Introduction to the art of Mitch O’Connell.

“The Prince of Pop Art”, Mitch O’Connell is a beloved, cherished and respected leader of the “Lowbrow” art movement and one of the greatest illustrators of all time! Inspired by Pin-ups, hot-rods, comics, sideshows and all things kitsch, cuddly and curvaceous, he takes the vintage and makes it contemporary with his distinctive, eye-popping Pop Art imagery.

“I'm tempted to tear out the pages and hang them on the wall!" 

-USA Today 
Mitch O’Connell 10
Magazine work includes Newsweek, Time, Rolling Stone, New Yorker, Entertainment Weekly, GQ and Playboy!

He’s happy to play nice and follow instructions with illustration assignments for nearly every publication on Earth.

"We're smitten with everything Mitch has ever done. There's no escaping that his art is awesome!" 

-Bizarre magazine 

Magazine work includes Newsweek, Time, Rolling Stone, New Yorker, Entertainment Weekly, GQ and Playboy! Overnight deadlines met for newspapers include The New York Times, Village Voice, Chicago Tribune and dozens more!

Mitch O’Connell 2
He’s been featured in the world of rock ’n’ roll on album covers and posters for groups from The Ramones to Weezer to No Doubt to Moby!

He’s been featured in the world of rock ’n’ roll on album covers and posters for groups from The Ramones to Weezer to No Doubt to Moby! Mitch’s doodles are utilized in advertising campaigns for major companies from McDonalds to KFC, 7-11 to Coca-Cola! And when he’s not working with an art director, his fine art paintings have been exhibited in sold-out gallery shows from New York to Berlin, Tokyo to Miami and Hollywood to Mexico City.

"An eye-popping curation of the pop artist's finest illustrations!" 

-Yahoo! Music 

His sexy tattoo flash is a fixture on the walls of tattoo shops around the word (and on the bodies of thousands of tattoo lovers) with many of the designs collected in two bestselling books “ Mitch O’Connell Tattoos Volume 1” and “Mitch O’Connell Tattoos Volume 2“!  

Mitch O’Connell 4
His sexy tattoo flash is a fixture on the walls of tattoo shops around the word (and on the bodies of thousands of tattoo lovers) with many of the designs collected in two bestselling books.

His newest book, “Mitch O’Connell, the World’s Best Artist by Mitch O’Connell” is a huge career-spanning retrospective look at his art from the age of 3 to now!

This book is…

The book is…

AWESOME!

Just how many book reviews get a 100% love ith five stars! Not many. This should tell you all something.
Just how many book reviews get a 100% love with five stars! Not many. This should tell you all something.
"A pop surrealist and low-brow luminary ...an over-the-top, kitschy, vibrant mood-elevating coffee table book!" 

-Huffington Post 

The following are some reviews for those of you who are a tad unsure of this artists greatness…

Mitch O’Connell 5
And then there’s the AWESOME, AMAZING ARTWORK on the inside. From tattooed vixens to big-eyed bunny rabbits, there’s something here for the whole family…if you have a family where the kiddies are allowed to look at pictures of nekkid women. There is a mind-altering feast for the eyes in store for you.
Earlier  today, if you heard a sort of weird, high-pitched shrieking noise, not  unlike the mating cry of some long extinct bird, wafting high above the  trees, far off in distance...it was just ME receiving a package from my  UPS Heart Throb that contained THIS BOOK, quite possibly THE BEST BOOK  EVER!

First of all - it has a vinyl cover. A VINYL COVER!!!  Perfect for tubby-time viewing, or perhaps for enjoying in the  inflatable wading pool on those hot summer days.

And then there's  the AWESOME, AMAZING ARTWORK on the inside. From tattooed vixens to  big-eyed bunny rabbits, there's something here for the whole family...if  you have a family where the kiddies are allowed to look at pictures of  nekkid women. There is a mind-altering feast for the eyes in store for  you.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to get back to squeezing  that vinyl cover. (This is apparently a new fetish I didn't know I had,  and to tell you the truth, it's got me a little worried.)

