Mitch O'Connell: February 2011

Monday, February 28, 2011

From the Archives!

A gallery masterwork titled "Call 911". Thought this would be helpful if mass produced and hung in all homes as a useful guide demonstrating many situations where dialing 911 would be called for.
Just another example of Mitch giving back.
You're welcome!

From the Archives!

Had all my envelopes printed with this catchy design for a year or so. Only drawback was when I put them outside for the postman to pick up, neighborhood delinquents, apparently believing the hyperbole, would snatch 'em from the mailbox.
Damn kids! Get off my lawn!

From the Archives!

My 1st grade talent show entry was an on stage drawing demonstration as I espoused a bit o learning 'bout the dinosaurs. I lightly prepenciled the yellow posterboard that gave the illusion I was a magic marketing right out of my head. Also had some humor mixed in (that I'm guessing went unheard since I was facing away from the PS 24 audience). As I went over the outline of the stegosaurus's spiked tail, my jaunty hee-haw-larious patter went a little something like this... "Y'know, when he hit the other dinosaurs, they were sure to get the point!"
I went home and promptly fired my mother from my joke writing sta

Friday, February 25, 2011

Always Fashionable!

After returning from chores at Jewel, Staples, the bank and Home Depot daughter Kieran pointed out in a "laughing at" way that I had inadvertently made a new fashion statement. You'd think the person whose room is being painted pink wouldn't make such fun of the person doing the painting!

From the Archives!

As the weather reports threaten enough snow to bury everyone up to their shoulders in Chicago, I've been inspired to dig up another ye olden Christmas card!

From the Archives!

A one day sabbatical from my art has passed, and now back to…
From the Archives!
A piece that actually sold at a gallery show! I wish I could remember how I did that!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Mary Tyler Moore Hijinks!

I love art that is driven. Where you can tell whatever was brewing inside it's creator is just bubbling up to the surface and is gonna spew, so all you can do is get outta the way and shield your eyes.
These personal pieces are from the estate of... I can say no more... but they show the intense, crazy, dizzying fascination he has with everyone's sweetheart, Mary Tyler Moore. The under the mattress masterpieces are pieced together from porno magazines, TV Guides, newspaper clippings and photos snapped off the screen. Some are fairly tame and others would be completely obligated by red censor dots if I attempted to post 'em.
On a personal note, when I pass, if someone could just empty out my bottom left desk drawer and burn the contents (without looking), I'd sure appreciate it!

From the Archives!

Sumpthin' a 'lil more recent (within the last 10 years)...

From the Archives!

The '80's again! I've got a 7 foot stack of my art from this decade.
Lucky you!

From the Archives!

‎(you) Mitch, please clutter up the blog with more of your art, because we all firmly believe that any time your pen has touched paper it should be posted for the world to marvel at!
(me) Sorry, but I'm much too busy to…
(you) PLEASE! PLEASE!! PLEASE!!!
(me) Oh, all right!
From the Archives!
Another early business card featuring a seemingly living dead Elvis...

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

From the Archives!

If you were on my Christmas card mailing list in 1991, this is what you would've found waiting in your mailbox sometime in December (or possibly January. I'm blaming the Chicago post office)!

From the Archives!

Where art directors on a budget might have first come across my doodles, the clip art company Dynamic Graphics. This was their big monthly subscribers book titled "PMS".
Get the juvenile chuckles out.
I'll wait.
It stands for "Print Media Services".
Now don't you feel silly?
Inside was filled with page after page of illustrations you could, well, clip out and use for whatever your heart desired!

From the Archives!

From the (I don't care if you're sick of 'em) Archives!
The cover (and back cover) of Lollapaloosa, my way back when self published fanzine.
Yes, the lead off article was me explaining the ins and outs of of being a professional comic artist. The fact that I wasn't, well, just shows I've always been about 90% hutzpah!

We interrupt "From the Archives"!

