The Artistic Genius of Emma Polini!

A brand new shining artistic star is lighting up the world with her vision- and she's my niece!
Take a look at Emma's art, leave uplifting and inspirational comments, and then purchase your favorite pieces today! The Art Institute of Chicago might want to pick up a few while they're cheap.
Just because I'm her Uncle does not influence my opinion!http://www.etsy.com/shop/missvioletblonde!

Stickers! Stickers! Stickers!

Make everything you own colorful, cool and crazy!
Just follow this link to beautify all your drab possessions!http://www.yujean.com/home/yuj/smartlist_300/mitch_oconnell.html

Everything you'd ever want to know about earning a living working as an artist explained by Mitch O'Connell!!

None of the students at The American Academy of Art have to watch, (they already suffered through it once) but for those interested, here's me dispensing 30 minutes of pearls of wisdom to the kids.
I'm that shadowy mysterious figure to the left.
Just look for that slight gleam coming off the top of my head to find me.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzpIWxr-uoo

The Gin Blossoms are Stylin'!

Scott Hessel, superstar drummer for the Gin Blossoms,
sure knows how to decorate his set!
To see more...http://mitchoconnell.blogspot.com/2013/05/gin-blossoms-world-tour.html

The Coolest Shoes on the Planet Earth!

Now go fill up your T.U.K. shopping cart!
http://www.tukshoes.com/store/signatureseries/artist/jer

At newsstands now!

Pick up today's Wall Street Journal and see if you can spot a familiar couple inside! 

Hey Kids! Get ready for the American Library Association convention!

If you find yourself wandering around the American Library Association convention at Chicago's McCormick Place this Saturday between noon and 1pm, please stop stop on by the SCB Distributors booth (#2255) where (if I understand it right) I'll be giving away copies of "Mitch O'Connell, the World's Best Artist"!
Yes, it's almost too good to be true!
I assume this is a beautiful charitable public service gesture by SCB to entice library's to fill their shelves with "The World's Best Artist" for the enlightenment and enjoyment of all the children of the world.
I think I just got sumptin' in my eye!

Flea Market Finds!

Arrived at Wolffs Flea Market at the crack of 6 and it looked like rain.

Oh Fred, you dawg you!
I've had the same expression waking up after an adventurous Saturday night.

It's an unsettling cross between a 50s knee slapping risque bar gag and what you might have seen on display in Ed Gein's country home. Which means I just HAD to add this wine bottle cozy to the collection!

No thanks- I can pull it myself!

This, and many other, hilarious comments you missed by not walking with me.

Came across a fellow artists creative output leaning against the side of a vendors van, (I forsee a similar fate for my work) pulled out the particullary striking portrait of a grandmother ignoring her grandchild. The painters skill is such that you can almost read her thoughts of, "I'd rather be anywhere the f**k but here."
I asked "How much?" and was told $20. I paused, and 4 seconds later he yelled "$15!" and within 2 seconds it was $10.
How could I NOT purchase it?!

I must have wet myself a little when I grabbed the combo platter of clown/shells/puffballs and made them my very own. There is no better way to spend $4!

A new addition to the basement has been acquired.
Trumpets blare.

"Talk to the hand!"
More M.O'C hilarity you missed by sleeping in this morning!
Yes, I came up with that chuckle inducing one liner right off the top of my head! No, I do not have writers, I am naturally funny and happy to make the world a more cheerful place by spreading my creative juices all over it.

This tin will be perfect for holding my pens and pencils when traveling. It obviously nails that M.O'C vibe of, "You do NOT want to f**k with my art supplies M*****F*****!!!

Above all, I am an incurable romantic. Flea marketing is not just about myself, it is about making others happy, and my #1 priority is M'Lady. I don't care what other, less attentive folks might feel, I don't think $2 is to much to spend on my future wife! I'm about to take a break from posting because I'm going to go surprise Alyson with these gifts. She'll exclaim "What!? Is it my birthday? Christmas? Valentines Day? I don't understand!"
And I'll place my index finger over her lips and whisper "Shhhhh. I don't need a holiday to show that I love you!"
And then we'll have passionate sex all morning.
And afterwards, she'll finally be able to make me a decent breakfast for once! 

