This exhibit recently ended, but here’s photos from last month’s exhibit at BFP Creative. This exhibit was also on display during Bushwick Open Studios 2019. (Also check out my recent post of BOS 2019.)
The idea behind Scavengers was to create art from recycled or found materials. It was to be curated by Jaynie Gillman Crimmins and Sharilyn Neidhardt, in a space generously donated by Thomas Burr Dodd and Brooklyn Fire Proof. Since I self-published many of my sequential work, this was perfect. Finally I could make something out of all those printing errors from the copy and printing shops.
Basically I took scraps, receipts, unusable ink nibs, and other discarded items, combining them together into a 3D paper collage. Along the way, I found cracked pieces of a mirror on a Bushwick sidewalk. That was thrown into the collages. The basis was from earlier this year, when quickly putting together my comic/zine ‘The Temptation of Squeaky.’ It had been a while since sending a comic to print. The ineptitude of some of the copy shop employees never ceased to amaze me. Definitely not in a good way. After pulling out of a copy place in Astoria, Queens which totally sucked, I finally found a decent one somewhere in Manhattan. Months later, I was doing an artist talk at Trans-cen-der. After that event, there was an opportunity to take part in the Scavengers show. I had saved most of my receipts from that horrendous print job in Astoria, Queens. My chagrin was exchanged from nuisance to creating a brand new installation. Not that I recommend this path to anybody. Nonetheless, it clicked. Things have a way of working out.
There were other amazing artists at the show. On the list were the following artists: Elena Soterakis, Jeannine Bardo, Walter Brown, Eliot Markell, Leah Harper, Aaron Schraeter, Meer Musa, Jamie Martinez, James Prez, Jeanne Tremel, Bonny Leibowitz, Niki Lederer, Chris Smith, Susan Sechler Luss, Nina Meledandri, Amy Bassin and, Sharilyn Neidhardt.
Opening reception for Scavengers. September 6th, 2019.Â
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:
I’ll be one of the artists in this group exhibit at Brooklyn Fire Proof. The exhibit is titled Scavengers, and the opening party will be this Friday, September 6th, 2019, from 6 – 8pm.
The theme for this exhibit is about artists using recycled, repurposed or salvaged materials. Curated by Jaynie Gillman Crimmins and Sharilyn Neidhardt, in a space generously donated by Thomas Burr Dodd and Brooklyn Fire Proof.
The work from all the artists will be on view from September 6 to September 30th, including the weekend of Bushwick Open Studios, which runs from Sept 21st – 22nd.
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.
This is extremely short notice. This Tuesday, July 30th, 2019, I will be giving a small talk about my illustrations and artwork at the monthly Trans-Cen-Der. The event runs from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. The location is at Brooklyn Fire Proof in Bushwick, Brooklyn NY. There will be four other artists as well, working in all mediums. Admission is free but seating is limited.
Monthly Trans-Cen-Der artist event/lecture at Brooklyn Fire Proof, in Bushwick, Brooklyn NY.
This Saturday will be a busy day. During the day I’ll have a table at the Trashland Zinefest II, located at The Footlight in Ridgewood, Queens NY. Admission is free, the event runs from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm. I’ll be selling my comics, greeting cards and other items.
Poster for the Trashland Zinefair II, taking place at The Footlight NYC. Located in Ridgewood, Queens NY. Event August 3rd, 2019.
At Trashland Zinefest II, copies of my latest comic The Temptation of Squeaky will be on sale. Drop by my table and buy your own copy.
The Temptation of Squeaky. Latest comic from artist and writer Michele Witchipoo, on WitchesBrewPress. 2019.
On Saturday evening, I will be attending the MF Gallery opening party for their Rocky Horror Picture Show art exhibit. Opening party is from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Costumes and Rocky Horror cosplay is encouraged. There will be a screening of the classic cut film as well.
MF Gallery’s flyer for The Rocky Horror Picture Show art exhibit. Opening party Sat. Aug. 3rd, 2019 in Brookyn, NY.
Below is the painting I did for the Rocky Horror art exhibit. It’s classic Dr. Frank-N-Futer. The mediums were acrylic paint and glitter, inside a refurbished vintage wooden frame.
Painting of Dr. Frank-N-Futer, main protagonist of the classic cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Mediums: acrylic paint and glitter, inside a refurbished vintage wooden frame. Painting by Michele Witchipoo, July 2019. Painting for sale.
If you’re local in the NYC area, then come down to at least one of these events.
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.
Beginning the new year of 2018 with a Psycho Bunny sketch of the week. However. Allow me to be slightly candid.
It just seems as almost everyone couldn’t wait for 2018 to be over. Basically 2018 was a year of disappointments. It wasn’t all bad – there was good times during the year. I think going to all those concerts, especially during the summer was among some of the high points. Did loads of new artwork, and landed some good commissions. On the personal front, that’s when things went sour. Five people from different periods of my life died during the course of 2018. Out of the five, two were formerly close friends, while one was from the present. Attending the latter’s funeral just reminded me of my own mother’s passing in 2015. There was a lot of betrayal. My arm became flexible as I had to take a few knives out of my back. Then there was the discovery that I was being used.