My children have put a crimp in my day.
Here I am celebrating myself, day in and day out, with all the postings of my art as a youngster. The not so subtle message being... I've been unbelievingly GREAT starting DAY ONE!
The kids KNOW how sensitive daddy is, they KNOW that I need CONSTANT praise and adulation, yet, knowing all this, the 12 and 15 year old keep on whipping up artwork better that I ever could at their age.
They can think about that when going to bed early without dessert.

From the Archives!

1991 fever!
This was done for the huge Northalsted Day's block party here in Chicago. I first had the guy with the pipe mirrored on both sides of the gal, but, guessing since it took place in "boystown", was told by the organizers that it wasn't gay enough (I'm quoting). I responded that the pipe smoker was homosexual, but they didn't believe me, so I had to change one of the faces to someone that they thought looked gay.
Art by committee! Oy!

From the Archives!

I went through many phases of being influenced by great artists. I only was able to tap some of their surface techniques (and obviously not that well), but I still had alot of fun being so inspired. In this case, my salute to the amazing JC Leyendecker, an artist who was so out there with talent that I still have no concept of how he did it.

From the Archives!

This theme will stop at some point, so just hang in there!
Was a winner of a draw Beethoven contest (on the occasion of his 200th birthday) by submitting this piece of the maestro deep in thought thinking of all the instruments he could compose for. Including banjo.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

From the Archives!

Mitch at… carry the 7, minus 3… oh, you do the math!
Poster for a Chicago Bettie Page play. Sadly, the one night I went there to see it they only had one paying customer in attendance so the performance was canceled.
I even shrieked (while stamping my feet), "Do you know who I am?!!" to no avail.

From the Archives!

Mitch at 20.
My first piece for Playboy. Thanks to art director (and superstar comic artist) Skip Williamson for giving the helping hand to a young(ish) American Academy of Art student!
If Marvel doesn't want me drawing Conan for 'em I'll take Conan to Playboy!

From the Archives!

Mitch at 16.
One of the many pieces of art submitted to DC Comics in the hope of drawing Batman (I submitted Conan art to Marvel).
Sadly, they didn't realize what a golden opportunity they had knocking at their door.
FYI I'm still great at drawing Batman (and Conan)!
DC?
Marvel?
Hello?

From the Archives!

A Bettie Page/Pop Art mash-up!

From the Archives!

My first and only actual job was spent happily drawing away for a year and a half at FASA, a role-playing game company in Chicago. Started right after leaving art school, but then began to get enough freelance to not bother with 9 to 5 employment. The rest is history!

From the Archives!

I devoured all things Warren as a youngster... Eerie, Creepy and Famous Monsters (and a Vampirella or two).
My 12 year old tribute to Uncle Creepy!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Science Fiction Movie Marathon!

From the Archives!

Revisiting the 80's yet again. Don't turn away, just deal with it!

From the Archives!

A older, wiser and much more insightful Mitch ruminates on… well I'm sure it's fairly obvious to you art and culture connoisseurs.
Without this pieces existence, the careers of Cy Twombly, Jean Michel Basquiat and Jasper Johns would never have been.
You're welcome!

From the Archives!

Still going through all my art (and, believe me, even I'm getting tired of looking at it) and I'm gonna continue to make you deal with it too.
"Genius" is a word I've used to describe myself- but that might be too feeble a word. Behold- Thar She Blows! A 4 year old Mitch Masterwork!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Like Father...

Kieran, besides inheriting my beautiful singing voice and good looks, also dabbles in the arts (I also like to draw in case you couldn't follow the analogy)!
Last night she worked up a Stella McCarthey fashion ad campaign proposal AND found time to sharpie a tramp stamp on me while I enjoyed 30 Rock.
Only 6 short years until she starts earning a living and I can retire!

From the Archives!

WBBWF!
aka "World's Biggest Berni Wrightson Fan" (yes, I know it's Bernie now)!

