Tag Archives: portrait drawing

San Francisco muses whose faces I know so well, drawn through the ether.

Midori for Dark Garden livestream Nov 26 2020 by Suzanne ForbesI saw on the excellent Dark Garden instagram feed that DG doyenne Autumn Adamme would be having a livestream chat with Midori.

Midori and K city hall wedding 2008Both of these San Francisco legends are well known to me. I painted Midori, who has an incredibly busy travel schedule as an artist, author and sexuality educator, over three years from 2006 to 2009, as we could fit the sessions in.

I drew her at her wedding at San Francisco City Hall in 2008, and at Torture Garden in London, and spent several happy Fourth of July parties watching explosions from her terrace.

I think the drawing above, from the livestream, captures the deep current of mischievous perversity that glows in Midori when she talks about dominance.

Midori for Dark Garden livestream 2 Nov 26 2020 by Suzanne ForbesHere you see Midori in her library, where I painted her, with her books behind her.

You can see Midori’s educational work, art and writing on her Patreon (I was one of the first to join!), and enjoy her youtube here and insta here.

I drew Autumn Adamme several times in the Oughts. Autumn and I had hoped to arrange a portrait in those days but she was then and probably now simply too busy. Instead we collaborated on a Dark Garden fashion show where I drew lots of models in her corsets!

She was in Berlin not long ago, but I was too ill to meet up.

Autumn Adamme for Dark Garden livestream Nov 26 2020 by Suzanne ForbesI still hope for a painting at some point.

Meanwhile, here is Autumn in one of my favorite of her corset designs, similar to my own Dark Garden corset. Dark Garden has fantastic educational and eye candy content, from their Patreon to their Youtube channel to their gorgeous insta to the fabulous website.

Eva Galperin on EFF livestream Nov 26 2020 by Suzanne ForbesAnother muse from the Bay, from a livestream.

Beloved friend-muse-Patron Eva Galperin has given several livestream talks for her role at EFF (as well as innumerable other talks this year). This is from July, but just finished this week. I know Eva’s mother, who is also a Patron and collector of my work, and as I drew this I could really see her in Eva’s face.

I am incredibly grateful to my Patreon Patrons, whose monthly financial support makes it possible for me work safely at home.

 

The coolest Goths in town: Christina Corpse and Antina Christ!

Christina Corpse for Poke House and Pansys House of Presents livestream October 31 2020 by Suzanne ForbesI adore gorgeous gothic newlyweds Christina Corpse and Antina Christ.

They have the most creative style, the wildest performances, the sharpest aesthetic. Above is Christina from one of Gieza’s Poke House livestreams this past summer, when it seemed like Christina and Antina had a new mini-movie for every show. It took me forever to finish this drawing because I loved the performance so much, I wanted to live up to it! The movies these two spooky cuties made this year would be an art-house smash reel (when there are arthouses again; in Berlin, there will be).

Christina is a visual artist as well as performer and moviemaker, and does cartoons and illustrations for benefits and events in the drag community! Christina is married to Antina Christ, the Daughter of Seitan. (It never gets old, I still laugh every time I read it). They perform together as well as separately. You can see their adorable Coin-Operated Boy duet here in the archives of Christina’s shows!

Antina Christ for Pansys House of Presents livestream November 26 2020 by Suzanne ForbesAntina’s performances are all different.

This one was glitchy and mime-y. Mesmerizing! Antina is a legacy member of the House of Presents, and has performed many times; here are other drawings of her at Monster Ronsons and from the summer of livestreams.

Antina Christ at Pansys House of Presents November 26 2020 by Suzanne ForbesHere Antina read us a very moving piece about queerness and gender identity.

She always looks so pretty, with the most gorgeous hair and makeup (“Priestess from another planet, but make it ooky-spooky!” she describes it) and cutest dresses.

Antina Christ at Pansys House of Presents October 31 2020 by Suzanne ForbesThis was Antina’s Halloween show!

Halloween this year was the last IRL Poke House/House of Presents show at beloved Berlin clubhouse Monster Ronsons. Maybe the last ever, if things go badly. So I am very glad that it was a knockout of a show, and was livestreamed for accessibility. Antina did a slasher revue!

Antina’s regular Insta is here, her MUA account is here, and her website is here. Christina’s insta is here, her Youtube channel is here, and her graphic work is here. I am honored to share a community and a city with these incredibly multi-talented beauties.

I am incredibly grateful to my Patreon Patrons, whose monthly financial support makes it possible for me work safely at home, documenting Berlin performers.