We’re Number—Wha?

| M. R. Kessell

We’re NUMBER ONE…I mean, err, umm, we’re number nine hundred thousand two…five hundred thirty…one!

We’re halfway there!

I usually avoid paying attention to these numbers, but I was just curious how my latest book is faring on the Amazon Best Sellers List. It could be worse, I guess.

And in other news, Batboy and the Art of Self-Sabotage received its first review! Take a look:

Batboy is all of us. Self-sabotage and all. Lovely artwork and color, with a unique voice. There's even callouts to Gorey! And as a bonus there is a sketchbook of Batboy at the end. I loved it.

Wow, FIVE STARS! Thank you, Andrew! I might have to quote you on that! Actually, I think I will right now, in a large bold font:

“Batboy is all of us. Self-sabotage and all. Lovely artwork and color, with a unique voice. There’s even callouts to Gorey! And as a bonus there is a sketchbook of Batboy at the end. I loved it.”

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON – CLICK THAT IMAGE!

I almost forgot to say, HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYBODY! I hope you had a great bunch of holidays. Since it’s a new year, expect to see some new Batboys too.

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter you can see some new stuff right now!

Until next time!

Walls!

| M. R. Kessell

Potatoes and the Promise of More Potatoes

The Antonine Wall - Scottish CanalsA wall is defined as “a structural element used to divide or enclose”. Like when your brother-in-law tried to put up sheet-rock in your basement and your family was divided between those who wanted to not pay him and those who wanted to put him into rehab…

☺

Only on rare occasions are partition walls load-bearing. How can you tell if it is? Slide the walls back and wait for the floor above to come to you.

☺

The word “wall” originally only referred to defensive walls; i.e. walls built to slow the attack of an enemy… unless your brother-in-law built it. In that case, the enemy might not have even noticed the wall.

☺

A firewall is a wall that burns slower than the other walls of a building so allow the occupants time to get out or to save that baseball you own that was autographed by a…

View original post 304 more words

Batboy and the Art of Self-Sabotage (A Book)

| M. R. Kessell

I’m excited to announce that I’ve published my second book!

Cover artwork for Batboy and the Art of Self-Sabotage
Batboy and the Art of Self-Sabotage

Available now on Amazon! Click Here!

This is a collection of the first fifty installments of the Batboy comic, which were originally published on social media from February to December 2021. You can see a previous post about Batboy here.

Batboy is my anxious alter ego and a vehicle for some of my random ridiculous thoughts.

I’m super excited to see Batboy in print, the full-color illustrations boldly leap off the page, even though Batboy himself is far from bold. You can see a small selection of Batboy for free on Instagram and Twitter. But if you want to make Batboy your own, please check him out on Amazon.

Shop Update & A Milestone For Batboy

| M. R. Kessell

I’m really excited to share this NEW DESIGN in my Amazon T-shirt store! This abomination was the result of a T-shirt design competition(which I lost) but I couldn’t let this gnarly creature go! So now he’s available in a variety of colors (including GREEN, which makes a perfect Christmas gift, wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more!) Follow the link!

Batboy # 49

In other news, my comic Batboy is nearing its 50th installment and I have no clue what’s in store for this milestone. Hopefully I’m not building it up too much. I’m already underwhelmed.

There’s another Batboy project in the works, can’t share too much at the moment, but I tell you it’s gonna be big!

So stay tuned for some new Batboy shenanigans, you can follow along on Instagram and Twitter.

Until next time!

BROOKLYN HORROR CON THIS WEEK!

| M. R. Kessell

HEY EVERYBODY! I’m going to keep this post short, I’ve got a lot of work left to do for the Brooklyn Horror Con this Saturday and Sunday. Come down and ENJOY YOURSELF!

I’ll be in the Artists’ Alley with original paintings, prints, mugs, sculptures, and books!

Bela says, “YOU WILL COME TO THE BROOKLYN HORROR CONVENTION, MY CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT!”

You don’t want to let Bela down, do you?

Okay, be there and be square.

Later!

Brooklyn Horror con 2021

| M. R. Kessell

GREETINGS, CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT!

I’m super excited to announce that I will be appearing at the first annual Brooklyn Horror Convention October 23rd & 24th 2021. You can find me somewhere in the Artist Alley. I will post more info as it becomes available.

In preparation for my first real convention appearance, I’ve been painting up a storm and having a blast!

Below you can see one of my dear friends who will be attending the convention.

Portrait of Bela Lugosi, Acrylic on 11x14 Canvas Board by M. R. Kessell 2021
Portrait of Bela Lugosi, Acrylic on 11×14 Canvas Board

In addition to my original paintings, I will have an assortment of prints and postcards. Good ol’ Pumpkinspice will be on hand to ruin your pastries and spoil your coffee drinks.

The Return of Pumpkinspice, 11x14 print by M.R. Kessell
Pumpkinspice ruining your breakfast

I will also have a few copies of my illustrated book on hand. Pick one up for the monster kid in your life. I’ll even sign it for you (although that might actually decrease its value.)

If you can’t wait until October, you can order a copy from Amazon, by clicking here!

I’ll be posting more in the upcoming weeks, I’ve got quite a few new artworks to share with you! Hopefully you’ll want to come peep them in person.

I might also do a few posts on the logistical prep as an artist for their first convention appearance. I’m learning a lot and hope the info could be helpful to some of you.

Until next time!

Curse of the Zombie Witch

| M. R. Kessell

Greetings friends!

Sorry it’s been so long since my last post. There was a lot going on recently.

For one thing, I now have an actual art space/office where I can physically put paint on canvas like this:

You can check this out over in my portfolio.

“Curse of the Zombie Witch” is the temporary title I’ve assigned to this piece. I’m open to better suggestions.

I hadn’t really planned out this post, so I will leave it there. Maybe I’ll show you my new art space in the near future.

Talk to you guys soon!

Don’t Forget to Like and Subscribe

| M. R. Kessell
Illustrated headstone, with decorative carved skull and flowers with an epitaph that reads "Don't forget to like and subscribe."

I don’t often like to promote my own merchandise, it just feels dirty to me, I don’t know. But the image above has been added to my shop at redbubble, you can pick up a print if you so choose.

Or just enjoy it on your screen.

Of course I provide many, many illustrations on my website or on social media for free, you should, uh, not forget to like and subscribe.

cartoon batboy looks out an old victorian stained glass window on a rainy day, the quote below reads: "Rainy days are a relief, I suffer no guilt about remaining indoors."

For instance, have you seen the latest installment in my original Batboy series? You can find him on Instagram and Twitter, hopefully he’ll make you laugh.

Until next time!

Enter Sadman

| M. R. Kessell
A sad batman turns his back on the bat signal because he feels they only call when they need something.

Ain’t that always the way?

We all know people like that, or we’ve done it ourselves. Make sure to check in with your friends and family just for the heck of it. It’s as simple as a text (although a phone call is good too.) Ask them how they’re doing.

BS with them a little bit.

They will appreciate it. And you’ll feel better too.

This is my message to you, internet. Now excuse me, I have some calls to make…