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Sunday, July 13, 2008

Burlesque Meets Life Drawing At Dr. Sketchys


A beautiful woman dressed as an absinthe fairy reclines on a gauze-draped table and strikes a pose, an elegant but slightly crooked antique chandelier hanging above. The artists grip their sketch pads with purpose and get to work as bawdy music cranks up over the speakers

sketch by the talented Tiffany Kamerman

Dr. Sketchy's Anti Art School combines burlesque with life drawing for a raucous good time to be enjoyed by artists and gawkers (as long as they're respectful) alike. Founded in 2005 by artist and webcomic creator Molly Crabapple, the event (held every other Saturday) has become a Brooklyn institution.

model Delirium Tremens before absinthe...

...and after absinthe

I attended the event with my friend Tiffany, an artist who let the charcoals grow dusty and hadn't sketched in a while, figuring that maybe the interesting venue might inspire her to pick her craft up again. She started with a few hesitant, unsure sketches, and by the end of the night she got her art mojo back and even won a contest (and a free shot of absinthe onstage!).

Tiffany and a fellow artist share absinthe on stage

The audience for this beautiful and sultry-- but definitely tongue-in-cheek -- burlesque show/sketching session was about 50/50 men and women and the event was definitely something both genders would enjoy. Our tireless model, Miss Delirium Tremens, struck each pose with an air of self-confidence and just a touch of humor.

If you're an artist or simply a devotee of cool shit to do in NYC, you really owe it to yourself to attend Dr. Sketchy's -- their next show is on July 26th at The Lucky Cat in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and you can read the details here.

Gallery:Dr. Sketchy's John Leavitt and Molly Crabapple

flesh...

...and fantasy
(sketch -- and the ones that follow
--
courtesy of Tiffany Kamerman)




6 comments:

  1. Bah! You should ask Molly about the OTHER co-creator that she muscled out by only referring to herself as the creator when out sucking up to the media! Bah I say! Or well, the other girl doesn't have any sore feelings. & I've never met that Molly in person, though no one can make up their mind about whether I'd like her or hate her. So quantum bah. Maybe it is fine? Maybe bah!

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  2. I've been to some burlesque shows in the city, and loved every one of them. I even got to see the delightful Ms. Tremens perform. So even without seeing Dr. Sketchy's show in particular, I've gotta echo your recommendation in spirit! Burly-Q is awesome.

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  3. Hi,

    Thank you for posting this information. Looks fun!

    The link I followed to the website said she'd be out here at the SDCCI, and will be doing this at one of the local taverns.

    I plan on stopping by, glad you posted this!

    D.

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  4. I was last last years San Diego Dr Sketchy's night. It was at a very cool bar but you need a longish cab ride to get there from con central. Fantastic idea and super groovy time. I won a book!

    Nicola.

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  5. RE: Nicola!

    Thanks for the kind words. We know that last year the venue was a bit out of the way. This year, our location, The Local is a mere 5 minute cab ride from con

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