Back in July 2019, I was invited by co-curator Tim Gowan. It was an honor to give a talk discussing my work among other talented artists.
The Trans-Cen-Der Art Group (TAG) is a networking and creative development community which through a monthly lecture series, provides artists a supportive place to share work, receive feedback and form creative opinions. The goal of Trans-Cen-Der is to support, strengthen, and enjoy the fellowship of artists. You can find out more about Trans-Cen-Der by checking out the Facebook page.
Trans-Cen-Der is held monthly Brooklyn Fire Proof, located in Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY. The lecture series is curated by artists Tim Gowan and Sharilyn Neidhardt. Tim Gowan also recently help put together the first annual Ridgewood Open Studios.
For July, the artists presenting were: Ethan Boisvert, Drew Droege, Klay-James Enos, Kerry Law, Evan Peltzman, and myself, Michele Witchipoo.
Below is a few photos artist Danielle Draik was kind enough to take and share.
Anyone interested in attending any of the lectures, you can check out Trans-Cen-Der on Facebook or Instagram.
Two weekends ago was the annual Bushwick Open Studios. Since it’s inception, it’s become a big deal in the NYC art scene. Not as huge as getting a VIP pass to The Armory Show during NYC Art Week, but you get the idea.
Although it was late September, the temperatures still felt like summer beach weather. Which made it perfect of House of Yes‘ block party. House of Yes had parties both outdoors and indoors, waving its admission fee as a thank you to the community.
I didn’t have much time this year to check out a majority of the studios or events, but I managed to cram a little bit in. It should be noted that this upcoming weekend, it’s not only New York Comic Con 2019 (NYCC) but also the first year for Ridgewood Open Studios, the next door neighbor of Bushwick, Brooklyn. I have a Pro pass for both NYCC and a painting at Lorimoto Gallery, located in where else – Ridgewood, Queens. Lorimoto Gallery is having a group art show with local Ridgewood artists.
Here’s a few photos from the House of Yes party. Since it still felt like summer, I was thankful that the club had the AC on inside.
Back outdoors, there was drag/performance art. (IG: @only_atnight)
Walking around the immediate Jefferson Street area, I went up the stairs to a former factory space, now used as artists studios. Many of them welcomed the public.
Walking around back outside, this sighting reminded me of footage from the 1960s. When Hippies traveled around in discarded, then refurbished school buses:
Pardon the short notice. If you’re in the NYC area, particularly Bushwick, Brooklyn, then check out the monthly Trans-Cen-Der events at Brooklyn Fire Proof. Artists of all mediums and media show slides of their work. Then give a quick talk. I’m among one of the five artists this round. Admission is free, but seating is limited. The event runs from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. Trans-Cen-Der is hosted and co-curated by artist Tim Gowan.
The other event will be at Trans-Cen-Der Art Group (TAG), an artist networking and community group located in Bushwick, Brooklyn. I will have a ten minute talk about my art, as slides of my work are shown.
Trans-Cen-Der Art Group (TAG)
Details forthcoming about both events to be posted on this blog.
Now finally have a chance to catch up on blog posts. Here’s a zine show I took part of on Friday, Oct. 13th, 2017.
The zine show was within a bigger art opening titled Transparency, taking place at Brooklyn Fireproof, Bushwick, Brooklyn. It was part of an art collective called Trans-cen-der. The event even had a brief mention on the Bushwick Bomb website. The zine part was curated by illustrator/sculptor/painter/print-maker Danielle-Draik.
Flyer for the Transparency show at Trans-cen-der at Brooklyn Fireproof, Oct. 13th, 2017.
The turn-out was pretty good. In the zine section, there was a variety of self-published comics and zines on display. Two of my titles, Psycho Bunny #3.25, and the last issue of Babalon Babes (astrology issue) were shown.
In another room was sculptures by Colin Radcliffe, titled Uninvited Guests.
Sculptures by Colin Radcliffe, shown during his solo show at Transparency. Oct. 13th, 2017.
The entire exhibit will run until Nov. 3rd, 2017.
Hazel Lee Santino
Zine section from the Transparency exhibit, Trans-cen-der, at Brooklyn Fireproof. Friday Oct. 13th, 2017.
The next day after the opening reception of the Made In Ridgewood exhibit at OUTPOST Artists Resources, decided to spend Sunday checking out the rest of Bushwick Open Studios 2016. After all, BOS is in my backyard.
This year, 2016, Bushwick Open Studios was moved from summer to fall. Rumor had it that BOS was attracting too much of the “frat party” crowd. Therefore it was moved to late September. In a way, can’t say I blame them. Although the tourists have already discovered part of Bushwick. Which means the clock is ticking. At this point it’s just a matter of time. Gentrification really does suck.
