The M.O'C Book Club!

I'm a member of the neighborhood watch group.

"Citizens Arrest! Citizens Arrest!"

A Cleveland Family Vacation!

Making a gallery show in Cleveland into a full-filled vaction!

Our first bit of roadtrip adventure! Kieran tries to get out of the car for lunch and finds she's hopelessly trapped in the seatbelt. It's unlatched, but she's lassoed like a calf. Some combination of her slumped over sleeping, turning around and who knows what other gymnast maneuvers results in a new knot that even the Boy Scouts haven't thought of. My go-to plan of dealing with tense situations- 10 minutes of being frustrated and irritated - oddly doesn't help, so we go to a Shell service station where an actual professional tells the only solution is to cut her loose.
This trip is getting expensive.

Damn! Why wasn't this listed on Hotels.com?! We paid TWICE as much for a Hilton Garden Inn. And you can't even drive the Hilton around town!

But it did have the advantage of 2 beds.

My staff has made sure Cleveland is blanketed in flyers!

 We're especially looking for people that know how to take money out of their pocket.

 Even though Andrea Thornton was a little peeved that she had to wait in the line just like everyone else to get a picture taken with me (I don't play favorites) and additionally put off by the $10 charge, she did manage to get into the spirit of the "Smiles Are Free" show by, for the first time ever in front of a camera, almost breaking into a grin.
If you put your eye right up to the screen you can almost see it!

Note to future gallery owners vying to have a Mitch O'Connell show at their venue-
Always greet your artist with the gift of a boxfull of '70s Russ Berrie statues!
Nothing says "I respect your genius" more than a collection of delightful quips emblazoned on dozens of miniature novelty statues!

Even though I must have explained to Andrea 1000 times that I was to be the sole center of attention at the Kollective Gallery opening, she must have had wax in her ears, because she insisted on bring the newest member of her family, Miss Boston Baked Beans, to MY show!
Well that little spotlight hog pretty much ruined everything. People were more concerned with telling her how cute, fuzzy and adorable she was than telling ME how cute, fuzzy and adorable I AM!
Well, one guy did rub my tummy, but I think he was drunk, so I don't know if it counts.

Speaking of being outshined at my own show, in addition to Ms. Beans, daughter Kieran took over a wall to showcase her Bettie Page marker renditions.
All money earned will go toward the 6 outfits she purchased during our family trip.
Please help a young lady stay fashionable!

 An amazing show!
I'd give you an attendance count, but I just dropped of the Kollective Gallery arial photos at One Hour Photo ten minutes ago. When I get them back, I'll get out my magnifying glass and calculator and start counting! Conservative police estimates vary between 10,000 to a million (I imagined in a dream I had last night). Anyway, the thing that's really important is that for the folks that DID show up got to meet ME! What a thrill it must have been!

 In appreciation of me deciding to show my art at the Kollective Gallery in Cleveland, Mayor Frank Jackson agreed with the outcry from the peoples of Ohio and unveiled plans to erect a golden life-size (6' 3" if you're wondering) statue of yours truly! I took a break from my busy schedule of doing all the exciting things there are to do in Cleveland (like visiting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and... did I mentioning visiting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?) to pose for the sculptor. Expect to see the majestic finished results by Fall 2012!

THIS SATURDAY!

• • July 14 at 2:00am until August 10 at 6:00pm

• 1908 S. Taylor Rd, Cleveland Heights, Ohio

• Mitch O'Connell at the Kollective Gallery in Cleveland! kollectivegallery.com mitchoconnell.com mitchoconnell.blogspot.com Attention all Ohio residents! You can take a break from writing love letters, this'll be your chance to tell Mr. O'Connell how wonderful he is right to his face! Opening night July 14th from 6 to 10pm!

PLUS! As an added insentitive to attend…

Kieran O'Connell, (that's right, THE Kieran O'Connell) has broken out the art supplies and created a treasure trove of Bettie Page masterpieces for Kollective Gallery patrons purchasing pleasure!
They're less expensive (and much better) that that other artist they're showing!

Happy Hump Day!

Kiss Kiss Cabaret!

Next time you're at Kiss Kiss Cabaret (Friday nights at 11pm at the Greenhouse Theatre here in Chicago), look for these life size cutouts that you'll be able to stick your face through (in the normal face section of the art) for hilarious photo opps.
"Look! I'm a sexy burlesque star!" you might shout, or, when that one is occupied, "Oh man, why do I get stuck being Chris O Biddle?!"
The original art is 18" high, so your guess is as good as mine how it's gonna look at 7' tall, but what the heck, it's at no extra charge!

A Fun Filled Chicago Weekend!

What I'm missing this weekend in Chicago by bringing joy to the residents of Cleveland, and and all three events have something in common. Can you figure it out?
#1
Friday
9:00pm until 1:00am
Perversions! Live, punk rock ‘n’roll covers of the classics: "Burning Love" (Elvis), "Dress You Up" (Madonna), more! DJ Joe Black's Midnight Spook Show spins rock ‘n’roll remixed! From Adele to Rob Zombie!

Join us at "A strange place for nice people," Cigars and Stripes on Historic Route 66 in Berwyn, for a killer party, great craft beers...and THE BEST BBQ you've ever tasted!

$7 door includes ticket for raffle…win our Dracula poster art print on canvas autographed by superstar artist Mitch O'Connell!

#2

July 13 at 7:00pm until July 15 at 3:00am
TERROR IN THE AISLES 11: ULTIMATE CLIVE BARKER TRIPLE FEATURE!

FRIDAY JULY 13, 2012: TRIPLE FEATURE

SATURDAY JULY 14, 2012 - NIGHTBREED (CABAL CUT) MIDNIGHT
SCREENING

Portage Theater
4050 N. Milwaukee Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60641

THE HORROR EVENT FANS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR NOW MORE THAN TWO DECADES!!!

Doors open at 7pm

7:30PM - NIGHTBREED (The Cabal Cut) (Midwest Premiere!)

ANNE BOBBY (star of NIGHTBREED in Person!)
Free Autographs & Picture Taking.

Also! RUSSELL CHERRINGTON (Restoration Director) and will appear in person to discuss the preservations efforts
for NIGHTBREED!

10:30PM - HELLRAISER (Clive Barker's Amazing Feature Debut!)

MIDNIGHT - CANDYMAN (CHICAGO BASED HORROR CLASSIC!)

#3
Windy City Burlesque Festival 2012 - July 12th through July 15th! For more information, visit our official site at-http://windycityburlesquefest.com/

Bob has a Swell Tip for all us boys!