God has Forgiven Mitch O'Connell. So What's Your Problem?

By Jen Hazen in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 29, 2009 5:45PM

If you’re a fan of pop kitsch American-style, check out Mitch O’Connell’s series of new paintings, "God Has Forgiven Me (so what's your problem?)" at Packer Schopf Gallery, May 15 - June 20. Interestingly, the gallery's website refers to O'Connell's exhibit as "Divorce." Hmm... And the artist's MySpace page asks friends to "come gaze at the colorful brushstrokes of Mitch working through personal, painful issues... for your viewing pleasure!” We love a guy with a wicked sense of humor.

Always odd and off kilter, O’Connell’s works, seen in Rolling Stone, New York Times, and Playboy, include illustrations and paintings that capture a vivid carnivalesque sideshow of characters—wide-eyed Keane kids, sex kitten pin-ups, and apple pie staples like Yogi Bear. And who can forget black light posters? And there's more where that came from. O'Connell has published several art books"("Pwease Wuv Me" is one of our faves), as well as his own line of tattoos used in hundreds of shops around the country. The Chicago-based artist will be in attendance for the exhibit's opening night. Be sure to toast him with the free wine that the gallery will be offering up.

Packer Schopf Gallery, 942 W. Lake St., opens Friday, May 15 and runs thru Saturday, June 20. General gallery hours Tuesday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Free.