RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 1, Episode 6

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For the sixth season of the Drag Race next year, can they just repeat all the first season's challenges? Like, everything? I want to see another vogue-off, please, please. Do another Oprah challenge--maybe this time you can get the Queen of All Media herself to show up. Hose off some of the queens on the hood of a fancy car. Seriously, this season has had a lot of magnificent, funny, crazy challenges. More voguing. What is a drag show without voguing? (And yes, that's how you spell it. Wikipedia says so.) Even this Absolut challenge was pretty good. I always love this point in the season--The "Ball" episodes serve up a ton of gorgeous runway looks. The Absolut theme gave each queen a distinct color palette, which was surely a huge challenge for some of them, but I was impressed with the vivid looks they came up with. (Which made it hard choosing which ones to draw!)

Also, I want to see more random celebrity appearances in the workroom. Did they even explain why Charo showed up? She was magnificent. It was fun. More of that!

I took this episode as an opportunity to finally draw Rebecca, because she was pretty stunning. Maybe some of the detailing of the dress was overdone and a little corn-y, but I can conveniently leave those elements out of my illustration! Art is magic.

Rebecca
Rebecca

There's been a lot of orange this season. When I think Lost Season, I think orange. But Shannel pulled off the color smashingly--I especially loved her Executive Realness and Swimwear looks. They had a youthfulness and lightness that sometimes gets lost in Shannel's more theatrical, overwrought outfits. The long, dark hair and whimsical headdress/hat/hair poof she sported for the swimwear ensemble were just too striking to ignore, so I had to draw 'em.

Shannel
Shannel

I'll reiterate that Shannel is the greatest character of Season 1--everything you'd want in a reality TV star. Ego, looks, talent, and a flair for the theatrical.

In re-watching this episode, I was blindsided by Shannel's choice to kick herself off--a twist I had totally forgotten from my first viewing years ago. She seemed to have a change of heart and gave a good lip sync, but I can't help but dwell on the fact that two of the nine contestants this season, Tammie and Shannel, burned out and expressed interest in leaving the competition.

Maybe it's nothing, but I'd speculate that they just didn't really know what they were getting themselves into. It was the first season of this crazy show, so it was an unknown quantity. Each queen has their own scene, their own clubs, their own audience. Most of them had been doing their own thing for years prior to the show, and so they were most likely shocked at how unfamiliar the Drag Race set was, how different it was from their past experiences. I can only imagine that the shooting process of this show was grueling and surreal, with an unclear pay-off. Who knew if anyone would ever watch or care about this show?

Obviously, after running for so many seasons, I like to think that queens know what they're getting themselves into when applying for the show. But... I'm not so sure.

In any case, I should get around to my final piece for this episode: Bebe!

Bebe
Bebe

I was just struck speechless by Bebe's raspberry-themed looks. The sleek, simple dress with that severe, Japanese-inspired hair. She had, by far, the most imposing challenge with those fickle little raspberries, but her use of them was smart and elegant.

This queen is good.

Just... gagging.

RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 1, Episode 5

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Can we talk about Shannel for a bit? This cast has a lot of lovable queens and a ton of talent, but there's no character quite like Shannel. She's the one who reliably makes the best reality TV--the drama, the exhibitionism, the style, the ego! Whether it's calculated or just her typical charisma and competitive nature, she brings a hunger and driving force to the show that the other queens don't. Nina and Ongina are energetic and radiant, but they're too nice to bring the drama. Bebe tends to be too withdrawn in the workroom, and Rebecca is... well, she's Rebecca. 

You might roll your eyes at some of her theatrics or her jaw-dropping costumes, but her contribution to the show is undeniable.

Shannel
Shannel

Plus, she looked damn good in this episode. And her partner Sweepea was just the best.

This show has had a lot of really spectacular makeover challenges over its five seasons, but I think this one still stands above the rest. There's something just so fascinating and totally endearing about a bunch of butch ladies getting made over by flamboyant men. It captures the vast spectrum of gender expression in such a crystal clear way, entire college seminars should unpack everything going on here. In subsequent seasons, when the queens are paired with various men to transform into queens, there just isn't the same juxtaposition. (Yes, those episodes are often highlights of each season, but in different ways.)

If only Drag U had captured the same energy, right?

Anyway, Shannel and Sweepee should have won. Yes, Rebecca forced her partner Tempele into a fairly good likeness of herself, but only after grinding away any last vestige of goodwill we might have felt for her.

Nina
Nina

I had to draw Nina as an evil Disney stepmother, because clearly. Also, her partner really reminded me of Cece's roommate from New Girl. Or am I just crazy?

Okay, and... Ongina.

Obviously, she's great. Ongina brought so much energy, positivity, and humor to the show that it's hard to imagine the season going on without her.

Ongina
Ongina

I wanted to try something a little different in this week's illustration of her--with my previous drawings of Ongina, I felt like my digital style wasn't capturing some of the softness of her face, so I tried doing a more traditional drawing on paper with pencil and charcoal, then adding some color digitally.

It was great to see Ru give Ongina such a heartfelt goodbye. Seeing that crack in his composure added to the weight of the moment and the sincerity of his praise. I wish we'd see more of those rough edges in subsequent seasons. (Let it allll out, girl!)

RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 1, Episode 4

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Once again, while re-watching this first season, I'm struck by how much the producers got right in this short little "lost" stretch of episodes. The lead-up to the mini-challenge, where the queens give feedback on their peers, was surprisingly candid and interesting without resorting to (too much) cattiness. And having the queens make each other over was brilliant! Not to mention the intriguing results, seeing their faces painted in dramatically different styles. Nina looked soft and understated, Ongina looked fresh-faced and lovely, and Bebe gave Rebecca a smoldering, smoky eye.

