What’s new
2024 December Open Studios at Oakland studio
December 8, Sunday
11 am to 5 pm
3246 Ettie Street, Studio 1B
2024 Fall Open Studios at Art Farm
September 28 & 29
• 11 am to 5 pm
Friday Night Preview
: September 27, 6 pm to 9 pm
Art Farm | 1890 Bryant St, Ste 414, San Francisco CA
Recent Work 2023
Living Together Separately
September 22 thru November 12
Opening reception Friday Sep 22 • 6 pm to 8 pm
Rare Device Gallery
600 Divisadero St., San Francisco, CA 94117
Comprised of acrylic paintings on cradled wood panels of various sizes, the show was inspired by Michael’s 19 year relationship, and how distance has kept them together. Known for his animal paintings, Michael also includes them in this series of work, as they hold their own space while navigating the balance of two worlds.
Artist Statement: When I turned 30 I had my astrological chart read and was advised to live alone. The reader suggested that as an observer, constantly taking things in from the world around me, that I would benefit from adequate space to process…alone.
Being raised by divorced parents in two homes, I find it natural to live apart (at least part-time) from the people I love. Luckily for me, my partner of 19 years is also an artist who needs space to recharge and “process”, and we are secure in keeping the Bay between us. Over the course of our relationship, we’ve constantly been asked when we plan on moving in together. The simple answer is possibly never. Although recently we began discussing a new way of being – by building two dwellings on the same property, like a modern-day Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. It’s this change in my life that initiated the house imagery in this body of work. The idea of living together, separately.
I’ve always used animal motifs in my work. The animals often take on human characteristics and are presented isolated in an abstract landscape, a metaphor for my need for space. Sometimes they are paired together creating their own dialogue and narrative, but still maintaining their own identity. So who knows if the houses will ever be built, but in the meantime, the distance keeps us together and I look forward to growing into two old men who watch birds in the backyard.
https://raredevice.net/blogs/blog/down-the-rabbit-hole-with-michael-mcconnell
IN THE NEWS
Down the Rabbit Hole with Michael McConnell
Rare Device Gallery | September 2023
Artist Spotlight: Q & A with Michael McConnell
Marion & Rose’s Workshop | May 2016
A casual pop-up for creatives : Social Sketch
SF Design Week | January 2016
We Wanna Be Friends With Local Artist Michael McConnell
7×7 | October 2014
Social Sketch in life
Spiked Punch Bowl | September 2014
In the Studio: Q & A with Michael McConnell
Marion & Rose’s Workshop | October 2013
Michael McConnell | La Porte Peinte
Meet Michael McConnell, Making Sense of the World Through Art
Scout Mob | June 2011
Michael McConnell @ Braunstein/Quay
John Casey blog | March 2011
i’m jealous of michael mcconnell
The Jealous Curator | March 2010
This Week from Lisa Congdon: Interview with Artist Michael McConnell
Poppytalk | January 2010
Michael McConnell
Meighan O’Toole blog | August 2008
OTHER PRESS MENTIONS
• 25 Artists to Watch, Watercolor Magazine, Fall 2011
• 100 Artists of the West Coast II, Tina Skinner, Schiffer Publishing, 2009
• New American Paintings 79: Juried by Ritz Gonzalez, 2008
• Nashville Scene, “One Thing Leads to Another”, by David Maddox, November 23, 2006
• The Tennessean, “A Strong Reaction”, by Jonathan Marx, November 3, 2006
• Artweek, “Partially Told Stories”, by Kristin Palm, May 2006
• “ReGeneration: Telling Stories from Our Twenties”, Jennifer Karlin and Amelia Borofsky, 2003
• The Columbus Dispatch, “Six New Faces Show Promise”, July 7, 2002
• The San Francisco Examiner, “Ex Files”, by Anne Crump, July 10, 2001