From the Archives!

Bidding starts NOW on the rights to give "Mr.8" his own comic!

From the Archives!

If you still don't believe me when I tell you how wonderful I am...

Thursday, February 17, 2011

OMG! OMG! and OM freakin' G!

A whole spankin' new bunch of giclee prints are now up 'n available at www.mitchoconnell.com!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Doctor, HELP! They've all fainted from the excitement!
I should have made sure ya'll were sitting first.
My bad!

www.mitchoconnell.com

Catfish - Official Trailer [iamROGUE]

Shame! Shame! Shame! 2

The guys soliciting aren't any more fetching, but that was pretty expected, so not quite as jarring as posting the gals.
Fun Fact! Rhonda Parker went onto fame and fortune under a different name, Judge Judy! So no matter how bleak things sometimes look...

Shame! Shame! Shame!

Just ran across a copy of "Justice Coalition's Victim's Advocate", a free St. Augustine, Florida newspaper that I picked up in 2008 when I was having a show at the wonderful Screen Arts Gallery. The highlight is the "Shame, Shame, Shame" page where mug shots of folks arrested for soliciting and prostitution are printed.
It might just be my city pride talkin', but I think Chicago has MUCH hotter hookers.
Who's with me fellers?!
Am I right or am I right?!!
Hello?

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

From the Archives!

A much more recent masterpiece (cover for While You Were Sleeping magazine)!
Saw Pee Wee at The Park West Theatre a million years ago (before his tv show). Favorite part was when he asked all the audience members to toss their change on stage. "Toss" became "Hurl" as he walked back 'n forth like a carnival rifle range target holding a trash can lid in front of his face.
Jus' waiting for the new show to make it's way to Chicago!

From the Archives!

…as I eased into my fancy pants fashion '80's- '90's period.
Fun Fact! Those "usher" designs were actually laid in the sidewalk in front of the Roger's Park theatre "The Adelphi" on Clark. The movie house has closed, but I haven't checked to see if the uniformed gentleman are still standing/lying there waiting to guide you inside.

From the Archives!

A "still life" assignment while at Clague Middle School in Ann Arbor.
Maybe the correct medication would have helped way back when, but it's much too late now.
Love me for who I am!
Snap!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Culture Time!

I yap about how many things Chicago has going on, yet I rarely leave the warm glow of my Netflix instant que. Today I pried myself off my $39.99 (This Weeks Special!) Staples office chair (suction pop sound goes here) and took in the Jim Nutt exhibit at the MCA (Tuesdays are free!). To all my fellow tri-state residents- I heartily recommend the event! Almost picked up the corresponding book, but it doesn't do justice to seeing the paintings in person (amazing variations of luminescent rich yet subtle colors) , so I'd rather keep them in my memory than be befuddled by the pint size reproductions. I was inspired to rush home and paint, and maybe... just maybe, you will be too!

Day after Valentines Flea Market Finds!

A treasured family heirloom, one of the pieces from my Great Grandmothers set of fine china and glassware.

Day after Valentines Flea Market Finds!

I also find that the one two punch of a great line and no shirt always wins over the females.

Day after Valentines Flea Market Finds!

This was my Match.com ad before spellcheck (but I still always go with "Wuv" no matter what Spellcheck says)!

Day after Valentines Flea Market Finds!

A combo platter of "I Love You" and "I Will Haunt Your Dreams"!

Monday, February 14, 2011

A Glittery Valentine!

Impress your Valentine by sending them the gift of a Colleen Truscott Fry glitter graphic!

Free Valentine Tattoo Design! #3

Or if you REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY like them, that just leaves everyone's favorite person… oh, I'm too embarrassed to say (but I saved you the time by already putting it on the ribbon)!

Free Valentine Tattoo Design! #2

Or if you REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY like them, get this done to show your commitment when you pop the question (first fall in love with someone named "name")
May I suggest...