Hello. It’s been a while since last posted. I’ll make this brief – a lot has happened since Feb 2021. In a few weeks I’ll fire up this blog again.
I’ve done a bit of traveling since 2021. On my last trip, I visited a lot of museuems, took in some art.
Below is an example. The photo is from a visit to Musuem De Reede, in Antwerpt, Belgium. A lithograph of Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’.
Stay tuned for other updates.
Before I begin, allow me to explain my absence. It’s been quite some time since I’ve posted on this blog. For starters, I threw out my knee in February, around the time of the Super Bowl. This set off a few health issues, which I’m only beginning to recover from. No, I did not get Covid19 in 2021. I’m in fact, a very negative person. My test results have proven how negative I am, thanks to three antigen and one PCR test results. Was that a very bad joke? Of course it was.
Due to these physical health issues, I decided to lay low for most of 2021. Things started to pick up during the late summer, which I might discuss in another blog post.
It was a last minute decision to attend New York Comic Con 2021. Originally I wasn’t going. Turn of events led to me to change my mind. Before an attendee was allowed in, proof of vaccination was required. Once the attendee showed proof either through a cellphone app, or showing other methods, the process to get in was surprising quick. Considering the circumstances, ReedPop did the best they could.
The die-hard cosplayers came out, and there were some eyecatchers.
The only panel I attended this year was titled Disney’s Winnie The Pooh to The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Moderated by puppeteer Johnathan Rockefeller, the panel discussed how nostalgia plays a part in Rockefeller Productions successful puppet shows. So far they’ve adapted the 80s sitcom The Golden Girls into a puppet play, as well as beloved book characters such as The Hungry Caterpillar. The puppet versions of Winnie The Pooh characters were brought out to audience members. Afterwards, panel audience members were invited to take photos with various puppets, with social distancing in place.
Checking out Artist Alley were both established and upcoming artists.
Among some of those who had a table in Artists Alley: Keith Williams, Geraldo Borges (who flew all the way from Chile for NYCC, and speaks three languages), and Sara Richard. In the Small Press section, there was the team behind Turtle vs. Bunny, published by Digital Pimp.
To summarize, NYCC 2021 was definitely low-key, very subdued but still a magickal time for it’s attendees. Here’s to next year.
Photos by Michele Witchipoo, Oct. 10th, 2021.
It’s pretty late in the holiday season, but here’s an Etsy update.
Since trying Etsy again second time around, I’ve gotten encouragement and support. Sold out of Psycho Bunny issue 3.5. Thanks to Covid19, it’s going to be a while before I can reprint that comic again. Instead I focused on making Christmas tree ornaments. All the illustrations were drawn by me, Michele Witchipoo. Below are a few examples.
You can always check out my Etsy shop here.
Hope you had a happy and safe holiday.
It’s been a while. I’ve been busy with assorted offline activities.
Good news, I have brand new work to upload. In the next few days, most likely the weekend, I’ll post some new comic/sequential content. Late December I’ll begin updating on this blog again.
In the meantime, I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to my Patreon, brought from my re-opened Etsy shop, purchased from RedBubble, and supported my webcomic. I don’t promote my Patreon or my other channels as much as I should. Thanks to offline responsibilities, I had to put my WEBTOON series on the side. In a week I’m going to pick up where I left off.
Other news. Was pleasantly surprised by a positive review of my last printed comic, The Temptation of Squeaky, which I published last year.
Two of my illustrations were published in a local zine, simply titled Ridgewood Zine. Available locally. Details in another blog post.
I designed a logo for a wonderful lady, who has her own shop. Nightbird Enchanted.
As for my radio show, I made the decision to put it on hold until further notice. Basically I wanted to get back to my own artwork. Simple as that.
Until then, Happy Holidays, Hanukkah, Festivus, Krampusnacht, and all that good stuff.
Been meaning to do a portrait of Little Richard, since hearing about his death. Earlier last month, one of the founders of a musical genre we all know as Rock n’ Roll passed away on May 9, 2020. He was was 87 years old.
Rock and Roll would not exist if it wasn’t for both black and white musicians, both coming from poor backgrounds. It was created by combining country, bluegrass, swing, and blues. Thus creating America’s most famous bi-racial child. We often hear about Elvis. Don’t get me wrong – watching early footage of Elvis before the ’70s, you can see Elvis’ natural charisma shining through. Elvis had that superstar quality. But there were others in the early Rock and Roll game. One of best from that era was Little Richard.
Heavily influenced by Esquerita, Little Richard was one of the first crossover artists with  integrated audiences during the segregation era. Despite many venues having segregated entrances – i.e., separate entrances and seating for white attendees, and for black attendees. His songs topped the charts in both the U.S, and the U.K. Later on many of those same songs were covered by white performers. Among his peers were Buddy Holly, Bill Haley, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Everly Brothers, Gene Vincent , Eddie Cochran and yes, even Elvis Presley himself.
My mother would occasionally tell me what a huge fan my aunt was back in Liverpool, England. Needless to say, my mother NOT being a rock and roll fan, was annoyed by my aunt constantly playing “Lucille.” In my mother’s defense, her tastes were more aligned with Roy Orbison, Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra. My mother accidentally got caught up in music history, when she was dragged by her friends to see a certain band called The Beatles. That’s another post altogether.
Speaking of which, Little Richard’s influence was felt by such acts like The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. Little Richard himself had a ’60s comeback after having a turn at evangelism. (Little Richard would also flip flop on sexuality) He would go back and forth from music to religion, then back again. During 1964, Little Richard hired a then unknown musician named Jimi Hendrix to play in Little Richard’s backup band, World Famous Upsetters. Unfortunately, Little Richard and Hendrix clashed a bit, over matters like lateness, wardrobe, Hendrix’s stage antics, and money. It worked out for Hendrix in the end, as he later became one of the most famous guitarists of all time.