I always feel bad for the shy queens on this show. We get some screen time with this season's two quieter queens, Jade and Rebecca, but they express dramatically different attitudes. Rebecca, irritated that the other girls don't "get" her, says fuck 'em. Jade realizes that her introverted personality isn't anyone else's fault, and she needs to step up her game.

The Viva Glam challenge was an especially complicated one--how do you balance a socially conscious message of HIV prevention and research while also projecting an image of yourself as glamorous and fun? Nearly all the queens stumbled, in variously hilarious ways. The way they edited Shannel's wandering monologue was laugh-out-loud funny, resulting from yet another misunderstanding of the challenge's criteria. (Do you think in subsequent seasons they've been extra careful about meticulously spelling out the requirements for each challenge to avoid these blatant screw-ups?)

Rebecca's breakdown was a face-palm moment, Nina's language problems continued to plague her, and Jade just plain missed the mark, despite bringing more energy and confidence than I had expected. Bebe, however, brought a sincerity and seriousness to her commercial shoot, as well as a stunning outfit. But Ongina was the clear winner. Oh, Ongina! Just the best.

Ongina
Ongina

It's interesting to look at the first season's (mostly) awkward MAC commercials compared to some of the stand-out film shoots of Season Five. For their perfume commercial, we got funny, smart performances from Alaska, Jinkx, and Detox. (Some painful ones from the other queens, but still.) Nowadays, it seems like the queens are generally much more media savvy, experienced in promoting themselves, shooting crazy YouTube videos, pandering to legions of Twitter fans. The queens from that first season seemed much more awkward in front of the camera, not sure of how to present themselves, how to act on a film set.

This week's runway looks were mostly underwhelming. Rebecca's outfit was a trainwreck. And that makeup? Yeesh. A lot of the queens wore dark, understated dresses that were hard to see through the greased up camera lens. I did love Nina's feathery flourish, though, and her tall column of hair.

Nina
Nina

And Bebe served up a dynamite look. Sure, there are a lot of mixed opinions out there about her, but week to week, I find myself saying, "Ooh, I want to draw her in that! And that! And that!" There's something so engaging and unique about her style that keeps me coming back for more.

Bebe
Bebe

Was anyone else surprised that Jade was selected to sashay away? She definitely had better moves and more stage presence than Ms. Glasscock, but maybe she still came across as too tightly wound, too choreographed? Or maybe, with Rebecca's simmering attitude and conflict with the other queens, she was kept on purely for the sake of drama.

It's a shame! I had really been hoping to draw Jade this season, but none of her runway looks really jumped out at me. Maybe I need to go see her perform live here in Chicago and ask for a personal modeling session?

RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 1, Episode 3

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Lordy, what a legendary episode! Seriously, this should be considered one of the all-time classics of Drag Race herstory. It started off slow, with Ru's weird trivia introduction to the week's challenge. And then... Oprah? A bunch of activities based around Oprah?

But man, the funny/strange/sweet/insane moments started piling up, one after another, culminating in one of the most memorable lip syncs ever on the show.

First, Shannel's over-the-top excitement and certainty that, at any moment, she is absolutely definitely going to meet Oprah. Every time Ru shows up, surely it must be to drag Oprah from behind a curtain and meet her biggest fan. Seeing Shannel so giddy and joyful revealed a sunnier side to the shadiest queen of the season. And girl, I wish you had gotten to meet Oprah.

And then Jade, sweet and sultry Jade, begging Bebe for some dark foundation to serve up some blackface realness. Oooooh my. What a trainwreck that could have been. Kudos to the other queens for stepping in and offering some sanity. Wowza.

Despite Nina's worries about the challenge, she overcame her language problems through sheer pluck and personality by laughing at herself and rolling with the punches. Seriously, signing off from her newscast with "This is your name, good night," was just the absolute best.

I loved the interview sections, too. Seeing the queens shoot the shit with a couple random celebrities made for some great TV. And my favorite part was Ru bringing Tori and Dean to the workroom afterward and hanging out with the girls. So fun and light-hearted, a great way to break the tension after the queens ran themselves ragged throughout the challenge.

Nina
Nina

It's strange that it took three episodes to offer the contestants a chance to wear their own clothes on the runway. Nina's wig and make-up were divine, and I loved the color palette of her look. Her styling lends itself well to a more angular, geometric illustration approach, which I love love love playing with.

Ongina
Ongina

Ongina's look was gorgeous--so sleek and sexy, accented with her whimsical doll headpiece. Even though she didn't get a ton of screen time during the main challenge, it was great to see her shine on the runway.

Shannel had a lot of missteps this episode, with the crazy red dress she wore during the challenge, and her overeager interview, but her Medusa look was certainly a stunner. I drew this super cartoony take on it last year in preparation for All-Stars. (A sidenote: It's interesting to see how much Shannel changed between the first season and All-Stars. In the later season, she seemed much goofier, light-hearted, and humbled, as opposed to the I've-already-won attitude she wields throughout the first.)

Shannel-All-Stars
Shannel-All-Stars

In any case, Shannel brought it for her lip sync. Did those snakes fly off by accident, or not? If it was intentional, it was a superbly calculated move on her part. I tend to think it was just a serendipitous slip, but who knows?

Speaking of missteps, we can't forget Akashia. Man! Tripping on the runway! A disaster, but one she handled admirably.

Bebe
Bebe

This week's runway also offered up Bebe's most memorable and magnificent outfit. And that wig! Everything about Bebe's walk down the runway just screamed sex, elegance, and power. That combined with her strong, centered performance in the main challenge finally showed her as a real competitor for this season.

RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 1, Episode 2

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Did anyone else start feeling claustrophobic this week, scratching at the walls as things heated up in this pressure cooker of an episode? The intense scenes of the groups working and arguing with each other felt really different than what we’ve gotten used to in subsequent seasons.

