From the editor
You may have heard of writer and artist Molly Crabapple recently—–her recent book about the Jewish Labor Bund, Here Where We Live Is Our Country , is a New York Times bestseller. If you’re a longtime follower of Heeb, however, you’ve known Crabapple since before she was the talk of the town. In 2008 she was included in the “Heeb 100,” Heeb’s list of up-and-coming Jews to watch out for, and one year earlier, Heeb reviewed her book Dr. Sketchy's Official Rainy Day Colouring Book .
Mik Moore — President, Heeb Media
From 2007
Fun ‘N’ Dames: Dr. Sketchy’s Official Rainy Day Coloring Book
Graphic artist and burlesque aficionado/model Molly Crabapple serves up a whimsical tonic for anything that ails in her rollicking new book, Dr. Sketchy's Official Rainy Day Colouring Book (Sepulculture Books, 2006).
A cross between an indispensable DIY instruction manual and a fun-filled activity book, Dr. Sketchy is the brainchild of Crabapple, a 23-year-old artist and illustrator who conducts bi-monthly "Anti-Art School" classes at a salon in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Kicking stuffy life-drawing classes to the curb, she hires burlesque babes and tattooed hunks to pose for each session, drawing huge crowds to what becomes more of a party with food, drinks and parlor games. Crabapple is quite the provocateur and an enterprising businesswoman, claiming nearly a dozen branches of Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School around the world, and the book even offers advice on how to start a branch of your own.
Besides lush photographs of models in lascivious poses, Dr. Sketchy serves up a smorgasbord of goodies ranging from tips on "how to draw (breasts) the Dr. Sketchy way" to the "History of Depraved Life Drawing." Paper doll cutouts, riddles, games and recipes for boozy drinks like the French Whore are interspersed among Crabapple's own colorful personal anecdotes. Filled with playful Victoriana and a winking sense of humor, Dr. Sketchy's Official Rainy Day Colouring Book is a frothy and delightful romp.
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The Rabbit Hole
- “'Here Where We Live Is Our Country' tells the story of a Jewish labor movement”NPR, 2026 >
- “Molly Crabapple Explains How You Can Be an Artist and an Activist”The Forward, 2016 >
- “Moulin Rouge in the Face”Style Weekly, 2007 >
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