Stripwinkels in Amsterdam

The title of this post, Stripwinkels in Amsterdam translates simply as “Comic Book Stores In Amsterdam.” If that translation isn’t accurate, well then. Blame DeepL.

This short post has photos from my first trip to Amsterdam in late summer/early fall 2021. I fell in love with The Netherlands. Since then I’ve visited that country two more times. I particulary like Amsterdam as a city. Everyone says Paris is an amazing place. While I liked Paris, I still prefer Amsterdam.

City of Amsterdam at night. 2021. Photo taken by Michele Witchipoo.

Right now I’m just going to focus on two places inside Amsterdam. First one is Henk’s, which is Amsterdam’s eqivlent of Forbidden Planet. Not as large as Forbidden Planet or Midtown Comics in NYC, but it has a selection that is similiar. Hank’s focuses mostly on popular titles, superhero, manga and other pop-culture related items. What I liked about Hank’s was that it has two entrances. That way instead of waddling through the tourist crowds, I can just walk through one end of the store, and exit on the other side. Those two entrances were very conveinant.

Henk’s Comics & Manga in Amsterdam, 2021

Second comic book shop I visited was Lambiek. I’ve heard of Lambiek for years, as their website has an online encycopedia of cartoonists. There was no iternarity planned, so I took out my cell. It was still halfway through the pandemic in 2021, so there wasn’t that many tourists. Lambiek is on a side street, which makes it a bit tricky to find if you’re a first time visitor. Yet if you’re a huge Alternative comics fan, you’re going to love this place.

Lambiek comic shop in Amsterdam, 2021.

The shop has a mixture of old and new titles. As I was browsing, another local creative stepped in. Turns out he was an American expat, Chad Bilyeu. He has a comic series titled Chad In Amsterdam, which Lambiek highly recommends.

Chad Bilyea in Lambiek, 2021.

That’s it for now. Amsterdam is a very magickal place, I’ve been back two more times since then. Yes, I’ve been really slow on this blog, a lot has happened between Febuary 2021 and now. The year 2021 was a bad time for me, the only highlight was the trip to the Netherlands. Perhaps I’ll explain more in future posts. No worries, I’m doing much better now.

In the meantime, I shall leave you with this stray cat I met in Amsterdam.

Baby Yoda The Kitten (2020 – 2020)

Today is International Cat Day, as well as Caturday.

In memoriam, I did a quick free hand watercolor sketch of a stray kitten I had for a week.

When Baby Yoda was first found. July 2020. 

The little boy was the runt of the litter, abandoned by his mother. The kitten was infested with fleas, ticks and who knows that else, why he was basically skin and bones. The little bugger also had nasty eye infections. Found in my back yard, I tried to save him, along with Ben, and another friend. In her spare time, the friend does TNR, and rescues cats in need. She’s the one that found Mr. Jet Alister in the street on a cold, rainy night.

I’ve rescued animals before. Way back, I saved a pregnant mama cat, raised her kittens, and placed the kittens in homes. That’s where I got my cats Tabitha and Champ. Took in another grey cat a year later from a car repair business, that was Leo. Saved another cat off the street, which turned out to the birth mother of one of my present cats, Netzach Wondercat, aka Nettie. Welcomed another kitty from neglect, that was the infamous Squeaky Squeakums. Saved a dog off the street, and returned him back to his humans.

Baby Yoda, the kitten sleeping on my chest. July 2020. 

We took him to two vets. The first vet said he had a fighting chance, which was my first thought. At first he was doing well. The little bugger was even eating on his own the second day I had him. The rest of the time was spent taking out his fleas and giving him good care. Meanwhile, I had contacted a local animal rescue, in hopes of finding him a good home.

Then within twenty four hours, the kitten took a turn for the worse. We all rushed him to a second vet. The second vet worked in an emergency animal clinic. An ER for pets, as you will. Let me tell you, the second vet tried. He really tried. Did EVERYTHING he could to save him – alas, he couldn’t. Turns out the kitten had FLV, which overtook his immune system. If 2020 was a kitten, this was it. In end, the fella passed away in the vet office. We all started to cry. Even the vet had a tear.

This kitten was the only animal I couldn’t save.

I tried. We all tried.

After his death, I went into mourning for over two weeks.

This is a reminder that spay and neuter is very important. If you have a pet, and don’t have your pet fixed, you’re part of the problem.

He was named Baby Yoda, due to his appearance. R.I.P. little guy. Despite your short time on earth, you were loved.

Here’s the freehand watercolor sketch.

Baby Yoda, the kitten. Freehand watercolor sketch. Michele Witchipoo, August 2020. 