-  I'm Still Squealing!
A review of his book on Amazon.com

If  you liked the art on the cover, well, there is more of it inside. The  book itself is reminiscent of retro children's books with a foam / vinyl  embossed type cover. It even has glitter. Its something you can't  appreciate on the internet. The size is thick with tons of vibrant  reproductions of his artwork. 

There is lots of detail like the pages  have a contoured edge. The book construction itself is amazing. The  reason I bought this on amazon was because my bookstore's copy was  damaged. Seeing it in real life made me want this book, so I had to get  it. 

Its just fun to pick up and flip through. 

Chances are you are an  artist and will find some inspiration in here even if it is a little bit  crazy/freaky. I wouldn't give this book to a child, the audience is  more adult. I can't say this is lacking anything as it is just an art  book with good examples. The time that went into this book puts it over  the top. 

Worth 5 stars. I can see why 66 people thought it was awesome. I  don't know who would rate this a 4 or less unless they had a problem  with amazon. Sweet! 
Mitch O’Connell 6
The book itself is reminiscent of retro children’s books with a foam / vinyl embossed type cover. It even has glitter. Its something you can’t appreciate on the internet. The size is thick with tons of vibrant reproductions of his artwork.
Indirectly,  I've been a fan of Mitch's art since roughly, 1987. I worked as a  designer at a newspaper and we had subscriptions to two clip art  services (big, hulking glossy printed pages of several images, covering  nearly anything that can be advertised). 

One was Metro and the other was  Dynamic Graphics. Dynamic Graphics was my "go-to" service as, each  month, I scoured it's pages for that flashy, interesting, fun art with  the peculiar "MoC" signature. 

Since then, I learned the MoC was a cool  artist named Mitch O'Connell and I saw his work here and there in Heavy  Metal and some comics. I've moved on from the newspaper business but,  thanks in part to the Internet and various art books, I've been able to  follow Mitch's enthusiastic, dynamic work the last several years. 

I've  always admired his bold, daring renderings. As an illustrator myself, I  find inspiration in his lines and color palette. Today, I'm proud to say  I now own this comprehensive book. Tons of color, tons of  illustrations, tons of inspiration. 

Even the design of the book itself  is daring and bold. I've perused it several times since receiving it in  the mail and I plan on perusing it several more times, seeing something  new and interesting each time I open the book. 

Mr. O'Connell's art  speaks for itself but I'll say that It's unique a completely different  style than what anyone may be used to. I especially like the 70s-style.  He not only acknowledges it, he embraces it and you have to admire that.  I highly recommend! 

- Lived up to my expectations
The  puffy plastic cover over Mitch O'Connell The World's Greatest Artist  gives a damn good indication of what's inside: A massive, whopping,  ridiculously definitive collection of Mitch... and all Mitch.

From  the cutesy-sweet to the clip art to the truly naughty, here is  EVERYthing.  Superb book design makes the collection seem to fly, float  and take on a life of its own.

There was a long, long wait for this terrific tome; it was truly worth the wait. WOW! 

- Holy moley! All this and World War, too. 
Mitch O’Connell 3
The puffy plastic cover over Mitch O’Connell The World’s Greatest Artist gives a damn good indication of what’s inside: A massive, whopping, ridiculously definitive collection of Mitch… and all Mitch. From the cutesy-sweet to the clip art to the truly naughty, here is EVERYthing. Superb book design makes the collection seem to fly, float and take on a life of its own.
This  book is so amazing you'll want to sleep with it tucked under your head.  And thanks to the soft puffy cover you can! 

Try it, i did. Hoping some  of O'Connell's brilliance would seep into my brain. 

Fat chance! If you  have been a long time devote of O'Connell or have no idea who he is  (been living under a rock?) You NEED this book! 

By merely placing this  book on your coffee table you will immediately notice that you have  become more attractive to the world. 

You'll start getting more dates  than you can fit in your calendar. And you don't want to be left behind  when it hits the New York Times best seller list, do you? I didn't think  so. Get in on Mitch-Mania now! 

