This was a commission/custom illustration for my friend, who adores narwhals.
Space Narwhal, illustrated by Michele Witchipoo. June 2015.
Archive for June, 2015
Space Narwhal
Posted in Animal Kingdom, art, comics and illustrations, Illustration, tagged animal artwork, art, cartoon, cute, drawing, illustration, narwhal, sea on June 28, 2015| 1 Comment »
Mermaid 2015
Posted in art, Illustration, tagged art, drawing, mermaid, michele witchipoo, pencil on June 22, 2015| 1 Comment »
Didn’t have anything particularly in mind when I started this piece yesterday. I’ve done mermaid illustrations and sketches before. Perhaps I wanted to do something a bit different. While I didn’t think the hands came out that great, decided to post it anyway. Here’s a mermaid, with Neptune in Scorpio.
Mermaid 2015. Pencil sketch by Michele Witchipoo, June 2015.
Photo Recap – Bushwick Open Studios 2015
Posted in art, Exhibits, Only in NYC, tagged art, art installations, art trucks, BOS, BOS 2105, brooklyn, Bushwick, Bushwick Open Studios, Bushwick Open Studios 2015, paintings on June 17, 2015| 1 Comment »
Two weeks ago I participated in a group art show, as part of the Bushwick Open Studios 2015 festival. It was my second time being part of BOS, the first going back to 2012. The second time worked out better for me, and after the Ridgewood Represent show was over, this round I was able to walk around to catch some of the other events.
Bushwick Open Studios seems to get bigger and better every year. At first, I was hoping to check out the other two completing events: Special Edition NYCC or the indie-based Grand Comics Festival, also taking place in Brooklyn. However, BOS was interesting enough, with this year’s edition of ‘art trucks.’ In other words, people had trucks parted outside in the street showing art, as sort of a mobile gallery. Despite the hipster ratio, I still managed to enjoy myself.
The best part – while I was checking out the other events, someone gave me free art supplies! Can’t beat that.
Below are a few photos from BOS 2015.
Street art from Bushwick Open Studios 2015. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Art installation from one of the many ‘art trucks’ parked outside in the streets of Bushwick, for Bushwick Open Studios 2015. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Street performance art. Bushwick Open Studios 2015. Man inviting strangers to come look at his cellphone data, including pics and texts. Brave man. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Street art seen on Jefferson Street, as part of the Bushwick Open Studios 2015. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
One of the many ‘art’ trucks parked on Jefferson Street, as part of the Bushwick Open Studios 2015. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Stun Sudo pop artist showing work inside truck. Will have gallery show Sept.12 in the Chelsea area of NYC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Some people turned their own apartments into a studio gallery for the weekend. Like what artist Liam Alexander did. As part of Bushwick Open Studios 2015. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Inside artist Liam Alexander’s apartment, which was turned into a gallery for Bushwick Open Studios 2015. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Inside artist Liam Alexander’s apartment, which was turned into a gallery for Bushwick Open Studios 2015. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Ridgewood Represent! The Ridgewood Artists Coalition Group Show At The Vander-Ende Onderdonk House (Bushwick Open Studios 2015 Part I)
Posted in art, Exhibits, Illustration, tagged art, art exhibit, art exhibition, BOS, BOS 2015, Bushwick, Bushwick art scene, Bushwick Open Art Studios, Bushwick Open Studios, Bushwick Open Studios 2015, drawing, exhibit, installation, michele witchipoo, michele witchipoo illustration, painting, Ridgewood, ridgewood artists coalition, Ridgewood Queens, Ridgewood Represent! The Ridgewood Artists Coalition Group Show, Ridgewood Represent! The Ridgewood Artists Coalition Group Show at the Vander-Ende Onderdonk House, sculpture, the Vander-Ende Onderdonk House on June 16, 2015| 3 Comments »
Sign outside The Vander-Ende Onderdonk House. June 7th, 2015. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
On June 6 and 7th, 2015, I took part of a group art show, as part of the Bushwick Open Studios 2015 event. A new group, the Ridgewood Artists Coalition (RAC) had a showing at the historic Vander-Ende Onderdonk House.
Below are photos of some of the work from the group show:
Artist Michele Witchipoo’s drawings, as part of the Ridgewood Represent! exhibit at The Vander-Ende Onderdonk House, June 2015. Part of the Bushwick Open Studios 2015.
Artist Tim Gowan’s paintings, as part of the Ridgewood Represent! exhibit at The Vander-Ende Onderdonk House, June 2015. Part of the Bushwick Open Studios 2015.
Artist Isabelle Schneider’s installation, as part of the Ridgewood Represent! exhibit at The Vander-Ende Onderdonk House, June 2015. Part of the Bushwick Open Studios 2015.
