Nick Ruyter Painting

04/23/2026

Where you'll find me Sunday

Mickey Short.

A smiling face in the Twin Cities LGBTQ+ scene for over three decades. Whether you knew her from Club Metro, Trikks, Lucy's, Over the Rainbow Jr., The Town House Bar, or the Black Hart of Saint Paul, Mickey was everybody's shoulder, everybody's best friend, and everybody's favorite aunt. She belonged to all of us, and we are better for it.

Mickey was a master of many things: mixing the perfect drink, giving the best piece of advice, booking the most fabulous show. We are honored to CELEBRATE her life, and legacy. Because while she never once stepped foot on stage, she was always the star.

Join us on Sunday, April 26th at the Black Hart of Saint Paul as we remember, laugh, cry, twirl, eat, and toast our beloved friend.

We may even bark too.

The afternoon will kick-off at 2pm with a "social hour". A light lunch will be served, followed by a brief program at 3pm.

Then at 3:30pm, stay for the BIGGEST benefit show that the Twin Cities has ever seen. Over the years, Mickey booked over 25 different showcases (can you imagine the skill and organization and patience that took? Have you EVER dealt with a drag queen?) Each show will be represented, and most importantly, each Show Director / entertainer will be donating their talent, time, and tips to one of Mickey's favorite organizations: The Retriever's.

The Retriever's are an all-volunteer team that offers tools, experience, and expertise to help rescues/owners find their lost dogs. For more information, please go to: www.theretrievers.org

Scheduled to perform:
– Bad Karma / Dotti West
Action Jackson – Christina Jackson
Belle of the Black Hart – Dina Delicious
Black Boy Joy – Andre’ 1000
Dragged Out – Xavier
Elegance – Raj
Express – Betty Bang
Fierce – Jamie Monroe
Imperial Court of MN – Anastacia Rose
Kings of Club Metro and Lucy's - AJ / Dallas Stryke
Lip Service – Nikki Vixxen
Martina's Broadway Cabaret - Martina Marraccino
Melange’ – B. Louise
Power – Lala Luzious
Pumps and Pearl R***e – Rustina Nuttz
Rose Academy – Petty Treason
Roulesque – Nadi X
Sequin Sundays – Esme’ Rodriguez
Sparkle – Mary Brewster
Sugar and Spice – Vybe Nation
Toast of the Town House - Dramatica
Too Q***r to Function – Queenie von Curves
Transcendence – Eun Bee Yes
Wigged Out – Azalia Selena Cruz
YOLO – DJ Didi / Mia Dorr

This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, for a once-in-a-lifetime soul.

We love you, Mickey.

01/09/2026

As usual, my New Year's posting is belated, but happy new year.
Just so we get it out of the way properly, right out of the gates...
PHUQUE 🧊
Now that we've got that covered, I would like to thank each and every one of you that allowed me to bring a little change of color to your life this last year, and a special thanks to those of you that helped me bring a little change to the world.
In 2025 people made donations to various charities instead of paying some or even all of what they were going to pay to me, whilst I haven't sat down and crunched all the specific numbers for the year yet, what I do know is above and beyond the variety of charities that got random 1 of $1-200 donations here and there

Over $6k to planned parenthood/ whole women's health, 2026 will be the 8th year I have painted to reduce the local cost of reproductive healthcare. Yes, if somehow this is the first time you've ever seen one of my posts, I paint to reduce the cost of abortions and I will until I can't lift the brush.

Over $2k to Spot's Last Stop Canine Rescue, an organization oriented towards fostering and Sheltering Senior Dogs. I had the great privilege of painting the interior of their new event center, part of my push to have donations go there this last year was to help cover the cost of paint, so that the project wouldn't cost a thing.

Over $1300 to the Food Group of Minnesota, based out of Plymouth, MN, a local nonprofit organization diligently doing what it can to increase access to sustainable, affordable, nutritious food. In this economy I won't go as far as to say that they are keeping food banks full, but they're doing a damn good job preventing them from being empty.

I know 2026 seems to be off to a wild start, but if we stand with our community, we can make any year a great year. Why not this one?

11/20/2025

I don't need to say anything, listen to the nice lady and give a couple bucks if you have it to spare.

11/13/2025

Make that 1100 to the food group...
It'll be $1,300 next week unless my customer pays to a different food bank

11/12/2025

Elsewhere I made a pledge that upon the completion of my project last week I would have my customer pay $1,000 to the local food pantry instead of myself. Upon making that offer to them they told me they appreciate the sentiment, but I had been working so hard removing popcorn ceilings they felt it right to pay me.
Whilst I do appreciate that sentiment... I know how much people appreciate eating...
This is the way

11/09/2025

Professionally, I only stick to painting. Like many though, I'll do an odd job here or there. I have a rule though, if I...
Clean out gutters
Rake
Move things
Shovel snow
Put together furniture
Or whatever other task it might be I volunteer for....
You won't be paying me, that goes 100% to a charity

10/28/2025

You may have seen me mention I got kicked off the Minnesota contractors page the other day, for what it's worth they still haven't added me back to the Gathering of Minnesota painters page... Even after the admin of the page sent me a message as indicated by this screenshot.

10/25/2025

Guess who got kicked off of the Minnesota contractors Community page...

10/25/2025

I tend to be very open about my political leanings, those that know me, know I stand on business...
Just so that it is perfectly clear...

09/28/2025

Incomplete project? Nah....
Best before and after pictures taken by any painter, EVER!
Now, before you tell me that looks like the before and during pictures for two rooms, let me tell you why it's the best ever before and after pictures.
Thursday morning, a woman who was about to close on her new home reached out to me with a peculiar request. Her two single digit age bracket children are so absolutely delighted having had the privilege of choosing their new room colors, that they cannot wait to help paint. The idea of the joyful memory of painting rooms in the new home absolutely heartwarming. The idea of storm cloud and tame teal (the names of the colors) all over the trim, carpet, ceiling, pretty much anything and everything.... terrifying.
That's where I come in, for a cool $240, I stopped by, laid down a bunch of tape and paper, and did a little bit more brush work than I would usually do if I was going to roll it. After which I left behind a tray and roller with two liners and roller covers, and a path of paper all the way to the bathtub. Oh, did I mention $200 of that I asked her to donate to a charity of her choosing? Feed My Starving Children in this scenario.
It is something I take great pride in, with the support of the wonderful Community we have here in the Twin Cities, we make a little bit more change in the world than just the color of surfaces.
This is community, we build it together