- My Bible has arrived! 
I  cant put this book down!! It had me hooked just with the glitter cover.  Wow!! I've loved this mans work for years. I can sit and look at his  art and tattoo flash for hours. This is a great addition to my  collection of his books and art work. Filled with beautiful women and  kitsch galore. This book is VERY large and informative. We learn more  about the man, myth and legend!!!  It's also a great price for so much  magnificent eye candy. I highly recommend it to any lover of Pop,  Surrealism, Kitsch or just Damn good art! :) 

- 5.0 out of 5 stars  This book is Fan-Stinken-Tastic!!
Mitch O’Connell 6
I cant put this book down!! It had me hooked just with the glitter cover. Wow!! I’ve loved this mans work for years. I can sit and look at his art and tattoo flash for hours. This is a great addition to my collection of his books and art work. Filled with beautiful women and kitsch galore.
It  has a sparkly cover and It's Mitch! So, It's good. I usually only read  on the Crapper but I already crapped today. I may just break my own rule  and read this while sitting on the couch! 

- The most important book you will ever buy 
EXCITEMENT! FUN! NUDITY! THRILLS!
BALLOONS! NUDITY! ALCOHOL! CAKE!
HILARITY! NUDITY!

When  a book has that as it's opening intro you know you have stumbled across  the new bible.  Mitch may be the world's best artist (his words,  mentioned many many times in this book) he is also probably the world's  funniest artist.

This book is comical to the extreme, louds of  laughing out loud guffaws and so much drink sprayed across the room,  luckily I chose to read this in lots of different locations so  everywhere got a nice even coating of beer.

This book is a huge  collection of his artwork, from drawings as a kid to early adverts he  was commissioned to draw to posters, tattoos and toilet seats, it is all  here.  The history of his rise to greatness and even a tour of his  mansion (puts the Taj Mahal to shame) can be found in this book.  Also  its the only book I've come across that has a gift shop at the end.

Hopefully there will be more books from Mitch to entertain us all.  I'm now off to locate him to get myself one of his tattoos. 

- World's best book 
The  second worst thing about moving to Wisconsin (first being living under  incipient fascism)is not having access to Mitch O'Connell. A lot of the  art in this book only appeared in posters , leaflets and other material  distributed in and around Chicago (Mitch 's art has appeared on  everything from pencils and skateboards to delightful women's bare  butts- I personally am waiting for the whoopee cushion).  

Years ago I  could pick the stuff up tear it off walls and enjoy it! My 20 year  deprivation has been cured with this book collecting Mitch's unique  (well sometimes a bit bizarre) interpretations of reality. 

The world  goes into Mitch's brain gets mashed around and comes out well  wonderfully different- and you can see it all here in this book without  skulking around sleazy burlesque houses, grunge band concerts and other  affairs- though all of the latter do enhance the experience! Only thing  that would make it better would be if it came with an inflatable Little  Puddles doll. 

- Modest Title Masks True Genius! 
Mitch O’Connell 7
This book is a huge collection of his artwork, from drawings as a kid to early adverts he was commissioned to draw to posters, tattoos and toilet seats, it is all here. The history of his rise to greatness and even a tour of his mansion (puts the Taj Mahal to shame) can be found in this book. Also its the only book I’ve come across that has a gift shop at the end.
This  is the only art book I own that actually entertained me.  Face it -  most art books you pay for nothing- a lot of white space around a a  reproduction of a piece you can't afford. That means you are paying most  of the cover price on blank or what design shysters call negative  space. O'Connell doesn't waste anything- including your time. 

Rather  than hiring some fancy college boy shill to write essays, O'Connell does  the writing his'sef which is why I am am actually going to read every  word- eventually. Right now I'm just happy to skim and look at all the  purty five star pictures.

By the way, not only are there sparkles in  the puffy plasticine cover- its spot glitter- which means it was  probably really expensive other than just expensive. 

