Some Dr. Sketchy models are hot, some are REALLY hot and some… like this month’s Force of Sketchy Nature we call Tracy… are just plain explosive.  Like indoor fireworks on stage.  With a dazzling smile.  And wicked cool tattoos.  Man, we are so excited. 

What: Houston Sketchy goes (sexily) patriotic
When: Sunday, July 12th from 2-6pm
Where: Upstairs at Avant Garden (411 Westheimer)

Grab your sketchpads, your favorite red, white and blue sparkly drawing pencils (or not) and be a good Dr. Sketchy’s citizen.  Bring your friends and your awesomeness.  See you there!

Thanks to our awesome Dr. Sketchy Art Monkeys for a ninja-tastic Sketchy session this month!  Check out our Flickr group to see what you missed!

Gorgeous drawing thanks to Action Puddle

All right my Art Monkey warriors, this month’s Dr. Sketchy is coming at ya’ with mighty KUNG FU GRIP!!

We’ll be hosting one heck of a hot model, Chris-san, as he demonstrates his incredibly martial arts prowess, weaponry and all-around awesomeness.  Come for the death-defying poses, stay for the rocking sketching fodder.

When: Sunday, June 14th from 2-6pm
Where: Avant Garden (411 Westheimer)
How much: $10 + model tips (highly recommended if you want to make it out alive bwahahahaha)

Photo thanks to Ed Schipul

Another swell Sketchy session with rock star artists, beautiful model Iris (thanks gal!) and wonderful people through and through.

MASSIVE MAJOR HUGE THANKS!!! to two organizations that went above and beyond for us:

Saint Arnold’s Brewery continues to love and support us.  Last month they donated pint glasses to give away as prizes to our artists and this month they donated 3 cases of beer for our thirsty Art Monkeys to sip on.

Here’s to hydration – Saint Arnold’s style!!  You guys really really rock.

The completely wonderful and beautiful folks at Spacetaker gave our little May Sketchy soiree a special home this month.  We love their venue, but even more than that… we LOVE Jenni Rebecca Stephenson and David Brown for opening their arms and letting us play

This is one heck of an amazing Houston arts organization – definitely check out their upcoming events, featured artists and artist support/training.  An absolute gem.

Looking for a HOT summer read???  Molly Crabapple’s latest book ‘Scarlett Takes Manhattan’ is available on Amazon for pre-order.  Even Margaret Cho thinks Molly is the bees knees (we could’ve told her that ):

A young woman orphaned in tragic circumstances (by a pair of copulating circus elephants) rises to become the foremost burlesque performer of her era: Scarlett O’Herring. Mentored by the mysterious D’Lovely, Scarlett is a fire-breather, courtesan, and the heroine of Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School founder Molly Crabapple’s first graphic novel. “Scarlett Takes Manhattan” is a delightful erotic romp through the exotic world of Gilded Age New York!

We can’t wait to introduce you to one heck of a lovely lady – this month’s model:  IRIS!!

See ya’ this Sunday (May 17th) from 2-6pm at Spacetaker (2101 Winter St.).

Just a friendly reminder that our Sketchy session is at a different location this month – we’ll be playing at Spacetaker (right next door to Winter St. Studios) on 2101 Winter St.

Coming from I-10 on Taylor/Sawyer St. (Exit 767B), you’ll make a left hand turn on to Winter St.  Look for the railroad tracks and the giant rice mill (can’t miss it!!), that’ll help you know to turn.  Once you’ve turned on to Winter St. drive past the rice mill, with the tracks on your immediate left, and keep going until you see a warehouse on your right hand side.  You’ve made it!

There is parking in front of the building, but you can also go to the parking lot immediately after the building on your right hand side.

We’ll have FREE beer (thanks to the always-wonderful St. Arnold’s Brewery), water and snacks for you — but will have very little tablespace to offer this time around.  So be sure to bring your drawing boards! Can’t wait to see you guys!!

Dr. Sketchy is art class without the class // what happens when cabaret meets life drawing // an awesome way to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon with art nerds.

If you’re a newcomer to the Dr. Sketchy world, you may not know exactly what to expect.  Traditional life drawing? (no) Sketching workshop? (no) Creepy weird people ogling models prancing naked on the stage?  (no)

We get that we’ve got a new and different thing going, so here are some pointers on what to expect and how to prepare for your very first Dr. Sketchy session – we really can’t wait to meet you!!

