Tuesday, December 18, 2012

2012 in review

Oopsie. I'm a spotty blogger this year, sometimes I struggle with how much to share, and how far all of this sharing on the internets gets.

I do feel like it's important to share my accomplishments from the year and what I hope to accomplish in 2013, if only to have a mile marker for myself sometime down the line. I also keep a journal that is just about goal making and acknowledgement of the goals. I think it is important.

Dr Sketchy's in 2012:

This year we moved to new venues: Chicken John's warehouse and for a time we were also at YBCA. It was an interesting experience. We loved being at 111 Minna, but I felt really strongly about having set dates each month and that was impossible to do at 111 Minna. Even the regular monthly events are on different days each month. I am a planner, and this wasn't working for me, so we took the risk and tried some new venues.

Both spaces are awesome in uniquely different ways. The warehouse is comfy and feels like drawing in our own private living room. It is a very San Francisco art space with a lot of history. In the 90s, a lot of artists shared inexpensive warehouse space for housing, this space is keeping that idea alive. I really like being there. The lighting is good, there are good sight lines to the stage and we have all the tables and chairs we need. We have made some wonderful art in this space.

YBCA was really great to us, but it was challenging to keep up with the costs. In fact, having rental costs is challenging in general. I guess if we had more sponsors, we could probably make a profit but right now Dr Sketchy's is definitely a labor of love. I organize it because 1) it keeps me drawing 2) I love the community and believe that community is important 3) I get to arrange exactly what I want to draw!

A highlight of the year was our annual Cute Girls on Bicycles event. Constance and Zoë recreated some vintage erotica type photos, but in reverse gender roles. I feel humbled that my life experience is such that I ask people to make things happen, and then I get to draw it.

Cute Girls 7

Bicycles in 2012:

Ah where do I being to talk about the obsession that I have with bicycles?

I had some big dreams this year. I wanted to ride 100 miles in one day. I have come close: about 70 max and have learned a lot of things.

The main thing I learned is that if you have big goals, you have to commit to the time it takes to achieve them.

Training and practice have been a struggle for me. Like everyone, my schedule fluctuates. Work has very distinctly busy seasons, during which I work long hours and sometimes weekends. All other plans and energy get redirected and depleted. I also have other interests, that vie for my cycling time.

I'm trying to be ok with going at my own pace and not beat myself up about not achieving goals. There's always next year...

The laundry list of cycling accomplishments:

• SF Randonneurs' Populaire in March
• Two bike camping trips. One with the ladies of leisure.
The return trip
• I rode a bike on the Canal du Midi in the South of France.
Untitled

• I have enjoyed riding with friends during weeknights, and now I'm going out about every other weekend for 40-90 miles.

• I learned to ride fixed gear (thanks to Ely for the great Craigslist find!) and rode Camino Alto with Vélocia for my longest fixed ride, 40 miles.

See ya later ocean beach


A few goals that I have for for 2013 are 1) AIDS/LifeCycle. 7 days, SF ---> LA, 585 miles. 2) SFR 200k 3) more Bike camping! (just acquired my gear). I look forward to lots of miles with lots of great people.

ALC 2013


Family in 2012:

My father has dementia. My family has been struggling with this for a while. It feels at times very personal and like it's not right to share it publicly, but I also don't want to be in the closet about it. He means a lot to me, and it is not awesome. I'm showing up the best way that I can.

Dad's Happy plate!

Art & Design:

A funny little thing has happened. My interests in art and bicycles have co-mingled in that I designed posters for SFR and SCR this year, and I love it. I already absolutely love to do trades and I love community and the bike community seems to like what I do, so this feels awesome.

Poster I designed for the upcoming Santa Cruz dart

I went to France this summer with Diane Olivier and co. We spent two weeks in Roujan, at a new space with some great people. I feel like I accomplished my art goals in the workshop. We had a great book on composition at the house, and I focused on that. I also had a goal to simplify the landscape.

  This is going to beloved Anni and earl.

My work reflected that. I just sold this pastel to Annie & Earl, they are a fantastic couple who have been at every one of Diane's workshops. This is all that Earl wanted for Christmas, yay!