The bulk of the main challenge was shot really intimately, with lots of close-ups, and you couldn't look away from all the conflicts brewing among the queens. It was smart to give each queen a different responsibility for her group, to see how they could contribute and convince the other queens of their ideas. It came together for Ongina’s team (go, girl!) but for Akashia’s, well… all I can say is: Poor Tammie!

Miss Tammie Brown gave it her all in this challenge, gamely going along with a group that didn't want her. Sure, most of her ideas didn’t fit the fishy fashion the others wanted, but they could have at least considered those capes!

The other girls just didn't get Tammie, and my guess is that most viewers didn't either when this season first aired. But it also became increasingly clear that Tammie didn't get this show, either. She didn't anticipate the intensity of the competition, and after being steamrolled by Akashia throughout the whole challenge, she wasn’t willing to fight for her spot during the final lip sync.

Tammie
Tammie

It was a shame, because I would have absolutely loved to see more of her-- and I’m not talking about her nip slip during the girl group performance!

Overall, I thought this first group challenge was fabulous--intense, fun, and it separated the queens from the girls. However, since we didn't get a proper runway show, I wasn't left with especially memorable outfits to illustrate.

Serving_fish
Serving_fish

Ongina’s team “Serving Fish” lived up to their name, except for that crazy, cartoonish hair! Those giant, poofy wigs? I just… I couldn't. The standout performance was from Ongina--although half the height of the other queens, she had double the energy and attitude.

I actually loved the fashion and attitude of Akashia’s team “3D” despite Tammie and Akashia’s sloppy dancing. Bebe really stood out--I live for the fierce intensity she brought to the lip sync. Those facial expressions! Good lord. But she really faded into the background during the workroom scenes. I’m interested to see her trajectory over the course of the season, whether she emerges more as a personality among the cast, or whether she only shines onstage.

Bebe
Bebe

RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 12

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Well! These "finale" episodes are tricky, because you're left with a cliffhanger ending and the feeling that nothing really happened--no one got kicked off, no one won, we're left frantically voting for our favorite queen on every form of social media under the sun. But a lot did happen this week. Or, at least a lot of ridiculous and lovely antics.

All season, Alaska has continually been set up as sort of a brilliant, deranged clown. There have been several weeks where the editing makes her seem like she's failing miserably (and in the case of the chiffonography, hilariously) but when we see the final results, she kills it. Is it all manipulation by the editors? Does Alaska intentionally clown around during rehearsals? Any way you slice it, it's worked for her this season.

It helps that this episode had so many ridiculous aspects to the challenge, keeping things fast paced and full of schtick. I loved how buoyant and playful Jinkx was during the car shoot. The "chipmunkery" was insane, as was Alaska's flailing chiffonography. Both Jinkx and Alaska let loose in the courtroom shoot, and I died hearing Jinkx's elaborate back stories for each character.

Mathu Andersen provided a perfect, dry "straight man" to the queens' antics, delivering delicious one-liners that cut straight to the bone. Mathu does really provocative drag, himself, and posts thoughtful commentary on his Facebook page, which is worth a look!

The queens' lunch conversations with Ru sort of fell flat for me this season. It seemed like they were mostly treading on old ground, so even though the scenes were emotional, they weren't particularly revealing. However, I think it was brilliant to juxtapose those warm, affirmational segments with Gloria Allred's incisive, no-nonsense prep sessions with the girls. I LOVED that she called out Roxxxy's "pageant babble".

No matter what you feel about Roxxxy--whether you think she's just playing mind-games, or that she regrets lashing out, or that she's just a bully--I think the key to understanding her issues with Alaska and Jinkx was in hearing that she sees their campy humor as "making fun" of drag itself. Which is strange, because Roxxxy herself can be really funny, but her ultimate goal is always glamour, and it kills her that other queens don't take that as seriously as she does. But that approach is fundamentally flawed. To me, it's like trying out for a school play because you like to wear fun outfits. Sure, the costumes and stage make-up are part of the process, but they're secondary to your performance on stage, your ability to embody a character and entertain the audience.

There's room in this world for many different approaches to drag, and I'm glad that the Drag Race celebrates a fairly large variety of them. But as I've mentioned in previous posts, it's clear that the focus of this show has shifted more toward the performance-oriented queens, the ones with character and the ability to leave a crowd roaring with delight. And it kills Roxxxy that she's been left behind.

Ultimately, it's down to Alaska and Jinkx. I'd be truly delighted if either won. I hold both in such high esteem, and they've endlessly surpassed my expectations all season.

Jinkx_animated
Jinkx_animated

Jinkx is a consistent delight--her broad array of talents and staunch professionalism deliver every time. Her fashion choices have been a mixed bag, but as she said, she's been listening to criticism and improving her looks. Even though her final dress was fairly simple, has she ever looked more gorgeous? It seems like she's still got the majority of fan support, and she'll probably win.

Alaska
Alaska

However, Alaska is, and always has been, a wildcard. She doesn't have as diverse a skill set as Jinkx, and her performances have been up and down. But when she gets a foothold and comes up with a clever concept or retort, there just ain't nothing like Alaska. She's edgy, provocative, and has provided the most jaw-dropping, gut-bustingly funny moments of the season.

So it's any girl's game! We're all just left waiting for Judge Rudy's verdict!

Judge_Ru
Judge_Ru

As always, this week's portraits of Jinkx and Alaska are both available to purchase on The Sellout Store, so go check that out! I've also been thinking about making smaller 5" x 7" prints of my Drag Race work available online--is anyone into that? It would be a way of celebrating your favorite queens, but for those without much wallspace and/or framing skills. And yes, I'm working on a book collection of my best work from Season 5, and it will be available for pre-order soon!

