O'Neill Stalling

A sweet art collector who frequently purchases original works by me really liked “O’Neill #5.” He wanted to commission a continuation of the scene between those two lads. I had sorta designed "O’Neill #5" as a "one of." Although, I admit that I became attached and invested in the characters, and I didn’t mind expanding their history.

The collector had a few requests for the image, and one was to have O’Neill looking and watching the action in the boy’s bathroom mirror. I worked up a couple of ideas but I just couldn’t see O'Neill by a mirror. He has relinquished responsibility for what is happening and what he is feeling. Psychologically, someone in that much denial (“I’m not gay.”) about what he is letting happen, someone in an almost fugue state, wouldn't want to "see himself" even in a non-participatory pose. I decided it would be okay if I somehow managed to incorporate an alternate reflective surface.

My other concern was putting O’Neill in a position to have his ass thusly accessible for nibbling while maintaining the totally aloof attitude. I like a challenge and decided to give it the old college try. I think the image is very much in character as I wanted to preserve the psychological profile of the boys whilst moving their exploration along... I really like "O'Neill Stalling" (official title).

— Michael Kirwan

 

O'Neill Stalling — 2010 — 6½" x 10"

 

 

 

 

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Any images, writings or other content on this website may be copied for personal viewing only.
They may not be: redistributed; sold; altered; enhanced; modified by artificial, digital or computer imaging;
used on another website or blog; posted to any internet or computer newsgroup, forum or media sharing site;
nor used for any other purpose without the express written permission of the artist or KirwanArts.com.