Tag Archives: Suzanne Forbes art

For the archives: OUTDOORS?!?

Sketchbook Winter 1991 Minneapolis ink landscape by Rachel Ketchum aka Suzanne ForbesYes, it seems that on a few occasions in my life, I actually drew a picture outdoors.

With no people in it. Yes, I am as surprised as you are. This is from April 4 1990, in Como Park, Minnesota, ink on paper. I think I drew it because my friend Tom was bouldering and I was bored?

Sketchbook Fall 1990 St. Paul by Rachel Ketchum aka Suzanne ForbesPicture of a building!

A house on Summit Ave in St. Paul, fall 1990 I believe.

Sketchbook Fall 1990 St. Paul by Rachel Ketchum aka Suzanne ForbesPicture of a street!

Almost no people anyway! September 2, 1990, Portland st., St. Paul, graphite on paper.

Sketchbook Fall 1990 Minneapolis by Rachel Ketchum aka Suzanne Forbes

Picture of a house!

Fall 1990, graphite on paper. I can’t believe how bad my cars were. This was when I was just barely learning to drive – and note I failed the driving test twice before I passed it on the third go. I just didn’t understand cars!

Sketchbook Fall 1989 St Paul Cafe Latte by Rachel Ketchum aka Suzanne ForbesPicture of a street, around 1990!

The cars were so frustrating I abandoned it.

Sketchbook Fall 1989 St Paul Cafe Latte by Rachel Ketchum aka Suzanne ForbesOutside, from inside!

Grand Avenue seen from inside Cafe Latte in St. Paul, Fall 1989. Cafe Latte still exists!

Sketchbook Fall 1989 or winter 1990 Minneapolis by Rachel Ketchum aka Suzanne ForbesI loved this church I drew in 1989 or ’90 so much I actually got married there, in .. 1995 I think?

I used to pass it on my way home from Cafe Latte to my first apartment, “the Batcave”. I would stop and sit in the little entry house. It was a symbol of how pretty and peaceful St. Paul was to me. Although i have no religious affiliation, I got married to my first ex-husband there.

The writing on this drawing reads “It’s just that I feel- sometimes I feel like I’ve been arguing with the benign politics of light and shadow for so long, questioning their logical procedures; and the darkness of a wheel-well mocks me –”

A comment about the struggle of creating value in drawing, not metaphorical light and darkness!

These drawings had been scanned, but never edited or published, and were buried many folders deep on an old hard drive – I had completely, utterly forgotten they existed.

I am so grateful to my Patrons on Patreon, whose monthly financial support makes it possible for me to take time to document my art archives.

MisSa’s Birthday Extravaganza!

MisSa Blue performing in red room for her Birthday Extravaganza by Suzanne Forbes May 18 2020What a joy to draw MisSa again!

MisSa is such a charismatic performer. And she brought in some wonderful folks for her birthday livestream!

Kiki Deville for MisSa Blue Birthday Extravaganza by Suzanne Forbes May 10 2020A marvelous touch from hostess Kiki DeVille was that after each performance, she would check in with the performer about how they were doing.

It was so cool to see the performer shake off their stage persona, catch their breath, and tell us how things are for them.

MisSa Blue for her Birthday Extravaganza by Suzanne Forbes May 10 2020MisSa did go-go dancing during the intermission. Good heavens, she can dance!

Ruby Tuesday NeoBurlesque for MisSa Blue Birthday Extravaganza by Suzanne Forbes May 10 2020Ruby Tuesday is a fabulous drag creature, and gave a sizzling show.

You would not believe how resourceful she was in utilizing living room furniture!

Jo Boobs Weldon for MisSa Blue Birthday Extravaganza by Suzanne Forbes May 10 2020I have been drawing burlesque performers for fifteen years, but this was the first time I drew Jo “Boobs” Weldon, the Headmistress!

I had such fun drawing this legendary pillar of modern burly-q, Mistress of the New York School of Burlesque.

MisSa Blue for her Birthday Extravaganza 2 by Suzanne Forbes May 10 2020Thanks so much to MisSa and Kiki DeVille for an incredible joyful show!

I am so grateful to my Patrons on Patreon, whose monthly financial support lets me keep documenting performers and releasing the art free to all, while I work safely at home. 

You can see previous drawings of MisSa performing at Berlin Burlesque Week here, and co-hosting the Berlin Burlesque Week Performer’s Panel on Cultural Appropriation here. Her linktree for all info is here!

Cleopantha by Suzanne Forbes Feb 17 2021Updated Feb 18, 2021: Finally finished this drawing of Cleopantha!

It took so long to finish this drawing of Cleopantha ! Sometimes my finishing a drawing stalls because of a silly thing – in this case, I couldn’t figure out how to draw the hallway Cleopantha was dancing in. Then I suddenly realized yesterday, it’s a good likeness of a very beautiful performer, no one will care about the hallway!