shannon mcconnell

2011-10-07T22:20:00.000-07:00

"Forever and Never, One More Time" at Season

featuring ceramics by Elisabeth Kley and paintings by Shannon Mcconnell

Opening Sunday, October 9th, 2-5pm

2011-09-04T14:05:00.001-07:00

"the weathervane" 2011, 30"x 24" inches, collage and oil on canvas

"untitled man portrait" 2011, 20"x 16" inches, oil on canvas

2011-06-02T12:08:00.000-07:00

Some of my paintings will be shown in the Season exhibit at the International Contemporary Art Fair in Vancouver, BC.

International Contemporary Art
in Vancouver // June 2 - 5, 2011

THE FAIR: International Contemporary Art in Vancouver opens Thursday, June 2nd. 18 local and international commercial galleries, non-profit artist-run centers, independent project spaces and institutions join together and exhibit contemporary art.
for more info: http://www.artaftermoney.com/

2011-05-03T20:29:00.000-07:00

Proud to have a recent acquisition From Steven LaRose. This photo is a bit muted, but you can see them up close here, and here.

2011-04-12T00:47:00.000-07:00

"out of our tree" 2011, 10"x10"inches, oil on canvas

2010-12-23T12:46:00.000-08:00

"Dusk Aria" 2010, 20"x16"inches, oil on canvas

"head #4" 2010, 18"x 12"inches, oil, wax on masonite

2010-08-23T16:26:00.000-07:00

New painting of the Artist Robert Yoder (with preliminary sketches)..

"Robert Yoder" 2010, 20" x 16" inches, oil on canvas

2010-08-08T13:32:00.001-07:00

"head #3" 2010, 14"x 11" inches, oil, mixed media, collage on board

2010-08-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

"untitled" 2010, 12"x 12" inches, oil, mixed media, collage on cardboard LP-record cover

"underview" 2010, 10"x 8" inches, oil , mixed media on stretched canvas

2010-07-01T14:38:00.000-07:00

"head #2" 2010, 28"x 22" inches, oil on canvas

2010-05-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

"Tuesday (mask ritual)" 2010, 11"x 8.5" inches, monoprint, acrylic, mixed media on paper

"preoccupation trance personage" 2010, 12"x 9" inches, monoprint, acrylic, mixed media on paper and tracing paper

"skyugle" 2010, 9.5"x 7.5" inches, monoprint, mixed media on paper

2010-05-18T21:52:00.000-07:00

Being somewhat involved in the Seattle music scene since the 1980's, occasionally i sketch various people and crowds at clubs during shows. I like to capture the social interaction, spontaneous situations, energy and movement/dancing, and in some cases awkward occurrences. I posted a new page on my website with some samples dating back to the early 1990's.

2010-05-18T21:31:00.000-07:00

During my exhibition in Prague, Czech Republic (my first time in Europe!), i had the chance to explore a few other cities nearby in Europe, including Vienna and Berlin. It was an amazing exposure of history and culture. Thanks to all of you who helped out!
(These photos are from Prague, notice the Disneyland-esque castle behind me)

2010-03-01T10:07:00.000-08:00

2 Portrait studies 2010, each 24"x18" mixed media on paper

2010-02-02T23:43:00.000-08:00

March 2010 - Galerie Blacklist, Prague, Czech Republic
"Proposed Land-Use Action" - Speculative Figural-Abstractions of future Topography, Metaphysical Landscapes, and Morphic Wastelands.

2009-10-12T13:24:00.000-07:00

Recent work, 2009, 20" x 30" inches, oil on canvas

2009-09-27T21:07:00.000-07:00

I am currently working on a Series of Portraits. Here's a new one of the Artist Robert Hardgrave . ("Robert Hardgrave" 2009, 24" x 18" inches, oil on canvas)

2009-08-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

Snoose Part Dieu show (July/Aug 2009)

2009-06-17T17:57:00.000-07:00

2009-05-26T16:13:00.000-07:00

"calliope storm signal" 2009, 30"x24", collage, newspaper, acrylic-polymer, oil, mixed media on canvas

"window" 2009, 22-1/2"x18", collage, newspaper, acrylic-polymer, oil, mixed media on masonite

Music-Art

2009-05-26T14:38:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Steven Larose's recent Blogpost of amazing Tod Dockstader Record/LP cover art, here are some interesting 1950's-80's record covers from my collection (Click to see larger images). In my opinion, CD covers are just too small for this lost genre of cover art, where modern/contemporary art infused with commercial intentions. My exhibition "Seeing Sound/Hearing Color", was another study in this Visual-Audio duality, exploring the "Sound-Affects" of noise/music on creating visual art (painted on Record/LP covers, while listening to the record).

Art: Jean Reschofsky /Peter Willi

Art: Lars Fursater /unknown

Art: Vladimir Rocman /Johnny Friedlander

Art: Roger Vieillard /unknown

Art: John Jagel /Roland Grippe

2009-04-05T21:07:00.000-07:00

2009, 24"x18", oil, mixed media on canvas

2009, 24"x18", oil, mixed media on canvas

Some recent LP/record finds

2009-04-05T20:16:00.000-07:00

Francis Thorne / T.J. Anderson / Michael Brozen, CRI records (1970?)

