Dr Sketchy's Anti-art School Birmingham - Eastern Promise or 'In Birmingham no one can hear you Harem'

Birmingham in January is a cold desolate place so we were all very pleased that the Dr Sketchy's gang would be warming us all up with the promise of palm trees, desserts, deserts, camels, fezzes (fez's?, fezzs?) and some general 'Eastern Promise'.

My local life drawing group has been going to these for a while (we all travel from Shrewsbury and it has become some what of an eagerly anticipated event) and after meeting them downstairs in the bar we headed up to the Victoria's penthouse studio (upstairs bar). We were barely halfway up the stairs when we heard the seductive clink clink clink of emancipated slave girl 'Tiffany Beau's' outfit.
'You look amazing,' I asked 'how do you feel?'
'Exposed'.
Pretty much par for the course for a burlesque gig then.

After taking our seats, and being treated to a variety of exotic songs and music from resident DJ J 'Now that's what I call Kebab Shops 27' our evening began as our delightful, delectable and delicious Harem Mistress 'Miss Liberty Pink' took to the stage. She serenaded us a slightly altered version of 'Arabian Nights', welcomed us all, and then took to the stage to pose for us in an amazing red outfit and billowing fans. Liberty is always a delight to draw and tonight was no exception.

After we had put our pencils down we welcomed onto the stage the gorgeous Miss Eliza Delight. A shimmering mirage of gold and white topped with a piece of the most divine head wear ever to grace a burlesque performer. After her act Eliza did two ten minute poses for the group and we all relished capturing her elegance and art deco beauty. Eliza then moved amongst us like an elegant living hood ornament (think Rolls Royce not Mini Metro) and chose her favourite drawing.

Next up Miss Willow Blue. Dressed like the sensuous Cleopatra of old,Willow swirled and danced like a dream. Just as we thought the act couldn't get any better she introduced another girl into the act. A lithe and supple little minx named Scarlet which got us all hot under the collar. She may have been only thirty centimetres long but what a thirty centimetres (she's a snake).

Both the girls posed for us after the act and the addition of a moving element certainly made the drawing more challenging and fun. The snake seemed to inspire all the artists and Miss Willow's favourite definitely had a hydra like quality. Another winner was picked and then it was time to recharge our glasses, have a sneaky peak at each others work and wait for the second half.

Liberty Pink returned to the stage with another fantastic song and helped welcome us back.Liberty is always fantastic and never, never fails to disappoint. After her amazing number she introduced to the stage Miss Scarlet Daggers. Not to be outdone by Scarlet,

Scarlett also moved in a snake-like way, a five foot something, highly charged, go-go dancing, flame eyed, firecracker version of a snake, but snake-like none the less.

Scarlett's act also included my favourite prop ever in a burlesque routine, and quite possibly my favourite prop ever in my life, a massive bejewelled collar that initially lay flat but halfway through popped up to transfer her into an angry (sexy) cobra . So amazing and so well used, this really has kept me amused ever since seeing it. Our artists did a splendid job of capturing it and another winner was chosen.

After the excitement of the angry sexy cobra Liberty returned and introduced the 'exposed' Tiffany Beau onto the stage for our last drawing of the evening. Resplendent in her chiffon Harem pants and still with the seductive chink chink chink Tiff did a splendid job. The artist all enjoyed drawing her and she looked as though she had a great time choosing her favourite drawing and winner.

Finally all the winners chosen by the girls were invited up on stage. Each winner had been given there very own slave girl belt and were encouraged to wear them. In there new outfits all of our winners looked sensual, seductive and erotic particularly the ones with beards. Before leaving the stage each was fed a piece of Turkish delight by Miss Liberty Pink, and then another piece, and then another piece, and another piece, and another...until all were finally allowed to leave the stage slightly stickier (in a good way) than when they arrived.

Liberty bid us all a fond farewell and reminded us that the next event would be on the 31st March and would be a 'Comic Book' spectacular. Excited at the prospect and bouncing from the amazing day we had all had, we left the dessert oasis and returned to the cold Birmingham streets, but everyone who had attended felt a little warmer inside after being blessed by the ray of sunshine that is Dr Sketchy's Birmingham.

Pip (Astro) Bayley Resident artist and blogger for Dr Sketchy's Anti-art School Birmingham

Art kind courtesy of Pip (Astro) Bayley

Photography by Candee at www.candeephotography.co.uk