The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Let the craziness begin......

If you are even remotely familiar with my site, then you know I have an unnatural and unending fascination with The Real Housewives of Orange County which in turn carried over to The Real Housewives of New York. What to say-- I love average people who take themselves way too seriously and end up looking ridiculous on TV.  There's something about the equation New Money + Reality TV that equals my absolute fascination.
Let's be honest, the Real Housewives of Orange County are collectively pretty boring.  Forty plus year old average women who have come into a bit of money living in giant cookie cutter McMansions is a bit underwhelming.  Ouch, but it's true.  The shrieking, overprotective Vicky Gunvalson is complete reality TV gold though and she alone kept me coming back week after week.
Then we got to know The Real Housewives of New York in an impossibly short season.  Where the OC gals seemed fairly civil to each other, the NY crew went at it.  There were confrontational in such an uncomfortably fun way.  I hope they'll be back for another season.
Now I don't know why it has taken Bravo so long to focus their attention on wealthy black women, but wow am I glad they did.  Praise be the baby Jesus.  This show is going to blow all those other housewives away.  I did just a couple quick sketches but I definitely will be drawing the rest of the gals and I'm looking forward to drawing the one white housewife who looks like Hulk Hogan dressed up as his daughter Brooke. 

Meet Sheree which is pronounced Shah-Ray. O-kay?!

Sheree has a little something I like to call "gay face."  I'm not saying she's a lesbian but there's a quality I'm picking up on. Mix that with her strong jaw and muscular build and I think she's no stranger to girl- girl action.  I'm sure she could kill someone with just one look.  I'm a bit scared of her to tell the truth. 

Meet NeNe, my favorite.

I know that's not a very flattering drawing, but she moves quickly from one expression to the next and this is what I got when I hit pause on my TIVO.  NeNe is wild, loud, flashy, fun, and not afraid to put a bitch in check.  I absolutely love her.  I really do.  I wish I could hang out with her tomorrow, the next day, and forever.  I love that she occassionally makes two syllable words like athlete into a three syllables: a-tha-lete.  As far as I'm concerned, NeNe can say and do whatever she wants.  I'll be watching and smiling the whole time.

There you have it.  This is just a quick intro.  I'll be drawing the other gals and as I mentioned earlier, the one who looks like John Tesh in a platinum wig will be a treat to draw.

Each drawing took about ten minutes to complete using ink on paper.  One huge glass of Cab-er-a-net helped. 

Comments

[Borg Queen]

LOL. I havent watched the Atlanta housewives but after Flavor-of-Love and Charm School am a lil tired seeing sistas fighting with each other over nothing. I much rather see your nephew and his mannequin on a reality show like a mini-Tim Gunn mannequin makeover show. Please post more on your nephew. I love the support you give him.

[Antsy]

I love you Gilmore. I'm so glad you tuned in. These chicks makes the chicks from the OC and NY look like friggin' Quakers. Unbelievable. Given the state of the economy its like watching the last days of Pompeii. And Sha-Ray does look mannish. It's the nose that does it for me. And she is so NOT 38 (what??!!) So looking forward to getting to know these ladies. And please please please let "Big Poppa" be seen. My imagination has been running wild.

[terrafab]

Nene is my fave too - she's the most real.
i love ur site!!
mwah

[Esha]

I think Nene is Atlantas version of Vicky lol this show is my new fav treat :)

>^..^<

[Lavenderpop]

Your commentary is hilarious. NeNe is also my favorite. You can tell she is just not having it and is not afraid to tell ya.

Kathy Griffin isn't the only one who has 'her gays'. It will be interesting to see if the Black queens on the show get to share the spotlight or will just be in the background doin' hair and making the housewives’ surroundings fabulous. I lost count at Sheree’s party.

[qbakolston@yaho.com]

you are hilarious. for me it's all about the ORIGINAL OC girls. It took me a while to like the NYC girls-but eventually started to like them, i forced myself to watch ATL-it was ok-i will continue to watch to watch and listen how pathetic they are. esp NENE. and the other one with the big nose who look like a man. ALL I WANT YOU TO DO IS CONTINUE TO DO MORE DRAWINGS OF THEM. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FUNNY. :D

[Mame]

OMG - how come no one told me about this site!? I love it! LOVE IT! I draw while watching reality TV shows too (only I draw birds and bugs and friends) and I usually enjoy that with some sparkling vino too.

No one I know watches the Real Housewives of any city so I am glad and giddy to have found this site with the fantastic commentary and the fabulous drawings - and to know that I am not crazy thinking that Nene is probably the most fun woman in Atlanta. I'd be her friend in a New York minute! Can't wait to see her again this week - and looking forward to your drawings!

[Kelli Ellis]

I am dying.... at your talent and your commentary! I will be on Season 4 of the OC Housewives (I know, sounded kinda proud huh?!) No, not as a Housewife (just got a chill) but I am Jeana's friend/designer. But I am now your biggest fan. I love you artwork and would love to feature it whenever possible. I, for real reality TV, have shows on TLC and HGTV and we always need original art we can feature. It would be an honor. And I have great RHOC gossip. Lets chat...email, facebook, skywriting, you name it ;)

[Meeg]

Ah, I'm glad to see I'm not the only person who thinks that Sheree is a lesbian.

[Deranged]

U did a great job with the Cabernet. Your pen strokes improved with every sip. You repesented these women in the true light we all see them in. Yay, for liquor!!!

Keep up the great work.

[Theresa --Momma]

I love you too Gilmore - You are the BEST!!! I am lovin' me some NeNe - this is the best TV ever!

And Kelli (previous comment) please, oh PLEASE share your gossip! I can hardly stand it!

[FrankieZ]

What are the chances of Sheree telling us her 'real' age before the end of the series?

[Ubiquitous]

Hello again, Gilmore! I was just wondering if you had tuned in to the latest installment of this series when someone on TWoP mentioned you.

According to Sheree, men are scared of her because she's just so fabulous. Right.

[Gail Scibelli]

I think Sheree is around 38. She supposedly had a daughter when she was 15 and now the little girl is 23. Sheree looks like Dino from the Flintsones or ex-baseball star Darryl Strawberry. She does have a fabulous body and shoe collection though.

[Camaron]

She-man had an obvious nose job, narrowing the base and leaving the plump nob at the end. It looks odd to say the least.
That horse tail she wore at the reunion was so appropos because of her Mr. Ed/My Friend Flicka features.
Who will dispute it? Any NAAY sayers in the house??

[ihatesafeway]

Talent - Raw talent is what you have!!! Love your blog......where is Lisa? Did I miss her?

[Andre]

Yeah I agree with the 'gay face' but as a black lesbian myself, I pickedup on a few things that screamed 'im in the closet'. One that rang out during her interview with the entire cast she commented 'i dont chase after men' :chuckle: and she stuttered when it came to justifying that she didnt chase women either after kim fixed the statement. I say if you are girl COME OUT, you are in the gay metropolis known as the ATL. And if so---call me ;) haha