August 9th with Roma Mafia was our last session of the summer before  our traditional (well, now it is anyway) annual August break.  Roma was amazing note to go out on before we all took a breather to regroup, contemplate what we've done with our lives, and dive head-first into a month long bender of birthday party bacchanals, kicking chickens around in Key West (that's not a euphemism), and conducting secret rendezvous in parking garages to arrange the model line-up for the Fall. Alexis and I had previously caught a few of Roma Mafia's performances in Paco's Viva la Decadence!  (She's now part of Sticky Buns Burlesque, btw, as is our next model.) Anyway, on to the one & two minute poses . . .

Brian Dugan

Brian Dugan

After a short pause so everyone could powder their noses and livers, we jumped into the 5 minute poses, starting off as always with the dreaded Opposite Hand Contest.  If you're new to Dr. Sketchy's, the Opposite Hand Contest (which isn't mandatory, none of the contests are) means if you're right-handed, draw with your left, if you're left-handed you draw with your right, and if you're ambidextrous I'd like your help in moving a couch next week. The two winners, who are obviously far too sober for our own good, get a mystery drink from Russell at the bar, which, to date, seems fairly safe.

Samantha Cimino

Samantha Cimino

Next up were ye ol' ten minute poses.

Brian Dugan

Ben Carnow

Samantha Cimino

Mike Hasson

The second ten minute pose was also the second contest of the evening and was the Random Noun contest where the audience shouts out random nouns until we capriciously decide we've heard one we think is amusing.  This time around the noun was "bouncy castle" - basically those big inflated things you see at festivals where you drop your kid off while you go drink.  For their crafty display of their drawing skills, the two winners won (with the top winner choosing first) either the new issue of Hi-Fructose or the new issue of Coilhouse from Atomic Books.

Brian Dugan

Liz Beetem

Ben Carnow

John Brewer

Since Otakon had recently made its annual invasion of downtown Baltimore, the first 20 minute contest was the best incorporation of "cosplay," with the prize being a package of fancy drawing pens from Artist & Craftsman Supply which is on the corner of North and Howard.  They close at 8, so if you get to Dr. Sketchy's and realize you left some art supplies at home, for God's sake run over there.

Brian Dugan

Liz Beetem

Ben Carnow

Samantha Cimino

Matt Craft

Last contest of the evening was the best incorporation of Richard Nixon, since it was the anniversary of his resignation, with the prize being Unkle Pigor's Cryptic Art by Eric Pigors from Baby Tattoo Books.  If you didn't know, Bob Self of Baby Tattoo Books actually runs the Dr. Sketchy's in LA, so check them out if you get a chance (both the books and the branch).

Ben Carnow

Matt Craft

Brian Dugan

Samantha Cimino

We'd like to give a big ol' thanks to Roma Mafia our wonderful muse for the evening; we hope the aching muscles the next day were worth it! We'd also like to thank our generous sponsors, Atomic Books, Artist & Craftsman Supply, and Baby Tattoo Books for providing the lovely prizes for our contests.  Many thanks as well go to Russell of the Windup Space for doling out drinks and songs, Bill for filming for the documentary and helping out at the door, Jeff for the lovely photos you see above, and Alexis for hosting this train wreck of artists, models, and booze. Our next Dr. Sketchy's is Monday, September 13 with burlesque uber-cutie, Marla Meringue!

(Pssst.  Just between you and me, this blog post was finished up from a deck chair beside a pool in Key West.  That's why it took forever to go up.  Well, that, and John Brewer took FOREVER to send in his sketch.  Come to think of it, Key West has, ummm, nothing to do with it---it's all John's fault