Being the “Ru Paul’s Drag Race” obsessed homosexual that I am, and having survived graduating from art college, naturally I’ve drawn a girl from drag race here and there. But through my internet wandering I stumbled across an artist that is putting all of my little drag queen sketches to shame. Chad Sell, comic artist and “geeky gay” nerd, brought the girls to life though his digital illustrations.

As soon as I saw Chad’s artwork I knew I needed to own it to put up in my apartment, and that it would be perfect to post on OutSpokenNYC. Especially since my “heathers” are a healthy majority of his work. Although he was not yet selling his art online when I first contacted him, I am pleased to announce Raja prints are now available for only $5!!!

Check out my interview with Chad below!

How did you become such a talented illustrator? By birth? By school?

Oh, well! That’s very kind of you. I’m a product of a pretty traditional arts education, combined with years of teaching myself how to draw comic books. I got an arts degree from Yale, but haven’t done much traditional illustration until
recently. In fact, it’s only over the course of the last few months doing my Drag Race art that I’ve really developed my skills as an illustrator.

And comics are sort of your forte correct?

Yup, absolutely. I’m a hugely geeky gay guy. For the last few years, I’ve been working on a number of comic projects, ranging from arty graphic novels to raunchy webcomics. My experience with the Drag Race art has broadened my horizons, though, and I’m eager to get involved in more illustration work, too.

What about drag race inspires you as an artist?

Well, I had been watching the show ever since the first season and singing its praises to everyone around me. Ever since my early teenage years, I’ve gravitated toward artists and performers who fearlessly express themselves, and that’s exactly what the best drag queens do. They combine fierceness, glamor, and humor to tell the world, Fuck you, I’m FABULOUS!

What was the first drag race related piece you did?

Honestly, it all began with Raja. As soon as she appeared in her outrageous “Purple People Eater” outfit, I was dying to go draw her. But that first attempt was a huge failure, and I will never show it to anyone, ever. But over the course of the day, I started developing a different approach and sketched a few of the other queens. The first finished piece was of Delta in her magnificent yellow dress, and it remains one of my absolute favorites. That same night, I did two other simple portraits of Raja and Mimi Imfurst. I was really excited by the playful simplicity of the finished pieces, and then it occurred to me: Maybe the queens would like them, too! And thus it began…

I noticed most of your drag Race art is of the “heathers”, are you a heather yourself or is it just coincidence that their drag artistry inspires you?

I think there are a TON of great queens this season, and I wish I had the time to draw each of them. That being said, my muses were Raja, Manila, Delta, and Mimi–in their own ways, they all embrace a mixture of style, sexiness, and the
great, dark, self-aware sense of humor I find so appealing in drag performers. I love the over-the-top playfulness of drag, and I’m a HUGE sucker for distinctive styles and aesthetics. That’s why a lot of my best work has been of Raja, who draws on the broadest range of multicultural and historical fashions.

Have you ever done drag yourself?

Only in a half-assed way a handful of times over the years, usually for Halloween or parties–it requires way too much work for me, and my face is too angular and stubbly to pass as a lady’s, anyhow.

How do you feel about traveling the world and finding the best drag artists to inspire you? Logo should make a show called “The Muse”. What do u think?

Yes, absolutely!

Well I wish you the best of luck in everything. And don’t wait until next season. Keep these coming!

Thanks!

Chad Sell’s official website