Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Prebich.
Michelle, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am based out of Southern California and a great deal of my environment has shaped my style and aesthetic. I’ve been drawing since I was a kid and never in a thousand years could I have imagined that one day I’d be selling my work.
Bat in Your Belfry is a project I started back in 2012 as a way to create unusual and handmade goods. It honestly started as a side project to have fun. I created things that I would want to own and it brings me great joy to geek out with fellow enthusiasts of the unusual and macabre.
Having had studied film, most of my crafting and art abilities were used for props and fabrication. While I was living and working art department gigs in Los Angeles, Bat in Your Belfry began growing in the background. I started out with an Etsy shop and a few horror specific shows including one of my first convention shows being ScareLA back in 2015.
I began to branch out and started doing a wide variety of shows including the Pasadena Rosebowl Flea market (which I still do every month). Now we partake in conventions across Southern California and are beginning to branch out to Northern California as well.
I am constantly humbled at just how much this little side project has grown. I’ve been given the opportunity to illustrated horror anthologies, design album covers, animation music videos and convention t-shirts. I’ve also had the pleasure of being a guest artist in shows including Fan Alley and Slashback Video. You can expect to see us at upcoming shows Mid Summer Scream in Long Beach, ScareLA in Los Angeles, and Beyond Fest Expo LA (formerly Comikaze).
Has it been a smooth road?
Because my art is so specific, I always thought I’d have a hard time finding an audience outside of seasons like Halloween. Time and time again I’ve been surprised just to how broad the appeal of darker themed art is and it’s been very encouraging as an artist.
Not all shows are equal and there are definitely times when it’s slow and then you begin to question yourself and what does it mean to be an artist in today’s society. That’s always fun but, I think self-reflection and a constant checking of yourself as an artist is good and needed for growth.
I’ve been lucky in that each year I’ve grown an audience and market organically and I wouldn’t continue doing what I’m doing if there wasn’t such a supportive audience.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Bat in Your Belfry – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Bat in Your Belfry is a collection of original macabre art, and art pieces curated and mostly created by myself, Michelle Prebich. The past year or two I’ve begun to expand and include art by Daniel Paz of Rest in Paz and art from illustrator/animator (and also sister) Justine Prebich under the brand.
While I don’t have a brick and mortar store, our storefront pops up at local Los Angeles events and shows throughout the year as well as an Etsy store online.
Bat in Your Belfry specializes in the unique quirky and the macabre. You’ll often find unique twists on familiar pop culture themes, existential, and romantic era topics. I sell mostly reproduction prints of my art at an affordable price as I believe that art should be accessible no matter what anyone’s budget is.
We recently started carrying enamel pins and have seen a very passionate community and response to the designs.
I’ve always created art on topics that speak to me, a lot of that being obscure history. One of my personal favorite topics is that of Plague Doctors from the bubonic plague. A very strange and forget a bit of medical history from a dark time period in world history. These “doctors” unknowingly created the first hazmat suits but the image is very alarming and striking; robed birdmen.
I have several pieces dedicated to this topic and a few pins. It always makes me excited to interact with fellow enthusiasts of the macabre and bizarre which this topic for certain falls under.
I guess in the end, what I’m most proud with Bat in Your Belfry is that it started truly from me just doodling and an idea that perhaps I might be able to share these doodles and ideas. Little did I know that I would be able to create a viable business by stepping outside the box of my comfort zone.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Los Angeles can be overwhelming in terms of the scope of its size and I haven’t met anyone yet who actually enjoys sitting in traffic. That being said… This city certainly has a hum of energy people hoping to succeed in whatever it is you are pursuing. I feel that for certain no matter where I am in the city.
Once you dive under the surface of the tourism and big industry. There are a lot of passionate people taking risks creating art and setting up establishments to support that creative growth. The little nooks of creative spaces and galleries are in my opinion the heart of the city. For example, one of my favorite places I’ve partaken in a gallery is the Mystic Museum in Burbank on Magnolia. There are lots of amazing little galleries and specialty stores like them in the area that really support a dynamic artist community.
Pricing:
- Enamel Pins About $10.00
- Art Prints range from $10.00-$20.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena, CA 91103
- Website: batinyourbelfry.etsy.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @batinyourbelfry
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/BatInYourBelfry
- Twitter: @batinyourbelfry
- Other: batinyourbelfry.com
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
