RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 13

So, the season ends, and I'm met with mixed emotions. I love the weekly excitement of each new episode, getting to know and illustrate all my favorite girls... but it can also be exhausting, especially since life likes to throw other things into my schedule besides illustrating drag queens. Regardless, I'm endlessly grateful that I've fallen into this crazy line of work, and that so many of you have responded with such enthusiasm about it. During the season, I pretty much structure my entire life around my weekly illustrations, but I can only maintain that momentum for so long before needing a break! If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you might have heard about my quick little trip out to LA last week--and yes, it was to attend the taping of the finale! What a crazy few weeks! First, my work was featured on last week's recap episode, then I got to see the actual filming of the show! I'm really appreciative of So Much Drama! Studios for arranging the whole adventure, and I'm SO excited that our game RuPaul's Drag Race: DRAGOPOLIS is finally out! I did nearly all the art and animation in the game, so if you like my Drag Race work, you should definitely check it out!

In any case, I was fascinated to see how the televised version of the finale matched up to my memories of the taping. Obviously, I can't divulge any juicy secrets, but let's dive into it, shall we?

If you're invested enough in the Drag Race to follow the blog of some random fan art fanatic like me, you've probably heard how the finale was structured--three alternate endings were shot, with each queen winning the crown, and the real winner was revealed at a live event in NYC, where each queen performed in person. I'm a little jealous of everyone at the party in New York, because I'm sure the performances were a hell of a lot more rousing than the opening number of the reunion--my boyfriend (who never watches the show) said it best: "They all look bored."

Penny

But given my own experience the day of the shoot, I can understand why--those queens had been waiting around for hours and hours before the show began. They weren't bored, they were tired. One huge lesson learned from the taping was that good TV takes time! All the lighting, the cameras, the sound equipment--not to mention the make-up, choreography, and rehearsals--it made me realize what a miracle each episode of the show is, how many talented professionals behind the scenes work long, long hours to make it all happen.

So I can't blame the girls for such a subdued opening act. Even from out in the audience, it was clear that some of the queens just didn't want to be there. I'm sure some are still bitter about being booted off the show too soon, or being turned into a punchline. But one of the welcome surprises was from Penny Tration, who maintained a buoyant sense of good-natured goofiness throughout the shoot. (Maybe it helps that she was dressed like a deranged clown!)

Given how much time we've spent with the final three queens in the last few weeks, I was most excited to revisit some of the queens we hadn't seen in a while. Monica looked gorgeous in her flowing pink gown, and Lineysha was serving up a striking avian headpiece, even if, as usual, her personality wasn't as compelling as her fashion choices.

Ivy

Ivy Winters looked more sleek and glamorous than she had all season, and she projected a sense of fun, quirky charm that I hadn't seen during the competition. Although she struggled to stand out amid the over-sized personalities of the other contestants, she's obviously gorgeous and talented, and it was great to see her win the title of Miss Congeniality. The best part (which sadly didn't make it to TV) was seeing Latrice try to fit the sash over Ivy's colossal feather headpiece. (It took a while.)

After the season's endless drama between Coco and Alyssa, it was a relief to finally see them acting nicely with each other, despite some playful sparring. As many others have pointed out, Alyssa is clearly a breakout star of the season, and it's no wonder!--her infectious zeal for performance, her over-sized expressions, the way she cracks herself up with her own jokes? You can't take your eyes off her!

Alyssa

And yet, she always leaves you scratching your head--from the audience, it looked like her white dress was speckled with blood, which was an odd choice. I debated it with others in the audience, and we just couldn't figure out why Alyssa would be wearing that. Maybe Alaska, maybe Sharon, but Alussa? We struggled to come up with a reason, like, maybe she's referencing all the tussles she got into throughout the season? As I was looking at red carpet photos of the dress, I realized it was actually patterned with red roses, but that's only apparent upon close examination. Is it supposed to work on multiple levels? Like so much of what Alyssa does, it's hard to tell if she's in on the joke or not.

But hey, at least we finally learned what "Alyssa's secret" is!

Detox

Detox pretty much stole the show with both her attitude and her show-stopping film noir look. This finale reaffirmed her fierceness, and it's easy to understand her bitterness at not making it into the final three. Not that she needs the crown, or not yet. (Future winner of ALL STARS, Season 2?)

The crazy dance break that interrupted Detox's interview was just as abrupt and bizarre in person as it was on the screen. But it was a little dirtier, since they edited out some of the, uh, floppier bits. Shawn and Jason, the Pit Crew, were onstage with all those Andrew Christian models, but a lot of what they were doing wasn't quite appropriate for television. (Let's just say that Andrew Christian underwear leaves a lot of, uh, wiggle room.)

