Rockin' Korona and the Boogie Woogie Flu with Joe O'Neill

An SFAI alum, Joe O'Neill is a fine artist, muralist and bad-ass sign painter. 

Let me tell you snotty little brats something, if you see a masterly hand painted commercial sign and walk right by it without recognizing an artist's hand at work, I don't even wanna know ya. Joe is pretty damn adept with gold leaf too, and trust me, that stuff's a bitch to work with. 

His most recent solo show, "Secret Head Trip/What Struck Me" was at Keystone Art Space.

Here's what notorious art world crank Mat Gleason had to say about it:

"The layers and flourishes of the lettering that are the master sign painter's calling card are all still there. They stand strong yet are reduced to compositional elements within a painting that carries a larger purpose. These bold, slick, unbent letters signify that there are many here among us who will not sacrifice our personal style in the face of a world going wrong."

But that was so 2019, before the world really took a turn. I reached out to Joe yesterday to see how the end of the world is going for him.

How are you feeling?

Pretty good despite all this. I’m well rested and getting exercise. but I am worried.

Were you able to quarantine in the studio? How long has it been?

I bought a bunch of supplies to my house. My studio is only a couple miles away. There’s minimal common space and few people so I will go back there soon. I felt like the right thing to do was to just stay home for a couple weeks.

When did it hit you how serious this was?

2-3 weeks ago, when films and commercials started shutting down. my day job is in the film business.

Have you had cancelled/postponed exhibitions as a result?

Yes. 2 group shows are postponed indefinitely. a third may be online only. I also have a couple paintings in a show at golden west college that can’t be seen because the college is shut down. it’s a bummer but you know what? I’d rather have them cancelled than not have those opportunities at all.

What have you been doing with the downtime? Are you able to make art right now?

Some. it feels a little futile. I haven’t been super productive. mostly I’m just drawing and practicing painted lettering. I tend to overthink my ideas in times of stress (or maybe just all the time) so getting back to basics is good. it turns my brain off then the good ideas come. 

Are you finding any inspiration in this mess?

Maybe it’s me being idealistic but i am finding people to be a little nicer to each other, at least in one on one interactions, hoarders and profiteers aside.

I’m hoping that we come out of this with a little more compassion and empathy.  a renewed interest in universal health care and a greater understanding of the value of our labor.

What has been the most challenging part of this for you?

I want to do more to help but I must remember that staying home is helping.

What are some of your coping mechanisms?

Meditation, exercise, art, talking with friends.

What's the thing/place you wish you could do/go but can't right now?

See/touch/feel friends. be around people in general. even though I like to spend a lot of time alone I  like people. travel.

Done any binge watching, book reading, game playing?

Tiger king, like everyone else. there are some other shows.
I love reading but haven’t been doing as much as I’d like.I have had long conversations with people. longer than I would have before the pandemic. some are friends I haven’t seen in decades. that part of this is great.

Favorite work of art in Los Angeles?

There is so much great work to choose from but I will go with a long time favorite: The mural on the back side of the post office at Butler Ave and Santa Monica Blvd. in West L.A. (11420 Santa Monica Blvd, 90025. Mural is on the back outside wall overlooking the parking lot). I forget the name but it’s California after it falls into the sea. It was painted in the early 70s, I believe. it’s really faded but still really strong.

That's the "Isle of California". It's on the south side of The Village Recorder, which I think T Bone Burnett owns now, because he's there all the fucking time. It was painted back in 1972 by Victor Henderson and Terry Schoonhoven. They were part of the L.A. Fine Arts Squad. Faded as fuck now.

"Isle of California" circa 1974

How it looks this morning.

What song is stuck in your head right now?

L7 “Garbage Truck”.

You roadie for them sometimes. How are they doing?

I think they’re all right. I’m closest with Jennifer, the bass player. She’s like a sister to me. She’s The only one I’ve talked to lately, she’s doing well. They’re supposed to go to Australia and New Zealand in May, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.