- Gave Me A Stiffy 
Having  known the artist for about 35 years, I've had the great pleasure of  watching him progress from talented teen to peerless paragon of pop art.  Now, with the publication of this classy compendium, anyone who is even  remotely interested in popular art can share in this pleasure. With  exceedingly-deft hand, keen eye, and acerbic wit, Mitch O’Connell has  come to occupy a place in pop surrealism that is shared with only a few  artists --Robert Williams, self-described progenitor of the ‘Lowbrow’  movement, springs to mind.

While many of the pop surrealists or other  Lowbrow artists share the same interest in skewering the social,  cultural, political, and sexual mores of our consumerist culture, no one  --for my money, anyway-- does a better, funnier job of sending up the  obsessions of the modern world. While his technical skill is beyond  reproach, and repeated study of his work will prove this, it’s Mitch’s  sense of humor that will find readers coming back to this volume for  amusement long after the average coffee table book has been shelved and  forgotten.

In a wonderful addition to the content, the  exceedingly-high production values of the book --with a brilliant,  sparkled and textured cover; heavy, glossy-stock pages; and stunning  page layouts-- will make even those who are not familiar with Mitch’s  work sit up and take notice. Presuming there are yearly awards given for  outstanding book design, I’ll be not at all surprised to find this book  topping the list of nominees.

So, summing up: If you’re a fan of  Mitch O’Connell, buy the book. If you’re interested in modern art, buy  the book. If you’re fond of well-designed and executed art books, buy  the book. If you merely want to take a chance on a bold and brilliant  artist, this is the one to pick up...you won’t be disappointed!! 

- A peerless artist, a peerless book 
Mitch O’Connell 8
While many of the pop surrealists or other Lowbrow artists share the same interest in skewering the social, cultural, political, and sexual mores of our consumerist culture, no one –for my money, anyway– does a better, funnier job of sending up the obsessions of the modern world. While his technical skill is beyond reproach, and repeated study of his work will prove this.
I  purchased this book expecting just another glowing biography of yet  another pampered, spoiled, filthy rich, low-brow artist. All I can say  is "I was blind...and now I see!" After reading this man's, no, this  immortals, life story and gazing at his life's work, I declare myself  his humble servant.  

The colors, line work and, most importantly, the  brilliance BEHIND the work, have given my life a purpose. I worship at  the filthy, somewhat ripe feet of my Lord and Savior: Mitch O'Connell.  Mitch, I hope you are reading this. I have scanned the photos from your  book and created wallpaper (no, not digital wallpaper, but actual paper  wallpaper) and covered the walls of my cabin with thousands of images  from your book, and more importantly, you. I now live in my car and only  enter my shrine to you, formally my home, to worship at an alter that I  created that features an 8' paper mache head of you (it came out really  cool- except the left side looks a little droopy and concave. One of my  cats climbed onto it before it was fully dried.). 

If you have any  personal items that you could send me for my alter I would appreciate  it. I would collect your hair, but....! Could you send me some of your  old clothes or maybe some toe nail clippings? I would expect them to be  brightly colored and dipped in glitter, just like your art. I am working  on a life size action figure of you that I can clothe in Holy vestments  so you can perform ceremonies and we can have imaginary conversations-  together! Everyone out there, please, throw away your Bibles and holy  books and pick up Mitch O'Connell The World's Best Artist and let's  commence to worshipping at the Holy Church of Mitch! Amen! 

- This Book Spoke To Me- no kidding it actually talked 
The perfect book to introduce the unsuspecting Cool Kid to the work of Mitch O'Connell!

If  you like hot rods, 1950's comics, kitsch culture, tattoos, big-breasted  women who aren't afraid to spank you when necessary, pink poodle dogs,  aliens, motorcycles and the sarcastic, self-aware humor of one of  America's favorite retro-culture artist, then this is the book for you!

And  it comes wrapped up in a plushy, plastic foam cover that cleans up easy  if splattered with blood, baby vomit or spunk. Or a disgusting  combination of all three!

This book will make you laugh!
This book will tentpole your trousers!
This  book will make you a cooler individual than your lesser friends! I am  cooler than you, because I own this book (and a few other Mitch  O'Connell books too.)

