What's Up! Magazine

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School at the Temple Bar. Photo by Hollie Huthman

It’s hard to not gawk at beautiful people. A confident stride, graceful poise, sultry eyes or voluptuous curves: they catch your eye and it’s not easy to tear your stare away. Especially for the great many of us who are not smooth enough to divert the ogling eyes before we’re caught.

How would you feel about an unadulterated opportunity to take it all in? Every curve, limb, lock, and freckle. No need to frantically take mental photos, because you’ve got your sketch pad and pencil in hand to capture it all. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School.

Dr. Sketchy’s Bellingham campus has been up and running for seven months, in the pink room of The Temple Bar. Thirty-five pupils assemble with their own art supplies, enthusiasm, and if they so choose a beverage of their choice. The Rev. (not ordained) Solomon Olmstead presides as the Master of Ceremonies, leading the eager beavers through the class session.

“It a burlesque-style drawing class,” explains Rachel Price, one of the local founders. The models choose their own theme and come to class prepared with an arsenal of costumes and poses to wow, excite, and inspire the sketchers.

“I want to give a shout out to the models we’ve had so far,” Rachel says. “We’ve asked people that we think are beautiful, whatever that means, and who have a sense of style and a sense of humor. Everyone has picked an amazing theme, brought these incredible costumes and just taken it into all these different directions.”

The results have been breathtakingly fabulous. An example is Temple Bar server Amanda Bloom, who chose sci-fi. One of her scenes featured glitter, a bikini, and a futuristic assault gun. She enlisted the help of friend Heather Seavers to re-create Mila Jovanavich’s bandage-strap ensemble from The Fifth Element.

The sessions are set up like a regular figure drawing class. Sketchers warm up their hands with a series of 1-, 2-, and 5-minute poses. After the chance to start getting comfortable with loose sketches, a series of 10- and 20-minute poses let the artists focus on more detail. Throughout the night there are mini-competitions such as Best Eyelashes or Best Comic Strip. Prizes are often doled out in the form of shots, but there have been graphic novels and certificates for time in local tattoo parlors as well.

“One of my favorite contests we do is Pass the Page,” grins Chelsea Farmer, owner of the Temple Bar. “You get in groups and each person draws on a page for a minute and you pass it around. It’s one of our best ice breakers.”

While the pupils are just settling in, the room is sometimes a little quiet, but as the page is passed around the circle conversation is sparked and laughter ripples around the room.

Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School was founded by Molly Crabapple in Brooklyn in 2005. A former model for figure drawing classes and burlesque dancer, she pulled on her experiences to create Dr Sketchy’s. She remembered being frustrated stuck in static, prescribed poses and wanted to give the models a chance to express themselves. Instead of simply posing for Dr. Sketchy’s classes, the models put on a show. Molly branded the idea, set about franchising it, and now it is spreading like wildfire with over 100 Dr. Sketchy’s campuses all around the world. “You can do one per city,” explains Chelsea, “which I think is part of the genius. You write to her, fill out a questionnaire, pay some really reasonable dues and follow a few rules.” Once Molly granted Chelsea the rights to Dr Sketchy’s in Bellingham, she can do with it what she pleases. Because The Temple Bar’s classes have been so popular, some classes have been held at The Nightlight as well to give more people the chance to participate.

Tickets for Bellingham’s Dr Sketchy’s sessions go on sale at The Temple bar on the first Monday of every month at 4 P.M. and at a mere $10 per sketcher, they have been selling out within a couple of hours, so you definitely need to make a special effort to snag your ticket. The classes have been held the second Monday of the month so far, though it might change some around the holidays. Last month’s model was Steeb Russell, the local artist/legend whose work has graced many covers of What’s Up! To satisfy the demand there were two class sessions.

Lupe Flores took on the character of Suzy Sparrow when she modeled for Dr. Sketchy’s. As a member of The Dirty Bird Cabaret, she had a “wealth of feathery business” from which she could create her costumes, the scene made complete with a human sized bird perch. Before modeling Lupe was a sketcher during a number of classes. “I think there’s kind of a stigma about it, people are nervous to show up and draw if they don’t consider themselves to be artists. But it’s just really fun and funny. Now I feel way less inhibited. There are fine artists, tattoo artists, Steeb, but everyone is there and comfortable.”

Everyone involved in Dr Sketchy’s brims with a happy and exuberant glow when talking about sexy, laugh-ridden, artistic affair. “I just can’t believe how good it is,” exudes Chelsea. “There’s so much good happening. People getting together, people drawing together in the same room. Everyone one in the room has this common goal, as a collective.”

One of her favorite comments came from Jinx studio owner Michelle Shutte who said, ‘I haven’t created art in the same room as other people in 10 years!”

Rachel sums up the Dr Sketchy’s experience with, “It feels really good to be in a tiny room, elbow to elbow, with a person you know on your left and a stranger on your right. Everybody’s drinking and drawing. It just feels really good.”