The Reviews Are In! Students Love O'Connell's Work

Artist Jeff O'Connell as Jamoka Jack,
and Patron of the Arts Deborah Lawson as Clementine

"He did a very good job." - Erica S.

"A very good artist." - Maritza P.

"I bet it took like 6 hours to paint." - Yoseline C.

"I think he could be famous one day." - Cynthia B.

"Gold Rush Day wouldn't be complete without it." - Cody M.

"Keep up the work Jeff." - Alejandra M.

"Must be a famous artist." - Jessica S.

"I think he will become famous." - Kimberly G.

"I thought it was very creative." - Jennifer R.

"He's nice because he painted a great piece of art for students." - Kathleen S.

"The best painter in California." - Michael V.

"The best painter in the world." - Abner D.

The show has closed, but in case you missed them, these recent works by Los Angeles artist Jeff O'Connell will make another appearance for Gold Rush Day 2009.

Dwelt a Miner, Forty-Niner, and His Daughter, Clementine - in my car

Did you sing that title? In fourth grade we love that song. And now the miner, who we have named Jamoka Jack (after the character in By the Great Horn Spoon) and Clementine (from the song) are in my car on a layover from an art studio in LA to the gold diggings of the OC.

Shown above is the artist's sketch for these two nearly life-size figures with cut-out faces, for the kids to stand behind and look out through the hole. They are painted on heavy cardboard voting booths (they don't use those things for voting anymore). Folded up, they just barely fit in my car. They will be in use tomorrow at school to get the kids excited about Gold Rush Day which will be held on the last day of school, Wednesday. Everyone will get a chance to have their picture taken behind one or the other.

The finished product, which looks even better than the sketch, is the work of my favorite artist and good friend, Jeff O'Connell. Thank you, Jeff!