And finally, I'll be exhibiting at C2E2 in Chicago this weekend, Friday-Sunday! It's a giant comics and pop cultural show, and it will be crazy. I'll be at Table R16 in Artists Alley with my Drag Race work and my new comic MANTA-DAD! So you should absolutely come, and maybe even buy discounted advance tickets!

RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 11

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This is the episode I had been waiting for, and dreading. Who would make it to the final three? I've been preoccupied with that question all season, and we finally got our answer, with a few swerves along the way. Despite her uproariously funny puppet performance, Alaska seemed destined to go. She stumbled through the most basic of choreography for the girls' routine, and her candy couture dress was literally falling apart as she prepped for the runway. From the season's start, I've had the nagging worry that Alaska wouldn't make it to the end, given all the early comparisons of her with Sharon Needles, and then increasingly Jinkx! Surely Ru wouldn't have two "funny queens" in her final three!?

Alaska
Alaska

But this season has had a lot of unexpected turns from the beginning--starting with the cast of queens. From its onset, I've been struck by this season's focus on performers and comedy queens. Yeah, obviously you've got Jinkx as a triple threat, Alaska's subversive humor, and Detox's unique brand of lip sync. But remember Ivy's wild assortment of circus skills and Alyssa's impressive dancing background? She didn't stick around long enough to show it, but Honey Mahogany is a fantastic singer, too. This ensemble was loaded with talent above and beyond the expected for a drag show.

Roxxxy claimed that Jinkx made it this far entirely on luck, that the challenges seemed custom built for a queen with her talents. But girl, there's no luck in reality TV. This season has been all about performance--singing, dancing, comedy, comedy, comedy. It wasn't luck, it was a clear shift on the part of Ru and the production team. All that being said, I don't know what it all means--does Ru want a queen who can do it all, or have all these performance challenges been strung together just because they make for the best TV?

Roxxxy
Roxxxy

It's the answer to that question that will determine the winner of this Race.

Roxxxy would have rocked this show in its earlier seasons. She's gorgeous, stylish, and brings a boatload of energy and enthusiasm to every challenge. Facing off against previous winners like Bebe or Tyra Sanchez, Roxxxy probably could have snatched the crown from either one of them. But in Season 5? I'm not sure. Given the shift in this show's priorities, I don't know if she's a viable contender. But on the other hand, I could see how RuPaul wouldn't want to set the precedent of consistently rewarding the campy/comedy/edgy queens, and so she might pick a queen like Roxxxy who embodies the highest ideals of glamour and polish in drag.

Detox
Detox

In any other season, Detox would have stood out from the pack--and she did in the early episodes! I thought she was the clear frontrunner, given her fierce combination of style, skills, and stunningly distinctive looks. She's a magnificent queen, and well-rounded, but she had a hard time standing out in later challenges. When it came to acting and singing, Jinkx had an edge. In comedy challenges, it was hard to top Alaska's razor sharp wit. I love Detox's edgy outfits and expressive physical comedy, and I'm glad she made it so far into this competition.

Jinkx
Jinkx

I don't know if it was luck, or a thread of fate woven by Ru and her production team, but Jinkx was certainly fortunate to face off against Detox performing one of the most eccentric (and delightful) song selections in Drag Race herstory. Like she said, the song was perfectly suited to Jinkx's love of schtick, and she channeled its quirky charms through every inch of her being. Jinkx had clearly thought out the whole number, bringing distinctive choreography and character to it, and she justified her place in the final three.

Do you think it'll come down to Jinkx and Alaska? What a lip sync that would be! Throughout the season's second half, Jinkx has emerged as the fan-favorite to win, but Alaska has really picked up steam in just the last few weeks. And she's the one queen who can reliably crack up Ru in the workroom. So, it's anybody's game! And it should be a hell of a show.

I don't know if we get the clip show next, or what, but during the "recap week," I'm hoping to draw some of the best queens and outfits I missed earlier in the season, so share your suggestions below. And yes, finally: ALYSSA.

And remember: buy prints and books of my Drag Race work right here and on Etsy!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 10

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The “makeover” episodes of the Drag Race are almost always a highlight of the season because of the focus on establishing new connections and demonstrating the real craft behind drag. Because after all, the queens never look more polished and accomplished than when juxtaposed with their, uh, burly partners.

Jinkx-Fortuna
Jinkx-Fortuna

But those partners have stories to share, and I particularly loved the compassion and sincerity that Jinkx’s partner, Dave, brought this week. Although Alaska probably paired him with Jinkx as a hindrance, he provided human, heartfelt stories about the toll of AIDS, living in less accepting times, and even the generation gap within the gay community. Plus, he and Jinkx were impossibly fun together on stage.

Detox
Detox

I loved the chemistry between Detox and her partner Aaron, too, but on an entirely different level. Aaron was adorable, which Detox certainly noticed, as was his excitement to get into drag. I dug the complementary outfits Detox came up with, so I was surprised she ended up in the bottom two, despite her flag fiasco.

I guess, with just five contestants left in the challenge this week, the bar was set pretty high, and no queen is safe. Honestly, I’d love to see week after week of just the four remaining queens, because I just can’t get enough of them. But we have to assume that one of them will be going home next week, which gets at the central question I’ve been wrestling with all season: who the hell will make it to the final three?

Alaska-Nebraska
Alaska-Nebraska

Jinkx has maintained her momentum, and she should have no problem making it. But if she does, will Alaska have a shot? They’ve both been pigeonholed as “the funny queens,” so I worry that only one will make it to the end. My guess for next week’s lip sync? Detox vs. Alaska. Or... maybe Detox vs. Roxxxy? I don’t know, I’m terrible at this stuff.

We'll find out soon enough, so in the meantime, check out the latest additions to my Drag Race Print Shop, and tune in next week!