Caturday – Kitty Summer Fairy

Okay, so this week’s Caturday sketch is a day late. Decided to keep this week more light hearted. Here’s some summer vibes – a kitty summer fairy, accessorized with butterfly wings. Featuring my own cat, Netzach Wondercat. Otherwise known as Nettie.

Caturday, with a kitty summer fairy, complete with butterfly wings. Watercolor, ink. Done by Michele Witchipoo. July 2020. 

Cats & Pizza – Caturday Sketch

Yesterday I had pizza. Guess who also likes pizza?

Mr. Jet Alister sniffing pizza. July 2020. 

Which leads to the Caturday sketch of the week. Mr. Jet Alister having pizza.

Mr. Jet Alister having a slice of NY pizza. By Michele Witchipoo. July 2020. 

 

Caturday Meets 4th of July

Here’s a very quick sketch done only in watercolor, with some digital enhancements. Since this Saturday is not only Caturday, but also the Fourth of July. What better way to start the weekend than to post art of a patriotic cat mermaid. Here’s the Caturday sketch of the week, featuring one of my cats, Netzach Wondercat. She’s more known as simply Nettie. 

Nettie The Cat Mermaid. Watercolor done by Michele Witchipoo. July 2020. 

The past few years, I’ve been doing historic renditions of the American Revolution featuring my cartoon characters. The original intention was to get the focus away from mindlessly blowing up fireworks. In 2020 though, that might not be such a good idea.

Given the current political climate in the United States, I decided to switch it up. Instead of doing something based in the Colonial era, I give you a kitty sea siren.

Regardless of what your political beliefs are, enjoy the weekend.

One Year Anniversary – Squeaky Squeakums

 

Happy Caturday! For cat aficionados, Saturdays are for cat lovers who have the weekends off, so they spend their Saturdays with their cats. For this week’s Caturday, here’s a tribute to my beloved tuxedo cat, Squeaky Squeakums.

Photo collage by Michele Witchipoo. Featuring Squeaky Squeakums. Created in 2011.

Squeaky was one of the best cats I ever had.

 

Squeaky was the inspiration behind the comic I published last year, The Temptation of Squeaky. (You can buy your own copy from my rebooted Etsy store.)

 

 

It was around this time last year that Squeaky dropped her body. On the anniversary of her death, I did this watercolor sketch.

Watercolor sketch of Squeaky Squeakums. Pen, ink, watercolor. June 2020 by Michele Witchipoo.

Squeaky Squeakums is survived by Netzach Wondercat, aka Nettie.

Although I’ve adopted another rescue cat since then, nobody can ever take the place of Squeaky Squeakums. Mr. Jet Alister, an all black male cat has some big paws to fill.

Rest in peace, Squeaky.

A Caturday of Love

Hope everyone is having a good Caturday. Squeaky Squeakums, and her demon buddy Magnus Maximus wish you a day full of love.

Squeaky Squeakums and her demon buddy Maximus. Based on the comic written and drawn by Michele Witchipoo on WitchesBrewPress. May 2020.

If you want to buy my comic, titled The Temptation of Squeaky, you can now purchase a copy from my new Etsy store. One item already sold out, one item already restocked, and new items will be added. Any sales will help me out during this pandemic.

Stay safe everyone.

Caturday – April 25, 2020

Pretty late into this Saturday, but fear not. Here’s the Caturday sketch of the week. Featuring Squeaky Squeakums and her demon buddy Maximus.

Squeaky Squeakums and her demon buddy comfort each other during the 2020 pandemic. Pen, ink, digital color. Michele Witchipoo. April 2020.

The Temptation of Squeaky. Comic released last year, 2019. Written and drawn on WitchesBrewPress by Michele Witchipoo.

Speaking of which. If you’re interested in purchasing one of my comics, you can send me $4.00 to Venmo, @Witchipoo, or buy from my new Etsy shop. All proceeds go to me paying my bills. Thanks in advance.

Caturday With Squeaky & Magnus Maximus 4/11/2020

Happy Caturday everyone. Here’s Squeaky Squeakums with her demon buddy Magnus Maximus together during the coronavirus lockdown. Squeaky got some extra cat treats during the quarantine.

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  Squeaky Squeakums with her demon buddy Magnus Maximus. Drawn by Michele Witchipoo. April 2020.

Be safe.

Caturday – Essential Worker

Happy Caturday! Here’s a quick sketch done for all the essential workers employed in the grocery field. Introducing Mr. Jet Alister.

Meet Mr. Jet Alister.

Don’t forget to be kind to your fellow grocery folks. They’re on the front lines, risking their health to keep the markets open. To show appreciation, here’s a special Caturday sketch.

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  Caturday sketch honoring all essential grocery workers. Pen and ink, digitally colored. Michele WItchipoo. April 2020.