What are you waiting for? Get up on this book! 

- Throw money at your local bookseller for this book! 
Mitch O’Connell 9
If you like hot rods, 1950’s comics, kitsch culture, tattoos, big-breasted women who aren’t afraid to spank you when necessary, pink poodle dogs, aliens, motorcycles and the sarcastic, self-aware humor of one of America’s favorite retro-culture artist, then this is the book for you!
Mitch  O'Connell's latest book, "Mitch O'Connell the World's Best Artist by  Mitch O'Connell", is the BEST and GREATEST book ever penned by the  Master to this date!

Mitch, my friend for over 30 years has created  the world's MOST magical collection of SUPER ART.... yes, the term is  SUPER ART!

Owning his most current book has cured my arthritis. By  reading the pages my 60 year old eyes now possess 20/20 vision. I can  walk without a cane. My elderly wife read it and is now using tampons  again. THE BOOK IS A MIRACLE!!! This modest genius has created the cures  for all maladies of the Human Condition by merely printing the  World's Best Art; HIS World's Best Art and AMAZING LIFE STORY in this  Remarkable 288 page book!

Ladies & Gentlemen throw away your Bibles because THIS IS IT!!!!!!! The only Good Book you will ever need!

You will never EVER get a bigger bang for your $20. 

- GOD'S GIFT TO THE ART WORLD !! 
All  art books have pictures (that's kind of the idea) but how many would  you sit down and read?  Sure, "Mitch O'Connell, the World's Best Artist"  is chock-full of the requisite lifetime's worth of artwork (well, maybe  two-thirds to half a lifetime, he's not dead yet), but it's also  brimming with personal tales and anecdotes filled with witty,  self-deprecating braggadocio, all wrapped in a puffy, sparkly vinyl  cover.  

Not many other (any other?) artists can claim to have been  published in everything from the New York Times to Juggs and you'll  learn that and many other fascinating facts when you read this book.   

Did I mention the puffy, sparkly vinyl cover?  It's an art book which  moonlights as a coaster, which is super-practical (buy a set!).  So, if  you like 60's kitsch, creepy clowns, and big-eyed rabbits (and who  doesn't?) then this is the book for you. 

- The first coffee table book you'll actually read! 
Mitch O’Connell 1
All art books have pictures (that’s kind of the idea) but how many would you sit down and read? Sure, “Mitch O’Connell, the World’s Best Artist” is chock-full of the requisite lifetime’s worth of artwork (well, maybe two-thirds to half a lifetime, he’s not dead yet), but it’s also brimming with personal tales and anecdotes filled with witty, self-deprecating braggadocio, all wrapped in a puffy, sparkly vinyl cover.
I  first saw Mitch's work back in the dark ages - before computers and  t'internet and the writing of book online reviews. It was a "graphic  novel" (trans.: Fat Expensive Comic Book) called GINGER FOX, and I've  been following his work ever since, picking up the odd book or flyer or  cover whenever I came across them. 

Now, all of that scattered detritus  has been collated into one big fat squishy plastic-covered wipe-clean  book. Fatter and more expensive than Ginger Fox, who must be in her  fatter and more expensive mid-50s' by now. 

Mitch has an assured clean  graphic line, a searing sense of eye-popping colour, a healthy interest  in the female form, and a joyous sense of the pop-art poetry inherent in  the commercial ephemera those fancy-pants "high art" snobs just don't  get. I want to delve into the dark recesses of this man's "gentleman's  magazine" collection, but fear I may never emerge... Go buy!! NOW!! 

- Squishy!
I  never in a million years would have thought I'd own this book.  I'm a  fan  and I love art books but my own art has consumed all resources  and  left my book aquiring funds non existent.  Fast forward to my B-day  party this yr  and I get Mitch's book for a gift. So of course  we  immediatly crack it open to take in the mind bending eye candy..  First  words out of my mouth. "danmmit, he IS the Worlds Greatest Artist!"   

