Tag Archives: art in berlin

Drawing Liliana Velásquez at Dr. Sketchy’s x Drink and Draw Berlin!

I am incredibly sad that my beloved Dr. Sketchy’s Berlin is ending.

Lala Vox has poured her heart and soul into it for ten years, creating an event beyond anyone’s imaginings, and needs to let it go now. Co-producer Syren Joey, who has done fantastic work the last couple years, also has reasons to not be producing a big elaborate event.

So the last two events are being held as special intimate sessions of Dr. Sketchy’s Berlin at the Drink and Draw Berlin kunsthaus, and this Sunday’s starred model Liliana Velásquez.

Liliana Velasquez at Take It Easy Baby Tom Petty Tribute by Suzanne Forbes April 20 2018Liliana is a friend and muse who I have drawn many times because she is one of the hardest-working entertainers in Berlin. I’ve caught her doing stand-up, producing variety shows, hosting New Year’s events, teaching the tango at her live talk show, and more.

She is also a professional life model, who worked for seven years at the top New York art schools, including the Art Student’s League and the School of Visual Arts, two of the places where I went to school!

There is nothing like the grace and elegance of an experienced artists’ model, who can tell a story in their gaze or the arch of a foot.

Liliana is also now teaching self-defense to women and minorities at Pretty Deadly Self Defense, a valuable Berlin resource I am hoping to check out soon!

Here is a picture of me at my usual table at a Sketchy’s earlier this year, by Maren Michaelis.

Thanks so much to Lala Vox and Syren Joey for their hard work on Dr. Sketchy’s Berlin, and to Liliana Velásquez and the great folks of Drink and Draw Berlin!

I absolutely encourage all Dr. Sketchy’s Berlin folks who haven’t yet been to visit Drink and Draw Berlin’s gorgeous and welcoming historic boat. The boat is docked on the river Spree, and is set up as a permanent life drawing space, with model platforms, hanging drapery, props, easels, and a variety of seating including very comfy! There are weekly drawing classes, events and more.

At the PorYes Awards – Nan Kinney, Wayne Yung, Loree Erickson and More!

Nan Kinney at PorYes Awards by Suzanne Forbes Nov 24 2019I splashed out and bought a front-row seat for the ten-year anniversary of Berlin’s PorYes Awards.

The awards were held this year in the beautiful HAU1 theater of the woman-run Hebbel am Ufer. Since 2009, the PorYes award (which is a sparkling, open crystal oyster!) stands for respectful portrayal of all genders and a diverse sexuality.

Above is award winner Nan Kinney, elder and pioneer.

She created the first lesbian adult film production company, Fatale Media. I absolutely adored seeing clips of her films from the 80s – they are funny and playful and sexy, with safer sex education and wonderful characters.

Loree Erickson at PorYes Awards by Suzanne Forbes Nov 24 2019Dr. Loree Erickson is doing such important work in empowering queercrips.

Her critical academic work is in practices of resistance such as the “sexy femmegimp politics of flaunting it”, she makes art that fearlessly articulates desire for historically forbidden bodies, and she was wearing leopard and metallic fucshia which is my favorite.

Wayne Yung at PorYes Awards by Suzanne Forbes Nov 24 2019Wayne Yung talked about the reactions he got when he began bringing feminist gay films to festivals.

He said it was not initially an easy concept to sell! I highly recommend a visit to his site to check out his deep catalog of video art – he has produced an incredible body of work.

Anna Brownfield at PorYes Awards by Suzanne Forbes Nov 28 2019Here’s Ozzie award winner Anna Brownfield of Poison Apple Productions.

We saw clips from her film The Band and it absolutely knocked me out. She went to RMIT, just like my second-ex-husband.

Sadie Lune at PorYes Awards by Suzanne Forbes Nov 28 2019Award winner (and my friend, Patron and muse!) Sadie Lune, in purple satin.

She’s also wearing a beaded velvet fascinator with a Death’s Head moth I made for her!

Polly Fannlaf at PorYes Awards by Suzanne Forbes Nov 28 2019I will get this comedienne’s name shortly!

The balloon she is holding was part of a hashtag action about censorship.

Laura Meritt at PorYes Awards by Suzanne Forbes Nov 28 2019

PorYes was co-founded by Laura Méritt , seen above – she is a communication scientist, salon holder and sexologist! – and Polly Fannlaf.

A visit to Sexclusivitäten is an essential part of sex-positive living when you’re in Berlin. Polly Fannlaf runs the Freudenfluss Network, which organizes sexual-political campaigns.

The work Ms. Fannlaf and Ms. Méritt have done in making these historic awards is so important. I was honored to be present for the ten-year anniversary, and look forward to fifteen and twenty!