Whew! Finally! We've made it to the top three! Geez, this reunion episode was long, wasn't it? It was heartening to hear Roxxxy's apologies, and I was swayed by her sincerity. I think she's gone a long way toward rehabilitating her image, and you couldn't help but feel her pain as she talked about losing her drag mother, Erica Andrews.

Alaska-Reunion

But you can always count on Alaska to break up the sentimental moments with a bracing jolt of wit. Although I didn't love her final look--so much pink!--I love that queen so much.

Picking between her and Jinkx must have been tough. Although Jinkx was the clear frontrunner, she peaked a little too early in the season--she delivered some highlights with her Day of the Dead look, her outrageous lip sync, and her veteran's makeover, but nothing could quite match her transcendental channeling of Little Edie during the Snatch Game. And Alaska started gaining momentum too late in the game--because of Rolaskatox, and the Sharon comparisons--and it took a while for viewers to really get her.

And so Jinkx took home the crown, which will hopefully serve as a springboard for innumerable other fabulous accomplishments. Besides the usual club tours, I'm so excited to see that Jinkx has already booked a number of performances in NYC for her show, The Vaudevillians, a fabulous duo act with Major Scales. I'm jealous of all you New Yorkers who get to see the show, though I'm optimistic that she's a star that will keep shining for a long, long time. Here's to MONSOON SEASON!

Jinkx

Thanks for following all this season's work! It means a lot to get such great encouragement, and all your support has really taken me tremendously far this past year. The attention I've gotten from my Drag Race work is largely what has allowed me to make a living doing what I love to do, and that's pretty much all a guy can ask for. How cool is it that my "day job" is drawing drag queens for posters, comics, and video games?

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Speaking of all that, I've updated The Sellout Store to feature this week's latest Drag Race art, and I've made50 QUEENS, the book collection of my favorite Season 5 art, available for pre-order! I'm still working on the final cover design and layout, but I'm planning to have the book printed and mailed out by the end of the month!

If that's still not enough Drag Race art for you, I've also got another FAB.COM sale scheduled to start May 21st! They'll be featuring exclusive 18" x 24" prints of my Season 5 queens!

If you've enjoyed my work this season, check out my crazy comics and see a whole other side of how my brain works!

RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 12

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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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

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

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

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

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-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-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 6

Well, things are certainly going in an interesting direction, aren't they? Has the show ever set up an underdog like Jinkx? There's been a deafening roar of support for her since the Snatch Game, and with this week's singing challenge (and next week's comedy one), I'm betting she's going to keep shining. And she's finally gaining some confidence against the Rolaskatox alliance just as that trio is starting to crumble. How great was it when she shouted "Jinkx!" right after they shouted "Rolaskatox"?  Even Ru told her she needed to steal the spotlight.

And I love that she's finally snatching some attention for herself, speaking up more often and stealing the show during the singing challenge. (That girl's got lungs!) I think it'll be reeeeally interesting to see how she develops over the season, and whether she has a shot at the crown. (I sure hope so!)

I love all three queens of Rolaskatox, but I don't like cliques on the show, period. I'm glad that even the judges feel the same way, though I'm skeptical of what might actually change in coming episodes. This week, it seemed like the main problem with their performance was that they were just having too much fun together.

Roxxxy

Still, I thought Roxxxy brought a fun energy to the recording session ("Where my people at?") and she was a beaming neon beauty on the runway.

How crazy was Detox's plastic surgery confessional? The only way I could process that was to think of her body as some sort of sculpture that she's shaping however she desires. Which is fair, right? What do you think? (Leave your comments below!)

It's nearly a sure thing that she'll make it to the final three, but I was surprised to hear some of the harsh criticism she got this week. The fact that Michelle is already getting tired of Detox's distinctive lip synching style is a bad sign--it reminds me of the diminishing returns of Manila's slapstick style, which wowed the judges the first few times, but fell flat during All Stars.

Detox-Animated-small

Regardless, I hope we see plenty more of Detox... and her assets.

I really liked some other runway looks this week--I had genuinely hoped to draw both Alyssa and Ivy, but I just couldn't find the time. Hopefully next week, though. I think we've got an extremely strong group of queens, and yet I keep falling back to drawing my favorites each time!

I'm interested to see how Coco fares from here. With Jade gone, it seems like the only friend Coco has left is... Alyssa? Still, Coco is such a fierce performer, I have a hard time imagining any other queen sending her home. So my guess? An Alyssa vs. Coco lip synch--coming soon!

Finally: Alaska. I was disappointed to hear the judges complaints about her--before the season even began, I was worrying that Alaska's one weak point would be her lack of vulnerability. And although I think we've seen some really great moments with her in the workroom, I can understand how the judges have a narrower view of her--they mostly just see her runway looks, which are probably where she's weakest. But week to week, I love seeing how she approaches each challenge, and I especially loved her over-the-top vocal stylings during the recording session. Oh, and that girl knows how to paint a face.

