Hey! Who threw away a perfectly good female?!
To learn more about the man, the myth, the legend, visit www.mitchoconnell.com today!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Women. Our greatest natural resource …for laffs!
Like the wise Dr. Dolitte, we should all listen to the animals!
Women. Our greatest natural resource …for laffs!
There's nothing the fairer sex can't figure out once they put their sweet little minds to work!
Women. Our greatest natural resource …for laffs!
They're cute, but sometimes have quite the problem listening. Don't worry gals, us men still love ya anyhow!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Arty Farty!
More from the 2008 "God Has Forgiven Me (so what's your problem?)" series. Feast your eyes on "The Crafty Beaver"...
Ivan Albright!
I loved the macabre as a youngster, and for at least a couple years, never missed an issue of "Famous Monsters of Filmland" magazine. That's where I first saw Ivan Albrights work used to illustrate an article about "The Picture of Dorian Gray". Ivan had famously painted the decaying horrific and ghastly "After" portrait used in the 1943 MGM movie, and even reproduced in grainy b&w on pulp paper the vision was still psychedelically powerful. I was instantly mesmerized. Turns out we also had a copy of a 1964 exhibition catalog of his work that I started to pour over. The titles were just as riveting as the art and I committed them all to memory. To give you a taste- "Heavy the oar to him that is tired, heavy the coat, heavy the sea", "That which I should have done I did not do" and "There is no time, no end, no today, no yesterday, no tomorrow, only the forever, and forever and forever without end". Now, THAT'S how to name your paintings! My dad, seeing my adulation, sent Mr. Albright a note about his son the fan and seeing if we could visit (can't hurt to ask!). This hand written response came back in the enclosed sase...
"Dear Mr. O'Connell,
Thank you for your kind letter regarding your sons interest in art. Also for the Xeroxes of his work- The main thing is for him to keep it up, work & work hard- cycles & phases of art will consistently occur, but a solid foundation comes in good stead.
No matter which way his talent lies, I expect to be here this summer. Let me know in advance of your arrival.
Yours Sincerely,
Ivan Albright"
So the 3 of us (including sister Annie) made a roadtrip to the Albright's Woodstock, Vermont home in the summer of '74 . The night before at the Ramada was spent making a small clay bust of Mr. Albright as a gift. As soon as we walked in the front door, he and his wife Josephine were beyond gracious and made a big show of how wonderful my ceramic Ivan was and he pushed aside an actual Michelangelo sculpture to make room for it on the shelf. After a round of lemonade, Mrs. Albright and Annie went to bake cookies while Ivan gave me a tour of his basement studio. It was dimly lit being that the widows were painted black and only opened slightly. A light was on illuminating a painting on his easel that he had been working on for 8 years titled "The Vermonter". His model had passed away so he had purchased his clothes from the widow which were now on a posed mannequin for reference. The easel could swivel around in any direction and angle making it easier to work on any spot he choose. And when you can spend a decade on one piece, you might as well be comfortable. Amid a vast array of squeezed paint tubes and used brushes was , what seemed like, a 2 foot stack of 11 by 17" sheets, each crammed with extensive notes 'n doodles analyzing every square centimeter of the art. He explained to me that one of his goals (among many) was to have your conscious battle with your subconscious while viewing. For example, he pointed out a chain that looked functional, yet on closer inspection didn't really link, or a pipe that seemed to fit snuggly in a pocket, yet in reality physically couldn't. Also, something I still don't quite get, (but who can understand artists anyhow?) little spots of floating color circles around the figure were visualized by placing color wands (handles with attached color samples on top) in front of his eye, then move, and paint the resulting floating spots of color he saw. There was nothing in the art that wasn't thought through eight ways to Sunday. He'd dig so deep that he'd find every wrinkle, sag and stain that the model had, would ever have in their future and for the first few years in the grave. I just bugged my eyes out and took it all in. We were just supposed to stop by for a few minutes, but apparently since he enjoyed how fascinated and intrigued I was, (I'm charming and adorable don't you know) we ended up staying for a few hours.