Not pulling the victim card, however. It is what it is. Perhaps that guy who I had met on the Metro North back in October was correct. When he told me that the secret to life “…is not giving a fuck.” If you look at his drunken statement from a Buddhist point of view, it just means not being attached to anything. It makes sense.
2018 stunk to the very end. Right before new year’s eve, some jerk off had the nerve to ask me over the phone if I had “art connections.” Oh. Is that the reason for the conversation? How convenient. My response: “If I had any art connections, I certainly wouldn’t be sharing them with you.”
If you were in NYC, did you go to Times Square to watch the ball drop? I didn’t. No self respecting resident of New York City puts themselves through that. People who live in NYC do not foolishly freeze in the street. We have much better options. We have clubs, we have bars, we have parties, we have friends, or at least friends of friends that will let us crash those parties. Better yet, real New Yorkers will gladly stay at home watching new year eve television coverage while some lame mainstream pop singer lip-syncs some auto tuned song. Because we pay enough money on the rent damnit! So we’re gonna stay under the bed sheets and get our money’s worth! If a native New Yorker does go to Times Square, it’s this. It would be at some party on the 23rd floor with the perfect window view laughing at the tourists below. We’re going to munch on the free buffet while the open bar has top shelf liquor, thank you very much. So the fact is, only silly tourists will stand in Times Square in the cold rain while they pee in their pants. If you were one of these silly tourists, I hope you catch the flu.
Okay. Let’s say you get some cabin fever and decide to go out after all. To bring in 2019, I went to a Goth party in Bushwick. We were having a good time at first. The music was good. Slowly the annoying hipsters crept in. Two such drunks came up from behind us on the dance floor. How could we forget them, for they blew into a Viking ox horn near our ears. You know these millennials would not survive one second in Ragnarok. No, I don’t mean Marvel’s version of Thor.
Anyway, these douchey millennials show up. One guy took off his coat. Once he did that, we could smell the B.O. He stood on the dance floor with his unkempt hair and beard. Looking more like an early ’90s Grunge reject with his flannel shirt as he drank his beer. Is it suddenly edgy not to shower? At this point, the body odor could not be ignored. He wasn’t homeless, nor was he a chaos punk squatter. He was some hipster schmuck that probably lived in some gentrified apartment formerly rented to some working class family. Maybe even in an area that used to be heavily ethnic. Then he had the nerve to show up in a sub-cultural party, particularly a party from one of my favorite sub cultures, smelling like a pig trough. Dude had no reason not to take a bath.
Hey. At least my last meal of 2018 was a nice sushi dinner.
If you come this far, thanks for reading my rants.
Now here’s Psycho Bunny, since he’s recovered from his hangover…
Psycho Bunny sketch of the week. Psycho Bunny celebrates the new year of 2019 with booze and bitterness. Based on the comic written and drawn by Michele Witchipoo, on WitchesBrewPress. Jan. 2019.
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Your new year resolutions is to follow these social media links!
Last weekend was the annual Bushwick Open Studios. It’s right in my backyard, since I live on the near borderline between Brooklyn and Queens. My residence is in Queens. Fortunately, the area of Queens where I live is close enough to hop on a bus to Bushwick. Although BOS reeks of gentrification, I’m lucky to live close to an art event. I’ve done BOS three times. The first time was in 2012. That was a complete mess. The second and third scored much better, 2016 being the best one over at OUTPOST. The opening party at OUTPOST was amazing. One reason was because they had open bar with free Finback beer.
This year I could only venture in baby steps. Usually for BOS I’ll take a whole day to explore. I had tickets to see The National for both nights over at Forest Hills Stadium that same weekend. Therefore I couldn’t take in as much. Hopefully next year there will be more opportunities to explore.
The first stop on BOS 2018 was this mobile gallery. It was run by Japanese transplants. (You can check out Shihorks on Tumblr.) They were taking names of people who stopped by, and offering to include the first names into an open art piece they were doing. My name is all the way on top. After thanking them, I went inside the check to check out the rest.
Walked around some more. Walked inside which I guessed used to be a former factory converted into either artist studios and/or lofts. Saw some nude body painting, and stumbled across a robot. The robot was part of something called Toaster Unplugged.
Walking around some more, you can still see some of the anti-Trump sentiment in the Bushwick area.
Last stop before going to Forest Hills was something I haven’t seen since leaving the Midwest. A fake beach. Having grown up on the East Coast with natural beaches, I always turned up my nose at this concept. Guess it shouldn’t be surprised that a fake beach with a bar hit Bushwick. Wyckoff Beer Garden were part of BOS too.
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. Â
Craft fairs are common now, but the first one put together by the new NYC collective Rock Paper Scissorswas a success. The collective, based in Queens, NYÂ Â was formed recently to promote local work of artists, artisans and writers in the Queens and Brooklyn boroughs through group exhibitions & pop-ups.
It even received some local press such as QNS.com.
The pop-up Krampus Holiday Fair went fairly well. It took place at The Cobra Club, located in Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC.
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