Alaska

 All this week's art is already available for sale in my Print Shop, so go check 'em out! And tune in next week for Ru's Roast!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 3

Yeah, I know Alaska is still a totally polarizing queen, but can you argue that she's not the funniest one this season? I mean, come on, this week's mini-challenge? I died. Lil' Poundcake, whose catchphrase is "You're not my real dad and you never will be" was priceless. But my favorite line of the episode was her dry response when Rupaul asked about the underlying lesson to their children's programming: "Down with Communism!" I wasn't weirded out by Alaska's choice to serve up some Farmer Peewee realness during the TV shoot--for me, the challenge was about proving yourself as a comedian and actor, not as a ravishing drag beauty. So, what was all the fuss about?

The overall challenge this week was totally absurd, but in the zany Drag Race way that we all know and love. Despite some of the trainwreck performances, I was actually surprised by the number of queens who really nailed their characters. Including, of course, Jinkx.

Jinkx-animated

I've been frustrated by the lack of screen time Jinkx gets, since she's one of my very favorite queens this season. But this challenge gave her an opportunity to show off her performance skills, not to mention some of her lovelier looks so far. (People have been saying she did a riff based on Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, but I totally missed it. Anyone?)

This episode seemed to set up Jinkx as sort of an underdog, finally giving us a little bit more about her history (especially her awesomely supportive grandmother). And although she didn't win this week's challenge, hopefully we'll see her pull ahead sometime soon.

Roxxxy

Roxxxy was pretty fabulous in the "Kidster TV" challenge, too, especially because she embraced such a deranged, silly character. I've been trying to nail down what exactly I find so alluring about Roxxxy--I think she embodies a kind of hyper-realized mega-glamour, which you rarely see pulled off so well. Raven does so, too, but with a very different approach. For Roxxxy, it seems so effortless, but also so utterly fabulous. If Jinkx is this season's underdog, Detox is definitely the top dog, or, uh... biggest bitch? In only the best way. Tall, stylish, stunningly distinctive, and sickeningly talented, I think she's going to be hard to beat.

When Ru announced the runway's theme was "Think Pink," I groaned a little. But only Detox could pull out such an unexpected, stunning number.

Detox

By the end of this episode, it felt like the show had run through a lot of the "big storylines" it alluded to in the first episode and in subsequent teasers.  Monica's "big secret" has been revealed, Serena got taken down, and I'd guess most of the drama and intrigue about Coco and Alyssa's past has been dealt with. No, we haven't heard exactly why Alyssa lost her title, but I suspect the actual reasons are complicated and not terribly dramatic, so I doubt the show will dwell much more on all that.

So, what's next for this season? My hope is that, now that a lot of the over-sized personalities and rivalries have gotten their share of the spotlight, we might get to see more of the quieter queens, like Honey, Ivy, and (of course) Jinkx. However, in this week's Untucked, we got a glimpse of something new on the horizon--a potential romance brewing between Roxxxy and Detox. Which could be pretty spectacular, but I just hope the other queens get a little love, too.

Although we're only 3 weeks into Season 5, I've already gotten permission from a lot of the queens to make my illustrations of them available here, so I'll be posting 11 x 14 prints at $10 each in my Drag Race Print Shop!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 2

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.

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!)

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

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

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'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

 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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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!

Start your engines...

Girls, it's almost time! In celebration of the new season of the Drag Race, I've put together some new work featuring all fourteen queens!

I've assembled this poster of all the queens, and I'm making it available (for free!) in all sorts of different sizes in case you want to use it as a wallpaper on your phone, tablet, or computer!

RPDR5

Click below to get the image formatted for your phone, tablet, or whatever!

• iPhone 5
• iPhone 4 and 4s
• older iPhones
• Android stuff
• Blackberry
• iPad
• Kindle

Computer wallpaper:

• Large (1600 x 1200)
• Medium (1280 x 1024)
• Small(800 x 600)

Check out my drawings of each individual queen from Season 5 here, and as always, I have a ton of other DRAG RACE prints and books for sale right here! Get all your favorite queens: Sharon Needles, Raven, Jujubee, Chad Michaels, Latrice, Manila, Raja, and lots more! So, you know. Check it out!

If you're dying for more Drag Race excitement, check out Logo's "Meet the Queens" videos for a sneak peek at some of this season's most colorful personalities!

And here are some of my favorite videos of the queens that I've stumbled across while stalking researching them!

HONEY MAHOGANY(What a class act! What a voice! What a gal!)

ALASKA  (Holy Christ)

DETOX(Deranged and brilliant)

JINKX MONSOON! (SO GOOD)

Stay tuned! I'll be posting portraits of my favorite queens from the first episode next week!