M. R. Kessell
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mrkessell.bsky.social
M. R. Kessell
@mrkessell.bsky.social
2.3K followers 1.5K following 3.6K posts
Weird Artist. Writer and Illustrator of Comics (Batboy & the Art of Self-Sabotage, Shvitzin’ to the Small Stuff) Thinks he’s funny.

https://mrkessell.com

Avi: Skeletal Tillie grinning
Banner: Batboy lying in a pile of leaves on an Autumn day
Posts Replies Media Videos
mrkessell.bsky.social
If you see this, post a monster
A digital mixed media illustration of a monster head, his green eyes are wide, he looks shocked, or scared, his toothy mouth is agape. His head is colorful with a mix of red, blue and green. On a rough black background.
November 25, 2025 at 6:45 PM
mrkessell.bsky.social
My assistant
A Tortie cat stands and pokes her head through the back of an old wooden chair with a lamp on the seat.
November 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM
mrkessell.bsky.social
If you purchase any of my art you will receive strict instructions on how to set up the installation in your home.
Behind the scenes photo of a marionette suspended from an old wooden easel, with a beehive shaped table lamp lighting the scene on a wooden folding chair in front of a black back drop.
November 23, 2025 at 3:41 PM
mrkessell.bsky.social
Finished the difficult marionette. As of yet untitled. Formerly known as Oskar.
November 21, 2025 at 6:35 PM
mrkessell.bsky.social
My two modes right now:
A comic panel showing a close up of Boyd Batkowsky, a bat boy, with a smart phone in his hand partially obscuring his face, we see a social media feed reflected in his large red eyes, he’s liked a still of Vampira and Tor Johnson from Plan 9 from Outer Space as well as a still from Manos the Hands of Fate. Black text over a blue background says “SCROLL SCROLL SCROLL SCROLL” A comic panel showing Boyd Batkowsky, a bat boy, slumped over his drawing board with pencil and paper in hand as he says, “Ughhhhhhh, I’m dyin’ here.”
November 20, 2025 at 4:42 PM
mrkessell.bsky.social
Did I ever tell you guys about that time I went fishing in the Gowanus Canal?
A work in progress pencil drawing of a mummified rat head and torso with a bottom half that’s a fish tail on a grayish blue background. A Gowanus Mermaid.
November 19, 2025 at 3:51 AM
mrkessell.bsky.social
Enjoy Yourself with this original ink drawing

mrkessellart.etsy.com/listing/4404...
Ink drawing of a cute grim reaper giving the thumbs up with the words “enjoy yourself” written on his scythe’s blade
November 18, 2025 at 4:39 PM
mrkessell.bsky.social
I’ve added some original drawings to my shop. These are one of a kind, handmade, on paper, and ready for a new home.

mrkessellart.etsy.com/listing/4404...
Detail photo of an ink illustration on watercolor paper showing a rocky, tree filled mountainous landscape with a tiny figure of a wizard in a black cloak walking up what appear to be winding steps, but twisting around a mountain peak is the head of a dragon hunting the wizard.
November 18, 2025 at 2:22 PM
mrkessell.bsky.social
This imp’s for you
Digital ink drawing of a bug eyed imp grinning with long thin curved horns
November 17, 2025 at 5:06 AM
mrkessell.bsky.social
Marionette Update: too many strings
Close up photo of a marionette with a sack-like mask sewn on his head and hanging from various types of string in an awkward pose
November 16, 2025 at 10:23 PM
mrkessell.bsky.social
New prints available in my Etsy shop!