Dr. Sketchy IS:

• An informal and cheeky life drawing session (not your typical art school affair)
• An affordable way to have access to an ENORMOUS variety of models to draw each month
• A place to bring your sketchpad, grab a glass of wine and hang out with other artsy types
• A blend of solid sketching poses (from 2- 20 minutes in length), silly drawing contests with prizes (if you’re interested, no worries if you’re not) and good music to keep the vibe going
• $10 to get in the door (to keep our models well-paid and happy) – we also encourage artists to tip our models, with all the dinero going directly to the models

Dr. Sketchy is NOT:

• A typical art school life drawing session – we joke around, play music, encourage our models to be as sassy as can be (occasional spanking included) and keep things as light and fun as possible
• A place to bring an attitude – we love all skill levels of artists, all types of attendees and all sizes, shapes and styles of models.  Stay cool man.  Stay cool.
• A chance to take dirty photos to sell on the interwebs – we take care of our models and keep a watchful eye on photographers.  Most of them post their beautiful work in our Flickr group to share, but all of them are respectful and with permission of the model.
• An advanced artist-only event – if you’re just breaking in to the drawing scene, you are welcome.  If all you want to do is draw pie charts and drink beer, you are welcome.  If you want to color in some of our Houston Sketchy coloring pages and hang out, you are welcome.  We welcome EVERYONE, as long as they stay cool and respectful.  Word.

What to expect on your first Dr. Sketchy event:

• Every month’s session has a different theme – this means each model gets to pick their own style so one month you might get treated to a beautiful belly dancer (and if you’re REALLY lucky, maybe a performance in between poses) and the next you might draw a fire eater.  We like to keep it fresh, so you always have something new to sketch and enjoy.
• Sketchy treats:  The occasional free booze (for tippers and contest winners), cupcakes, small toys, snacks and candy have all made their way into some or all of our events.  No pressure, just some fun things we conjure up and a great way for sponsors to stay plugged in.
• Goofy event coordinators and volunteers – we’re here to make sure you’re taken care of.  Need some chocolate?  Need a pencil sharpener?  Want inspiration for a drawing contest entry idea?  We’re here to take care of you when you need us.  Otherwise, we’re the ones running things behind the scenes, drinking a lot of Red Bull and probably gushing over your awesome work during the breaks
• Laidback environment – we meet monthly at a RAWKING arts venue/bar called Avant Garden.  So expect to spend the afternoon in a well-lit bar that feels more like a cool old house than anything uber-polished and professional.  Come wearing jeans and sneakers – or show up in your favorite corset, just be comfortable and happy.  We play music, encourage conversation when artists aren’t busy sketching and just plain keep it chilled and relaxed.  We’re here to have fun, brush up on some drawing skills and enjoy each others’ company.  End of story.
• Drawing contests – we hold a couple of drawing contests (like ‘best incorporation of a naughty cupid’ at Valentine’s Day, etc.) and give away prizes to artists that are interested in playing during our sessions.  At the end of every Sketchy session our artists have the chance to bring up their favorite piece and have the model select their favorite.  If you don’t dig that idea, then you can be shy and we’ll love and adore you just the same   It’s all about what you want to make of it, no worries.
• Friendly people and hip artists – our group prides itself on our chilled out vibe and friendly folks.  If you’re nervous about coming alone and not knowing anyone – don’t be.  We guarantee you’ll go home with at least a handful of new pals.  If you’d prefer to hide out in a corner and just focus on your drawing, we dig that too.  We are here for our artists, so you dictate what you want your Sketchy Sunday to be like.
• Photographers (the nice kind) – we do host some pretty rocking photographers to come and shoot our events, but they know better than to get in anyone’s way or invade anyone’s personal space.  If you’re concerned about having your work photographed, just let them and the organizers know and we’ll be sure to keep our cameras distant.  If you are ready for your close up and want the paparazzi after you, then let us know that too

For the most part (except for holidays and acts of God), we meet every 2nd Sunday from 2-6pm at Avant Garden (411 Westheimer).  Admission is $10 (yes, we are serious about this — as this is what pays our models and for our venue), we encourage artists to tip their model and parking is free.

If you have any other questions or want to throw in your (constructive) feedback, then by all means!!! email us here:  happykatie at houstonsketchy dot com.

Be sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter here to keep in touch and hear all the latest and greatest news!!

Huge thanks to Ed Schipul for the beautiful photo above! Check out our Flickr group to see some beautiful photos of past events (and to contribute your own!)

Due to some unplanned re-scheduling (is any re-scheduling ever planned??  whatever…) we’ll be holding our Dr. Sketchy session at Spacetaker this month!!

Join us as we bring in the glam, sultry and provacative Miss Buffy – our resident erotic poet mistress.  Eye AND ear candy.  You’re welcome.

Crazy-mad thanks to Molly Crabapple and John Leavitt for a WUNDERBAHR SketchyCon 2009 in New Yawk City We heart you!!!!!  Check out the entire SketchyCon 2009 photo pool for more images of our weekend debauchery.