Artist Archana Santra’s painting, as part of the Ridgewood Represent! exhibit at The Vander-Ende Onderdonk House, June 2015. Part of the Bushwick Open Studios 2015.
Artist Emily Roff’s painting, as part of the Ridgewood Represent! exhibit at The Vander-Ende Onderdonk House, June 2015. Part of the Bushwick Open Studios 2015.
Artist Danielle – Draik’s painting, as part of the Ridgewood Represent! exhibit at The Vander-Ende Onderdonk House, June 2015. Part of the Bushwick Open Studios 2015.
Below is my personal favorite from the show:
Artist Alison Duignan’s painting, as part of the Ridgewood Represent! exhibit at The Vander-Ende Onderdonk House, June 2015. Part of the Bushwick Open Studios 2015.
While the show was happening, I decided to explore the Vander-Ende Onderdonk House itself.
Outside the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, June 7th, 2015. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
The Vander-Ende Onderdonk House has quite a history, becoming landmarked in 1995. A kind gentleman took me on a tour of the house, starting downstairs with the colonial kitchen.
Colonial kitchen downstairs inside the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House.
The hearth, as part of the colonial kitchen downstairs inside the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House.
Oven inside the hearth. Colonial kitchen downstairs inside the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House.
Colonial kitchen downstairs inside the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House.
Colonial kitchen downstairs inside the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House.
Heading back upstairs, there was rooms sectioning off different eras.
Plaque designating the history of the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House.
Victorian room inside the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House.
Dining room inside the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House.
Inside the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House.
Inside the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House.
Display inside the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House.
Cash register inside the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House gift shop.
Not shown was the tiny farm in the back of the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, complete with small chicken coop.
The show received media coverage since it was part of the Bushwick Open Studios 2015 event. Below is a link to one of the many news articles.
http://queenscourier.com/photos-hundreds-of-local-artists-participate-in-bushwick-open-studios/
Part two of the Bushwick Open Studios 2015 coverage arriving in the next blog post.
A Look Back: Psycho Bunny’s Secret Club Mission
Posted in alcohol, alternative art, art, comics, comics and illustrations, holiday greetings, life, michele witchipoo, Only in NYC, photography, pop culture, Psycho Bunny, underground/alternative/subculture, witchesbrewpress releases, tagged alcohol, beer, clubbing, comic, comic book, comic book art, comic book promotion, comics, Double Down, Double Down Saloon, East Village, LIT, LIT Lounge, Lower East Side, michele witchipoo, Psycho Bunny, secret mission, silly promotion, witchesbrewpress on June 3, 2015| Leave a Comment »
So today, I get a notice from WordPress in the upper right corner of the laptop screen, and it’s telling me it’s been six years since I started this blog. Six years. Wow. I remember leaving NYC in 2005 for what turned out to be the biggest mistake in my life. So when I moved back to NYC at the end of 2007, it started a completely brand new chapter in my life.
Also, I was lucky to move back to NYC at the end of 2007, for I got to see NYC before all the sterilization and gentrification began to take full effect. It was like being given a chance to say goodbye to many things familiar to me since my childhood and teen years.
I don’t think NYC is as spontaneous as it was six or seven years ago. Fifteen, or even ten years ago, you could step outside your door, and there would be something to do. Now everything is just too overpriced as it crawls full of hipsters, Wall Street yuppies, or just plain smucks. Don’t get me wrong. New York City is my hometown. I was born in The Bronx, raised in Queens, and attended high school in Manhattan. I’m not some transplant living off a trust fund. I’m someone whose roots are deep inside the Big Apple. Despite all my bickering, I still love New York. NYC landlords are shifty, the subways never run properly, the buses feels like cattle transport, cyclists on those Shittybikes, aka Citibikes are always trying to run you over, finding work sucks, it’s hard to find a decent relationship of any nature in this town, and sometimes people are just plain jerks. A lot of my friends have moved out of NYC, and many others constantly talk about moving out. Guess what – I don’t care what others say. I love New York City, warts and all. It’s MY town. Even if it seems as if it’s been overrun with arrogant transients with a sense of entitlement.
Don’t get me wrong. If I had an opportunity to live in Europe, I just might take that chance. In a way, I wouldn’t mind living outside of NYC, even if it was in another state, or just outside of NYC. For now, NYC is my home until further notice.
Why am I even bringing this all up?
There’s a few reasons. (One being at the time of this particular post, Mercury is in retrograde, a time to look back) I was talking about going to LIT Lounge the other day with a friend. There was a Post Punk/Goth party happening. Suddenly I remembered the time in December 2008, when me and a few friends went to another party at LIT. After the hell I endured during 2006 and 2007, 2008 was a banner year. A fun, exciting time, and got my first chance to get my artwork published by others, besides myself. Also had my work exhibited that year for a one night art show. Goals were accomplished.