Endless hours of entertainment. Known about in France.  As advertised.  All in all pretty stinkin' cool. Color me jealous and inspired all at  the same time. So if you're like me, put it on your wish list, and if  you can buy it  just do it now. You'll be happy you treated yourself. 

- Worlds Greatest Artist, yea right. 

Finally, from Boing Boing...

In 2015 my friend, the fabulous artist Mitch O'Connell, created this  excellent illustration of Donald Trump as one of the evil aliens from  John Carpenter's 1988 science fiction film, They Live. Once Trump became president, Mitch tried to install a billboard with the illustration, but no one in the US would let him. He ended up displaying it in Mexico City, though.
 
 Well, Mitch recently found out that a Times Square billboard company  will allow him to display his illustration on a billboard and he's  started a gofundme campaign to make this dream a reality.  
the fabulous artist Mitch O'Connell, created this  excellent illustration of Donald Trump as one of the evil aliens from  John Carpenter's 1988 science fiction film, They Live. Once Trump became president, Mitch tried to install a billboard with the illustration, but no one in the US would let him.
The fabulous artist Mitch O’Connell, created this illustration of Donald Trump as one of the evil aliens from John Carpenter’s 1988 science fiction film, They Live. Once Trump became president, Mitch tried to install a billboard with the illustration, but no one in the US would let him.

Fictional Story Related Index

This is an index of full text reprints of stories that I have read that influenced me when I was young. They are rather difficult to come by today, as where I live they are nearly impossible to find. Yes, you can find them on the internet, behind paywalls. Ah, that’s why all those software engineers in California make all that money. Well, here they are FOR FREE. Enjoy reading them.

Movies that Inspired Me

Here are some movies that I consider noteworthy and worth a view. Enjoy.

The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad.
Jason and the Argonauts
The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973)
The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

Stories that Inspired Me

Here are reprints in full text of stories that inspired me, but that are nearly impossible to find in China. I place them here as sort of a personal library that I can use for inspiration. The reader is welcome to come and enjoy a read or two as well.

Link
R is for Rocket
Space Cadet (Full Text) by Robert Heinlein
Link
Link
Link
Correspondence Course
Link
Link
Link
Link
Link
The Last Night
The Flying Machine
A story of escape.
All Summer in a day.
The Smile by Ray Bradbury
The menace from Earth
Delilah and the Space Rigger
Any Friend of Nicholas Nickleby’s Is a Friend of Mine
Life-Line
The Tax-payer
The Pedestrian
Time for the stars.
Glory Road by Robert Heinlein
Starman Jones (Full Text) by Robert Heinlein.
The Lottery (Full Text) by Shirley Jackson
The Cold Equations (Full Text)
Farnham's Freehold (Full Text) by Robert Heinlein
Invisible Boy (Full Text) by Ray Bradbury
Job: A Comedy of Justice (Full Text) by Robert Heinlein
Spell my name with an "S" by Isaac Asimov
The Proud Robot (Full Text)
The Time Locker
Not the First (Full Text) by A.E. van Vogt
The Star Mouse (Full Text)
Space Jockey (Full Text) by Robert Heinlein
He who shrank (Full Text).
Blowups Happen by Robert Heinlein
Uncle Eniar by Ray Bradbury
The Cask of Amontillado

My Poetry

My Kitten Knows

Art that Moves Me

An experiment of a bird in a vacuum jar.
Robert Williams
Todd Schorr

Articles & Links

You’ll not find any big banners or popups here talking about cookies and privacy notices. There are no ads on this site (aside from the hosting ads – a necessary evil). Functionally and fundamentally, I just don’t make money off of this blog. It is NOT monetized. Finally, I don’t track you because I just don’t care to.

  • You can start reading the articles by going HERE.
  • You can visit the Index Page HERE to explore by article subject.
  • You can also ask the author some questions. You can go HERE to find out how to go about this.
  • You can find out more about the author HERE.
  • If you have concerns or complaints, you can go HERE.
  • If you want to make a donation, you can go HERE.