Earl in France:
Earl looks great in this light

At Dr Sketchy's, I had a love affair with toned paper & watercolor:
Sister Mae Joy b with U

Catwoman Newmar pose

Fashion: 

I have a renewed interest in fashion and making my own clothes. It stems from a lot of things. I find it hard to find clothes that fit well, I don't like disposable fashion for a lot of reasons, a lot of bike clothing does not fit my personal style (it's also very expensive), and I can't find what I want. So I started making my own. I look forward to starting a course next month which will teach me to draft patterns from measurements, rather than altering commercial patterns.

The future:

In 2013, I want to continue to take photos and make art and designs based on the things that I see while out on my bike. I'm sharing Dr Sketchy's responsibilities with folks who are invested in the community.

In January, I start a pattern making course at Apparel Arts. I'm curious to see where this takes me.

I have committed to raising money and training for AIDS/LifeCycle and I'm excited about that. It will help me achieve some personal goals and it is an amazing community, there are a lot of wonderful people involved with ALC.

Thank you to everyone who already donated. If you want to support my efforts, you can donate here: http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/AliceStribling

I hope to keep gaining personal acceptance through Dharma Punx and meditation. I always strive for authenticity and being alright with where I am and what I'm doing. This helps. That's it. xoxo.

Friday, October 26, 2012

We're having an Election Night drawing party at Dr Sketchy's SF

Having a Dr Sketchy's on Election night is risky, in fact some say that we will fail. Diane and I see it as an opportunity to make great art with our community, together, while we wait out the looooong night for the the results to roll in.

This presidential election is a big deal. Lots of things are at stake. Everyone has strong opinions. I believe strongly in equality. The Dr Sketchy's community may be on different sides. It could get very interesting!

If you are in SF, there are measures on the ballot regarding the Hetch Hetchy (yipes all around) and California wants to know what you think about funding schools (save our City College!), the death penalty (oof tough one) and genetically altered food labeling (why wouldn't we do this?).

Ok so forget my commentary, it's up to you what you do. That's the beauty of voting, we all get to express our opinions.

I signed up for permanent vote by mail, and I keep chipping away at my ballot every day. Here are some great resources that are helping me make my decisions:


Back to the event. Dottie Lux, Kiss Me Kate and Dixie DeLish are some of the best burlesque performers in San Francisco. They are world class, professional, sexy, funny, smart and thrilling.

Just having ONE of these ladies model all night would be awesome, but we have all three. All night!

Costuming will range from Americana to Controversial. Bring red, white and blue pencils. Our highly trained burlesque girls will provide LIVE Election results all night !

We are giving discounts or a prize with proof that you have voted. This prize may or may not involve alcohol. Diane is very adamant about this, which is hilarious as she doesn't touch the stuff.

It could get interesting, we can guarantee that it won't be boring. I have to think about the music!

I hope to see you November 6th. 7-10pm. Chicken John's Warehouse, 3359 Cesar Chavez St. SF. Map: http://goo.gl/maps/QCBKF

 
Dr Sketchy's presents Election Night drawing party

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Watercolor splotches set me free

About a month ago, Modcloth did a feature/collab with the lovely illustrator Katie Rodgers of http://paperfashion.net/. I quickly consumed all of her helpful tutorials and went out and got some watercolor paper, brushes and a new smaller set of Windsor Newton water colors.

Her work is a great influence. I highly recommend spending some time on the site with her beautiful fashion illustrations.

Anyhoo, my Dr Sketchy's drawings are below. I think it's obvious that I have been having fun.

This is Catwoman:


Catwoman Newmar pose Catwoman in repose

And our model channeling Toulouse Lautrec:
boot tying curtsey
And Mercy Beaucoup as Wonder Woman:
Wonder Woman tied up Linda Carter pose

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Catwoman

Over the last couple of weeks, many things have happened.

At Dr Sketchy's, we drew GI Joe cosplayers: And this!


I took the Rivendell out with the Ladies of Leisure for an S240Cyclo campiste today!

Drawings were done for a cool project, details will be released upon approval:
Project in the works

But that is all in the past. Right now is the moment. Live it with integrity and draw with impunity, whatever the hell that means. It sounds great. Powerful. Feminist. Sexy. I am in! I have new supplies and I am beyond excited to draw Catwoman!

We draw Catwoman tonight

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Santa Cruz Dart poster

One of the organizers of the Santa Cruz Dart hired me to design a poster for the event. I've heard that this ride is a lot of fun and I know a few folks who have put together teams and are riding it in a couple of weeks.

The drawing was inspired by a photo that I took on a ride with some friends. It looks serene, but we were actually doing hill sprints. Enjoy!




Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Tonight at Dr Sketchy's SF...

...we draw the Bay Area Derby Girls!

The beauty of having these ladies model is that they are strong and capable of getting into the shapes of Olympic speed skaters. Add the edge-y makeup, tattoos and sexy bad-assery and it's a win-win.

This is our third year having the BAD girls model. Every year has been fun. I love the shapes that they make and I love how competitive the girls are with each other, they don't want to give up on a pose just because it's difficult.

If you have never been to Dr Sketchy's, come and join us. It's a great way to practice and we have a great community of artists.

Details: 7-10pm.  21+, $15, Chicken John's Warehouse, 3359 Cesar Chavez St

Map: http://g.co/maps/yq59k


Dr Sketchy's presents the Bay Area Derby girls
Skately, Demanda Riot, Steamed Bun Bun are shown above. They are modeling tonight along with Laika Hurricane.

Here's a drawing of mine from last year:

02.22.11 BAD girls. Table Scraps

Thursday, June 28, 2012

The last two weeks

...has consisted of biking:


Vailhan

and drawing French landscapes:


Untitled

Today we leave for Paris for a few days. It's bittersweet for sure. I'm grateful for this time and looking forward to the next adventure.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

The value of art and design

An interesting post came up on a Google group that I subscribe to recently: a call for a contest design for a jersey.

I responded and out of it came a very interesting discussion. I value aesthetics, beautiful art, gorgeous bicycles, well designed and well thought out clothing, furniture...all of it. I often spend a long time making decisions about things because I weigh the looks and design of the thing very heavily. Those things matter very much to me.

I am an artist and a designer, but I don't pay the rent this way. If I could figure out how to do it, I would. In a heartbeat. No question.

So I champion people who make a living for themselves through art and design. And their time is valuable.

An artist named Molly Crabapple taught me that contests aren't great for artists and designers, and I feel strongly that this is true.

Contests, while often good intentioned, ask artists to make work for free on the off chance that their design will be picked. Now sure this may appeal to many, and they can be fun and people may create something for it because they will get something out it. But they still ask people to work for free, which sort of devalues their work. Does that make sense?

I feel very strongly that having a need for design (no matter what it is) is a great opportunity. It is an opportunity to hire someone whose work you like.

It values their work. It allows them to keep paying rent and to make work which will make the world in turn a more beautiful place. It matters. Still with me?

Many of the responses to my post made me see that people don't understand what I'm talking about.

Volunteering to do something because you get something out of it is wonderful, but that's not what I'm talking about.

Thinking that the professionals need not respond to a contest because the amateurs might want to do it for free is also not what I'm talking about.

Also, if we follow this thought to its end, a poorly designed thingamagig is just tomorrow's Goodwill run. Why? Because we don't love and value it the same way as something that was well designed or is inherently beautiful. A beautiful thing often takes hours of thought and many rounds of rework. It is a valuable thing, one that we should want to enjoy for years to come!

What I'm talking about is being in the position to hire an artist or designer to make something beautiful.

People will buy, crave or want something well designed. Look at Apple products. Look at gorgeous bicycle frames. Look at Rapha clothing.

What I want to communicate is that art has value. If you like an artist's work, consider hiring them rather than having a contest. It matters.

If you don't know who to contact, contact me. I will point you in the right direction. Art is a feast for my eyes and I see lots of it. I can give you names of good designers and artists.

This is not about me. This is about what is good for all of us. If artists cannot pay their rent and be valued, this world will be a sad ugly place. I just cannot let that happen.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Complicated Interests

The reason that I put my website to bed and started writing on this blog again is because I realized that my website didn't fully represent all the things that I enjoy doing.
I'm not just a painter, or a drawrrrer. I sew, I bike, I run the San Francisco branch of Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art School and I try to balance time with friends and family as well. It can be difficult to balance all the things that I want to do, especially with a full time job.

This weekend I was fortunate enough to get some balance in my interests. Yesterday I went out for a 60 mile ride with a friend. We pretty much followed the SFR Populaire route out to Pt. Reyes Station, but we didn't follow it around to the Nicassio reservoir, we just came back the same way.

Point Reyes pelicans

We both have beautiful Pelicans!

We did a fair share of flat changing, but oh well.
Untitled

Constance and Zoë modeled for Dr Sketchy's SF last week. They recreated one of my inspiration photos:
  oh my
We talked about having it in reverse, with Constance playing the 'man' and Zoë helping her up. I love the feminism aspect of doing this pose this way, and I also love the gender flip of having Constance butch it up a little bit.

