Oh, it’s been way, way, way too long since the last Dr. Sketchy’s Baltimore session. I’m not sure if having the beautiful Lauren Marleaux of Gilded Lily Burlesque as our last model of the year has made the break any easier to bear, or if it just makes it worse, reminding us of the glories and wonders we once had before this abominable season of runny noses, obligatory office parties, and 3000 “Merry Christmas!” texts from people you never talk to.
Well, buck up, grab what’s left of the eggnog and we’re going to look at some purty pictures and tell tales of events long past.
Before we started the session, Alexis had a pop quiz on the identity of our last three models, with the winners each getting a copy of Bachelor Pad Magazine, which featured an absolutely gorgeous photo spread of Maria Bella, founder of Gilded Lily Burlesque.
For the one- and two-minute poses, Lauren went all steampunky on us, an aesthetic near and dear to my jager-soaked heart.
Everyone took a break, got some whiskey or cocktail or whatever, snuck a smoke, and came back for the five-minute poses. The first was the opposite hand contest, where if you’re right-handed you draw with your left, if you’re left-handed you draw with your right, and if you’re ambidextrous, you are meant for a life in the circus and shouldn’t waste time hanging with us. The two winners received a mystery shot from Russell at the bar. There ain’t much point in asking what’s in ’em; his memory has been failing for years and that sort of thing seeps right out a couple minutes after the glass hits the bar. (On reflection, I seem to recall he said they were two Cookies For Santa, so do with that info what you will.)
As always, all contests are optional.
More five-minute poses . . .
Another quick break, and it was time for the ten-minute poses.
The second contest of the evening was the best incorporation of “What will Denise Whiting of Cafe Hon trademark next?” with one winner receiving an acrylic paint set and a second winner a watercolor paint set from our generous sponsor Artist & Craftsman Supply, just across the street on the corner of Howard and North Avenue. They’re open till 8, so if you’re in a hurry to get to Sketchy’s and forget a pad, for God’s sake, get one from over there—they’re good folks.
Ben Karnovski
Ben Karnovski
Next up was the first 20-minute pose with the contest being the best incorporation of the Twelve Days of Christmas, Baltimore-style—resulting in many a Natty Boh reference. The prize was a $15 gift card from Atomic Books, our oldest sponsor (as in, they’ve been with us since the beginning, not, um, that they’re really old). If you like Dr. Sketchy’s (or even if you don’t and you’re reading this for some weird reason, but you love indy comics & books), you’ll love them.
Ben Karnovski
Liz Beetem
A quick break and onto the next 20-minute pose and the random noun contest—somebody shouted out “Gandalf”—with the prize being the Chiodos Bros.’ Alien Xmas from Baby Tattoo Books.
Liz Beetem
At this point, things get a little hazy, honestly. For some reason, Russell was making me and Bill do shots of whiskey with pickle-juice chasers while Alexis, Viola Van Wilde, and Dahlia Derriere ooohed and aaaahed over naughty pin-up magazines. You’d think the guys would be all about that, but no, apparently we were drinking pickle juice for some reason.
Thanks to Lauren Marleaux of Gilded Lily Burlesque for braving the frigid weather to pose for our drawing pleasure. (BTW, a little piece of B’more Sketchy’s trivia: Lauren was not only our last model of 2010; she was our first model of the year, too. Take note, kids—it might come handy in another pop quiz later this year.) Thanks as well to Russell for slinging drink and song and letting us use his amazing space and to our generous sponsors Atomic Books, Artist & Craftsman Supply, and Baby Tattoo Books for providing us prizes to doll out—not to mention big ol’ thanks to Maria Bella for getting a hold of a couple copies of Bachelor Pad Magazine (and signing them!) for us to give out too! Thanks to Bill for filming for our documentary and helping with cleanup, thanks too to my parents for getting me a bad-ass video camera for Christmas to help with that documentary. (Yeah, I just thanked my parents in a Dr. Sketchy’s recap, so what? Are sure you don’t need to call yours and thank ’em for something? Don’t get all high and mighty with me—you think I won’t come over there, but I will.)
…thanks to Jeff for the stunning pictures you see above, and to Alexis for MC’ing this big ol’ bobsled of crazy. And last, but definitely not least: thanks to everyone who modeled for us in 2010, and to everyone who attended our sessions in the past year.
Well, it’s almost time for the next Dr. Sketchy’s Baltimore, folks. It’s been a long cold winter, but I can’t think of a better way to come back than Nicolette le Faye on Monday, January 24th, one week from now.
The multi-talented Nicolette—she’s an actress, trapeze artist, burlesque performer, dancer, musician, and costume designer—was a huge hit when she last modeled for us over a year ago, and you can see for yourself why by checking out the photos from that session.
And, if that’s not enough reason to get yourself to The Windup Space on the 24th, then you should know that we’ll be on yet another break until February 28, thanks to a certain Hallmark holiday falling on the second Monday of next month. Hey, don’t get mad at us—the calendar gods have not been on our side as of late, so take it up with them. Or, at least, be sure not to miss our January session.
Dr. Sketchy's Baltimore 