My first stop was this tiny flea market on Wyckoff Avenue between Dekalb and Jefferson. I was greeted by this sight:
What is Floraissance anyway? Whatever it is, there’s already haters. Floraissance resistance? Bushwick, Brooklyn Oct. 1st, 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Didn’t stay too long in this flea market. Having always been a fan of thrift shop curios, there were some things that caught my eye. Didn’t buy anything basically because I have too many items in my home already. Met this lady who has this neat shop on Etsy called Neocronomicharm. The jewelry is right up my alley.
Continuing along Wyckoff. Here was my first official sighting of a BOS showing. Inside a parked car. Nearby that overpriced gourmet market Hana Natural. Hana’s is the only place in Bushwick where its mark-up is more pricey than anything in Manhattan.
Art exhibit inside a parked car during Bushwick Open Studios 2016. Oct. 1st, 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Due to being busy, I didn’t bother looking up any BOS guides online. My first stop was the popular Cobra Club. Used to spend a lot of time there, meeting the usual dysfunctional characters. One time me and a friend heckled this host doing some lame trivia night. Turns out we knew all the correct answers, but what was the point? So we said “peanut butter” to every question asked. At one point the host requested not to answer anymore questions with “peanut butter” but that only prompted us even more. This was nothing compared to one night in early November 2014. The host doing trivia that night presented a question about The Sex Pistols. Sex Pistols!?! How corny can you get? I was already in a foul mood, so I yelled from the back of the place “WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE SEX PISTOLS!?!” The millennial host stood there in silence for about a minute, then dropped the question completely, moving onto a different subject. While it wasn’t fair to assume he didn’t know what he was talking about, it was still a cheesy trivia question regardless.
Despite trivia nights, I still like Cobra a lot. This year Cobra has a music photography exhibit in the back room. This is where Cobra usually has bands perform, karaoke (another thing I hate), burlesque and yoga. The photographer was Jeanette D. Moses.
Photography by Jeanette D. Moses. Cobra Club, Bushwick Brooklyn at Cobra Club during Bushwick Open Studios 2016. Oct. 1st, 2016.
Having only stayed in Cobra Club for a few minutes, I moved on to the next few sightings. Such as the street art and wall murals. Just as I snapped the below photo, someone approached me claiming to be a talent scout. She complemented me on my hair, said I had a “good vibe”, then took a few photos of me. This doesn’t matter as I’m not photogenic anyway. Was this a scam? Regardless, I suspect she was turned off once I revealed my true age.
Bushwick street art. Wyckoff Avenue. Oct. 1st, 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Continuing onward. Checking out more street art and wall murals.
Then I saw this:
A tour guide giving tourists a lecture about street art in Bushwick, Brooklyn during Bushwick Open Studios 2016. Oct. 1st, 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
A tour guide giving guided walks discussing street art to tourists. A fricken’ tour guide. In Bushwick, Brooklyn. Hey, guess everyone has to make a living. Still prompted me to post this on Facebook from my smartphone:
Saw some more street mural art.
Street art mural in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Oct. 1st, 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Mextasis Se Habla Arte Mexicano gallery during Bushwick Open Studios 2016. Oct. 1st, 2016.
Once arriving at 1717 Troutman, it was kinda like BOS jackpot. Every studio was buzzing with activity. Exhaustion was starting to come down, so I only stayed on the third floor.
Bushwick Open Studios 2016 at 1717 Troutman. Oct. 1st, 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Bushwick Open Studios 2016 at 1717 Troutman. Oct. 1st, 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Artist: Allison Demyanovich.
Bushwick Open Studios 2016 at 1717 Troutman. Oct. 1st, 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Artist: Derek Weisberg
Artist Jaclyn Brown uses dogs and cats in her paintings.
Artist Jaclyn Brown at 1717 Troutman during Bushwick Open Studios 2016.
Artist Jaclyn Brown at 1717 Troutman during Bushwick Open Studios 2016.
Artist Jaclyn Brown at 1717 Troutman during Bushwick Open Studios 2016.
It was time to head back home, passing by the empty PBR cans as if they were hipster crumb trails (as my friend kindly stated). Despite my snarky commentary, this year’s BOS was a good one. Definitely way too many things to see for two days. Till next year, unless I get priced out thanks to the glory of gentrification.
This time there’s not just one, but two Psycho Bunny pics of the week.
The first one is about Bushwick Open Studios 2016. For those who don’t know, Bushwick Open Studios, otherwise known as BOS is an annual event where artists from the Bushwick, Brooklyn area open their studios to the public. There were a lot of good work seen this year. Such as the Made In Ridgewood exhibit. Although I had plenty of snark for tourists who wouldn’t been caught dead in the same area fifteen – twenty years ago, there was amazing work in all mediums by various artists. Despite seeing some guy give walking tours about Bushwick street murals.