It was a lot of fun, I feel very grateful that I can help create these scenarios then I get to draw them! Seems like other people were into it as well, we had about 60 artists in attendance.

   Cute Girls 7

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Pondering


On this eve of bike to work day, I have a sore throat and have been taking it easy. I have also been reflecting on several things. 

Maurice Sendak and Adam Yauch passed away this week. I heard and read the phrase 'the Beastie Boys were a soundtrack to my life' several times since then and this is true for me as well. Between high school and college, there were many road trips and life events narrated by those three. And now they are two. 

Maurice Sendak was on Colbert recently and I loved listening to him speak. While he sounded thick, as if we was difficult to speak or breathe, he jabbed in the most charming way with Stephen. And my boyfriend and I listened to an interview with Terry Gross last night where he spoke of people in his life dying and I just cried and cried. 

And tomorrow is bike to work day. I feel emotional and reflective and grateful for what my life contains.

I don't know if I have ever put down on paper exactly what the bicycle represents to me. Lately I feel that I have found some new joy in that I have a completely different kind of bike. It is fixed. It is very fun.

I hear tell it that my father rode me around on the back of his bike when I was a little girl. I find that story very cute. My father taught me a lot, he wanted me to be self sufficient, so he taught me how to fix things. There were many days when I was dragged to GLERC at Lockheed, where my dad needed me along to sit in the driver's seat and pump the brakes on the car. I can't remember doing much other than pumping the brake, then the gas, then the brake again.

It was incredibly boring, but neat. He never treated me like I couldn't do things because I was a girl, so I became very self reliant. I was different than a lot of other girls my age, that was a gift and yet also difficult. The smell of oil and orange hand cleaner makes me think of him. 

My dad also taught me to ride a bike. That 'ah ha' moment where he was no longer supporting the bike and it was all me is still right there for me. I can recall it right at this very moment. 

My first bike for school was a fucking tank. It was bright blue and he insisted that I have a huge basket on the front for practicality, I think of that bike and frown.

The first day that I rode that bike to school it had a drivetrain issue about 3/4 of the way. My friends drove by and their father forced them to help me, it's a sad story as they used that incident to tease me for years. During the 80s, they had sexy ten speeds with white brake lines, I don't recall what I rode at that point, but remember being jealous of their slender geared frames. I believe that they were green and sparkly.

In college, a friend bought a green vintage Schwinn with baskets on the back. She used to ride on the back and I would drive us around town. We had a lot of fun doing that. It was also green and sparkly.

On my 21st birthday, my parents bought me a BMX. I was infatuated with low riders and BMX bikes at the time, I thought they were SO COOL. 

When I moved to SF I had a car. In 2006 it failed the smog test, so I gave it to my parents. I bought a hybrid bike in 2008 with the intent to start commuting, but then I got scared. I could not conceive of how I would safely ride down Market Street. 

I thought surely that I would die and that it would be painful, and that everyone I knew would be sad. And then I met a girl who rode her bike all the time, and I started to ask her questions and really consider it, and then I started riding. 

And it changed everything.

I used to give an hour to get anywhere in the city because MUNI is unpredictable. Now it takes me 15 minutes to get to work.
I used to have problems with my asthma, now I can breathe.
I have become obsessed with bicycles, because they are absolutely beautiful machines. 
I ride distances of 70 miles and meet up with people whom I barely know to ride these rides. And then we tell each other stories of our lives. And I learn new things all of the time.

Bike riding, i.e. cycling, feels very important to me. I feel that it is a cultural movement. There is a self organized protest ride every month in San Francisco (critical mass). It is controversial. Riding bikes is sometimes political. Sometimes unpopular, sadly hated by some. It makes me sad. Of all the ways that I can move my body around this city, the bicycle is my most favorite. 

I hope that more people try transporting themselves by bicycle in a regular basis. I wish that everyone (cyclists, drivers, peds) would slow down and be safe and respectful.

dad on bike
My dad riding my BMX.

Saturday, May 05, 2012

Art for ALC

Hey so I drew a little something to help two rad ladies who are doing this little jaunt from SF to LA. You may have heard of it...Aids Life Cycle.

Tomorrow they are having a fundraiser at Nooworks at 395 Valencia, SF. 2-8pm. Pedal Savvy fashion show happens at 6pm.

