Didn’t have a table at MoCCA 2014, not this year. Didn’t have any new stuff to promote. So I just basically walked around, checking out the other artists, etc. The strange part was coming across an comic book anthology I had contributed to back in 2012:
Below is a personal photo of the two page story I did with writer and person behind the book, Nicolas Caesar.
Short story I did the art for, Nicolas Caesar wrote the story. Published in the Filthy Cake horror comic book anthology, 2012.
Of course I approached the table. Met another artist and writer who contributed to the comic book anthology as well. Below is the Tumblr link (of course, it’s not the most flattering photo, but hey):
Late last year, I sent some mail art to an ongoing project. Always loved the concept of mail art. Along with a decorated envelope complete with glitter (I think. It’s been some time…) I included the last issue I did of Babalon Babes. It was number four, which focused on astrology. Here’s the link to the mail art project based in Germany:
It’s one thing to hear about celebrity death in the media. It’s another thing to hear about someone whose work actually mattered to you passing away.
Such is the case with British comedian Rik Mayall. One of the projects Mayall was best known for was the television series “The Young Ones.” The program only lasted for two seasons on the BBC, but became an instant cult classic worldwide.
Since Rik Mayall’s death, I’ve spent time watching “The Young Ones” all over again, from start to finished. I’ve always been a huge fan of the series, and of Mayall’s work. On his long resume includes “Bottom”, “Filthy Rich and Catflap”, “The New Statesman” and the 1991 film “Drop Dead Fred.”
It was suggested that a blog post should be done in his honor, so I obliged. Below are two illustrations done last night.
British comedian Rik Mayall, who was best known as Rick from the television show ‘The Young Ones.’ Pen sketch by Michele Witchipoo.British comedian Rik Mayall as Rick from The Young Ones. Illustration by Michele Witchipoo. June 2014.
I’m not really crazy about the first one, but it’s posted anyway. The second one was more of an experiment, using pen then coloring in Photoshop. Both need more work, but I wanted to post something in Mayall’s honor.
Adam Gorightly is a writer who specializes in Discordia, conspiracy theories and fringe culture. An illustration of mine was used for his latest book release. I’m honored to have my artwork used in a book which discusses illuminated iconoclasts as Robert Anton Wilson and Discordian founders Greg Hill and Kerry Thornley.
Latest book release by Adam Gorightly. “Historia Discordia” from RVP Press.
You can order your own copy here, and also check out Adam’s blog. In the past I’ve contributed to his ‘Devil Girl of The Month’ which is always fun to do.
Yesterday was not only Friday the 13th, but it coincided with mercury in retrograde. Along with that, the full moon hit Friday the 13th during eastern standard time. Sometime around 12:11 a.m. in the morning. We’re not going to get another Friday the 13th until August 13th, 2049.
To commemorate this, I banged out a real quick watercolor sketch of an unlucky, but sexy black kitty. Black cats are not really unlucky. I had an awesome black cat myself for 17 years before she passed away in 2008.
The sketch was done fast in glitter watercolor and pen. Couldn’t upload the sketch until the following night, but hey. The number thirteen isn’t always such a bad thing.
Unlucky 13. Watercolor and pen by Michele Witchipoo. Done on Friday the 13th, 2014.
Started this sketch last month, but just got around to finishing it in the wee hours of the morning.
Bad enough my area is dealing with gentrification. Last month word came around that where I live is now considered a Superfund site. I’ll let this article explain it to you. You would think that the one ratioactive block in my ‘hood would stop the gentrification, but no. Frankly, it’s getting quite annoying. Among other things.
Gentrification has some positive quirks, but on the whole it just sucks. When I first moved to this neighborhood, which is on the borderline between Brooklyn and Queens, its residents were friendly, down to earth, low key. Now it seems like a lot of residents are on edge as the threat of rent hikes loom over their heads. From what I’ve observed so far, gentrification brings instant resentment and stress.
Besides living near a Superfund site, there’s been a bit of synchronicity around me again. Just noticed it last night as I was going through my sketchbook. It started when I brought this gas mask at a Steampunk festival in New Jersey. The gas mask was purchased somewhat as a joke cause I just happen to reside near a newly declared Superfund site. Was going to make a Halloween costume around this gas mask. Then coincidences started to pop up.
Starting this sketch, I still had GWAR on my mind. This was after I had completed my Dave Brockie tribute piece. So I added the Oderus horns to the helmet. This past week, the gas mask image has been popping up. When I opened my beat up sketchbook tonight (sign that I need a new one soon), looking at the half done art, I recognized a few things.
I’ve always liked the imagery of gas masks. Now my curiosity has gotten the better of me once again. Gas masks has so many metaphors. Masks in general have always appealed to me. Now thanks to where I live, it’s become a bit dystopian.
Radioactive. June 2014. Pen, marker. Art by Michele Witchipoo.
Never read much Marvel growing up, as I was more of a Fantagraphics and Indie chick. Except for when I was around five or six. Briefly I got into Fantastic Four, and Silver Surfer. That ended when images of Silver Surfer began to give me nightmares, and my mother promptly switched me to the Harvey characters, such as Richie Rich, Wendy The Good Witch, etc. In my late teens I got into Sandman, but other than the character Death, Sandman didn’t hold my interest for too long.
Two years ago, me and my boyfriend were in a local Queens comic book store. He showed me Rocket Raccoon.
Rocket Raccoon started out as a minor character in 1976 before getting his own mini-series during the 1980s. Now he’s made a comeback. Rocket even stands to be the potential breakout character in the upcoming film Guardians of the Galaxy.
Here’s a quick sketch I did yesterday, June 6, 2014. Done with pencil, Copic and Tomboy markers. Copics are the best colored markers in my opinion. Tomboys aren’t bad either, but Copics rule.
Rocket Raccoon sketch done by Michele Witchipoo. June 5th, 2014. Done with pencil, Copic markers, Tomboy markers.
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