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!
Tag: Bushwick
Bushwick ArtBook & Zine Fair 2016 & Present Company.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hat sold at the Bushwick Art Book & Zine Fair 2016. July 2016.
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!
Till next time.
Crimson Hand Comics Arts Festival
On very short notice. Next Saturday, July 23rd (Fnord, wink…) at Catland Books will be the Crimson Hand Comics Arts Festival. I’ll be one of the artists selling my work at the fest. Since Catland Books is occult based, I’m going to be featuring the last issue of Babalon Babes, which has an all astrology theme. The event will take place in Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC.
As always, don’t forget to check out both Facebook pages, one for Psycho Bunny, and the other page for my illustration work. You can always order comics through my website store, if you can’t make it to the event. Remember, the festival is on Saturday, July 23rd. (fnord)
Photo Review of Catland Group Art Exhibit
Not only did I have a table at the second annual White Plains comic con, but also had three of my large scale illustration work on display at Catland. For the weekend of June 3-5 2016, there was a group art exhibit at Catland Books, in conjunction with the Bushwick Arts Festival. This worked well for me, since I live close to this area.
Of course, in the lieu of everything, something was forgotten, and I had forgotten to price my own artwork for this show. Especially since these in particular is work I would like to re-home. Aka, sell to make room for new projects I’m working on. Didn’t realize this up until Sunday, when I finally dropped in to check out the exhibit. Eh. At least it looked good framed.
Artist Jonah Bell Emerson at the Catland Books group art show, in conjunction with the Bushwick Arts Festival June 3-5, 2016. Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC.
Artist Kelsey Zimmerman at the Catland Books group art show, in conjunction with the Bushwick Arts Festival June 3-5, 2016. Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC.
Artist Kelsey Zimmerman at the Catland Books group art show, in conjunction with the Bushwick Arts Festival June 3-5, 2016. Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC.
Artist Olivia Jane at the Catland Books group art show, in conjunction with the Bushwick Arts Festival June 3-5, 2016. Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC.
Artist Leaf Chang at the Catland Books group art show, in conjunction with the Bushwick Arts Festival June 3-5, 2016. Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC.
Live painting at the Catland Books group art show, in conjunction with the Bushwick Arts Festival June 3-5, 2016. Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC.
Photographer Dmitri Wildfong at the Catland Books group art show, in conjunction with the Bushwick Arts Festival June 3-5, 2016. Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC.
Artist Michele Witchipoo at the Catland Books group art show, in conjunction with the Bushwick Arts Festival June 3-5, 2016. Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC.
Artist Michele Witchipoo at the Catland Books group art show, in conjunction with the Bushwick Arts Festival June 3-5, 2016. Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC.
Artist Michele Witchipoo at the Catland Books group art show, in conjunction with the Bushwick Arts Festival June 3-5, 2016. Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC.
Artist Kelsey Zimmerman at the Catland Books group art show, in conjunction with the Bushwick Arts Festival June 3-5, 2016. Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC.
Photo Recap – Bushwick Open Studios 2015
Two weeks ago I participated in a group art show, as part of the Bushwick Open Studios 2015 festival. It was my second time being part of BOS, the first going back to 2012. The second time worked out better for me, and after the Ridgewood Represent show was over, this round I was able to walk around to catch some of the other events.
Bushwick Open Studios seems to get bigger and better every year. At first, I was hoping to check out the other two completing events: Special Edition NYCC or the indie-based Grand Comics Festival, also taking place in Brooklyn. However, BOS was interesting enough, with this year’s edition of ‘art trucks.’ In other words, people had trucks parted outside in the street showing art, as sort of a mobile gallery. Despite the hipster ratio, I still managed to enjoy myself.
The best part – while I was checking out the other events, someone gave me free art supplies! Can’t beat that.
Below are a few photos from BOS 2015.
Ridgewood Represent! The Ridgewood Artists Coalition Group Show At The Vander-Ende Onderdonk House (Bushwick Open Studios 2015 Part I)
On June 6 and 7th, 2015, I took part of a group art show, as part of the Bushwick Open Studios 2015 event. A new group, the Ridgewood Artists Coalition (RAC) had a showing at the historic Vander-Ende Onderdonk House.
Below are photos of some of the work from the group show:
Below is my personal favorite from the show:
While the show was happening, I decided to explore the Vander-Ende Onderdonk House itself.
The Vander-Ende Onderdonk House has quite a history, becoming landmarked in 1995. A kind gentleman took me on a tour of the house, starting downstairs with the colonial kitchen.
Heading back upstairs, there was rooms sectioning off different eras.
Not shown was the tiny farm in the back of the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, complete with small chicken coop.
The show received media coverage since it was part of the Bushwick Open Studios 2015 event. Below is a link to one of the many news articles.
http://queenscourier.com/photos-hundreds-of-local-artists-participate-in-bushwick-open-studios/
Part two of the Bushwick Open Studios 2015 coverage arriving in the next blog post.
Bushwick Open Studios/RAC At Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, June 2015
In the NYC, this will prove to be a busy weekend. Quite a few events are happening. For starters, there’s going to be the Special Edition New York Comic Con at Pier 94. On Sunday itself, there will be a free event at Flushing Meadow Park in Queens celebrating the 75th and 50th anniversaries of the NYC World’s Fair. (Always been fascinated by the history of the World’s Fair myself.)
