Oct 26 2021Another wonderful meet and draw session, with incredibly talented Dornika!

I first drew Dornika in 2020, during an online show. I was captivated by their charm and stage presence, and started following her work.

I was excited to discover Dornika‘s developing body of music, music teaching, and their amazing dancing, as well as her visual art. (link there to support their work!)

This summer Dornika released their gorgeous body love anthem “Fatbulous” and performed it onstage around Berlin.

I would have given my left tit to be at one of these shows, and my tits are very nice! Next year, I hope!

 

Dornika by Suzanne Forbes Oct 26 2021 detailI learn so much about how to live in my fat body and how to be a femme in this world from how Dornika talks about embodiment.

Her wisdom is so important to me, and I’m so grateful to have a chance to know this young Berliner!

We met up at Adenauerplatz and talked while I made this drawing. It’s a very straightforward portrait, but a good likeness, and I hope to draw more dynamic full-bodied performance pictures next year!

Dornika had just come from costume fitting, and the following week directed their first film!!

*update: Dornika’s finished their film Dream Dwellers! It premiered at Schwules Museum in November. You can watch Dream Dwellers for free on the queer anti-capitalist platform Realitytvwow, right here!

Dornika online:

Manyfacedgodx performing insta

Own Your Voice music teaching insta

Dornika on Soundcloud

Fatbulous on bandcamp with lyrics!

Fatbulous on Spotify

Fatbulous on Youtube music

Dornika in Acid Mermaid Jewelry by Suzanne Forbes Oct 23 2021I paid Dornika for posing in my Acid Mermaid Jewelry, and here is a selfie they took wearing it, plus an awesome story.

My Patrons make my documentary work of Berlin folx possible!

As my health continues to deteriorate thanks to multiple autoimmune illnesses, it is the emotional, practical and financial support of my Patrons that keeps me going, making art.

Telling the stories of Queer Berlin and the fabulous folx who live, love and perform in our city. You can help, for just a buck a month 🙂