Join us for our ALL Together Auction in support of NAMI MN

May is Mental Health Month and in support of NAMI MN and its mission to champion justice, dignity, and respect for all people affected by mental illnesses, I have joined the All Together Auction. May 10 - May 17, 2021.

I am giving away a hand painted sign (unicorn not included) with other amazing contributions from over 60 small businesses, artists and makers!

“It is like nothing that has ever happened to you before!”
Enamel paint on an Ikea cabinet door
23.5 x 25”, 2020

Help us crush our fundraising goal of $5,000 and help @nami_minnesota_helps expand their mental health services to support more Minnesotans. Bid now!

https://bit.ly/2R7PQ54

And as always… thanks for the support!!

Spring time in MPLS. Magical unicorns LOVE hand painted signs…

https://bit.ly/2R7PQ54 - Bid now!

Hand painted sign donated for All Together Auction in support of NAMI MN https://bit.ly/2R7PQ54

New artwork posted on my website

I started painting on small 4 x5” pieces of foam core because… well, I was running out of room to be honest. Big art can be a big problem if you can’t find a home for it. So working small is the way to go, at least for me, at least for now.

These started off as individual works. The first one (upper right) was started sometime during the pandemic. Bottom right was second, top left was third. Just making shapes, lines, excitement, imagery that might be associated with the circus arts. It wasn’t until the end of the year that I finished the bottom left. But once it was completed I noticed that they all related to one another (it wasn’t really on my radar at the time). Perhaps this is my take on the year 2020. Only now, right before the holidays, I was able to see it.

So here’s to hoping that things will pick up in 2021: to a better life, peace, prosperity, and a better understanding.

“Four topics, one conversation”, enamel paint on four pieces of foam core, 5 x 4” each.
Check it on my website: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/#/mixedmediaartworkseamusliamobrien/

Sign painting for local speakeasy Tooker Alley (Brooklyn, NY)

Outside seating for NYC restaurants became permanent in September 2020, offering a mix of sidewalk seating and seats along streets closed off to vehicular traffic. Tooker Alley, located at 793 Washington Ave in Brooklyn, NY, recently extended its seating into its neighbors sidewalk area. So I was hired to expand the sign painting I did over the summer.

The idea and design was based off of Tooker Alley’s store signage… which I painted back in 2014. But admittedly the barrier does have a Beetlejuice sort of vibe to it. What can I say? For a stylish bar, black and white seems to be the way to go in my opinion. (coincidently, it strangely mirrors the sidewalk crossing and street signage) Across the street from the Brooklyn Museum, stop by and check it out… support small business!!

“The spot achieves a rare quality in an era of paint-by-numbers cocktail lounges: The intensely personal Tooker Alley generates a genuine human pulse.” Timeout NY

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

Quarantined NYC - New sign painting at the studio

New hand painted sign on a scrap piece of wood. Inspired by Robert Crumb’s - Weirdo Comics title page.

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

Quarantined NYC: New paintings at the studio

I ran out of scrap wood so now I am painting on scrap pieces of foam core. 4 x 3” each. Enamel paint. I am keeping this work loose, spontaneous; not sure what I will do with it.
I was interested in classic circus sideshow imagery, the colors and shapes. These pieces all might ultimately be parts of a whole, like Vultron. But I’m not sure yet. Did I mention I like swirls?

Quarantined NYC: Sign painting at the studio

New hand painted sign on a scrap piece of balsa wood.
Inspired by DC‘s “World’s Finest” comic book logo.

Quarantined NYC: Sign painting at the studio

New signage painted on a scrap piece of plywood.
Inspired by text found on a classic Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus poster… featuring a tiger!!

Quarantined NYC: Sign painting at the studio

New sign painting on a scrap piece of wood. Inspired by the Seamless door signs I see in closed restaurants throughout Brooklyn.

Quarantined NYC: Sign painting at the studio

Hand painted sign on a scrap piece of MDO

‘Twenty four’ inspired by the "When I'm sixty four" sequence in the movie "Yellow Submarine" (a new favorite of my daughter). Someone suggested I was painting the amount of time I am spending at home…. possibly.

Quarantined NYC: Sign painting at the studio

Hand painted sign on a scrap piece of plywood. Inspired by a preview advertisement for a Jack Kirby(?) comic. "Next Issue: The Power of Psycho Man. As We Wonder — Shall Earth Endure?”

Quarantined NYC: Sign painting at the studio!

New hand painted sign, ‘Tastes Great,’ is inspired by classic, ice cream cone packaging.

New hand painted sign from the studio

‘ZERO’ - enamel paint on a scrap piece of plywood.
Inspired by the DC comic ‘Strange Adventures’ #162

New hand painted sign I made in the studio

Inspired by the comic book, Space Adventures, this sign was painted on a scrap piece of luan wood.

What I learned from this piece is that it is a good idea to first consider whether to coat the wood with a matte medium or not before painting it. This will allow the surface to be sealed and essentially, make it easier to paint. This is both good and bad. Good because of the speed factor, but bad because if you seal the wood then you lose the great texture of the woodgrain. You can see this in the letter ‘S’. After I painted it I noticed what was happening and sealed the rest of the text thinking it wouldn’t look any different. Well… now I know!

Hand painted sign on A-frame for the Italian restaurant, Scalino GP, in Brooklyn, NY

New sign painting for Scalino GP, a traditional Italian restaurant (659 Manhattan Ave) located in the quaint Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY.

For this particular business, having a hand painted sign fits perfectly well with its aesthetics. The hand painted quality is reminiscent of old New York City and reflects to its customer the restaurants commitment to detail and quality.

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

New window sign painting for NYC florist, Mitaka NY Flowers

My window sign painting for Mitaka NY Flowers.
“Luxury flower shop located in the heart of the Upper East Side, (1456 3rd Ave, New York, NY) where New York style meets Japanese artwork in a unique fusion. We will create arrangements or bouquets of any size, and can work with you to brighten any kind of events."

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

New sign painting up for The Rage Cage (Brooklyn, NY)

New sign painting up for the front entrance of The Rage Cage. Located at 235 Grand Ave in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, NY. “a destruction services provider - also known as a "Rage Room" or an "Anger Room." People come to The Rage Cage to have fun, de-stress, and break things! Whether it be for a stressful week at work, a celebration, or even a first date, you’re always going to have an amazing experience…”

The 235 address hand painted on the window above the door.
Special thanks to the Rage Cage and 1-Shot paints!!