Sunday Streets is also happening and the weather promises to be outstanding. I hope to see you there. 

Traitor 4 Traitor 3 Traitor 2 Traitor Limited

Friday, April 27, 2012

Dr Sketchy's on Tuesday

Dr Sketchy's presents Mistress Marla Spanks

We're drawing Mistress Marla Spanks with her balloons and cowgirl chaps finery on Tuesday.

It is first Tuesday, so you can hit the free museums and then come draw with us. Will we see you there?

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Post weekend report

Gah I don't have any time to scan drawings right now. I scribbled a bit Friday night at Tease-O-Rama, then scurried out the door Saturday for our official Dr Sketchy's event with all the performers.

It went really smoothly! We had a great lineup of 7 performers, eventually I will have more digital imagery for internet perusal.

For now, I give you Twinkle Toes McGee:
Twinkle Toes McGee

The folks from Sketchcrawl joined us about halfway through the event. We had about 60 artists. That is Coco Lectic posing in the background behind Johnny Crash's hat.

Tease o rama dr sketchy's

Diane and I met the Sketchcrawlers afterwards at Ghirardelli Square and looked at each other's drawings. We had another full fabulous night of Tease-O-Rama and I was done.

Sunday all I wanted to do was sew:

Muslin #9!

I'm very close to having this pattern fit perfectly and I am pleased. My goal is to make many of these little shirts in time for my trip to France in June!

Friday, April 20, 2012

Tease-O-Rama

The Tease-O-Rama burlesque festival kicked off last night with Hubba Hubba at the DNA. I didn't make it because I went on a great ride with Ely. The weather was fantastic and I took this at Ocean Beach:

Ocean beach with Ely

The Tease-O-Rama showcase events start tonight. Between tonight and tomorrow night, we'll see probably 12 hours worth of amazing burlesque. It's the best of the best in the biz.

As part of the festivities, we are having a Dr. Sketchy's drawing marathon with SEVEN performers. They will model back-to-back, all 15 minute poses, with no breaks. We are going to have some fast and furious drawing and it should be super fun. I'm looking forward to it!

I hope to see you at 2pm tomorrow at Holiday Inn Fisherman's wharf. Map: http://g.co/maps/3cqdz

Tomorrow we draw!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Quite an exciting week

I am now happily entrenched in the cult of iPhone, and over the weekend I began my exploration obsession with Instagram.

Below are the fruits of my labors:
Quoc Pham - ready for clipless?
I tried on some bikey shoes, the kind with cleats. Still deciding on what is best for me...

My first iPhone panda
My first iPhone panda shot.

Sunday Streets, yo
Babycakes at Sunday Streets!

Dottie Lux

And don't forget that we draw tomorrow! 7pm at Chicken John's. Bring your adult refreshments.

Buy your tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/238970


Dr Sketchy's SF at Tease-O-Rama

Saturday we draw at Tease-O-Rama. 2pm-4pm @ the Holiday Inn Fisherman's Wharf. 1300 Columbus. FREE admission. (we're asking for tip money)

Details are on the site: www.drsketchyssf.com

XOXO!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Johnny Crash photos & my drawings of the Sisters

Editing down these photos took some real effort on my part. I had about 51 favorites, but I know editing is best, so I narrowed it down to about 31 in flickr.

The entire set is on Johnny's site. If you have a little time and love the Sisters as much as I do, then go there and spend some quality time: http://www.johnnycrashphotography.com/DrSketchysSF/Sisters-of-Perpetual

I really enjoyed hearing about the process of becoming a Sister.

Sister Sharin' Dippity talked a lot about how important community is, which is something that we are also trying to cultivate at Dr Sketchy's. We believe that artists need to have a great place to practice.

She also talked about how many people in the LGBT community (or anyone really) come to San Francisco having not had a place to fit in spiritually wherever they are from. Many people come here without roots. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are celebrating their 33rd anniversary this year, they established their roots on Easter Sunday in Dolores Park in 1979.

Sketchys SF - Sisters-72
Sister Mae Joy B With U

Sketchys SF - Sisters-65
Sister T'Aint a Virgin
Sketchys SF - Sisters-187
Sister Sharin' Dippity
Sketchys SF - Sisters-5
Sister Jezabelle

And our lucky prize winners!
Sketchys SF - Sisters-200 Sketchys SF - Sisters-203

Sister Mae Joy b with U

My drawing of Sister Mae Joy!