Monday, December 30, 2019

The "LOVE" Mural! Ready for Chicagoland Viewing!

At the beginning of the year, Aiden and the other little preschoolers in Ms. Hirrah’s class at Blooming Bud Daycare, started a new project, a 40’ mural!
When Ms. Hirrah, one of his many amazing teachers there, first told me about her idea, of course I volunteered to help (not that she asked for me to butt in, but now she was stuck).
First of all, there’s not much better art than kid’s drawings. They often come at drawing decision making in ways you’d never think of, and sometimes your socks are knocked off by their ability. Since Aiden and I had just watched ‘Yellow Submarine’ it was front and center in my mind, so I asked her to have the kid’s do drawing of things that made them happy, and then I’d arrange them into some type of mural design. Luckily, when I brought home the stack of wonderful doodles and started moving bits and pieces around like a puzzle, I had Aiden sitting next to me as my ‘go-to’ man. When I had a blank area that I thought need filling I’d just turn to my right and say “I need a bird, I need the word ‘Love' and throw in two more trees while you’re at it!”
Once it was slapped together, I colored it up and brought the guide to Ms. Hirrah’s class. The kids immediately excitedly identified their contributions, and since I tried to include everyone, there were many happy campers. Then the actual work (fun) began! The huge canvas was laid flat on the floor and I redrew the illustration 100 times larger the old school ‘grid pattern’ way, and then all the kids went to town filling in the outlines like a coloring book. For a month, Ms. Hirrah took the mini-artists a few at a time from class, safely covered in ponchos like they were in the front row of a ‘Blue Man Group’ show, as paint was slapped in between the lines, on their clothing and the surrounding floor. I went back in after that and added a few touch-ups and redid the outlines.
Now that it was finished, all that was left was attaching it to the side of the building! As I imagined the unveiling, I had helpfully suggested that the children come up with a few songs about how wonderful I am, I made sure Ms. Hirrah had notes about my career to pass along to The Mayor to be incorporated in her dedication speech, and I even bought a can of brass polish for the “Thank You Mitch O’Connell” plaque! Sadly it turned out to be much more low key, and apparently it’s more about the children than me! What th-?!
Anyway, it turned out great! So the next time you’re driving by the intersection of Lincoln and California (around 5800 North), look to the right of the Dunkin Donuts, and take in an eyeful of what those creative kids from Blooming Bud came up with! 




































Wednesday, October 2, 2019

The Trump + They Live Billboard is UP in Times Square!


Trump/They Live is UP on 7th and 48th St!
Run over and get your selfie today! :-)

Thanks to all the GoFundMe donations and
folks that spread the word to make this a reality!
For the whole story, and how you can help to keep it
on display in Times Square, please visit-

www.trumpbillboard.com

and to read the most interesting reactions-
https://mitchoconnell.blogspot.com/2019/08/everyone-loves-trumpthey-live-billboard.html













Saturday, August 17, 2019

Everyone LOVES the 'Trump/They Live' Billboard!

When the first Trump/They Live billboard went up in Mexico City I got quite a bit of helpful feedback and constructive criticism. :-)
I've also added new insights/thoughts/prayers from the viewing public on the Trump "VOTE" billboard in Times Square
And if you'd like to help with the newest fundraiser for a billboard in St. Helens (see the last 10 images), check out
https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-st-helens-039they-live039-trump-billboard




































































































I'd bet money that this guy is pulling my leg.
It's a little TOO funny to be real! :-)