Francis Thorne (b.1922) has been a favorite ever since i heard his use of electric guitars/basses in his contemporary classical compositions (recorded in the late 60's), probably a direct influence of the popularity of rock n' roll music at that time. Thorne's composition "Liebesrock", was inspired by his witnessing a rock concert in 1968. Imagine an older, classically trained, academic composer watching a "hippy rock concert", and giving his interpretation. About his "Liebesrock" he describes: "The allegory, of course, is the USA in 1968 wallowing in the arrogance of power, self-satisfaction (officially speaking) and complacency, dancing to its potential destruction to the sounds of hard rock music."(!!) The music is cool though; sort of a "Twilight Zone" TV Soundtrack-esque sounding concerto, with electric guitar and bass, but more ambient and fluid, and a anticipatory atmosphere. The other composers, and tracks are good as well, although slightly different in styles.

Henri Lazarof, Avant records (1975?)

I found this Henri Lazarof LP recently at a record convention (and it's autographed!), and has a great cover with art by his wife Eleanore Lazarof. The compostions are from the early 1970's, and have a definite Edgard Varese' influence but are more minimal, at times ambient. The music is active in an imaginative/contemplative way, sometimes psychologically shocking and intense, without being too bombastic or desensitizing.

Imaginary Icons, Daggerman records 2008

While on my recent trip to New York City, i visited my friend Tom "Dot-Dash" Hyland and his band, Imaginary Icons. We had an impromptu "jam session", and recorded some improvisational tracks! (more on that later). This record is their 7-song EP 12" from 2008, only 500 made, and it's really great! I'm not a "music critic", but will give it a shot. The music and songs are done in a late-70's art-punk-wave underground/"Messthetics" flavor, but without falling to a "retro" or "neo" tag level (Maybe think something like early Mission of Burma, Swell Maps, Mekons, early Joy Division, Wire, and a bit of A-Frames, with a NY art-experimental edge). The song writing is really good, and the way they are played is honest and primal. I like the way it was recorded and mixed too, it has a raw, direct, yet spacey, DIY feel.

Elliott Carter: Variations for Orchestra / Double Concerto, Columbia records 1968

An amazing American composer, he just turned 100 years old and is still writing music in New York City! This is another classic find at one of my all time favorite record stores, "JiveTime records" in Fremont, Seattle (highly recommend it). Coming from a rock music background, i find it hard to describe classical music to others, especially fellow rock-school colleagues. A brief analogy of listening to this record would be something like watching an epic-type movie, many scenes and story lines, that carries you to different environments and psychological experiences. His music can be simple yet sophisticated, contemplative, joyful, tense, playful, disturbing, beautiful, etc., without getting overly dramatic and pretentious. I have other records by Elliott Carter, and all of them are great, inspirational, and thought provoking.

Waiting Room Compilation, Slight Seconds / The Mediaters / Picture Chords, Object Music records UK 1980

This is an amazing compilation of UK late-70's unknown post-punk/wave bands from Manchester, England (another find at JiveTime records). The sound and songs from these bands are quite unique, and pretty cool for that time. Think of a more experimental version of "The Cigarettes", or a darker version of early "Buzzcocks", and/or similar to misc. bands from the "UK Messthetics" compilations. This Manchester based record label (Object Music records, 1978-81) looks like it had some other cool releases, but i haven't heard them yet.

2009-03-03T18:51:00.000-08:00

2009, 24"x18", oil, mixed media on canvas

2009-02-19T15:26:00.001-08:00

I posted some new paintings on my website (in my "recent works" section). One is an updated collage-painting from the "Memoriam series", one a recent experimentation "stratous" study, and others ...

2009-02-19T15:16:00.000-08:00

some other new experimentation "stratous" studies -
2009, each 18"x 12", oil & mixed media on canvas

2009-02-16T23:02:00.000-08:00

"Ancient Navigator" 2007
8"x 12", pen & ink, monoprint, on paper

2009-02-07T19:13:00.000-08:00

Letter to Elliott Carter
"Hello ~ I am an artist/musician from Seattle, Wa... I painted a portrait of Mr. Carter and I was wondering if i could send it to him as a gift, in appreciation of his work and artistry (I am NOT expecting any reimbursement etc., it's just a gift). I consider his music very imaginative, and an inspiration. I assume you are someone who monitors this site, and if you accept, would allow Mr. Carter to receive it in his honor. I am a professional artist, and have done many commissioned portraits. The portrait i speak of is copied from one of those black and white photos (i think from the 1950's-early 60's?) where he is sitting at a bench in a black suit and tie. It is fairly small - 12"x16" oil on canvas. If you could give me an address to send it to, and given it proper care, that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
All the best, Sincerely,
Shannon Mcconnell "

2009-02-07T19:03:00.000-08:00

Jazz Opera
Has anyone seen the new Harvey Pekar's Jazz-Opera "Leave Me Alone"? I am interested in hearing how it's debut went, and what you thought of it.

Music Videos (with me playing)

2009-02-07T17:15:00.000-08:00

There are others with me on Youtube, if interested

Early FallOuts video
Filmed for Television in 1988.

Playing drums for Billy Childish
In the Spring of 2006, Billy Childish and wife Julie were in town, and
they needed a drummer/percussionist for a few of his Northwest shows.
We played Seattle, and Portland.

The Intelligence
Live video clip of me playing bass in The Intelligence, Vancouver, BC., 2007.