DRINK-N-DRAW SPOTLIGHT // Model’s Choice Award

Every week at Drink-n-Draw, all eyes go on the model. But now the models will look back at YOU!

For a limited time, the model will pick the best portrait of him or herself at the end of the night. The winner will get a feature on the blog and a Pink Flamingo Lawn Ornament from our Store. The winning portrait could be a painting, drawing, paper cutout, whatever! It’s Model’s Choice.

Our first winner created this lovely and spare watercolor on brown craft paper. We love the sure and expressive strokes. Congratulations to the winner and hope you enjoy your flamingo.

(Want to up your watercolor game? Sign up for our winter Watercolor class here.)

ESSENTIAL EVENT // Drink N' Draw's Joel Morrison Hosts A Studio Salon Thursday Through Saturday

 

You've drank with him, you've drawn with him, now go see a great art salon at his studio.

This Thursday, October 13 through Saturday, October 15, Drink N' Draw coordinator Joel Morrison will be opening up his Williamsburg studio to host the second edition of NYC curator David Gibson's Studio Salon series, which presents group showcases in different artists' studios around the city. In addition to Morrison's own work, the show will also feature Elissa Levy, Andrea Champlin and Mary Murphy. Morrison gave us the scoop on the salon and his artwork.

"The body of work I'm showing involves the combining of two modernist styles—the use of the grid (think Mondrian) and the employment of more random textual collage compositions (think Rotella) in the hope that the outcome makes for an interesting combination of thoughtful precision and spontaneous chaos," Morrison says.

He's excited to show off his 500-square-foot studio, which he's renovated significantly over the past year, basically tearing everything down and rebuilding it anew. Morrison no stranger to such a project. He's built out multiple NYC lofts over the past ten years and even taught a Loft Building Workshop here at 3rd Ward. He's also looking forward to connecting with the other artists that Gibson has selected. "It's always nice to meet new artists that someone feels your work may have an affinity with," he says.

Check out the salon from 7-10pm on Thursday and Friday, October 14, and from 6-10pm on Saturday at Morrison's studio (76 Bayard Street, between Leonard and Lorimer). It's the second show in the series, and future editions are already scheduled for November, January and February.

Hit the jump to see more of Morrison's work and his studio.

-- John Ruscher

DRINK-N-DRAW SPOTLIGHT // Guno Park's Full-Room Compositions

A small rendering of one of Guno's Drink-N-Draw creations

From time to time, we like to spotlight one of the good folks coming to Drink-n-Draw (every Wednesday from 8 to 10:30pm). Today that attendee's name is Guno Park--an artist that finds an audience as captivating as the subject it surrounds. Guno spends his days working at New York Academy of Art, which is where he earned an MFA.

Guno was born in Seoul, South Korea, but spent most of his life in Ontario, Canada. "I moved to New York a little more than two years ago from Toronto," he says, "and, after trying out a few different venues for lifedrawing, I fell in love with the vibe of 3rd Ward's sessions--It's so convenient because I live in Bushwick."

With a slightly quirky sensibility an knack for details, Guno's rooms full of people can keep our attention for hours. Want to watch him in action? You know what to do.

--Layla Schlack

MEMBER PROFILE // It's Jello Shot Girl!

There is a superhero in our midst. She swoops into parties, bars and other events around the city to save you from the same old beer and liquor drinks, replacing them with tasty gourmet jello shots. Meet Jello Shot Girl.

Jello Shot Girl daylights as Abby, a fine artist, textile designer and 3rd Ward member. "My paintings tend to be conceptual, emotional and personal," she says. "When designing my textiles, I strive to acheive pieces that are timeless, inventive and beautiful."

After a few years working in the fashion industry, Abby felt burnt out and starting looking for another outlet for her creativity. "This just sort of started by accident," she says. "One day I made a few batches of shots, and next thing I know I'm running a pretty full-fledged operation and working with people like Jelly NYC, Matchless and Pete's Candy Store."

"The Jello shots are an entirely different animal because of the added dimension of taste," she says. "I like to start with an indredient I'm inspired by, such as lavander, and work from there to figure out what other flavors and what liquor would pair well with it.

When not concocting her shots, Jello Shot Girl also regularly attends Drink N' Draw on Wednesday nights. "It helps keep my juices flowing," she says. "It's also wonderful when I'm not in a creative place, as I feel like it helps keep me in check."

See Jello Shot Girl in action (and sample some of her delicious shots) this  Saturday, July 23 at the Bushwick Block Party and at 3rd Ward's monthly Wind-up on July 28! And like her on Facebook to stay up to date on her future events.

DRINK-N-DRAW SPOTLIGHT // Albert Oeswadi’s Comic Creations

From time to time, we like to spotlight one of the good folks coming to Drink-n-Draw (every Wednesday from 8 to 10:30pm!). Today’s lucky Drink-n-Draw-er is Albert Oeswadi, who caught our eye with this lovely lady (much larger and lovelier after the jump).

By day, Albert is a public accountant who “inappropriately doodles during meetings,” he says. By night, he sketches comics, cartoons, and what he calls “random, silly things.”

Why does he come to Drink n Draw? “It’s the perfect way to relax after a long day of work and meet people. Overall, it’s more rewarding and cheaper than happy hours, therapy sessions or a gym membership,” he says, adding, “The unlimited PBR doesn't hurt either.” We’ll drink to that!

Albert--originally from Indonesia--is an Upper East Sider, but says “I recently developed an interest to explore more of Brooklyn after my friends moved to the borough - I hope to do the same one day.” Good man.

