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What do you get when you combine local self-publishing artists, a love for zines, and a cat? You get mishmish.ca, a brand new website that launched on Thursday night inside Jamie’s Area (which is a relatively new multi-purpose space located in Kensington Market). The site – named for Mish Mish the cat – is the brainchild of local artists Laura McCoy and Jesjit Gill, and sells zines, comics, posters, and art books. The launch party had a wide array of things to look at and listen to – there was a DJ, poetry readings, music performances, and of course, a number of cool zines and prints to admire.
Attendees were treated to the eye candy of various artwork, such as the poster by Andrew Zukerman (center)
McCoy and Gill tell me they snagged the idea for Mish Mish from two similar websites, which are run out of Switzerland and New York. McCoy hopes the website will encourage more people to self-publish, at the same time as providing an outlet for zines to be sold year-round. “There’s really no permanent place for this sort of thing”, she adds, “And there’s not really much space for zines on the internet”. The site currently is home to roughly ten artists, though McCoy says they’re planning on expanding. “We’re accepting submissions from anyone,” she told me, though submissions will be reviewed. “We just sell stuff we like by people we dig,” the website quips – so if the duo likes what they see, they’ll house it on Mish Mish. And I’ve got to admit – some of the stuff they’re offering is pretty cool.
I love the tees on the far end - it's too bad they didn't come in girly sizes.
One of my favourite items was a set of really sweet, screened baby blue tees. McCoy tells me they were printed by artist Peter Kalyniuk, who has been self publishing for a decade. His work is available on the website – though sadly, the t-shirts are not – and there are both other established names from the zine world and work from newer artists available for purchase. Currently the site has about ten different items offered, but I’m assured more features will be added soon - such as a virtual poster room for your viewing pleasure. “We’ll probably end up breaking the rules and selling music soon too,” McCoy tells me with a laugh.
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Prices run anywhere from $2 to $20, solely dependent on the printing process (for example, whether it’s photocopied or screened). “It’s really not about making a profit,” says McCoy, “it’s about getting our work out there”.
