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 day, Hugh Hefner, founder and publisher of Playboy magazine died at age 91. Hefner created a million dollar empire, becoming a pop icon in the process.
Not being in the millennial generation, Hugh Hefner was a symbol of hedonism, erotica, and freedom. During my childhood, I discovered my father’s slash of Playboy. Perhaps it was the taboo element of the magazine, but I loved the thrill of looking through those magazine. Of course I was caught, thus the magazines quickly disappeared.
As I became an adult, I continued to be fascinated by Hugh Hefner, and other personalities similar to him, such as Hustler publisher Larry Flynt. In my early twenties, I also learned about ‘alternative’ porn such as the lesbian magazine On Our Backs. Chance meeting with the authors of Sleazoid Express back in the ’90s turned my interest to vintage exploitation and Times Square filth. Learned even more with the book Tales of Times Square.
However, never forget reality. Erotica and porn is a complex dark world. You’re dealing with various human beings who are chewed up and spit out once their purpose is served. Was Hugh Hefner really a symbol of American hedonism and free speech, or was he just nothing more than a sleazy opportunist who didn’t respect women?
The truth was Hugh Hefner was both. Not so much of a hedonist, but rather a controversial symbol of the American Dream.
On one hand he was a symbol of free speech, and civil rights. From 1969 – 1970 he had a television show called Playboy After Dark. The Playboy Jazz Festival still continues to this day.
Along the years Playboy published content from writers, illustrators and cartoonists. Dan DeCarlo was known for his pin-ups. Yes, that same Dan Decarlo who created Josie and The Pussycats for Archie Comics. Harvey Kurtzman was another cartoonist. Writer Ray Bradbury had his classic novel Fahrenheit 451 serialized in Playboy from March to May 1954.
On the other hand, he did publish photos without consent. The very first issue of Playboy was launched thanks to non-consented photos of Marilyn Monroe. The story goes that Monroe being broke posed for a nudie calendar. Using an alias, she only got paid $50 for the photo session. The photographer later sold these same photos to Hefner for $500. The rest is history.
Later on, Playboy continued the trend of publishing photos without the person’s consent. Celebrities such as Madonna, and Vanessa Williams had their nude likeness exposed in without their consent. Vanna White was a personal friend of Hefner, but her nude photos were published regardless of her approval.
More of Hefner’s disregard of women were uncovered following the days after Hefner’s death. Time Magazine, New York Times, Salon, and other mainstream news sources didn’t exactly publish obituaries in a nice light. They weren’t exactly wrong either. Hefner built his entire empire based on exploiting women – although in the end, he wasn’t worth as much.
Yet it was Playboy magazine that many artists (such as myself) who used those same photographs as reference material while learning to draw.
Another irony. It was a 1985 Boy George interview published in Playboy that helped my friend “come out” to his mother about his attraction to men. This same friend also forgave me cause he lent me the interview and I lost it…oops.
Today in the post-millennial internet age, Playboy is quite tame compared to the free online porn readily accessible. Also, people will always look at naughty photos. People are visual creatures. Regardless of gender, sexuality, etc., people will always objectify each other. Objectification is psychological. It may not be correct behavior, but it’s a fact. In the end it’s up to us to responsible for our own behavior. Even if it’s easier said than done.
Recently I had a conversation with someone about seeing things black and white, as opposed to looking from a grey perspective. Playboy is a perfect example of why things are not always so black or white. Playboy was a huge splat of grey.
May Hugh party in his Playboy mansion in the afterlife. Although buying a plot next to Marilyn Monroe was straight-up old man creepy.
Here’s the Psycho Bunny sketch of the week.
Psycho Bunny embodies the Playboy lifestyle. Oct. 2017. Based on the comic Psycho Bunny written and drawn by Michele Witchipoo on WitchesBrewPress.
This week decided to experiment a bit. So this week’s sketch has a slight surreal feeling. Of course, Psycho Bunny himself only has one thing on his mind.
Introducing the Psycho Bunny sketch of the week for Monday, July 10th, 2017.
Slight Surrealism, Psycho Bunny style. Based on the comic written and drawn by Michele Witchipoo on WitchesBrewPress. Posted Monday July 10th, 2017.
This Wednesday I’ll be showing artwork for NYC personality Gerry Visco’s birthday party. The event will be at Lovecraft Bar NYC, located in the East Village, ten dollars admission. The Facebook invite and more information can be found here.
Seems since Jan. 20th 2017, there’s been a different protest everyday. Psycho Bunny has his own priorities.
Introducing the Psycho Bunny sketch of the week.
Psycho Bunny has his own priorities for protesting. The Psycho Bunny sketch of the week. Based on the comic written and drawn by Michele Witchipoo on WitchesBrewPress. Jan. 2017.