Free Downloadable Father's Day Card!

Mitch "Hallmark" O'Connell has once again saved you $4.95
to let your Dad know you're thinking of him this Father's Day!
Just download this lovely 8.5 by 11" card- gratis- by following the link below.
Print it out, sign your name, fold it over and slap a stamp on it.
Now you can relax guilt free for the next 12 months!
http://www.yousendit.com/download/WFJVYlJUQ0NsamR2TzhUQw

Man Training.

I was shocked to find this stuffed under the mattress under Alyson's side of the bed!
If she thinks she can…
OW! My electric collar just went off!
…I'll finish that thought later, I have to finish house cleaning and getting dinner ready before she gets back from a day at the spa and shopping!

Let's PARTY!

Marriage goes hand in hand with ...Love? Commitment? Yes, all true. But, most importantly, it goes hand in hand with a Bachelor Party!
Being that my Best Man is 17 (and broke) I think he'd be hard pressed to pull together anything. My other pals might come up with something that involves me drunk, tied up and molested by 10 strippers in schoolgirl outfits, or ending with regaining consciousness in Tijuana with a full beard and no memory of the preceding 6 months.
Been there, done that!
Now that I'm more mature, I like to contain my activities to things I look back on without guilt or the fear of police involvement. With that in mind, I thought I'd take the activities in my own hands. My plan involves the greatest entertainers in Chicago. Nay, the greatest entertainers in the tri-state area! Nay, the greatest entertainers in the Midwes- well, that might be taking it too far, but they're pretty damn good!
I kid- they ARE the greatest in the World!
I say we get-together at the one and only place featuring musicians, magicians, comedians, jugglers and lovely ladies showing off what God gave them. It's called Burlesque son, and it's done best at Kiss Kiss Cabaret!
The date? Friday, August 2nd. Show starts at 11pm!
To quote the Kiss Kiss website-
"The Kiss Kiss Cabaret is Chicago's finest weekly comedy & burlesque cabaret! Every Friday night is a new explosion of entertainment at the Greenhouse Theater Center. Featuring one of our charming hosts, hilarious comedians, talented musicians, the unforgettable Kiss Kiss Coquettes as well as special guests and fun surprises, every show is different!"
Performances are every Friday, 11pm hosted at the Greenhouse Theater Center
2257 N Lincoln Ave (2 blocks south of Fullerton Ave), Chicago, IL 60614
$15 advance tickets are available at 773.404.7336 orwww.GreenhouseTheater.org
This is a regular Kiss Kiss show (which always means spectacular entertainment), and nothing to do with me (for all I know there'll be 10 other groups making this part of their bachelor/bachelorette parties too). It's open to everyone that would like to attend (not just my friends) and being that it's good naturedly bawdy, clever, classy and hilarious, it's appropriate to take your whole family to (18+ that is). If only 2 folks take me up on my suggestion, fine. If 100 go ahead and purchase tickets, that's even better! The only thing I'm guaranteeing is that whoever makes it out to the Greenhouse Theatre is going to be entertained!
So just buy your tickets today (no, this is not "my treat," you cheap bastards) and I'll see you August 2nd!
http://kisskisscabaret.com/

Home Redecorating ...M.O'C Style!

What happens when I'm left unsupervised and get into the
"Glitter, Mod Podge, craft jewel, varnish and Sharpie" drawer.

I don't care if it's 2013, I'm still into role-playing games!

And the best accessory to wear during game play.

M.O'C men's T.U.K. Shoes are available NOW!

Finally guys, YOU can be awesome too!
The ladies have had their M.O'C brand T.U.K. shoes for months, and now they're rolling out the men's styles!
Check it out your local "Journeys" store or order online!http://www.journeys.com/product.aspx?id=258305&keywords=tuk