Also, as a sidenote, I'll be exhibiting at the fabulous alternative comics show SPACE in Columbus, Ohio this weekend, so if you're in the area, come say hi!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 9

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Whew, I was bracing myself this week! As soon as I saw that Jinkx was teamed up with Alyssa and Coco, I was sure it would be a shitstorm, yet another barrage of drama and antagonism, but compared to previous weeks, this one was pretty tame. In fact, they seemed to be setting up a lot of drama for both teams in this week's challenge--did you see Alaska's face as Detox and Roxxxy were going over their lines? Really, it was kind of terrifying. But despite the build-up, both teams seemed to function fairly well while shooting their respective telenovelas.

Detox
Detox

Alaska called it with this challenge--with such hammy dialogue and bombastic performances, neither team's sketch worked particularly well. The reunited Rolaskatox, however, were able to find a lot of goofy bits to play around with, and I thought they worked well together. Detox got a fair bit of flack for her efforts, but who could complain about this priceless expression of hers? (Don't hate me, Detox, I seriously adore your facial antics!)

Alaska-animated
Alaska-animated

The telenovela shoot went pretty smoothly for Alyssa, Coco, and Jinkx... all things considered. I fully expected an epic tussle between those three during rehearsal, but the only excruciating bit was watching Alyssa try to squeeze into one of Jinkx's dresses. Despite Alyssa's orgasmic quirks and Coco's dropped lines, they weren't a trainwreck. Amidst all the couch-humping, Jinkx did manage to find a few little comedic gems--I particularly loved the quick reversal where she observes the reason they rarely discuss food in the family.

The runway looks this week were a mixed bag. I thought Roxxxy's makeup looked stunning, but her outfit was a bit too conventional for me to get excited about. Same with Alyssa's. And I wasn't sure what to make of Detox's giant sombrero. But I did love Coco's sleek orange jumpsuit, and even if Alaska's gown wasn't remarkable, I'm a sucker for a girl who can shake it.

Jinkx
Jinkx

And, of course, Jinkx stole the show. I live for the scene-stealing, gasp-inducing runway looks, and Jinkx brought it this week. 

To DIE for. Yeah, sorry.

In any case, she's clearly assumed the role of frontrunner, and all the other queens are gunning for her. That being said, the contestants seem to have gotten to know each other pretty well, so even after railing on each other, they often fall back into a comfortable sense of camaraderie. Jinkx has been standing up for herself, and I honestly can't imagine that the other queens will be able to shake her, given what she's already endured.

That being said, I don't take it for granted that she'll take home the crown. I adore the other queens, too. Given this week's unforgettable lip sync, I was amazed that either queen was sent home. From here on in, none of those queens is going to make it easy.

Next week's challenge is apparently the inevitable "makeover" episode, which I always find to be totally unpredictable. You just never know what'll happen in those ones, but it always makes for good television!

Check back next week for the next batch of art, and check out this week's in my online store!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 8

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It's a new day, darlings! No Rolaskatox, no names shouted into an empty workroom. Anything can happen with just seven queens left... and a couple dozen underwear models. "Whatcha Packin'" was a delightful way to start off the show, and it culminated in one of Ru's best punchlines ever: "The winner of this challenge is... every straight woman and gay man in America!" One correction, Ru: surely the charms of these man can be appreciated by the entire world. (By the way, Detox totally already knew at least one of the underwear models--did you see the little wave she gave them as they came in? Go get it, girl.)

Detox-heroine
Detox-heroine

Earlier in the year, at this season's premiere, Ru teased that two queens would develop a relationship over the course of the show, and I had assumed that couple was going to be Roxxxy and Detox, given their frequent flirting and pairing off. So I never anticipated Jinkx and Ivy as a potential match-up. My guess is that the producers didn't, either, since it came up so abruptly this episode.

I have no idea if anything developed between those two, nor what Ivy's feelings were, but who else was surprised that Jinkx chose to announce her crush to the full workroom while Ivy made her phone call? As many others have noted, Jinkx usually plays her cards close to her chest, so giving her competitors such a juicy piece of gossip seemed incredibly out of character for her. But I don't know--maybe she was overwhelmed with her feelings, and perhaps she wanted to confide in the other queens when she had the chance. But Alaska was less than encouraging, saying, "Well... that's... cute....?"

I've never really gotten all the gagging over perfume and celebrity scents. I'm not a glamour queen, girls, but I did love this challenge. (So did Ru--seeing her "sample" Alaska's perfume in the workroom was comedy gold. If I had more time this week, I totally would have animated it. Yes, seriously.)

I'm a sucker for photo shoots, especially ones that allow some room for playing around with props and the Pit Crew. Jinkx's entire shoot was hilarious, from the moment she whipped off her fur coat to reveal the lingerie underneath. She succinctly explained her vision to Shawn and Jason of the Pit Crew ("Like we just had a threeway, Eiffel Tower, all that stuff") and got ON 'em!

The editing of these sequences allowed us to see the funny moments and blunders of each shoot, but without spoiling the best punchlines. I thought Jinkx's concept behind Delusion was simple and hilarious. Some of the other queens' ads? Not so much. I had expected that Alyssa, Roxxxy, and Ivy could at least offer up some glamour and eleganza, if not serve up the laughs. I did appreciate that Coco, bolstered by her win at the Ru Roast, tried to bring some levity to her shoot... but if you're trying to be funny, you should be funny, girl.

Alaska-animated2
Alaska-animated2

You wanna see funny, you go to Alaska. All season, viewers have been rough on Alaska, too often comparing her to Sharon and just not getting her style of drag and humor. But her delightfully deranged Red for Filth commercial perfectly encapsulates her approach, the tongue-in-cheek caricature of class and glamour, and hopefully everyone can finally appreciate just how fierce and sharp this queen can be. It's been a rough run for Alaska this season, but her win this week was, in her words, "right on f--king time."