Psycho Bunny came by to check out some art – but he was really there for the open bar.
Psycho Bunny checking out art while looking for the open bar. Based on the comic by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 3rd, 2016.
The second one is about the upcoming New York Comic Con. Whatever few friends he had, one of them was nice enough to get a little something. Only Psycho Bunny being the drunk that he is, is not amused.
Psycho Bunny gets a gift from someone who attended NYCC. Only being a drunk rabbit, he’s not amused. Based on the comic by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 3rd, 2016.
Now for some promotional chatter. I’ll be at MICE in a few weeks. So if you’re in the area, come by to buy a comic. I’ll be table C99. Also check out the Facebook pages for both Psycho Bunny and WitchesBrewPress.
Tomorrow is the Made In Ridgewood group art exhibit at OUTPOST Artists Resources for Bushwick Open Studios 2016 (BOS). The opening reception will be from 6pm – 9pm. The exhibit itself will be up from Oct. 1st – Oct. 15th, 2016. Made In Ridgewood came out of the Ridgewood Artists Coalition, a collective of local artists. This event is also listed on the Hyperallergic guide to BOS 2016. I will among one of many artists showing work at the show.
Photo: Image courtesy of NUTUREart. “Boots in Balls” Campy Dicks 2016
Beginning of installation. Photo by Michele Witchipoo Sept. 2016
Beginning of installation. Photo by Michele Witchipoo Sept. 2016
One of the cats living at OUTPOST Artist Resources. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Sept. 2016.
Just a reminder that I’ll be at Catland Books for the Crimson Hand Comic Arts Festival. Various artists will have tables at this outdoor event. Gotta love that NYC summer heat. Anyway, something for everyone. See you tomorrow!
On a humid Saturday afternoon, we checked out the Bushwick Art Book and Zine Fair 2016. It was sponsored by Hyperallergic, Brooklyn Beer and Knockdown Center. Didn’t have a table myself, and doubt if my work would’ve ever fit in to this event. Since it was only a few subway stops away, figured it was worth checking out.
Scene from the Bushwick Art Book & Zine Fair 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. July 2016.
The weekend event (July 16 and 17th 2016) took place over at Signal art gallery. There was no air conditioning whatsoever. This made it very uncomfortable to fully check out the tables, especially since it was crowded.
Scene from the Bushwick Art Book & Zine Fair. July 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. The guy eating his lunch later gave me a balloon that said “fuck you.”
Display from the Bushwick Art Book & Zine Fair 2016. July 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Display from the Bushwick Art Book & Zine Fair 2016. July 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Display from the Bushwick Art Book & Zine Fair 2016. July 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Display at the Bushwick Art Book & Zine Fair 2016. July 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
To get relief from the heat, we stepped outside to the backyard. There was a BBQ, a small bar and a class on book binding.
Backyard at the Bushwick Art Book & ZIne Fair 2016. July 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
As the book binding class went on, one couldn’t help but notice the effects of gentrification behind Signal gallery. The hyper gentrification has become a huge problem in not just NYC but across the country. Gentrification also had an effect on struggling artists, who once flocked to places like NYC.
Book binding class at the Bushwick Art Book & Zine Fair 2016. July 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Book binding class at the Bushwick Art Book & Zine Fair 2016. July 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. In the background behind the book binding class, you can see signs of the hyper gentrification happening all over NYC.
Scene from the Bushwick Art Book and Zine Fair. July 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Hat sold at the Bushwick Art Book & Zine Fair 2016. July 2016.
Bushwick Art Book & Zine Fair 2016. July 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Scene from the Bushwick Art Book and Zine Fair 2016. July 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Scene from the Bushwick Art Book & Zine Fair 2016. July 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Scene from the Bushwick Art Book & Zine Fair 2016. July 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. !?! Is someone trying to replicate the eyeglass art prank? Rain during a hot NYC summer day. Bushwick Art Book & Zine Fair 2016. July 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Anyway. After walking around the small venue a few times, it was time to head out. Right next door was another art gallery called Present Company. Their latest exhibit curated by Jacquelyn Strycker was called ‘Timeshare.’ It was part of the MFA Art Practice from School of Visual Arts (SVA).
This gallery had art that was more interactive. Particularly the Brainwave Frequency Modulator. Next to the flashing installation was headphones, and you can listen to music. Believe it was created by Dee Solin, titled “CYBO.”
One of the best parts of this gallery – it had air conditioning!
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