The Dr. Sketchy's Artstar session that I sold merch and modeled at was a great success! It was pretty tough modeling for 3 hours straight with 3 different costume changes, which I probably would have limited to maybe 2 costumes. Leave it to me to over-exert myself for my fans. ;P
I had done a shorter length Sketchy's session for King Con Brooklyn last year that was about half as long and that didn't really prepare me for how physically challenging it is to hold even the most basic poses for several minutes at a time. ESPECIALLY IN HEELS AND A REALLY TIGHT CORSET (My friend Meredith laces corsets almost TOO effectively). There was a moment during the first 20 minute pose where I thought I might pass out, which would have sucked. Fortunately I didn't, and the audience was cool with me sitting back for the last 5 mins of the pose. I've always had respect for life drawing models, but now especially I gotta give them ALOT of credit. It's frigging hard work.
Be sure to check out the blog for more pics from the night and some awesome sketches, including some done by my friend Jeff Lance whose artwork is way awesome!
Hey all! Just letting you know if you're in the Baltimore area- I'll be modeling for Dr Sketchy's Anti Art School on Monday May 9th! Starts at 7pm but you might wanna get there a little earlier to get a good seat! Gonna be wearing some of my con costumes and they will be merch for sale! Check out the flyer!
From the FB invite:
"Please join us at our next night of drawing, drinking, and dames at the Windup Space on May 9, when we'll have a special Art Star session featuring illustrator Paige Pumphrey, aka Paigey!
Baltimore-bred, Brooklyn-based Paigey is a rockabilly sweetheart who specializes in comic-inspired pinups. Her girls are cherubic and cheeky and every smile is packed with personality! Is it life imitating art or art imitating life?
As always, doors open at 6 and drawing starts at 7--and seriously, show up early to get a good seat. We'll have crazy drawing contests with prizes from Atomic Books, Artist & Craftsman Supply, and Baby Tattoo Books.
$8 at the door, and you must be 18+ to attend, and 21+ to drink. No photography or paints, please.
(Flyer by Paigey! Check out more of her work at http://theartofpaigey.blogspot.com/)
I'm actually not supposed to show this until the actual book comes out this summer. But I figure I can give you an itty bitty peek. My piece is of my fave Mega Man character, Tron Bonne on her Gustaff (robot) with some Servbots (those little Lego-man looking things) in a Big Daddy Roth-type style. Super hoping I get in the book. It's open to artists world wide, and to be included would be super awesome.
I'm also doing a promo piece for Enz's, a super neat rockabilly frock shop in the East Village. I love going there and the lady who runs it is frigging cool as hell. I've talked to her at a few different rockabilly and burlesque events and being a fan of my work, approached me for a new design for a postcard in my retro comic cover style to give out at the upcoming Magic convention in Las Vegas.
Also! Also! I will be featured at Baltimore's Chapter of Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School on Monday May 9th from 7-10pm at the Wind-Up Space for one of their first *ARTSTAR* sessions, where I will be selling my merch as well as modeling! VERY excited!! More info on this as we get closer to the actual date!
So on Saturday 11/13 Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School had a special blowout session at the Brooklyn speakeasy The Red Lotus Room that was themed after Andy Warhol's Factory.
My inspiration for the night
NYC BFF Christy and I, always eager to dress up cute, attended as Warhol print versions of Liz Taylor and Marilyn Monroe. My surrogate little brother and tattooist Paul even came up from Maryland with his girlfriend Chelsea just for the party. Good times were had by all!
Liz and Marilyn scoping out the scene
After a couple drinks channeling Norma Jean got a little too easy...
KingCon Brooklyn was this past weekend, and also marks the end of my big convention year for 2010!
Me at my table on Saturday- rocking my new Louise Black corset!
Another 2 day con (thank goodness- 3 day cons kill me...) I worked at my table and sold all day Saturday. Sunday I sold the first half of the day then took part modeling in a special mini Dr Sketchy's session and afterwards spoke in my first panel ever! Excitement!
I also met legendary X-Men write Chris Claremont! He created Kitty Pryde!! He was impressed by my tattoo! I was also super duper nervous to talk to him.
I was also part of a video made by The Brooklyn Cowboy who asked around the con What makes Brooklyn awesome?
Go ahead and pretend my feathers ain't luxurious...
