It was Jenny’s idea that the Urban Arts Space might be a better place to show them. I thought it might be nice if the museum had one of my paintings in their collection or in a future exhibition. It was initiated when Jenny Robb, curator at The Billy Ireland Cartoon Research Library, saw my work. There are over 100 paintings in total, and The Ohio State University and the Urban Arts Space is graciously showing 54 of them in this exhibition. The art piled up and evolved into a body of work.

It started out with the addition of Nancy and Sluggo, but then I began using other characters to comment on the unsettling emotions I was going through in such unprecedented times. Eventually I thought it might be interesting to add some comic characters. I enjoy drawing MUTTS, but for years I’ve been doing large abstract paintings whenever I had the time. Patrick: Well, it’s the first exhibition of the crazy, turbulent paintings I created during the crazy turbulent years of 2016 through 2021. 3.Įmma: Can you start by telling us a brief summary of your upcoming exhibition? Side Effects: Paintings by Patrick McDonnell 2016-2021 will be on display at Urban Arts Space through Oct.

Less known are the abstract paintings he has been creating since college. Urban Arts Space is lucky enough to be hosting an exhibition of over 50 of these works. Patrick McDonnell is known for his comic strip MUTTS and his award-winning children’s books. By Emma Hassel and Audrey Neyer, Urban Arts Space interns

Mutts by Patrick McDonnell