Albert says his sketches are “heavily influenced” by Mike Mignola, one of his “all-time favorite” comic artists. Check out more of his work on his Blogspot and Tumblr -- and come on out next Wednesday night!

-- Anastasia Friscia

DRINK-N-DRAW SPOTLIGHT // Scott Schultheis' Anthropomorphic Portraits

A portrait from Schultheis' "Receptions" series.Every Wednesday evening people flock to 3rd Ward for Drink-n-Draw. One of those people is Scott Schultheis.

Why does he come? "I come for the beer," he says. "Duh! Exercising life drawing skills doesn't hurt either—it's an all around great time."

"I make collages paintings and drawings about what makes people tick, what drives us to pursue the things we do and sell the things we do," Schultheis tells us. "This is a broad narrative but I'm illustrating it to prompt further introspection rather than arrive at definitive answers. Semi realistic, macabre, surreal, precious and absurd—these are the words I think about while I'm making work."

Right now Schultheis is working a series called "Receptions," which features "anthropomorphic, strange 'portraits' of these familiar but unnamed sculptural blobs." He's works out his studio in Bay Ridge through a Chashama Visual Artist Residency and also bartends at Bobo in the West Village. In the fall he'll be heading to Philly to get an MFA at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Slap your computer monitor and give a Scott a hi-five!

For now though, you can see his work in "Convergence," the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition's Spring Pier Art Show in Red Hook. The show is open on weekends from 1-6pm through June 12. 

We'll conclude with one more fun fact from Schultheis: "You know I really like you if I'm making Challah French Toast with bananas and a lil orange spiked maple sizzurp."

--John Ruscher

The Many Meanings of "Sketch" from Drink-n-Draw

Wow! Check out these two very different artists from last night's Drink-n-Draw. Thanks to Tai from Daily Etch-a-Sketch and Martha Hipley of and again now for sharing.

Got your own DnD sketch you want to share? Whatever your medium, tweet us @thirdward or send us an email at membermade@3rdward.com and we might post on the blog.

by Tai

by Taiby Martha Hipley

What was your first Drink-n-Draw like?

A lawyer by day, a talented artist by night.For many people, Drink-n-Draw is the first time you ever hear about and visit 3rd Ward. We wondered what hundreds of newbies experience, so last week, we sent writer Vann Alexandra to get her perspective on what's fast becoming a must-do for every New Yorker.

It was bitterly cold last Friday night, and it could have been like any other Friday night, in which we found ourselves going to the same old bars, meeting the same old people. But instead, we decided to give our creative sides a crack at something both artistically-enticing and still paBeer in one hand, writing utensil in the other.rty-worthy – the “Drink-n-Draw Overdrive.” Six hours of free beer and drawing? Sounded like a stellar way to warm up.

We soon realized that it wasn’t an event just for artists – there were lawyers, students, business people. They all came because DnD’s an event where people get to stir their creative juices within a casual setting with coworkers, friends, partners, and romantic prospects. Plus, who wouldn’t dig the free booze?

Up the stairs and just before the main drawing room, the refreshments area smelled like a mighty mix of Mexican meets homey café. On one side was the ¡dpm! empanada station and on the other side the ladies from The Sisters Three served up freshly brewed beverages (chipotle cocoa flavored!). And then, of course, the bar was conveniently located smack in the middle.

The early birds had landed all the good spots. But many were content just standing up, leaning against the walls, or like us, sitting Indian-style on the floor. (Later on in the night, management decided to open up another room for space purposes.)

Side conversations.The room was tight, but intimate. We were all inches away from each other, drawing and drinking together. And we were able to strike up conversation in between the drawing breaks.

We quickly realized we weren’t the only first-timers at DnD. Towards the beginning of the class, we sat next to three 20-somethings who work together at the Norwegian Consulate. They said they are always on the hunt for new kinds of work outings and DnD sounded unique. Another girl a few seats away said she came because DnD seemed like the perfect Friday pregame.

We then moved to a table towards the back and befriended some girls who currently go to art school. They first heard 3^rd Ward because of the awesome parties, but then realized there were classes, too. They said they were really into the DnD vibe – people were able walk around instead of being confined to a chair like any other typical “class” environment. The live music helped the vibe, too.

While roaming around, there was one person we Working on her intriguing cutouts.were really curious about: a lady standing in the back doing cut-out images of the models. She’s a sculptor based in Queens who has been coming to 3rd Ward classes and DnDs for years. She was a pleasure to meet!

Throughout the night, we watched party animals in the corner making a beer pyramid; an older couple who made every movement in unison; a guy in the corner swaying to the music while drawing.

Drink-n-Draw wasn’t just about the art and models, but the people, too. 



Drink-n-Draw Overdrive Pictures are Up!

You came, you saw, you drew like mad. See 150+ pictures from last week's Drink-n-Draw Overdrive on our 3rd Ward Facebook page and tag yourself!

Plus, the special $200 Basic Membership deal expires THIS FRIDAY, February 11th. Sign up today and save 66% at http://www.3rdward.com/dnddeal.

 Click to see all the pictures on the 3rd Ward Facebook page.

Cartoonists do Drink-n-Draw Overdrive

Pizza Island, a cartoonists' group in Greenpoint made it to Drink-n-Draw Overdrive last week. Here are some of their awesomely fun sketches. Thanks for sharing!

See more of their Drink-n-Draw sketches at http://pizzaisland.wordpress.com/. And remember, Drink-n-Draw is every Wednesday. Learn more on the Drink-n-Draw event page.

And interested in crafting your cartooning hand? Sign up for our Comics & Cartooning class here!