Then there’s going to be the Bushwick Open Studios, June 7-8th 2015. I will have my illustrations/drawings on exhibit as part of this group show. Entitled Ridgewood Represent! The Ridgewood Artists Coalition Group Show at Bushwick Open Studios, the show will be held at the historic Vander Ende-Onderdonk House located at 1820 Flushing Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385. The Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, according to Wikipedia, is the oldest Dutch Colonial stone house in New York City. In the past, the house has been a livery stable, speakeasy, office and as a parts factory for the Apollo space program. Now it’s an historical landmark, open to the public. The event is free, and is part of the new Ridgewood Artists Coalition (RAC) that formed earlier this year.
I also found out yesterday that thanks to this event, I had a listing on the ArtSlant website. I’ve participated in a lot more shows than listed on ArtSlant, but not complaining. Below is one of the my pieces selected for this show.
Exchange Rates Show This Week
Short notice. One of my illustrations will be on display at this group art show in Bushwick. The dates are Thursday Oct. 23rd to Oct. 26th, 2014.
For this event, my work will be in this location: Brooklyn Fire Proof.
On Sunday, Oct. 26th, Brooklyn Fire Proof will be hosting a closing party, from 6pm – 10pm. All artwork will be for sale, including my original illustration below:
Watercolor, pen and ink illustration by Michele Witchipoo. Completed Jan. 2013.
Gotham City Lounge – A Bar For Bushwick Superheroes.
Labor day weekend 2013, we decided to check out Gotham City Lounge. The bar was actually recommended to me over a year ago by a fellow Ridgewood neighbor. Since Ridgewood is next door to Bushwick, why not check it out?
Located right underneath the M subway line, Gotham City Lounge is a dive bar for all things superhero. When I say dive bar, I mean it as the highest compliment. Greeting us were the DC characters Superman and Batman.
Before allowed access, we had to ring the buzzer. I think this was due to more Bushwick being formerly known as a rough part of Brooklyn rather than a secret superhero hideout, but it can work either way.
Inside both the patrons and the bartender were really super friendly and nice. The bar’s clientele consisted of long time Bushwick locals, neighborhood artists to various hipsters moving into the area. Surrounded by collectable figures and original comicbook art, I ordered a suggested Dr. Freeze cocktail while Ben had a Red Bull. The drink menu was definitely heroic. Prices ranged from three bucks for a PBR to eight bucks for a comic book themed booze. Most of the drinks were five dollars.
At the bar we had a conversation with a female geek, who certainly knew her stuff. we discussed the upcoming New York Comic Con, and Harry Potter. Ben chatted with her about more of the superhero characters. I had to bow out of this one, since I was raised on more of stuff like Fantagraphic Books. A guy approached Ben cause he nailed the source of where one of the framed original comicbook page was from.
I took a few photos, but right before doing this blog post, I discovered this YouTube clip. I think it explains Gotham City Lounge much more better than I ever could.
If you’re in NYC, and want to check out this place for yourself, the address is 1293 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221. Just take the M subway line to Central Avenue. The lounge is just right underneath the train station. The perfect place after attending this year’s New York Comic Con.
Street Scenes From Bushwick Open Studios 2013
Been meaning to photograph all the graffiti and street art that can be seen around the Bushwick area of Brooklyn. Then the annual BOS, short for Bushwick Open Studios rolled around. For those who don’t know what BOS is, it’s when artist around and from the Bushwick area open their studios to the general public. Sponsored by Arts In Bushwick, the audience can see various paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography, etc., by various artists. The public can explore different parts of Bushwick, particularly on the L subway line. Stops such as Morgan Avenue, Dekalb Avenue, Jefferson Street, and continuing up to where the borderline crosses into Ridgewood, Queens.
Last year I participated in BOS 2012. This year, I was content just checking out places around the Jefferson stop on the L line. After stopping in a few scattered studios, and coming across some real pretentious artist who advised me to “create the problem, then solve the problem…”, I snapped these photos.
The early summer sun was already in full blast. This started to remind me of some of the street art I had seen during my visit to San Francisco during April 2000.
The street art below reminded me of contemporary artist Kenny Scharf. Maybe this was his work.
Suddendly me and two others stumbled upon this car wreck. Actually we discovered this wreck a month earlier. Happily this wreck was not removed, making it a perfect photo opp.
A few pop culture references came to mind. The song by Gary Numan Cars, Warm Leatherette by The Normal (later covered by Grace Jones, Giddle and Boyd, and countless others), the novel Crash by J. G. Ballard, and the pretend car accident scene in John Waters’ flick Female Trouble. So a little bit fun was had as we joined the car crash set.
Onwards we continued out quest for more street art, graffiti and more BOS festivities.
Lots of arty revelers were out in the streets of Bushwick. Spoted a topless woman walking around with a drawn on mustache. Out of respect I didn’t take a photo of her. This other lady caught in the middle of street texting was caught in the digital crossfire instead. The heat was beating upon us cynical folks. Therefore it was onto to Cobra Bar to cool off.
At the Cobra there was tri-hawked artist Antoinette Johnson showing her paintings and photos of her hair sculptures. The battery was dying in my digital camera at this point, so this was the best I could come up with.
Cause the weather was getting too hot, we stayed at the Cobra for a few rounds. Bringing us to the end of this blog post. Hopefully next year I’ll tale part in the next BOS fest.
FYI…if anyone knows any of the artists, whose work is shown in the street art photographs, please send me an email to Witchipoo@witchesbrewpress.net. I’ll update this post with the proper info asap.
Photographs may not be used without permission. Again, please email me if you wish to use any of the above photography. Thank you.
Links:
WitchesBrewPress's Blog 