Little Richard kept on performing throughout the ’70s, up until his final concert in 2014. He also made appearances on talk shows, award ceremonies, and film. In the end, he was acknowledged as “The Innovator, The Originator, and The Architect of Rock and Roll“.
Wrapping up this blog post, here’s an illustration I did earlier tonight. Done in pen, ink, watercolor and shimmer watercolor. Although the scan never picks up on the shimmer. Here’s Little Richard during his iconic heyday during the 1950’s.
One of my own heroes, filmmaker John Waters, discusses meeting Little Richard:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/nov/28/john-waters-met-little-richard
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/john-waters-little-richard-996961/
Here’s an illustration finished earlier today. It’s archangel Michael, better known as St. Michael. Done in pen, ink, regular watercolor and shimmer watercolor. Too bad the scan doesn’t pick up on the shimmer paints.
Here’s a prayer for St. Michael, Roman Catholic version:
“Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”
Created this illustration back in 2015.
Now in 2020, we’re dealing with a global pandemic.
The pandemic was inevitable. Planet earth needed a break. The environment was being disrespected, and people were disrespecting each other. Greed became the new God. Intelligence is no longer valued. What smarts people have, it’s used to manipulate others. That all had to stop ASAP.
Instead of moping about being quarantined, use this a time for introspection. If you’re healthy, realize you’ve been given a gift. Officials failed us. Of course our government failed us. Any minute New York City will resort to what happened in Italy – make the call deciding who lives and who dies. Covid-19 is real, and it’s here.
This novel coronavirus is a form of population control. Culling the herd. Staying alive is the best protest. Breathing is your revenge. Don’t waste your life. Treasure every waking moment. Self educate yourselves. Don’t take health for granted. Don’t ever dare put others in danger just because you think it’s an inconvenience. If you think 20 seconds is a long time to wash hands, then use some hand sanitizer.
Have compassion for others. Have gratitude. Think about what’s really important in life. Learn how to combine both logic and emotion. Humor always helps. As they say, laughter is the best medicine. Because if you can’t laugh, you’re going to cry, and right now there’s not enough tissues to pass around.
Unfortunately there’s collateral. Innocent people will be harmed. Some will die. The takeaway is this. Now we’re finding out the truth. We’re learning who the good people are, and who isn’t. The masks are falling out, and I don’t mean the surgical ones. Everything you ever assumed was an illusion.
The earth will still be here long way after humanity is gone.
We can get through this.
Well it’s been one hell of a week. Make that two weeks. The novel coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19 has shut the whole world down. On my end, the causality list included my radio show, and having a table at Cradle Con’s artist alley. The year barely started, but let’s just say 2020 has been officially canceled.
While I should be upset or sad, strangely I’m not.
Of course, Psycho Bunny decides to opportunistic. Which doesn’t work out.
Introducing the Psycho Bunny sketch of the week for March 19th, 2020.
Social Media (Because we’re all quarantined and have nothing better to do):
Facebook: Psycho Bunny and for Michele Witchipoo – WitchesBrewPress.
 Twitter: One account for me, and one for Psycho Bunny.
Tumblr: World Ov Witchipoo
Instagram: there’s WitchipooArt
Want to buy some of my designs? There’s RedBubble: Witchipoo
Finally, don’t forget to purchase my Squeaky comic. $4.00. Venmo: @Witchipoo.
Before you hit on the next blog post, check out this song I discovered from Facebook. This should be the official COVID-19 theme – and I’m not even a Hip Hop fan. It’s by Detroit rapper Gmac Cash. You can download the song from iTunes or stream here: https://empire.ffm.to/corona
Then there’s this. It’s on both Facebook and Instagram.
The video made me laugh so hard. Only in America.
Be safe everyone.
The headline says it all. Thanks to the arrival of this novel coronavirus – formerly known as COVID-19, everything has been getting rescheduled or canceled. In my case, since the radio station was connected to a college, guess what. It was canceled.
Actually all the shows on that station were canceled, but I’m not upset. It had a good run. While this might continue as podcast. Right now I’m taking a break. In the meantime, you can listen to last season’s/semester’s episodes on Anchor.FM. It’s on six platforms, including Spotify.
Keep in mind, this is not the complete end. WHCSradio.org is working on a plan to possibly keep the station running, but only under safe circumstances. If the show returns, please not only support my show, but others as well.
Here’s an article about how college stations are dealing with the pandemic at this crucial time. Published on the Pitchfork website.
Just like what the title suggests. I’ve posted some episodes from the past season from my radio show. The show was originally streamed live on WHCSradio.org. The program is in hiatus now.
Not all the episodes were posted for one simple reason: I ran out of space on Soundcloud. Yeah, I know, it sucks. The entire season will be uploaded onto another site. In case you’re curious, here’s a few to quell your interest.
While I was doing this show, I discovered a brave new world called podcasting. What sealed it was when I went to Cambridge, MA for MICE 2019. Next door to MICE was another convention called Podtails. It was the first ever Podtail con. This peaked my interest.
As I’ve said before, not all the interviews were posted. I have very short interviews with Diane Noomin, Jamie Hernandez, and a few others. You guessed it, stay tuned for further details.
Doing a radio show was a learning process. Looking back, I was doing it at a breakneck pace, cramming into my already busy schedule. I suspect there were times I sounded tired. Could’ve used a good sleep. Yet I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. The pros outweighed the cons. So if I put together season two, now I know what to do.
Check out my Soundcloud to hear a sample. You’ll hear interviews by Squiddly Sprinkle, Danielle Draik, Mindy Indy and Justin Melkmann. Others will be posted at a later time.
WitchesBrewPress's Blog 