AN EVENING AT DR. SKETCHY'S [Archive]

MattBrady

03-12-2007, 01:35 PM

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/general/Sketchy/Dr.Sketchys_edit.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/general/Sketchy/Dr.Sketchys_edit_t.jpg" border="0" align="right"></a>by Chris Arrant

Burlesque performers posing as artists draw them, not in a classroom but in a bar or tavern with the drinks running smoothly.

Art school was never like this, but Dr. Sketchy’s is

A typical Dr. Sketchy's event goes something like this – it's a life model drawing session, but instead of the placid model you're used to they are instead a performer or sometimes – "burlesque dancer, fetish model, derby girl or carny freak" as founder Molly Crabapple states it. They start with short poses and build-up to longer ones. Throughout the event there are contests for the attendees to win prizes such as free drinks, artwork or copies of the Dr. Sketchy's book - Dr. Sketchy's Rainy Day Colouring Book. At most events, founder, artist and writer Molly Crabapple serves as the MC.

Molly Crabapple is embarking on a national book tour to "spread the Sketchy gospel" as she puts it, with book signings / Dr. Sketchy's events in bars and bookstores across the country. A list of the upcoming East and West coast signings can be found at http://www.drsketchy.com/tour.php. We spoke with Crabapple about Dr. Sketchy's, both as an experience and the book itself.

Newsarama: What led you to transform life drawing classes into what has become Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School movement?

Molly Crabapple: As a former art student and former artists model, I saw traditional life-drawing class were in dire need of a shakeup. So I summoned my burlesque friends, added in some alcohol, games, and my friend Leavitt's black humor, and Dr. Sketchy's was born

NRAMA: What can people expect with Dr. Sketchy's Official Rainy Day Colouring Book?

MC: Dr. Sketchy's Rainy Day Colouring Book is one part dirty activity book, one part DIY handbook, and one part official history of how Dr. Sketchy's began. So, prep yourselves for sexy paper dolls, drink recipies, games that teach you how to be an art star, and stories of what it's really like to be a broke naked model in New York

NRAMA: Can you tell us about John Leavitt and his involvement in the book?

<img src="http://www.newsarama.com/general/Sketchy/0015.jpg" border="0" align="left">MC: John Leavitt's a New Yorker cartoonist and my oldest and dearest friend. He's responsible for the swank design of the book, and most of the really good writing. He also helps me run Dr. Sketchy's. He even started our infamous "drinking contest".

NRAMA: Can you explain for us what people can expect with the book tour?

MC: In some cities (Greensboro, Phoenix, DC, Durham) I'm doing full on Dr. Sketchy's. In others, I'll be reading from my book at cool indie bookstores. Then, attendees get to sketch a glamorous burlesque girl, with the best drawing winning a prize. In some cities, there may be booze. Or cupcakes.

NRAMA: Do you have to be an artist to participate?

MC: Hell no! We here at Dr. Sketchy's don't discriminate against the talentless. As long as you like pretty girls and boozy fun, you're welcome.

For more information, visit www.drsketchy.com .

adamcasey

03-12-2007, 02:20 PM

I was at the one in Greensboro a few weeks back.

It was pretty different. There was a burlesque dancer model doing several poses on this Victorian looking love seat. There were certain themes for each pose (I'll mention those with each of my drawings.) There were also "adult novelty" prizes for the "winners" of each round.

I got there a little late, but the first one I participated in had to incorporate a fuzzy sack of flour:

http://www.adamcasey.com/images/drsketchy1.gif

The second one had to have a dog, so I made this gag piece:

http://www.adamcasey.com/images/drsketchy2.gif

For the final one, the model turned around and stradled the chair, and there was no topic. I came up with this:

http://www.adamcasey.com/images/drsketchy3.gif

I won with the third one. I thought the second one was generally funny, but people thought they were Beavis and Butthead, not Wayne and Garth.

The other people I take it were art students from UNC-Greensboro, Greensboro College, or Guilford College. There was some very nice work. One girl was working in charcoal or grease pencil and made some top notch stuff.