Sunday afternoon I got to model for Dr. Sketchy's Anti Art School, a bi-monthly cabaret life drawing session and worldwide phenomenon I usually attend as a guest artist with my friend Christy. I've been attending Dr. Sketchy's for about 2 years now and have become friends with Sketchy's founder Molly Crabapple, who I practically squealed with glee at via email when she asked me if I would like to wear the showgirl outfit I wore to NYCC to the KingCon Sketchy's session as a model. I was ALL ABOUT IT! I even made a little playlist just for the occasion!
NYC BFF Christy got some great shots from the session (which you can see above on the flickr slideshow) and I had a GREAT TIME modeling! I even got to be in the Dr. Sketchy BLOG!!! XD I hope to have more opportunities to model for life drawing sessions (of the non-nude variety) as I have a TON of crazy outfits and costumes I could utilize. Just sayin'. ;)
After the Sketchy's session, I got to take part in my first ever panel discussion for 'Hips, Lips and Pencil Tips: Sexualization of Women in Comics from a Feminist Viewpoint'. Thought it'd be funny to keep my showgirl costume on, as it was a main part of my talking points regarding my own experiences in the comics medium.
It was a really great panel, I almost wished it had been recorded. Everyone had really interesting perspectives and stories to share about how their sexuality has come into play as a comic book artist.
What I talked about:
~How when I was 12 I was looking for porn but found comics. My story of discovering my first comic while hunting for my dad's vintage Playboys/Penthouse Forums that my brother had gotten ahold of. While searching under my brother's bed I came across 2 comics: Uncanny X-Men #236 and #243, which started me on my lifetime obsession of comics, and Wolverine being naked.
Better than porn.
~Being my own 'booth babe'- Utilizing my past as a cosplay girl as well as my costume/dressup obsession as a tool to grab people's interest in my table/artwork at conventions with choice of dress (what I call my 'con drag'), using sales techniques from when I was a tv salesperson (yet another male-dominated industry I fell into) such as standing 90% of the time, eye contact with customers and starting up conversations with total strangers. Putting on the 'Paigey' persona at conventions which is basically just a friendlier, more outgoing and energetic version of myself than say, when I am at home in my sweatpants actually creating the artwork I hock at conventions.
~Alot of my pinup artwork has helped me embrace my own sexuality with more confidence, especially as I myself have become more 'womanly' in my proportions over the years. And since I've moved to NYC I've gained an exposure to and ultimately a fascination with burlesque and it's history, which has served as an amazing resource of inspiration not only for my artwork but to myself as well as that is a community which is accepting of women in so many shapes, sizes and colors.
I'm sure there was other stuff I went on about, as I tend to ramble when put on the spot, but I'm very excited to see what 2011 has in store for me convention-wise.
Check it out! MY NAME's on the poster!!! Sweeet!!!
So this upcoming weekend is my final convention appearance for the year- King Con Brooklyn on Saturday November 6th and Sunday November 7th at the Brooklyn Lyceum!
Saturday I will have my usual Paigey merch for sale at my table- including prints, artbooks, buttons, magnets, toys and jewelry.
Sunday however, is actually the first time I will have direct involvement in events for a convention-
3:30pm: DR. SKETCHY'S ANTI-ART SCHOOL KING CON EDITION (bring your own drawing supplies): Dr. Sketchy's is what happens when Cabaret meets Art School. Artists draw glamorous underground performers and compete for prizes. In our KingCon special edition, pinup artist Paige Pumphrey poses as a MiniComics Showgirl, with Syd Bernstein hosting.
VERY EXCITED! Been going to Dr. Sketchy's for about 2 years now and I am beyond honored that I get to be counted amongst the plethora of gorgeous women who've modeled for Dr. Sketchy's Anti Art School over the years! I've had a little experience as a life drawing model before and know it is VERY HARD WORK, so I hope to do it justice!
6:30pm: HIPS, LIPS, & PENCIL TIPS: The Sexual Female as Feminist Focal Point a conversation with female artists Paige Pumphrey, Laura Lee Gullidge, Jennifer Hayden; moderated by writer Rachel Kramer Bussel.
THIS SHOULD BE FUN!! I've never taken part in a panel and speaking in front of alot of people makes me nervous, and I have a sneaking suspicion I'll be playing the Devil's Advocate on the whole idea of the sexualization of women so if anything maybe I'll just keep my showgirl costume from Sketchy's on and fully embrace my role.