There's been a lot of discussion about the overall quality of this season, and comparing it to your cherished memories of past seasons is inevitable. I've noticed that the show's focus this season has been on performance and challenges, with many runway segments either skipped or served as an afterthought, which prevents some of the heart-stopping drama we've gotten from past seasons. (Remember the thrill each week as Raja came down the runway? Lordy...) But I did love some of the looks this week, particularly Jinkx's and Detox's. (and no, I'm not going to apologize for drawing them every damn week!)

I don't think anyone can doubt the quality of this season's cast of queens--as I've been pointing out from the beginning, there are almost too many queens competing for our attention. The fact that Detox, Alaska, Jinkx, Alyssa, and the others are all working at such a high level prevents any one frontrunner from stealing the spotlight, which has often characterized past seasons.

The challenges this year have been hilarious, and many of the queens have offered up stellar performances. What often sours my feelings for the show each week is the increasingly toxic tone of Untucked--I get that this kind of show is all about the drama, but it's starting to feel like bullying, which is the last thing a drag queen should have to endure from her peers. Last season, with Sharon and Phi Phi, they were both typically dishing it out, whereas Jinkx neither incites conflict, nor escalates it when it's shoved in her face. But I think that's the best way to handle that kind of harassment--don't give them the pleasure of getting you angry or breaking you down. I just hope Jinkx can stay strong this season, because each week, more and more queens seem to be coming for her. With her best friend (and crush) Ivy gone, who else is going to be on Team Jinkx? (Hint: Me!)

Jinkx-animated
Jinkx-animated

In any case, I have hope, and I'm eager to get into the second half of the season, which is where we really get to know each queen and see them shine.

Make sure to check out my store and buy some nice prints of all my best Drag Race work of this season! It looks like there may not be an episode of the show next week (Anyone know why?) but I'll be here whenever there are new queens to draw!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 7

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SO MUCH this week! Where to even start? How about... with the beginning?Were you surprised to see Rolaskatox dissolve so quickly? I know the judges told them “no cliques” last week, but I didn't expect Alaska to take action so quickly. But good for her! That girl was a shining star this episode, and it’s staggering that she hasn't won a challenge, yet.

Coco-animated
Coco-animated

Actually, I’ve been thinking about that--this season, the producers seem to be focused on: not having any clear frontrunners and rewarding the underdog. Have we seen any queen win more than one challenge so far? I don’t think so, but I'm not taking the time to go through and check. Sharon Needles won four challenges last season, but it’s hard to imagine any one queen dominating the field like that this time (even though Jinkx arguably could have won the last three weeks in a row).

Furthermore, the judges have been rewarding the queen who most surprised them, rather than the one who might have delivered a better performance. No one expected Coco to win this week, and so her strong showing snagged her the win. Alaska was already known for her edgy humor, so even though she offered the most polished jokes, she didn't get nearly as much acclaim.

detox-animated
detox-animated

Mind you, I’m not complaining--I was glad to see Coco steal the shown (It's hard to top Coco, am I right??), and the lack of any one shining star of the season has certainly kept things interesting.

Yes, the lip sync was fabulous, and Ru made the right call in keeping Roxxxy and Alyssa. I loved each of their performances, but neither runway look stood out to me, so I opted to draw my favorite four queens from the Roast, instead.

Alaska-Roast
Alaska-Roast
Alaska-animated
Alaska-animated

As ever, Untucked gave us a lot to chew on. First of all, both Jinkx’s and Roxxxy’s family histories were revealed, and the fact that both emerged as magnificent queens from such difficult beginnings is a huge testament to them.

Second, it was hilarious and refreshing to see the other queens finally declare an official moratorium on pageant drama between Alyssa and Coco. We’ll see if the ceasefire holds... but I can hope.

Jinkx-roast
Jinkx-roast
jinkx-animated
jinkx-animated

And third, why was everyone piling on Jinkx? I had a hard time following the tortured chain of logic: the other queens resent the fact that Jinkx expresses her insecurity, despite being such a fierce performer, and so they suspect her of duplicity? Of playing them? After so much trash talk over the weeks, it was shocking to hear Roxxxy, Coco, and Alyssa acknowledging (among themselves) that Jinkx is a viable contender for the crown.

Well, they're right! But I think it’s anyone’s game. Given that the last three challenges have focused squarely on performance skills, I’m curious what other challenges await us this season. I'm bracing myself for some ridiculous one that may throw my favorite queens off their game, but I'm betting their Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent will get them through!

Check back next week, and check out the new Drag Race prints I've got in my store! You can also see the full versions of this week's portraits in my Drag Race gallery!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 5

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This was the week, girls! THE SNATCH GAME! And it culminated in one of the most rewarding moments of the season, with Jinkx Monsoon finally getting the recognition she deserves!... after fighting for it throughout a brutal, punishing episode. Coco summed it up best at the end of this week's Untucked: "Competition brings the best and the worst out of everybody." With several of the queens feeling insecure and defensive about their Snatch Game performances, they pile on the shining star of the challenge, accusing her of being too quirky and unpolished for the competition. But, wait... haven't the other queens SEEN the past two seasons of this show? Remember Raja? And Sharon Needles? The eccentric, edgy queens who've won the damn thing?

Edie
Edie

I really felt for Jinkx, who refused to sink to the level of the combative queens, and I'm so, so glad she emerged on top. I had been relishing the chance to see her perform as Little Edie, and she didn't disappoint. The level of polish and wit she brought to the character was just sickening--especially when she took advantage of the Game's awkward pauses and snatched back the spotlight.

(And as a sidenote, my hilariously neurotic, reclusive cat is named Edie, in honor of Little Edie. Here she is, being her usual self.)

In any case, you all know how much I love this queen. And damn, do I like drawing her.

