With Pabst cans in her hair and a pump-action shotgun at her hip, our figure model for the evening wasn't the typical voluptuous nudist that you're used to drawing in art class, but that's exactly the point! Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School is pretty unconventional, what I would call an "underground figure drawing cult," but cult in a good way, like a cult classic horror film, which has probably at one time been a theme for the late-night artists' gathering. Fun is the name of the game at the Anaheim chapter of Dr. Sketchy's which I attended one Sunday evening at Rothick Art Haus. With a charismatic master of ceremonies and even a small wet bar, they were well prepared for Rothick's guests to have a wonderful time. This was no stuffy hibby jibby art function, this was a party! With pink yard flamingos, cute girls, and drawing contests!
Although guns and booze might not be your thing, the native Texan in me felt right at home and I tuned into the house iPod while rocking out some classy figure drawings of our "trailer trash queen." I think this place will now be my home for three hours every other weekend, and if you're at all artistically inclined and live in Orange County, you should do the same.
If you don't live in California, there is hope for you yet. Started in 2005 by Illustrator Molly Crabapple, the life drawing parties have expanded to an international franchise with branches in sixteen different countries including England, Japan, and Australia; they even had a Dr. Sketchy's burlesque drawing event at SXSW this year! With a friendly environment conducive to creativity, Dr. Sketchy's Anti Art School is a revolution in art education, and should be enjoyed by all willing to have a good time. You can find a location closest to you here. And you can keep up with Dr. Sketchy's Anaheim here.
I started this drawing at Rothick with the Trailer Park Queen theme and finished it with lots of little details back in the studio. Click the picture for the larger image that shows the lawn gnome holding a condom.