There will be no craft fair on Feb. 4th due to a cancellation. However, there will be other events in the NYC area where you can purchase a copy of the comic. So stay tuned.
Don’t forget to click “like” on both Facebook pages for Psycho Bunny and WitchesBrewPress. Psycho Bunny also has his own Twitter account. It may not be as shocking as Cheetos, but at least it’ll be somewhat saner. Just overall misanthropy, spread equally.
Immediately after the 2016 presidential election, there was a huge outcry. Which prompted someone on Facebook to do an art show titled “Nasty Women.” It shortly turned into an open call for artwork, proceeds going towards Planned Parenthood. The submissions came in fast furious to the point where the curators had to end the deadline earlier than expected.
The space where the show took place was at Knockdown Center, located in Maspeth, Queens, NYC.
I was one of the many artists who contributed work for this show. My piece was a print titled #trumpsucksballs. It was originally designed for my greeting card line. (Still available for order for $3.00, plus $1.00 S&H = $4.00 if ordering online. Comes with orange envelope. Send payment to psychobunnycomix@aol.com and specify you want the #trumpsucksball greeting card.)
Not all the art was anti-Trump related. Overall it had a feminist voice with or without Trump. The show itself was titled Nasty Women.
A few days before the opening reception, me and a friend went together to drop off our work. That Saturday it was the first snow of NYC in 2017.
Artist Beata Slazak Zalewski of Ridgewood, Queens. On our way to Knockdown Center to drop off art for the Nasty Women exhibition. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Jan. 2017.
Finally we arrived at Knockdown Center from out of the freezing snow. It gave us a chance to witness the display being put together. Various people were building large scale letters that spelled out NASTY WOMEN. The idea was that the art was to be hung on these letters. As the art gradually sold, the letters would be revealed.
Building the display for the Nasty Women art exhibition at Knockdown Center in Queens, NYC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Jan. 2017.
Building the display for the Nasty Women art exhibition at Knockdown Center in Queens, NYC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Jan. 2017.
While we were standing there, we felt a slight buzz. The type of buzz when you know something is going to be magical.
A few days before opening night, the Nasty Women event was getting tons of press.
Opening night arrived. The turnout was larger than expected. People came from all over NYC for the reception, despite the remote location of Knockdown Center in Maspeth, Queens. My print sold within the first hour of the show. By the time I arrived, it was gone. Luckily someone snapped this photo for me. To whoever brought my print, thank you.
As seen at Knockdown Center for the Nasty Women art exhibition. Sold. Illustration by Michele Witchipoo. Photo by Beata Zalewski. Jan. 2017.
The artwork was flying off the letters as the crowd grew. At one point I saw a determined woman purchasing five separate pieces of art. The event itself raised 35K for Planned Parenthood. When the exhibition ended, all of the work donated had completely sold.
Crowd at opening reception at Knockdown Center for the Nasty Women art exhibition. Jan. 2017. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
This work was featured in the press before the opening reception. Artist Angela Pilgrim.
Art by Athea Blem. “Kill Putin” as seen at Knockdown Center for the Nasty Women art exhibition.
Art by Beata Zalewski as seen at Knockdown Center for the Nasty Women art exhibition
Art by Debra Wright as seen at Knockdown Center for the Nasty Women art exhibition. This item was not for sale.
Art by Diane Bronstein: “Grab This!” As seen at Knockdown Center for the Nasty Women art exhibition
“Trump This!” Art by Sandra Kopeonen as seen at Knockdown Center for the Nasty Women art exhibition
Anonymous. Art by Athea Blem. As seen at Knockdown Center for the Nasty Women art exhibition
Various artwork. As seen at Knockdown Center for the Nasty Women art exhibition
The entire weekend at Knockdown Center was dedicated to raising funds for organizations that would be unfortunately affected by the upcoming Trump administration. What seems to be the beginning of the Resistance art movement, there’s other upcoming Nasty Women events happening all over the world. Check here if you would like to be involved.
Attendee at the Nasty Women art exhibition at Knockdown Center. Queens, NY. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Jan. 2017.
Right after Commander Cheetos got elected, there were immediate calls of action. Especially in the art field.
One of them was Knockdown Center who had an open call for their upcoming Nasty Women exhibition. Proud to say my illustration was accepted into the show taking place Jan. 12 – 15, 2017. The opening reception will be on Thursday Jan. 12th from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.
Image: Clive Murphy
Proceeds from all sales will benefit Planned Parenthood. To find out more about Nasty Women, click here.