I’ve been asking everybody this, favorite brand of toilet paper and where do you find it?

The bidet attachment I installed on my toilet.

Wow, you fancy!

If you could hoard one food item, what would it be?

Coffee.

Do you know anyone personally who has contracted the virus?

An acquaintance in Seattle.

How do you think this all ends?

I have no fucking idea. We will get through it. I don’t know at what cost.

Here's to gettin' through it! Thanks for talking to me, man. 

Y'all can buy the catalog from Joe's latest show here. and you should. Also, hire/commission the guy here.

Photos below courtesy of Joe O'Neill
Top photo by Marlene Guidara

Sleeping Through a Pandemic with Lethargic Artist

Lethargic Artist grew up in Lidsville, California and was raised by Bugaloos. He's got quite a knack for harvesting Wonderbugs. While attending the University of Television Arts & Sciences in the sixties, he wrote a now legendary thesis on Ted Bessell. These days Lethargic is probably more well known for his delightful window murals at Vidiots, and for publishing a coloring book that scares children. It was my great honor to enjoy a burger with him once. Let's see how he's doing, shall we?

Is Lethargic Arts your real name?   

Yes!

How are you feeling?  

Anxious, angry, sad, depressed, and....lethargic. But also grateful for the roof over my head and the food in the fridge.

Have you been self-quarantining? How many days? If not, why not?     

About two weeks now, except for one quick grocery run. Now I’m trying to just have everything delivered.

When did it hit you how serious this was? 

About a month ago, but I think I was still a bit in denial.

Have you had cancelled shows as a result?    

Well, my work is still up at Fingerprints in Long Beach, but the place is closed for the duration.

What have you been doing with the downtime?   

Sleeping, watching bad movies, and sleeping some more.

Are you not finding current events inspiring?    

Even though I draw and paint a lot of monsters and horror icons, there’s nothing about this scare-fest that inspires me.

What has been the most challenging part of this for you?   

Worrying about my friends and loved ones, especially those working in the medical field or having to care for older relatives. I’m an introvert and lazy. I can handle staying home. But a lot of folks don’t have the luxury of being able to do that.

What are your coping mechanisms? 

Sleep, sleep, and more sleep. And also, sleep. If you’re having trouble sleeping, I recommend sleep. And sleep is also helpful. masturbation. Did I mention sleep?

Truly lethargic then? Okay. Is there a thing/place you wish you could do/go but can't right now?  

I love going to the movies, and then out to eat with friends. I’ll be really happy when that’s something I can do again.

Done any binge watching? Any recommendations (books, films. TV, games)?   

I’m watching a lot of crappy TV movies from the 70s and 80s on YouTube and Prime. Starflight One with Lee Majors and Hal Linden was pretty enjoyable. Sadly, True Grit the Further Adventures with Warren Oates as Rooster Cogburn was kind of a dud.

Favorite work of art in Los Angeles?   

I really like that hideous ballerina clown in Venice. But the Watts Towers is my favorite piece of public art.

Clownerina

What song is stuck in your head right now (commercial jingles totally count)?   

"I Shall Be Released", because I just watched The Last Waltz.

Favorite brand of toilet paper and where do you find it?    

I don’t use toilet paper. I used dried corn cobs like my ancestors before me. When those run out, I use sandpaper. OK, fine. Cottonelle.

If you could hoard one food item, what would it be?    

Cheese. Although I have BBQ potato chips being delivered this week and I’m really stupidly excited about it.

Oh, I get it. Cheese, man, cheese.

How do you think this all ends?    

Not soon enough, and not well for a lot of people. I suspect this will last a lot longer than most people think, and that we will be feeling the impact for years. I’m hoping we can learn from this to at least not take so much for granted.

Let's get burgers if we survive this, pal. Go back to sleep.

Follow Lethargic Artist (aka Patrick McGilligan) on IG and buy his art. Also head over to the Vidiots site and donate to a great fucking cause!