Jinkx-animated
Jinkx-animated

But Jinkx has got some competition! This season has its share of fierce performers--week to week, you never know whether Alaska, Detox, or Jinkx will steal the show. Given my overwhelming love for campy queens, I adore all three, but I really have no idea who might edge each other out. How could you pick just one for the crown??

I still adore Alaska, who remains a total wild card--you never know when she'll pull out some delightfully deranged quip or costume. (I do love those animal masks, by the way...) Her performance as Lady Bunny was a hell of a time, and her runway look, although simple, was sleek and funny.

Alaska-animated
Alaska-animated

Some of the queens really went with the fishy theme of "The Deadliest Snatch," but others? Not so much. As a total nerd, I figured some of the other queens might have gone more in the "deadly" direction, dressing up like... assassins? Sexy, dangerous ladies? (Jade, Coco, and Roxxxy were totally serving that up, am I right?)

I liked Roxxxy's Snatch Game performances a lot, even though I didn't know anything about the Braxton sister she was portraying. She brings a lot of energy and humor to each challenge, and really, I need no excuse to draw a mohawk.

Roxxxy
Roxxxy

I was sure Ivy and Lineysha would be stuck lip synching for their lives this week. Although I love both queens, they're pretty subdued, and so I was worried we'd have another underwhelming match-up. But that was not to be! Instead, we got to see Detox at her best, and what a sight she was! I may have my gripes about the predominant role of lip synching in drag competitions, but Detox showed us all how it's done. As if her inimitable facial contortions weren't fierce enough, how much did you love her spin move, where her "jellyfish" dress whipped up around her?

This girl gets it.

Detox-animated
Detox-animated

As always, I've got books and prints of my Drag Race work (including your favorite Season 5 gals!) right here, so take a look at my online store!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 4

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So, this episode definitely shook things up, right? And not just by putting those poor queens in a ballet! First, how fun was it to see Ru in an afro and gettin’ down? When she’s in drag, Ru cultivates an almost regal detachment, so seeing her let loose and get funky was a delight.

Alaska
Alaska

Over the last two weeks, we’ve also seen a lot more of Jinkx, whom you know I love. She seemed to be a smart leader, taking control but making sure everyone was on board with her decisions. She picked a team of graceful, elegant dancers (Jade, Ivy, Lineysha)..... and Alaska. But come on, you knew Alaska would bring enough attitude to carry her through the challenge.

We also got to see more of Honey and Vivienne, which immediately made me suspicious--from early on, I suspected that they were being given their brief moments in the sun before falling into the bottom two.

Despite the smokin’ hot choreographers, the rehearsal scenes left me worried that the final performance was inevitably going to be a trainwreck. But I was surprised at how charming and artful it was! Ru’s voiceovers were lovely, and I loved the small, poignant scenes they described.

Alaska’s opening number as Ru’s mom was fabulous, mostly for her scowl, glasses, and crazy hair. (Yes, I did consider doing an animation of Alaska spanking baby Ru.) Jinkx and Ivy were fabulous, too--I knew Jinkx had formal dance training, but I was especially impressed with Ivy, who channeled such a fun, sunny playfulness.

Jinkx
Jinkx

And yes, Alyssa and Coco were fabulous. It was great to see them working together, their drama contributing to the intensity of the scene. This episode conveyed Alyssa in a particularly nice light, showing both her lighter side (the ridiculous faces in the mirror) and her talents (what a dancer!). I had hoped to do a portrait of both Alyssa and Coco facing off against each other, but alas, there’s only so much a boy can do every week!

Ivy
Ivy

The runway segment was a hurried afterthought this week, but there were some stunning looks--I HAD to draw Ivy in her Victor/Victoria inspired gown. (If you’re not familiar with the film, you MUST check out VICTOR/VICTORIA . It features Julie Andrews performing (kind of) as a drag queen. Yeah, I know. Here’s a link.)

Detox’s look this week was sheer perfection. It had an almost alien sense of glamour, all those shimmering shapes! And that hair!

Detox
Detox

The double elimination was striking, and I was especially sad to see Honey go. I think she’s both an immense talent and stunning beauty, but got tripped up on her wardrobe choices. Since the show, however, I think she’s attained a new level of polish and sophistication--have you seen her brand new music video? So I’m hoping to see a lot more of Honey soon!

Next week is the Snatch Game, hunties, so get ready! I’m dying to see Jinkx’s “Little Edie,” even though none of the other queens might know who the hell that is.

In the meantime, make sure to check out my print store, where I’ve been posting a lot of my latest Season 5 work! So, get yours now!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 2

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So, when Ru said this episode would be all about drag herstory, I got so excited! Finally, they're bringing in a historical context! What will they be referencing, Paris is Burning? Pink Flamingos? Stonewall? Nope. Past seasons of the Drag Race.

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Which, admittedly, was a lot of fun! Although the lip synch challenge might have seemed strange, I have seen drag queens incorporate that spoken word style into their stage acts, so it's at least as relevant to the art of drag as any of this show's other outrageous challenges.

Plus, it gave me an excuse to dig up some of my favorite old pieces, like Raja's stunning powdered wig costume.

I loved the queens who brought a little something special to their lip synch performances--like Jinkx, with her sadsack rendition of Mimi, even though I wish she would have gotten rid of that troublesome lampshade! (It was, however, a funny homage to Mimi's original and unforgettable headpiece, which I depicted in one of my very first Drag Race portraits!)

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sharon-devil-animation.gif

I couldn't help but be tickled by Detox and Alaska, who definitely bring a sense of spontaneity and edge to these challenges. Who could resist that bloody, outrageous kiss between their Sharon and Phi Phi?

We're still so early in the season that there are just too many damn queens on this show! And they really are all so good, it's hard for any but the most outspoken to stand out. I'm hoping we continue to see a lot more of Jinkx, Honey, and Ivy, who've all suffered from lack of screen time.