My print of the illustration #trumpsucksballs will be part of the display. Basically I took a combination of a lewd joke and a popular Instagram hashtag which resulted in this:
Since the result of the presidential election, I’ve decided to get more involved in women’s and LBGQT issues.
I’ve also put this image as a greeting card. So if you would like to order one for yourself, It’s $4.00 ($3.00 + $1.00 for S&H). Comes in cellophane with an orange envelope. You can send payment to PsychoBunnycomix@aol.com. Just be sure and specify “Trump card” when ordering. The card is blank inside so you can mail your own personalized message to the White House. Again, this card will not be available at all future events due to the nature of this work.
You know you feel the same way too…even if 2017 seems scarier.
Introducing the Psycho Bunny sketch of the week.
How Psycho Bunny feels about 2016. The Psycho Bunny sketch of the week. Based on the comic written and drawn by Michele Witchipoo, published on WitchesBrewPress. Dec. 2016.
I was being nice with the title of this blog post.
For this blog, I’ve more or less stayed away from politics, except for the webcomic Shitty Mickey and occasional mentions of Occupy Wall Street. That was way back when, however. In late 2016, it’s a whole other matter. What 2017 will bring is very unnerving.
Getting to the point, I’m not happy with the current president-elect. I think he’s unfit for office, and a very dangerous man. The last thing you need to read is yet another blog offering up political opinions. So I’ll let the below image speak for itself.
WARNING: NOT SAFE FOR WORK (NSFW)
I was aiming for tacky, lewd and orange. Oh, and the hashtag I got from Instagram. So thanks Instagram.
Who knows what 2017 will bring. Perhaps the electoral college will change their votes, or he will get impeached. Pence, his VP is actually worse, but Pence is also a career politician – also less likely to press that red nuclear button. Following Pence is Paul Ryan. Basically we’re doomed.
Never have I been so grateful to live in a blue state in all my life.
In general, 2016 has been a wretched year. For me personally, it’s been kind. On an international level, not so much. What’s worse is for all the nonsense news we hear such as Kayne West meeting up with Trump, Aleppo was being bombed. Hell, I even surprised myself by shedding a tear for Mohammad Alaa Jaleel. He’s better known as “The cat man of Aleppo.” If you don’t know who he is, you should. A fellow cat lover who risked his life to help care of all the stray and abandoned cats in war torn East Aleppo. He has everything to lose and nothing to gain by taking care of these animals, but he has something that’s becoming increasingly rare today – compassion. If anyone deserves the Noble Peace Prize, it’s him.
Enough of my soap box. I’ve made greeting cards out of that repulsive image that resembles Cheetos man. I’m NOT going to be selling these cards at every future event. If I decide to, i’ll be very selective as to where. Regardless, these will be available on demand. If you want this card, you can send $3.00 to PayPal. Some of the proceeds from this card will be donated to charity. Just haven’t decided which one as of yet. Maybe it’ll be a feminist organization, an LGBT group, or for Standing Rock, or towards the Cat Man of Aleppo. As long as it’s a reputable charity. We’ll see how many are actually sold. Regardless. Buy a card for someone you loathe.
#trumpsucksballs greeting card. Dec. 2016.
For the past month, I’ve been passing this wall inside the Union Square subway station in NYC. Here’s some of the photos I’ve taken. I also added to this Post-It wall. Some of the Post-It notes are now being archived.
You can kinda tell which ones I did. And yeah…I did the testicles one too.
2016 has been an overwhelming year. It’s enough to make anyone misanthropic. So before I go, I’ll leave you with this meme. Cause if you’re going to be misanthropic, make sure it’s everyone equally.
There was a mention about the upcoming Krampus Holiday Fair this Saturday, happening over at The Cobra Club in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Free admission. You can read about the write-up over at qns.com. You can also check out the Facebook invite here.
There will be talented vendors selling various crafts and artisan goods. Check out the Facebook invite for details. I’ll be there selling my handmade tree ornaments, greeting cards and comics. See you there this Saturday.
From Thursday Oct. 6 to Sunday Oct. 9, I felt as if I lived at the Javits Center. That’s because it was the annual New York Comic Con. Earlier this year I received my Pro pass for which itself felt good.
As usual it was packed and the cosplayers were out in full force.
NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo Oct. 2016
To the left as you walked into the main entrance, there was a entire section dedicated to Wonder Woman. Not just because the Wonder Woman movie will be released in 2017, but Oct. 2016 marked the 75th anniversary of the character’s first appearance. There were also a lot more Wonder Woman cosplay than ever before.
Wonder Woman booth at NYCC. Oct. 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo
Wonder Woman booth at NYCC. Oct. 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo
Wonder Woman booth at NYCC. Oct. 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo
Wonder Woman booth at NYCC. Oct. 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo
Wonder Woman cosplay at NYCC. Oct. 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo
To my relief there wasn’t as many Harley Quinns, but plenty of Pokemon characters. There was some unique ones that stood out above the others. Darth Maul looks happy here.
NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo Oct. 2016
NYCC 2016 had an increase in Bob’s Burgers cosplayers. Louise and Tina Belcher were the most seen. Occasionally you would run into the entire family.
NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo Oct. 2016
NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
During the course of the four day event, I checked out a few panels. Panels are very good. For one, they give you a wealth of information in regards to the comic book industry, or discuss pop culture. If all else fails, you can rest your weary feet in the seat closest to an outlet to recharge your cell.
The Panel for Trump Magazine (No, not Donald!), a short-lived publication from the 1950s.
The other panel that grabbed my attention was the panel titled ‘Bringing Stories To Life: Holding a Comic Con at Your Library.’ Here local librarians from Connecticut explained the ins and outs of operating local comic cons from the library.
Librarians from CT discuss how to do comic cons at the local library. NYCC Panel. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016.
Back for more cosplay.
NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
Classic Planet of The Apes. NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
One thing you cannot forget. The real reason why we have comic cons in the first place. To promote comics. As in artists, writers, pencilers, inkers, etc. Onward to Artist Alley.
Walking around the Javits Center was exhausting. It was time to head home and come back another day.
During the NYCC, I found out there was going to be a panel for the latest Planet of The Apes reboot series. Since I was a huge fan of POTA, I trekked all the way out of the Javits Center to the Theater At Madison Square Garden. That’s where they held the special events, like the one for Doctor Who earlier during NYCC.
Point blank, this Q&A ‘career conversation’ with actor Andy Serkis, who portrays Ceasar in the Apes reboot was the only letdown during NYCC 2106. This might be clarified why in separate blog post.
Actor Andy Serkis after finishing his Q&A panel during NYCC 2016.
I stuck around however to catch the Stan Lee panel at the same venue. Which went off much smoother. Moderated by film director and famous geek Kevin Smith, the panel also had Walt Simonson and Chris Claremount. The packed house was treated to an oral recollection of Marvel comic history. Insert very crappy photo of the panel itself.
Very bad, blurry photo of the Stan Lee panel at NYCC 2016 with Kevin Smith, Walt Simonson and Chris Claremount.
Barely getting enough rest, it was time to head back to NYCC.
Classic Star Trek cosplay on the NYC subway. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016.
Since NYCC has become so popular, expect free swag. During the weekend I got a free Monster energy drink which I usually never touch, some wafer cookies and a complimentary sample of Death Coffee.
The cosplaying continued.
Ronald McDonald as Thor. NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016.
The last day of NYCC was spent getting merch I didn’t need like this Muttley POP. Then off to cruise Artist Alley once more.
Troma booth at NYCC 2016. Photo by Michele Wtichipoo Oct. 2016.
Adult Swim book at NYCC 2016.
Various Planet of The Apes art
Planet of The Apes motion book display as seen during NYCC 2016
This year there was some new interesting talent in Artist Alley, as well as those established such as Terry Moore (Strangers In Paradise), Joe Staton, and Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon).
One person that stood out was graffiti artist Andre Charles, otherwise known as ACharlesNYC. I brought a pin from him. He was so kind to give me a second one for free. Which was a score because I was having trouble which color to choose from. Besides, it’s always good to share old school NYC memories with someone.
Another new comic I discovered during NYCC was titled Pugly.
Also snagged a free issue of Faith, a popular comic book title now published by Valiant.
Of course some more cosplay.
NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
Some T-Rex creatures were spotted as well.
Another trend I noticed. This year people were cosplaying with their pet dogs. I asked someone cosplaying a character from Adventure Time how he got his dog in. He replied listing your pup as a service dog. While it’s cute, I was left wondering if it was safe at all for the dogs themselves.
Adventure Time cosplay. NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016.
Another curious observation during the NYCC weekend. I kept on seeing something scribbled on the bathroom doors inside the ladies room. Later I discovered it was a quote from The Handmaid’s Tale in Latin: ‘don’t let the bastard grind you down.’ Quite fitting for these times, especially during the current U.S. Presidential election, in which NYCC was the perfect escape from. Ironically, this was the same weekend that news broke out about Trump ‘grabbing pussy.’
Quote from Margaret Atwood’s book The Handmaid’s Tale in Latin: ‘Don’t Let The Bastards Grind You Down.’ NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
In all it was fun as always. Maybe one day I’ll have another table at NYCC Artist Alley again. Till next year.
Superheroes resting at the shoe shine stand. NYCC 2016. Photo taken by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016.
WitchesBrewPress's Blog 