I had copies of my own self published comic with me, which at the time, was Psycho Bunny issue three. One of my best friends came up with the brilliant idea of having club goers pose with the comic. So off he went on his ‘secret’ mission.
Undercover WitchesBrewPress agent on a mission to get club goers to pose with a Psycho Bunny comic. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Dec. 2008 at LIT Lounge.
Thus began his ‘undercover’ assignment to expose Psycho Bunny to the world…or at least to those at the party.
Undercover WitchesBrewPress agent on a mission to get club goers to pose with a Psycho Bunny comic. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Dec. 2008 at LIT Lounge.
Taking one final swig of the brew, the agent located his first target:
Undercover WitchesBrewPress agent on a mission to get club goers to pose with a Psycho Bunny comic. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Dec. 2008 at LIT Lounge.
It didn’t take long before the unsuspecting targets were willing to take a pose:
Undercover WitchesBrewPress agent on a mission to get club goers to pose with a Psycho Bunny comic. Here, a WitchesBrewPress undercover agent finds a willing target to pose. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Dec. 2008 at LIT Lounge.
Undercover WitchesBrewPress agent on a mission to get club goers to pose with a Psycho Bunny comic. Here, a WitchesBrewPress undercover agent finds a willing target to pose. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Dec. 2008 at LIT Lounge.
Undercover WitchesBrewPress agent on a mission to get club goers to pose with a Psycho Bunny comic. Here, a WitchesBrewPress undercover agent finds a willing target to pose. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Dec. 2008 at LIT Lounge.
Undercover WitchesBrewPress agent on a mission to get club goers to pose with a Psycho Bunny comic. Here, a WitchesBrewPress undercover agent finds a willing target to pose. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Dec. 2008 at LIT Lounge.
Undercover WitchesBrewPress agent on a mission to get club goers to pose with a Psycho Bunny comic. Here, a WitchesBrewPress undercover agent finds a willing target to pose. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Dec. 2008 at LIT Lounge.
Undercover WitchesBrewPress agent on a mission to get club goers to pose with a Psycho Bunny comic. Here, a WitchesBrewPress undercover agent finds a willing target to pose. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Dec. 2008 at LIT Lounge.
Undercover WitchesBrewPress agent on a mission to get club goers to pose with a Psycho Bunny comic. Here, a WitchesBrewPress undercover agent finds willing targets to pose. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Dec. 2008 at LIT Lounge.
Undercover WitchesBrewPress agent on a mission to get club goers to pose with a Psycho Bunny comic. Here, a WitchesBrewPress undercover agent finds willing targets to pose. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Dec. 2008 at LIT Lounge.
Undercover WitchesBrewPress agent on a mission to get club goers to pose with a Psycho Bunny comic. Here, a WitchesBrewPress undercover agent finds a willing target to pose. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Dec. 2008 at LIT Lounge.
Undercover WitchesBrewPress agent on a mission to get club goers to pose with a Psycho Bunny comic. Here, a WitchesBrewPress undercover agent finds willing targets to pose. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Dec. 2008 at LIT Lounge.
Mission completed. Not content with spreading the word at LIT Lounge, we headed over to Double Down on Avenue A, to infiltrate some more.
Bartender at Double Down bar, NYC. Posing with Psycho Bunny comic issue 3. Taken Dec. 2008 by Michele Witchipoo.
Psycho Bunny mini-issue 2.75 behind the bar at Double Down saloon, NYC. Dec. 2008.
Psycho Bunny mini-issue 2.75 behind the bar at Double Down saloon, NYC. Dec. 2008.
The mission was successful, and wrapped it up with a Brooklyn Beer.
Psycho Bunny issue three. Dec. 2008.
*These photos were originally posted on MySpace back in 2008/2009.
Review of White Plains Comic Con, May 16th, 2015
Posted in art, Babalon Babes, book illustration, cartoon, comic con, comic cons, comics, comics and illustrations, Illustration, michele witchipoo, pop culture, Psycho Bunny, sketch, witchesbrewpress releases, tagged Alex Rivera, Alitha E. Martinez, Archie Comics, art, Babalon Babes, babalon babes astrology issue, babalon babes issue 4, bronx heroes, comic con, comic cons, comicbooks, comics, Ed Traquino, illustration, indie comics, JM DeSantis, Pablo D. Martinez, Papercutz, pin-ups, Psycho Bunny, trading cards, vintage trading cards, white plains, white plains comic con, white plains comic con 2015, white plains public library on June 3, 2015| Leave a Comment »
Continuing to play long awaited catch-up, here’s a review of the last comic con I did. On May 16th, I took part in the White Plains Comic Con 2015. It was held at the White Plains public library at 100 Martine Avenue. It was nice to take a day trip out of NYC for the day, so off on the Metro-North we went.