As the afternoon wound down I made sure I got my copy of his book signed. He inscribed it, "To Mitchell, You can be as great as you wish to make yourself, Ivan Albright".
"Dear Mr. O'Connell,
Thank you for your kind letter regarding your sons interest in art. Also for the Xeroxes of his work- The main thing is for him to keep it up, work & work hard- cycles & phases of art will consistently occur, but a solid foundation comes in good stead.
No matter which way his talent lies, I expect to be here this summer. Let me know in advance of your arrival.
Yours Sincerely,
Ivan Albright"
So the 3 of us (including sister Annie) made a roadtrip to the Albright's Woodstock, Vermont home in the summer of '74 . The night before at the Ramada was spent making a small clay bust of Mr. Albright as a gift. As soon as we walked in the front door, he and his wife Josephine were beyond gracious and made a big show of how wonderful my ceramic Ivan was and he pushed aside an actual Michelangelo sculpture to make room for it on the shelf. After a round of lemonade, Mrs. Albright and Annie went to bake cookies while Ivan gave me a tour of his basement studio. It was dimly lit being that the widows were painted black and only opened slightly. A light was on illuminating a painting on his easel that he had been working on for 8 years titled "The Vermonter". His model had passed away so he had purchased his clothes from the widow which were now on a posed mannequin for reference. The easel could swivel around in any direction and angle making it easier to work on any spot he choose. And when you can spend a decade on one piece, you might as well be comfortable. Amid a vast array of squeezed paint tubes and used brushes was , what seemed like, a 2 foot stack of 11 by 17" sheets, each crammed with extensive notes 'n doodles analyzing every square centimeter of the art. He explained to me that one of his goals (among many) was to have your conscious battle with your subconscious while viewing. For example, he pointed out a chain that looked functional, yet on closer inspection didn't really link, or a pipe that seemed to fit snuggly in a pocket, yet in reality physically couldn't. Also, something I still don't quite get, (but who can understand artists anyhow?) little spots of floating color circles around the figure were visualized by placing color wands (handles with attached color samples on top) in front of his eye, then move, and paint the resulting floating spots of color he saw. There was nothing in the art that wasn't thought through eight ways to Sunday. He'd dig so deep that he'd find every wrinkle, sag and stain that the model had, would ever have in their future and for the first few years in the grave. I just bugged my eyes out and took it all in. We were just supposed to stop by for a few minutes, but apparently since he enjoyed how fascinated and intrigued I was, (I'm charming and adorable don't you know) we ended up staying for a few hours.
As the afternoon wound down I made sure I got my copy of his book signed. He inscribed it, "To Mitchell, You can be as great as you wish to make yourself, Ivan Albright".
Friday, May 27, 2011
Lets take a stroll down… Memory Lane!
Another American Academy of Art assignment.
A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lets take a stroll down… Memory Lane!
An American Academy of Art assignment.
A+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Kids Love Comics!
If anyone comes out with a new superhero character named "Chicken Leg" in a comic called "Mystery Chicken", Larry Barngs is gonna sue your ass off!
Lets take a stroll down… Memory Lane!
Now at the ripe old age of 23/24, the new cars of '85! Now THAT'S airbrushing!
Coming up next, all my family vacation slides!
Lets take a stroll down… Memory Lane!
This time at 21 or 22 a painting done to hang on the wall of my dad's (long closed) Chicago restaurant on Lincoln called "The Fallen Angel". It also ended up being a Heavy Metal cover ("reuse the same art as much as possible" has always been my motto)!
Lets take a stroll down… Memory Lane!
A heartwarming Rockwellesque painting from the 19/20 year old Mitch.
Monday, May 23, 2011
The stickers are in!
Supermodel/spokesperson Kieran O'Connell puts up with dad taking her picture to promote the M.O'C Yujean line of spectacular stickers!
Get 'em all at-
http://www.yujean.com/home/yuj
Flea Market Finds!
Oh, a popping out of the box penis is funny, but wipe those grins off your friends faces when you wow them with your awesome harmonica penis playing mad skills!
Flea Market Finds!
This guy was always in my head telling me to do things.
I can't believe he's really real!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Get in Summer Shape with Mitch!