The show didn't seem to establish any particular theme for this week's runway challenge, so a lot of queens seem to have brought out their craziest outfits, vying for attention. Most of them were totally fabulous, and it was hard picking just a few! (I mean seriously, I didn't even have time for Ivy's crazy butterfly outfit!)

Jinkx
Jinkx

First, Jinkx Monsoon! Yes, her outfit this week was very simple, but it was sleek and wonderful, and I adore this queen. Get used to it, girls!

Alaska
Alaska

Next, Alaska! Was this a showstopping outfit? No, but it was nice to see Alaska showing off a sleek, dark look.

Although some people might get sick of her raucous brand of humor, I think she's smart and sharp enough to keep us guessing. If you doubt me, check out the preview for next week's episode, where she slips in some delightfully twisted humor during an otherwise silly mini-challenge.

Serena ChaCha caught a lot of flak for her claims about bringing a unique, intellectual edge to the show--but in fact, I think it's queens like Sharon Needles, Alaska, Jinkx, and Detox who are already bringing their own brands of self-aware, thoughtful, and transgressive sensibilities to drag, expanding its boundaries and categories. And, you know, having fun while they're doing it!

Detox
Detox

Detox's costume this week was all kinds of crazy--I can only guess that she was dressed as some sort of evil fairytale queen? But it was fun as hell to draw.

Honey
Honey

 I was utterly transfixed by Honey's runway look this week--something about the way she worked that flowing pink fabric made her seem otherworldly! I live for Honey's sleek fashion, so I'm hoping we see a lot more of her.

Roxxxy
Roxxxy

And finally: Roxxxy Andrews! I thought this was a STUNNING look--Ms. Roxxxy is really growing on me. I'm guessing she'll have a lot of variety and sophistication in her runways looks this season, and that they'll leave all of us gagging.

Inevitably, the episode dedicated to revisiting the most dramatic scenes from past seasons led to one of the most unforgettable Untucked sequences in Drag Race herstory, featuring the utter annihilation of a drag queen. (Poor Serena!) If you missed it, you must go watch itnow. Despite that cringe-inducing pile-on of Serena, the message from Monica's mom was pretty special. 

As always, you can buy prints and book collections of all my best art from past seasons of the Drag Race, and I'm hoping to make some Season 5 work available soon!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 1

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Another season of the Drag Race is underway, and I'm already overwhelmed--so many queens! So much drama! So much to draw! But seriously, it is a really fascinating mix of queens. They kept saying how fishy they all are, but I'm more impressed at the diverse set of skills and styles we have here. I had done a bit of research into the queens prior to the season for my full-cast poster that you can see here, so I definitely already had some favorites.

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First of all, I love the deranged, funny, self-aware queens: Alaska, Detox, and Jinkx.

Alaska's got her demented glam style down, with a sharp wit to match. My only concern had been whether she'd be able to show a softer side, which this episode delivered. There's been a lot of discussion about whether Alaska's relationship with past winner Sharon Needles will be either a hindrance or unfair advantage--I'm glad that this episode let the girls ask all those questions and get 'em out of the way. Alaska was candid and funny about the jealousy, frustration, and insecurity she feels about it all. And now, hopefully, she can move on in this competition unencumbered.

And I seriously can't wait to see her shine in some performance challenges.

Alaska-animated
Alaska-animated
Detox-animated
Detox-animated

Detox is a clear frontrunner--she's got incredible style, a distinctive look, and an ego the size of California. I'm hoping we're able to get to know her better throughout the season-- she has an ironic detachment and arrogance that reminds me a lot of her friend Willam. But regardless, I can't wait to see what else Detox brings to the show!

And then there's Jinkx: what a gem!

Jinkx-cropped
Jinkx-cropped

I have a huge soft spot for Jinkx, and I'm not afraid to shout that from the rooftops. I think she's funny as hell, embraces a delightfully quirky style, and is an amazing performer. I think she might be the greatest "funny queen" in the show's history, and I'm hoping this show helps launch her into superstardom. She's already been producing hilarious web videos for years (check out her Funny or Die series "Monsoon Season") and is currently starring in a Seattle production of Hedwig & The Angry Inch, which I would DIE to see. My only worry about Jinkx is that, although she's a fantastic actor, singer, and comedian, the Drag Race's emphasis on lip sync and fashion might be her downfall. (but I hope not!)

Jinkx-animated
Jinkx-animated

But, as in every season of the Drag Race, there are surprises. I didn't know much about Roxxxy beforehand, but with her juicy curves, enormous hair, and sleek fashion, I think she could go far. And if you watch Untucked, you'll see that Roxxxy can read these girls FOR DAYS.

I think Honey Mahogany is as sweet as her namesake, not to mention strikingly gorgeous and stylish. She's also one of several queens this season who's an accomplished singer. I'm hoping she's a standout this year, but I'm worried she might be too damn nice for this show!

Honey-animated
Honey-animated

I can't wait to draw the outrageous outfits that Ivy Winters will walk down the runway! She clearly has some design skills, and I'm hoping she gets more of a chance to show off her personality, too. (I had been hoping to draw her this week, but just didn't have time. But soon!)

Lineysha-animated
Lineysha-animated

My biggest surprise this week was Lineysha Sparx--although she's an obvious beauty, I hadn't expected her to bring such style and grace to the show. Seriously, that girl moves like a cat. And even though her runway look was stunning and should have won the challenge, I decided her first look would be even more fun to draw!

I'm definitely not planning to animate all my Drag Race art this year, but I wanted to have some fun this week. Let me know if you like 'em!

As always, prints of my Drag Race work from past seasons can be found here, as well as art books that collect the best pieces!

Check back next week for my thoughts and drawings of the second episode!