Jennifer DeRosa
Hello, I'm Jen.
Creativity Is my Superpower
The Witch's Cottage
This project was supposed to be a small tea and coffee cafe, what it became is nothing short of a fully immersive art installation. My friends (and Bosses) Danielle Ozymandias and Celina Surniak sat me down after acquiring a lease for a 10,000 ft historical building in Los Angeles. We all knew we were embarking on a long and arduous journey with high hopes of creating a community space for the weirdos. The project was daunting, but I just kept saying one foot in front of the other, take it project by project. 10 months after we began they opened their doors as a Cafe, Restaurant, Performance Space and Tavern themed for immersive DnD campaigns.
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We prioritized Recycling products as fundraising was still in action when we started. All three of us have theater backgrounds so when you don't have the money to buy something, you make it or reach out to the community for help. And the community answered. Volunteers, other artists and investors joined us in tearing apart the previous restaurant concept and rebuilding our magical forest. This special magical place is probably the most of myself I have put out into the world. And my hope is that everyone who comes in sees a whimsical part of themselves that gives them a welcoming hug.
The Pacific Security Bank built in the 1920's, 5303 Lankershim Blvd.
The Cafe
We re-vamped the existing tables by cutting them to organic tree stump shapes and painting them like old big tree slices. The other tables me gave a magical little overhaul.
We did not have $$ to tear out these restrooms and start fresh. In an ideal world We would have many individual bathroom stalls with a common hand washing station. You can't have truly gender neutral bathrooms without the full separation, but it was important to us to make it clear that people should use whichever room makes them the most comfortable. Just wash your hands!
The Restaurant
When I conceptualized the restaurant, I wanted to put the focus on the different practices of magic. aWe decided on a dark saturated rainbow of colors that blend from one booth to the other. The bar underwent some practical changes, shelving and lights, we invited artists to form a day in the life of a forest meadow -- dawn, midday, evening and midnight. Speaking of bars -- this is one of my many collaborators our High Alchemist Matticus. Without his expansive knowledge of restaurants and the industry I'm positive we would have taken some wrong turns.
The Wheel of the Year
The Pagan Holidays are well celebrated in this community and the Wheel reminds us that progress is measured in cycles. I took inspiration from multiple wheel designs pulling the elements or objects that help exemplify the holidays.
Cosmic /Astrological Witch
Dianic / Moon Witch
Birch Forest to the Elevator
The Canopy
In the heart of the restaurant is our forest canopy. We built these trees, We built the branches, I hung all that wisteria (fire proofed of course). You feel like you've walked into a forest clearing when you are in it.
Forest Witch
Here we have a gorgeous collaboration for a tree of life the represents Spring through Winter. Forest witches are also Green witches, specializing in plants and herbs.
I themed all the tables to the booths but I will admit this stained glass crow is my absolute favorite.
Sea Witch
Here I made an Octopus (Octavia) from a vintage vanity mirror, and gave the lights a Jellyfish make over (Thema and Louise). Sea witches utilize water and objects found near water in their practice, and follow the moons cycles as well as tidal rhythms.
Divination
Booth
You're not supposed to have favorite children but this one is mine! Diviners are
readers of crystal balls, palms, tea leaves, tarot, psychic mediums, energy healers. We also built a small stage here for story telling or small musical acts.
Absolutely my most favorite art piece I made in this process.
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Another of my favorite tables.
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Hearth Witch
Crystal Witch
For those drawn to rocks and crystals, I painted a crystal grid in this table and embedded a piece of Selenite that cleanses energy and charges the crystals. Crystal witches and come and perform magic at this table if they want!
Kitchen Witch
My dearest Danielle is a Kitchen Witch so she curated this section, I wanted it to feel like an old school kitchen, like a table you've sat at before. Kitchen witches bless up with their food and embrace us with comfort.