Ad for the White Plains Comic Con 2015.
Somehow I had trouble getting up due to my busy schedule, so I arrived late. Yeah, I know, excuses, excuses, typical artist standard time. However, I did manage to arrive at the White Plain Library, which held the free comic con. The moment the doors open, the entire library was packed. The crowds got to see indie artists, panels and a tiny bit of cosplay. The purpose of this comic con was to raise awareness for bullying. Being bullied myself in the past, this was a good cause. While I managed to overcome my experiences, unfortunately, not everyone is able to. Some carry this burden way after the bullying has ended, therefore leaving an effect years after onto someone’s psyche. So I contributed this sketch, drawn during the comic con.
Quick Psycho Bunny sketch, May 2015 by Michele Witchipoo. Anti-bulling message for the White Plains comic con 2015.
Among some of the artists and vendors there were Archie Comics, Papercutz, Bronx Heroes, inker Alex Rivera, Ed Traquino, Pablo D. Martinez, Alitha E. Martinez, JM DeSantis, and other artists not mentioned here.
Artist Alitha E. Martinez at her table during White Plain Comic Con 2015. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Bronx Heroes’ very own soda! As seen during the White Plains Comic Con 2015. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
As for myself, I didn’t much stuff, as I’ve been mainly focusing on my new latest self-published titles. The latest Psycho Bunny mini-issue and my collection of sketches in Pin-Ups.
Psycho Bunny Ltd. Edition Mini-Issue released Spring 2015. Comic by Michele Witchipoo.
Pin-Ups, a mini sketchbook drawn by Michele Witchipoo, on WitchesBrewPress. Released Spring 2015.
However, to my surprise, my last issue of Babalon Babes still sold. Someone brought the astrology themed issue.
Issue number 4 of Babalon Babes. Astrology issue. Babalon Babes has since been discontinued, but you can still order copies through WitchesBrewPress, or Etsy.
Couldn’t help but notice a vendor selling back comic book issues and vintage trading cards. These trading cards brought back memories. Especially since I used to collect Wacky Packages stickers.
Vintage Dune trading cards from the 80s film release. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Vintage trading cards. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Vintage trading cards. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Vintage trading cards from the ’80s. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Scene from White Plains Comic Con 2015. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
White Plains Comic Con 2015 towards the end of the show. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Here’s a photo of me, having some soda towards the end of the comic con.
Me having a Bronx Heroes soda at the end of the day. May 2015.
Bushwick Open Studios/RAC At Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, June 2015
Posted in alternative art, art, Exhibits, Illustration, Only in NYC, tagged art, art exhibit, ArtSlant, BOS, BOS 2015, Bushwick, bushwick art, Bushwick art scene, Bushwick Open Art Studios, Bushwick Open Art Studios Weekend 2015, Bushwick Open Studios, Bushwick Open Studios 2015, drawing, illustration, michele witchipoo, nyc, painting, RAC, Ridgewood, ridgewood artists coalition, Ridgewood Queens, ridgewood queens ny, Ridgewood Represent! The Ridgewood Artists Coalition Group Show, Ridgewood Represent! The Ridgewood Artists Coalition Group Show at the Vander-Ende Onderdonk House, the Vander-Ende Onderdonk House, Vander-Ende Onderdonk House on June 3, 2015| Leave a Comment »
In the NYC, this will prove to be a busy weekend. Quite a few events are happening. For starters, there’s going to be the Special Edition New York Comic Con at Pier 94. On Sunday itself, there will be a free event at Flushing Meadow Park in Queens celebrating the 75th and 50th anniversaries of the NYC World’s Fair. (Always been fascinated by the history of the World’s Fair myself.)
Ad for the Ridgewood Represent! The Ridgewood Artists Coalition Group Show at the Vander-Ende Onderdonk House, as part of Bushwick Open Studios (RAC), taking place June 6-7 2015.
Then there’s going to be the Bushwick Open Studios, June 7-8th 2015. I will have my illustrations/drawings on exhibit as part of this group show. Entitled Ridgewood Represent! The Ridgewood Artists Coalition Group Show at Bushwick Open Studios, the show will be held at the historic Vander Ende-Onderdonk House located at 1820 Flushing Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385. The Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, according to Wikipedia, is the oldest Dutch Colonial stone house in New York City. In the past, the house has been a livery stable, speakeasy, office and as a parts factory for the Apollo space program. Now it’s an historical landmark, open to the public. The event is free, and is part of the new Ridgewood Artists Coalition (RAC) that formed earlier this year.
I also found out yesterday that thanks to this event, I had a listing on the ArtSlant website. I’ve participated in a lot more shows than listed on ArtSlant, but not complaining. Below is one of the my pieces selected for this show.
Pen and digital color. Drawn and illustrated by Michele Witchipoo, Feb., 19th, 2015.