My reward for gettin' slim 'n trim for summer? Oh, I might treat myself to some new outfits!
Get in Summer Shape with Mitch!
Not strictly used for fitness, but a "must" for a night of dancing! Take it from me, those vibrating shimmy 'n shakes will cover up any inability to bust a move!
Get in Summer Shape with Mitch!
Hell, I just do it because I look hot in a mesh top and giant inflatable shorts!
Get in Summer Shape with Mitch!
Are you like me and want a lean and mean rock hard body, yet insist on avoiding doing anything that requires effort or movement?
Problem? Solution!
To quote the ad copy- "So what's sexy exercise? It's like not going to the sweaty old gym… it's like doing it at home and having more time to spend with her. It's like relaxing for as little as 30 minutes a day… maybe with a sexy novel… while space age bleeps motivate those lax midsection muscles into action!"
To avoid confusion!
Hope this helps explain that this is a sauna, not a refrigerator.
Let me comedy school you. Saunas are funny, refrigerators are not!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Oh-La-La!
Ladies!
A NEW sexy Mitch PIN-UP!
Perfect for bedroom walls, scrapbooking and Dream Diaries (and, above all, for just gazing at wistfully)!
Friday, May 20, 2011
From the M.O'C Judgement Day files!
Son Leo has been inspired by the scribbles of Gary Panter recently- and since today is a day where many of us will finally get to meet our Lord and Savior (and while we're up there, help out by throwing lightening bolts down on you sinners heads), I thought you might like this sneak peek...
From the M.O'C Judgement Day files!
Daughter Kieran was given a similar doll that would old-school the bedtime prayer with, "If I should die before I wake" (not this "Guide me safely through the night" Patty Prayer baby s**t).
I'm sure that threat of God snatching your soul as soon as you closed your eyes keep most kids wide awake, but Kieran also thought it was quite the hoot (apple/tree).
From the M.O'C Judgement Day files!
The cover of a brochure for the Art Swinson Prophecy Panorama that was held in Chicago way back in the '90's, and, for some unimaginable reason, I DIDN'T attend! How could I have passed up this "Fantastic Media Presentation!" (aka slideshow)?!
From the M.O'C Judgement Day files!
Since tomorrow is Judgement Day and by late afternoon God and I will be relaxing side by side in giant cushy cloud hammocks looking down at all you losers and havin' a big chuckle, I thought, out of the goodness of my heart, I give you sinners a last chance to come to your senses.
From the M.O'C Judgement Day files:
And I thought it was just noisy neighbors!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Underwears Am Phunny!
Y'Know, the sexes aren't that much different after all. I often worry that my underwear is "Sporty enough to share" too!
Underwears Am Phunny!
"For the Man Who Has Nothing" wins in the Worst Advertising Tag Line Ever category!
Underwears Am Phunny!
Especially enjoy the herculean capitalized "S-T-R-E-T-C-H" to describe their ability to make it around the most ample of assets.
A Very special salute to children, for they are our future!
Postin' robots reminded me of Leo in his homemade version.
It worked fine as a killer mechanical man until the girls/victims realized it was pretty easy to fight back when the robot could barely see where it was going, and was COMPLETELY out of luck to a side/rear assault!
A Very special salute to children, for they are our future!
Another, "Wha' th?" ad. Is she spitting it out? An infected tongue? Or?
A Very special salute to children, for they are our future!
Many things seem wrong with this ad. I'll have to make a list.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
A Very special salute to children, for they are our future!
Added bonus! Comes with a little tin cup to rattle against the bars!
A very special salute to children, for they are our future!
Dad, safety first! Don't forget your helmet when Jr. goes flying past at sudden stops!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Hello Kitty 2!
Like Father, like Son!
(and the fine print… I only did one- it was for "charity", which I realized afterwards was kinda a sham. Some foo foo Chicago clothing store downtown (I forget which) had a big "raising money for something or other" event, so about a dozen artists created ornaments with 100% going toward the charity. They had food/drink which the vendors contributed free, yet all of the stores sales went right in their own pocket (At least that's the way I remember it. Did I mention they had free drinks?).