McGilligan actually hates hot dogs.

Even in the face of imminent death by a gamma radiated stork, McGilligan held on to his iced coffee.

The Koronavirus Blues with Septerhed

In the beginning, there was a locust that swarmed over the Sahara. The deafening buzzing sound created a vortex that swirled across the plains, creating a thick black sludge. The sludge flowed into the Mediterranean Sea, swallowing all gill-bearing life. The sludge grew in size as it devastated Macedonia, then Bucharest and Belarus. Gaining speed, the sludge made a sharp left at Estonia and headed toward the Baltic Sea, where it was met by a corona discharge of luminous plasma. The brutal collision caused the sludge to shoot skyward twisting into tentacles of shimmering, gooey light. There it stayed, churning & whirling and making a cacophonous clamor. Until, one day, like a miracle, it just disappeared. The ancient mystics gave the thing a name. Thy name is Septerhed.

But seriously, dude, how are you doing?

Thanks for asking. Dishonestly? Fantastic. Every day is a ray of sunshine that brightens my existence.
Honestly? I feel dumpster fire with a hint of endless melancholy. Like if bad survived a terrible mess and was waiting for a shit-show to take over.

How many days have you been self-quarantining?

None. I've been mostly alone, but not completely. Jesus has been by my side, but he's not washing his hands at all.

When did it hit you how serious the crisis was?

When I couldn't buy TP or water. When the streets were empty. Empty shelves. When my job sent me home.

Have you had any art shows cancelled as a result?

No. Some extensions though.

What have you been doing with the downtime?

Worrying, contemplating, prepping, crying, traveling, smoking, quitting smoking, yelling, nervously smiling and IDK. As best as any 1st time pandemic person can be.

Are you not finding current events inspiring?

Not really. I was in such a bad place in 2019, it's kind of just an extension.

What's been the most challenging aspect for you?

 Finding work, money, logistics, worrying about loved ones. Figuring out what the fuck is happening every historic day.

Do you have any coping mechanisms?

 Perhaps legal stimulants, my sub-woofer and dreams of nicotine consumption. Honestly nothing is really helping me cope. I keep searching though. I will always keep searching. I will.

 What's the thing/place you wish you could go/do right now?

Hang out with Gener. As a Gener myself it's hard to not be around another one. Maybe it's best. It's all fleeting. I always think I know what I need, but my inability to catch a break and learn how to love myself ruins all. Little bits of here and there get us to the next little bit.

Okay, I'm just gonna pretend to know what a Gener is.
Have you done any binge watching, book reading' or game playing?

No. I can't focus on anything like that.

Favorite work of art in Los Angeles?

 A mural by Dr Knudson on Fountain. Best mural in L.A. Fact!

The Dr. Knudson Mural on Fountain

 What's on heavy rotation in your ear holes?

Alec Empire, Dogleg, Beneath the Massacre, Svalbard, God Mother, Tame Impala, Napalm Death, Loathe, Frontierer, Sectioned, Dan Deacon, CHRISTWVRKS, Sanction, The Jezabels, CULT LEADER, Petbrick, Jeen, Brutus, The Middle Kids, Hath.

Favorite brand of toilet paper and where to find it during an apocalypse?

Charmin. Maybe you can find it online and have it delivered by April 14th?

What's your hoarder food of choice?

Peanut butter. 

What brand though?

Natural. Any brand, I think.

I had to scour my Fakebook timeline to figure this out, but I think I've known you for 7 years now. But only very recently discovered that you've had a dog this whole time.

I've had him for 11 years. It's getting toward the end though. It makes me realize the smartest thing I ever did was NOT get anyone pregnant. I can barely handle a dog. I'm a mess and selfish.

How do you think this all ends?

 With me typing this: "THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TIME!"

Good talk, bro!


Hey, kids, head over to the Septerhed site and buy some art!