mrkessellart.etsy.com/listing/4405...
Mixed media portrait of a fuzzy creature, bathed in lime light, its head resembles a humanoid feline, it looks as if moss is growing on its body, it has wide set eyes because its head is kinda splitting apart, but it is in no distress
November 15, 2025 at 3:19 PM
mrkessell.bsky.social
Been a weird week. Lost my job due to company closing, acquired insomnia, and resumed fiddling with some old art projects.
A polymer clay marionette of a cartoony man, bandaged and wearing a strange cloth sack over his frowning face
November 15, 2025 at 5:46 AM
mrkessell.bsky.social
Happy Halloween from the Original Party Mummy
A guy in a mummy costume pointing at the camera, in addition to the traditional gauzy wrappings, the mummy is wrapped in orange, green, and purple party streamers and he has a red lamp shade on his head.
October 31, 2025 at 12:39 PM
mrkessell.bsky.social
Cartoon skull guy in a suit shuffling off this mortal coil saying “what a relief!”
October 16, 2025 at 2:52 AM
mrkessell.bsky.social
Lucky duck
Comic illustration of Boyd Batkowsky, a batboy, standing hunched over while his mental illness rests standing on his shoulders. It is an old-timey devilish creature wearing a top hat and monocle, a leopard print caveman suit, and he has Popeye arms. Batboy considers himself lucky that his mental illness predates the advent of smart phones, social media, and online sports gambling.
October 6, 2025 at 4:51 PM
mrkessell.bsky.social
Limelite
Mixed media portrait of a fuzzy creature, bathed in lime light, its head resembles a humanoid feline, it looks as if moss is growing on its body, it has wide set eyes because its head is kinda splitting apart, but it is in no distress
September 26, 2025 at 1:37 AM
mrkessell.bsky.social
Mother Pepper

I’ll have a few of these prints at Artmageddon Sunday too
Digital stippled pen illustration of an older woman’s head, with frilly finger like hair on a rickety structure of crisscrossed lines and dots. On a solid pink background.
September 24, 2025 at 9:05 PM
mrkessell.bsky.social
🍂It’s officially Autumn! Quote post with your Autumn themed art.🍂
Painting of a jolly autumnal forest spirit, with a pumpkin like head, and raggedy white black and orange suit, he sits pointing to the sky, in a clearing surrounded by orange and yellow foliage
September 23, 2025 at 10:56 PM
mrkessell.bsky.social
One week from today, put on your boogie shoes and come hang out with me (and 300 more artists) in Brooklyn!

It’s Artmageddon time!
Illustrated Comic poster for Artmageddon 2025 featuring a weirdo green alien dude with many eyes, dressed in 1970s style blue sparkly pant, white gray platform shoes, an orange big collared shirt and an ostentatious wide brimmed feathered hat. He’s singing into a microphone: “We’re gonna boogie on down to…” while standing on top of large funky text that says “Artmageddon”
September 22, 2025 at 2:36 AM
mrkessell.bsky.social
Been trying to paint lately.
Comic illustration of Boyd Batkowsky, a batboy, standing before a large painting, with paintbrush in hand, he studies the perfectly acceptable results. He says, “Hmph. Yes…yes…like this, but better.”
September 17, 2025 at 4:31 PM
mrkessell.bsky.social
Just popping in for a moment.
How you all holding up?
A colorful monster portrait in red, blue and green
August 26, 2025 at 4:20 PM
mrkessell.bsky.social
My reading list is already kaiju-sized, so it’s fitting to receive In the Shadow of Extinction by @kellywarner.bsky.social !!!

Can’t wait to get into the terrifying giant monster action!
Photo of a book, In The Shadow of Extinction by Kelly Warner, showing an enormous, dinosaur-like spiky Kaiju in the rubble of a burning city
April 29, 2025 at 12:48 PM
mrkessell.bsky.social
You think my sweater is cool
A cartoony green humanoid bug-like fellow, with an elongated sweater-clad body, holds his tiny hands on freakishly long arms up to his head as red beams radiate outward, obviously from his psychic brain, transmitting some message.
April 25, 2025 at 1:51 AM
mrkessell.bsky.social
Closer inspection of the frog guru print
Photo of a print of a pencil illustration of a frog creature, standing upright with its hands raised, it is a wrinkled greenish yellow amphibian with a bright aura surrounding its head and hands. Thin mushrooms sprout from its head. Its eyes are spiral like cinnamon buns. You can find faces hidden in the folds of its chin, it wears a loose muumuu or kaftan in purple pink and blue. The background is blue.
April 24, 2025 at 2:01 PM
mrkessell.bsky.social
Selfportraitawkwarddemonaliensasquatch
Pencil portrait illustration of a weird creature, that has deep set eyes with droopy bags below, a grimacing mouth with large teeth, and horn and tusk like protrusions. It’s skin is orange and red which blends purple as it moves to the blue background
April 24, 2025 at 1:52 PM