Tag Archives: traditional portraiture for alternative lifestyles

Ukrainian burlesque diva Daria poses for a Sketcherei fundraiser!

Daria posing for Sketcherei by Suzanne Forbes April 25 2022 1Daria has moved to Berlin from Kyiv.

She has the most incredible period face and a fantastic aesthetic.

Daria posing for Sketcherei by Suzanne Forbes April 25 2022 2As I have said many times, the Sketcherei team is devoted to fundraising.

This event raised money for Berlin NGO Berlin to Borders, a local org created by nightlife titans.

Daria posing for Sketcherei by Suzanne Forbes April 25 2022 3I love Sketcherei life-drawing sessions.

The models are always thoughtfully chosen, in allyship, and beautifully lit! The wonderful team Alexandra and Liana of Sketcherei really care about sex workers, about art and about drawing.

Daria posing for Sketcherei by Suzanne Forbes April 25 2022 5Daria had two costumes, one in golds and one in gothic blacks.

You know I love a gothic look!

Daria posing for Sketcherei by Suzanne Forbes April 25 2022 4I tried my new Pentel brush pen and I liked it.

Using the Pentel pen, water-based ink and another brush pen loaded with water. Instant grey washes! Plus a pale peachy watercolor brush pen. And that’s it! No pencil.

Daria’s insta and photography insta.

More about Berlin to Borders: this homegrown humanitarian org is providing direct aid to the most vulnerable folx escaping the war in Ukraine. They are hiring for paid work and looking for volunteers.

See the website or linktree for how to donate, volunteer or get hired!

More Sketcherei sessions I’ve joined:

Sketcherei with Chiqui Love.

Sketcherei with Berlin Strippers Collective and Akynos.

Sketcherei with Berlin Strippers Collective and Chiqui again!

Sketcherei with Dotti Moscati for Valentines 2022.

I’m so grateful to my Patrons on Patreon, whose monthly financial support makes it possible for me to keep working and evolving as an artist, and to support artists’ models!

 

Drawing SFxBerlin artist Rachael Jablo working on The Hysteria Project!

Rachael Jablo working on art for The Hysteria Project drawn by Suzanne Forbes Feb 17 2022Such a treat to have a zoom visit with my friend Rachael Jablo, a fellow former Bay Arean!

I met Rachael here in Berlin, at Sadie Lune’s birthday party years ago. Even though we were in the Bay at the same time, and both knew Sadie among other folks, we never met there!

Thank goodness we connected here. I can’t imagine not knowing Rachael! Sick person baker artists rule! Due to both of us being chronically ill, we don’t visit IRL that often, yet our spiritual connection is amazing. And our techie husbands get along great too.

Rachael is creating an incredible collaborative storytelling project called The Hysteria Project.

“The Hysteria Project is a one-on-one storytelling project dealing with menstruation, reproductive, and pelvic disorders, illustrated by individual ‘portraits’ of their reproductive organs based on their stories. These life-size, intimate works start in a traditional darkroom where I use lace instead of negatives to make color prints that I cut up and collage onto a gold leaf background.” – Rachael Jablo

Uterus portrait by Rachael Jablo for the Hysteria Project of Suzanne Forbes with fibroids

Portrait by Rachael Jablo for the Hysteria Project of Suzanne Forbes’ menstrual system with fibroids

I told my fibroids story for the project and Rachael made a portrait of my uterus!

Isn’t it beautiful? You can read my story here, it has lots of swearing and so. much. blood. Other folks I know have also told their stories and had portraits made. Being listened to and witnessed by Rachael’s compassionate spirit is such a healing experience. Rachael describes how the project started here.

Rachael’s website, Rachael’s insta, The Hysteria Project website, insta and twitter.

The Hysteria Project is Funded by Die Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien.

I of course am funded by my  Patreon Patrons, who have my eternal gratitude and love for keeping me working, making art and documenting Berlin creators as a vaccinated but Covid-vulnerable disabled person.Rachael Jablo working on art for The Hysteria Project drawn by Suzanne Forbes Feb 17 2022 detail