Monthly Archives: October 2021

A Rod of Asclepius with a friendly embracing snake, in hopes of healing.

Rod of Asclepius embroidery artwork by Suzanne Forbes completed Sept 2021The Rod or Staff of Asclepius is a symbol of medicine and healing.

A snake twines around a wooden staff, borne by Asclepius. The Greek god Asclepius was sacred to physicians; his daughters include Hygieia, Panacea, Aceso and Iaso, all associated with healing and recuperation.

In Germany, you see the Rod of Asclepius everywhere on medical facilities. Our doctor has a logo that uses the Berliner Fernsehturm (TV tower) as the rod!

The Caduceus, with two snakes, is often used instead, mistakenly.

Rod of Asclepius embroidery artwork by Suzanne Forbes Sept 2021This is the first snake embroidery I‘ve ever made!

Sewn with love and attention and hope for healing onto deaths-head moth and roses velvet fabric from a Killstar dress I bought to cut up and make creepy things from 🙂

Rod of Asclepius embroidery artwork by Suzanne Forbes Sept 2021 detail

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.